I heart the McCarren Pool Party! Despite it being insanely hot and the sets being about half an hour late, I still managed to have a lot of fun- though it wasn’t without spurts of boredom waiting around.
The first band up was the Bon Savants. We hung around for a bit while they played, but eventually moved off to the sides for a walk around. The group was ok, but the music didn’t stand out at all. They sounded a bit like everyone else. I’m not sure what the last song they played was, but it must have been the single as it was the best of the lot and received a good applause from the crowd.
Download: ‘Atomic Age’
While the Bon Savants played, Matt and I checked out the awesome blow-up slip and slide they had on one side of the pool.
And then make our way over to the opposite end to watch some dodgeball. I think watching people pelt each other with balls was the most enjoyable part of the day. Some of those people were really into it! I would have played but it is a little intimidating playing in front of about 100 people.
That guy with no shirt on, Jeff we called him, definitely came out just for the dodgeball. He was hardcore.
Next up was Jason Lytle. Matt’s already talked about his set and since I am no Grandaddy fan, I’ll leave the comments to him. I will relay this story though: The VIP section for the show is right behind the stage so Matt and I were standing relatively close behind Jason as he performed. At one point, Jason was staring at me and suddenly stopped singing. For a moment he became flustered and told the audience, he forgot the words. Yikes. That’s when I told Matt we had to move back.
I find it odd that Jason is touring around still playing Grandaddy songs. Since the band broke up, why doesn’t he break out some of his own music? It’s very strange. When Mick Jagger plays by himself, he plays his own material. Same with Paul McCartney. I think Lytle needs to stop assuming that people are just going to want to see him perform Grandaddy songs and write some new stuff soon, for his own good.
Download: ‘Now it’s on’ by Grandaddy live on Radio 1
and
‘The crystal lake’ also live on Radio 1
To end the day were Pretty Girls Make Graves. I really have nothing to say about them. I never really listened to any of their stuff before yesterday but I thought it was good. Nothing I’d probably get too excited about in the future, but I can see the appeal.
Some of the crowd got very into it, but most seemed a bit apathetic. Matt and I left before the end, but apparently they closed with ‘Speakers push the air’ “and it was awesome.”
Download
‘Liquid Courage’ here.
and
‘All Medicated Geniuses’ here.
Via Bitchfork: After just a little over five years together, punk band Pretty Girls Make Graves have announced that they are breaking up after one last tour. Citing the departure of drummer Nick Dewitt as the impetus behind the split, the Seattle group posted the following message on their website late Sunday night:
