photos by Chris La Putt

OMD @ Irving Plaza - 9/21/2011

"You've gone back to friggin' guitar, bass and drums, how can that be the future? Bloody hell."

That's Andy McCluskey, of the English synth-pop band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, circa 2000, reacting to the garage-rock bands that were suddenly all over. He was, to put it mildly, peeved. Once upon a time, OMD sounded as fearlessly futuristic as anything in pop music, and they were certain that their magical machines would render guitars obsolete. Now, well into middle age (and in the midst of an American tour that hits New York [last night and the night before]), they sound like a glorious old vision of a future that never arrived. The emergence of synth pop coincided with that of punk rock in the late 1970s, and the two shared similar do-it-ourselves, reject-the-geezers values. But although synth pop was eminently more progressive and daring, it's the punk rockers whom everybody looks back on with intense fondness and admiration. Who knows why this is? It could be as simple as that the guitar is such an awesome prop and that nobody has ever looked cool fingering notes on a synthesizer.

Whatever OMD may lack in stage presence, they make up for with songs. They had great danceable hits like "Enola Gay and "Electricity", and they also indulged in sonic experiments that are just as appealing, if you can give them time to sink in. [NY Times]

Pictures from last night's OMD show, including one of the setlist (that isn't exactly what they played), and the actual setlist from the night before, below...

Continue reading "OMD played 2 nights @ Irving Plaza (pics & setlist)"

"The Knitting Factory brings a commitment and style to the Boise music scene unlike anything we have previously experienced," said Dean Hanson, general manager of the Boise venue, in a statement.

Of KFE, Matt Judge, general manager of the Spokane venue, added, "We have seen exciting new entertainment in the Spokane area such as Modest Mouse, Bright Eyes, Life House, Rob Zombie, and Phil Vassar...just to name a few. Changing the name from the Big Easy Concert House to Knitting Factory Concert House will heighten venue recognition within the industry, helping bring talent that would otherwise be absent in the Spokane market. The Knitting Factory Concert House will continue to be one of the driving forces in the Spokane market." [Ticket News]