More Than Fun in the New World
by Dannie on 9/8/239:30 CLUB - WASHINGTONRating: 5 out of 5I saw the September 4 show at The Atlantis and the September 5 show at The 9:30 Club. For both sets, the band was tight, as expected. Their instrumentation was seriously on point. Billy Zoom and DJ Bonebrake were in the zone. Seriously. It was awe-inspiring to watch such mastery and passion. John Doe was energetic, Exene Cervanka was luminous. The set for each night was different, but they did some favorites both nights: I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts, Nausea, Los Angeles, Come Back to Me, White Girl, Soul Kitchen, and a few others. They were gracious to and interactive with the crowd (did not get distracted by the random shouts of requests). I love this band more than any other, including CAN, as they have long provided the theme music to my life (We're Desperate is a particular favorite). I have seen them more than 20 times, from D.C. to Richmond to New York to San Diego, to LA to San Francisco to Annapolis. At no time does it ever get old. At no time do they ever disappoint. This is one of the best live show bands you will see. It is a privilege (to be back in America) to see such excellence at work and watch the joy their music brings to the crowd. Just magical.
On technical issues with the venue. The 9:30 Club continues to have its ongoing issues with sound, while it seems to be pitched, woofed, and blasted exactly right at The Atlantis. Go figure.