Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06

UPDATE: Click here to watch a video for song 'Three Colors' performed @ Bowery Ballroom.

    Last night Spencer Krug ventured back to New York with his band Wolf Par, Swan Lake, Sunset Rubdown. Last time out the band played two shows at Mercury Lounge but have since graduated to a double dip at Bowery. Last May I checked out their second of two shows at Mercury. The entire band was suffering from food poising from an unnamed restaurant (Katz deli) which resulted in their performance being average at best. Spencer apologized to the crowd right before he had to cut the laborious set short. This time around Krug and co. were healthy and suffering from a good old fashioned case of the good times. The band, specifically Krug, was in great spirits. Krug was laughing, smiling and joking around with the crowd all night. For those not aware, Krug has recently sprouted a mustachio.

    Last night was New York's first opportunity to witness his whiskers in all its glory. As expected, it became an instant topic of conversation. One audience member yelled out, "you look like Magnum P.I." to which Spencer responded, "I've never been more flattered and insulted in my entire life." After that point Magnum P.I. became a running joke. Between songs Spencer put on a head band to sop up his sweat and joked to the crowd that he was "the Karate Kid and Magnum P.I." Finally, when strapping on his accordion before They Took a Vote and Said No, Krug asked the crowd if they had "seen the episode where Magnum played the accordion?" Ahhhh, good times. But all joking aside, Sunset Rubdown sounded UNBELIEVABLE last night. I don't know if it's the magic of the Bowery Ballroom or the fact that the band has gelled since their Mercury Lounge shows. Whatever the reason, Sunset Rubdown sounded more concise then any Krug led band I've seen this past year. Krug opened with a new song similar to Winged/Wicked Things and then rolled right into Stadiums And Shrines II. Speaking of Winged/Wicked Things, the crowd was treated to a dead on version of the song that was recorded for a Daytrotter session. Winged/Wicked Things sounded better than any song played all night and makes one wonder why it didn't make the album?
 

   The first half of the set was out of control amazing. I was waiting for an ebb in the flow but the energy kept building and the ebb never materialized. The band played pretty much everything off of Shut Up I Am Dreaming, as well as an "old song, re-worked" according to Krug. (I took a video of the "old song, re-worked" and it will be up soon) The band closed the first set with crowd favorite, I'm Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings. They came back out for an encore and performed a  haunting version of The Empty Threats of Little Lords. It’s safe to say that I’m a huge Spencer Krug fan and would go to great lengths to see any of his bands perform. Unlike other bands out today, Krug’s music has a life and intensity unto itself. Watching him perform is a mesmerizing experience that leaves you wanting more.

More Links
Check out BrooklynVegan.com for my review
Review: Beaver @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06
Pictures: Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06
Pictures: Sunset Rubdown @ Mercury Lounge 5/24/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Webster Hall 4/09/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Webster Hall 4/10/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Northsix 10/25/05
Video: Hadji getting down @ Webster Hall

Comments

[maria]

the ''old song, re-worked'' is called 'three colors'...it is on the EP from Global Symphonic...nice review and pictures!

[AngryCitizen]

Maria!!! you're a wealth of information. thanks so much. I'll try to get the "three colors" video up soon.

[li]

thanks for your piece on sunset rubdown. i'm a huge fan of wolf parade, and unfortunately i have yet to see SR live. sweet snaps. continue kicking ass AC.