Sasquatch 2009: Day 2
Mike Watt & the Missing Men- For being 51 Mike Watt is a fucking badass. Wow, he rocked it harder then some of these new punk rock bands with 17 year old kids playing the bass. Their set was a great way to start out day 2. By far the best bass player in the world hands down. It was a true pleasure to see this living legend once again.
Street Sweeper Social Club – It was pretty fierce to see them come out on stage with this British looking army jackets, it was also kind of hot. Street Sweeper Social Club blew our minds, being the second band we saw on Sunday it was a lot to take in at 1:10 in the afternoon. They remind me a lot of Rage which is understandable and very cool. They did an amazing cover of M.I.A.'s Paper Planes that showed off Tom Morello's amazing guitar playing skills. Everyone was making guns and singing along in the crowd, it was a lot of fun. Can't wait to hear the new album and take the Oath to be a part of their Social Club.
Hockey – Not sure where the Portland based band Hockey got their name from? I don't hear any Hockey references in their songs. I know that my mom saw them in concert before me and she loves them. Hockey was a lot of fun to see. They were very dancy and the first couple of rows of people were huge fans. It was fun to hear them scream out lyrics and song titles. They could have rocked the dance tent like nobody's business. They are a tight band and if you love dance music like Hot Chip and MGMT you should check out Hockey.
The Henry Clay People – What I liked about the Henry Clay People was that it was this little indie pop rock band. The singer had the biggest smile on his face and they were more then excited to be playing the Yeti stage at Sasquatch. That really stuck with me throughout the weekend. I am glad I got to see them play two or so songs.
St. Vincent – She sounded really clear and on tune. I only heard a song, it was kind of a in-passing moment for me. Brad said she reminded him of another Colbie Caillat.
The Avett Brothers – Never seen a man rock the banjo so hard in my life, he must have leather fingers.
The Murder City Devils – First time I watched the jaws drop like flys on the 85% of the people surrounding me on the hill. Forget about a sound check where you just say "check check", talk about how you were a band but you did not like each other so you broke up and know you are back together. That is way more interesting then check 1, 2 or test test on the mic's. The Murder City Devils like to use the word fuck. Let me just ramble off a few words from their set… "this is for the faggots", "fuck you eat shit", "Fuck all these mother fuckers", "Bunch of shitheads", "I love my cock", "I love my pussy." Their Stooges influenced punk rock was off the wall and his stage presence had to make the front row excited and the photographers a little scared. Their set rocked, I'm excited that this great punk band is together again. This is now a lesson to anyone with young ones in the crowd – BRING EARMUFFS.
Airborne Toxic Event – I left the Gorge early because I had a little too much sun (I know I am a baby) and wasn't feeling to well. I was miserable but I will say on my way walking out of the Gorge to go back to camp I heard everyone including Airborne Toxic Event scream the lyrics too "Sometime Around Midnight." Not going to lie I stopped for a second and chimed in, it was kind of cool to be a part of it. They sounded pretty good with that many kids yelling the lyrics over them.
TV on the Radio is the most unique and original band around. Their albums always seem to be at the top of everyone’s best of list. I see why but to get to hear these great songs live was just a treat (I mean like getting 2 desserts). I was about 10 or 12 rows from the stage and the floor was packed with kids ready to sing along, clap their hands and dance their asses off. When TVOTR played “Wolf Like Me” The crowd went crazy and this set was the most fun I would have all weekend at the Sasquatch! Festival. The day seemed to be all around Jane’s Addiction for obvious reasons but I thought Kyp Malone said the best quote about it – “I wish I could go back in time and tell my teenage self that I would someday be playing on the same stage as Jane’s Addiction”. That pretty much summed up this humble and amazing band. After the set some of my colleges that watched the show from the hill said the mix was off a little bit. To that I say it
sounded amazing on the floor and you should have got off your ass and danced a little.
Nine Inch Nails – I’ve seen NIN many of times through out the years but when I heard that this might be the last Nine Inch Nails concert I made it a point to see this amazing live band one more time. This was the first time I have ever seen NIN start performing when it was still light outside. The last time I saw them in Missoula during the “Light’s In The Sky” Tour the show was amazing and the light show was a production and it looked a little stressful to Trent. This was not the case tonight. It was a simple but very cool light show and the band sounded great as usual. With a mixture of new instrumental songs and classic NIN songs Trent and Company looked like they were having a great time and loving what they were doing. The crowd sang-along to “Head Like A Hole”, “March of the Pigs” and “Hurt” enhancing this night of great Nine Inch Nails songs.
Of Montreal – Left the Nine Inch Nails set to check out Of Montreal. Did not stay long because the Wookie stage was so packed you could not see much of anything. I really like this band and was excited to see them live but I guess I watched too much of NIN. Maybe next time. That always the tough part of Festivals trying to see everyone you want to.
Jane’s Addiction – It was the first time that Jane’s Addiction played together in years. And from the first notes of “Three Days” to the final notes of “Jane Says” They owned the Sasquatch! Festival Main Stage. I think people forget how great these songs are. I was disappointed to see people leaving the amphitheater dozens at a time. The hill was ½ empty by the time that their set was done. Could have been the heat, or the long day of drinking. Jane’s set rocked from start to finish and was full of hits. These true rock stars owned it for their 90 minute set. It was cool to see a few people on the hill left signing every song.
Leaving Day 2 Side Note – After Jane's Addiction is was weird to walk by the dance tent and it was done for the night. I would think that thing would just start to get cooking by Midnight not closed. Just a thought as I was leaving the venue.
Best, Worst and The Rest of Day 2 at Sasquatch! Festival:
Worst Performance – 90% of all the singers, that sang the Rock Band game in the X-Box 360 Lounge.
Best Performance – NIN
Best clap your hands fun time dance party – TV On The Radio
Finally a situation that was appropriate for Dave Navarro to not wear a shirt – The hot weather. – I start to wonder when every time I see a photo of Dave Navarro on TV or in a magazine he never has a shirt on. I wonder if he even owns one.
Best not a lot of people know this band and their jaws are going to drop moment when they play on the Mainstage – Murder City Devils – I wondered how the crowd on the main stage was going to react to the Murder City Devils. Everyone on the floor loved it including myself. The next day I heard a lot of complaints from people up on the hill with their kids and stupid jocks at the show.
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com
checkitoutmusic.com 2007-2009
