It’s apparently concert season, so as much as I can make time you will be seeing a lot from me here in the near future. I may not have mentioned before that these are much less actual “reviews” and much more of “recounting of experiences” for each event. I was thinking today “why do I write these?” because I completely loathe the process of writing. I suppose it’s more of a selfish attempt to document these shows for my own historical reference.
Today’s entry is for the recent Howie Day show that I recently took in at the proverbial “Poop Hole” called The Basement. The event was being held concurrent to the annual “The Arnold” meathead event in Columbus. Great for entertaining people watching… not so great for parking prices. Overpaying $15 for parking in the Nationwide lot prior to finding out that parking would have been free behind the venue that early put me in a great mood to start out. That was followed by the realization that we had a cold 2 hour wait outside before doors open. Because of the afore mentioned additional event going on the entrance for this show was into the back of the venue (a first to my knowledge). During the wait Howie came out the back door and was as surprised to find a line of folks waiting there. He scurried by and hopped on his tour bus that promptly relocated.
In the line we were sandwiched between some interesting individuals. In front of us a couple who made my heart melt with their modern music knowledge and even gave some new artist recommendations for us. The dude looked like a young Christopher Walken as you could see if there were better lighting. We shared some of our favorite shows and experiences to help pass the time. We were joined on the other side by a young girl (early 20-ish?) who was there with her 7-year-old nephew. She apparently drove from 4 hours away in Indiana with this kid who was hacking and sneezing all over both of us. After hearing of all the places she constantly travels to see shows, we determined she was doing so on Mommy and Daddy’s money. She raved about all the places she had seen Howie and how big of a fan she was. I do have to give her credit for waiting out in the cold. I however can take all of that credit away based on the fact that she was texting and checking Facebook on her phone throughout the whole performance… nor for her ignorance of dragging a sick (read “ill”) 7 year old along with her to wait out in the cold. OH – and I currently have that kid’s cold. Little germy bastard!
After the wait, we breezed into the front row right against the rail. Even had time to get a beer and still get to the front thanks to the slow entrance procedure at that hole of a venue.
The show started with a keyboard-playing New Yawker named Mikey Wax. Talented musician for sure. Potential to be a good collaborating song writer (some of his lyrics got really hokey at times). And one of the worst singers my ears have ever been exposed to. So basically a less talented Ben Folds – who I’m sure he is heavily influenced by. For what it was worth I did really like the second song in his set “Halfway Gone” (I think), where he played both keyboard and guitar for himself… a true one-man-band effort.
He was followed be a rockin’-ass hippie-ish Canadian chick named Serena Ryder. I knew I had heard her name before, but couldn’t place where. She has a different look aboot her to say the least. She’s kind of cute, but plays it way down with the way she dresses. I don’t even have a term to describe it. She grabbed my attention as soon as I heard her belt out that Dolly Parton-like vibrato, but with a deeper sound. It literally sounds like she has a humming bird flying in her vocal chords. Although Serena had a very youthful and undeveloped appearance, I would definitely describe her as “seasoned” on the stage. She had a commanding presence while working all the traditional show(wo)man angles – chatting it up with the crowd, telling stories and soliciting a sing-a-long to her most popular (and my favorite of hers) song “A Little Bit of Red”. Although I can’t say I’m a huge fan of her songs, she did make me a fan of her live show. I will crossing my fingers that she plays whichever Lilith Fair show we end up at this summer. The girl just flat out “rocks it”!
Finally, after much standing and not being able to go to the restroom (because you’d never get back to the front), on to the main act. We had heard earlier in the night that both Howie’s tour manager and his song writing partner (Jay Clifford) who was playing with him on the tour had recently quit due to disagreements with him. As disappointing as it is that Howie is again having professional relationship problems, it did mean we would get to see him S O L O! Which is the absolute best version of a Howie Day show. And man did he ever deliver. He came right out (somewhat predictably) with “Sorry So Sorry”, displaying his looping and sound modification skills mere feet from our eyes. If you’ve never seen Howie live, you really owe it to yourself (at least get your hands on a copy of the Madrigals DVD – also found on YouTube). They guy is a technician and a musical genius! He skillfully blends so many different sounds that he creates vocally and through his Tachamine 6-string that it sounds like an entire band is playing and harmonizing together in perfect sync. Howie continued to play a very versatile set that hit much of the newest album’s tracks (some of which he moved behind the keyboard for) while still giving his long-time fans all the classic songs they wanted (ie. Bunnies, Ghost, Madrigals, etc.). He even threw in one I hadn’t heard before called “Harley”. If you do happen to be familiar with Howie’s stage show, then you know that he is a perfectionist on stage… so much so that he can’t really enjoy himself up there. This night was different however. He was even taking some playful jabs at the horrid drunks in the crowd. Both mocking their incohearant yelling out of his name as well as making up a ridiculous (nothing like the original) version of “Africa” in reply to someone who would not stop yelling out the song’s name at every break. He also took time out to comment on how the shit hole of a concert venue reminded him of “your friend who’s parents got divorced and his dad had the dirty rec-room basement… minus the games”. Dead-on Howie. Dead-on.
The set concluded (after the much expected encore) with Howie bringing Mikey Wax out to give him some assistance on a phenomenal cover of “Bittersweet Symphony”. Amazingly, Mr. Wax didn’t ruin it with his vocal chords. He did however manage to make me very uncomfortable with some heavy eye contact. Not that I didn’t appreciate it, but it was just weird… his smile was way too big.
After letting the crowd file out we decided it was slightly too early to head home. So what should you do at 11:30 PM in the Arena District? One answer – Eat Boston’s Fried Ravioli and have a beer.
It didn’t hurt that “the Arnold” freak show was still going on which made for very entertaining people watching (except for the overweight Latino girl that was crying for over an hour). I don’t care what anyone else says… people on ‘roids are fun(ny) to look at.
WELL DONE!!
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