Live: The Constantines

Well, I really thought I might pull it off this time.

That is, until those U.S soldiers found my hiding place, pried me out of the hole, and dragged me, blinking and bearded, into the sunlight.

...Or, in this case, politely pointed out to me that it has, in fact, been two weeks since I even went to the show, and as such, I really should get on with writing this thing. Or else.

Curses. Xp

But here I am, on the morn of my grad day, telling the tale of that saturday two weeks ago whereupon the guitar-playing angels of the LORD descended to me, bringing the good news that rock can, in fact, Be Saved...gather 'round, children, and list' well.

It all started last summer, during a show by a little-known band titled roughly after People Who Battle Something Named Foo, fronted by the drummer of another little-known band who may or may not have saved rock/brought about its destruction (depending on who you talk to). Anyways, the point is, opening for this band of little renown was a group who, at the time, seemed decent to my ears...though what really caught my attention was the fact that their drummer played like the fate of the world depended on him beating the crap out of his kit. Kinda like the slightly-crazed ghost of Keith Moon, John Bonham, and the presently living Grohl (yeah, you figure it out how that last one's possible >.>) had taken possession of his body in order to help avert our Impending Doom.

Evidently, their efforts worked, since the world DIDN'T end that night, and now, several months and countless shows later, I was given the opportunity to see this same band play again. It was a tough, decision, of course...yeah. Real tough. >.>

As to the experience, it took place in one of the smaller venues in our very own MacEwan Hall...which was nice, and rather intimate. I must admit, though, that I'm still adjusting to the concept of crowds who don't, in fact, mosh into you and perform spin-kicks in the middle of a crowded gig space. >.> Regardless, however, the show opened well enough, with the Blood Meridian, who were decent and set the tone for the evening despite severe jetlag from having driven straight from the airport to the gig. Nice, but not astounding.

Then came the second opener, Chad VanGaalen...and here is where my mild expectations for the evening were slowly and ritually crushed by the sheer greatness of what was happening onstage. Whatever thoughts I might have had beforehand about his music were blown away by the fact that, not only can the guy play, but play REALLY WELL. And there's a certain gravity in his stage show that is as attention-holding as any act of wanton destruction. The whole audience was in awe.

...Well, despite that one guy who knew Chad, and Proceeded To be The Life Of The Concert. You know...like that one friend you can never get to just shut up, even if they do say amusing things? Good to know that being an indie Star does not make one exempt. >.>

Finally, however, this wonderful performer with an unpronouncable last name left the stage, and we of the audience scarecly had time to recover our jaded sensibilities before those Byzantian Rockers appeared, set up their gear in record time, and began to play.

Whatever my job description is on this blog...I just can't communicate in words the experience of seeing the Constantines play live. Listen to their records and you gain an appreciation for the sheer capacity of their music..."Gutter Poetry", I believe our 'good' friends over at the The 'Fork
called it >.>. However, the songs gain a certain dimension onstage that no amount of tracks and studio tricks can create...it's almost like they come alive, and proceed to overwhelm you with their awesomness until you become that screaming Beatles fangirl you always promised yourself you would NEVER be.

...Which, I'm not sure is a GOOD thing, but it definitely says something about their stagemanship. Whatever else can be said, or written, about this band, it all comes down to the simple fact that they can PLAY. Not just play their instruments...they can play music. Can undo all that jaded hoo-hah about Rock being dead, or dying, or whatever...they ARE Rock and Roll.

And yes, their drummer still played like he was possessed by the above three spirits. Maybe even gained a few along the way. >.> Which maybe makes me think that the Impending Doom is still apparent, up there...maybe it's a constantly Impending Doom, and as such, the moment bands like The Constantines aren't in existance anymore, the world will, in fact, end.

With fire and burning and all that fun stuff. And the Guitar-Wielding Angels of the LORD will ride forth and inflict His wrath upon the Nickelbacks and Theory of a Deadmans and Pussycat Dolls of the world...

it's a pleasant dream. XD


The Constantines - Nighttime, Anytime, It's Allright
The Constantines - On To You
The Constantines - Soon Enough