Since 2004, my favorite band has been the Caterwauls. Their unique style of punk, funk, and melodic junk won me over the first time I heard them, and their second performance solidified me as a fan for life. Several weeks back, I texted the lead singer Kyle Sonnenberg to find out when the next show for his new band (Superfunk Allstars) would be, and he said October 22nd.
It was bittersweet to me because I was glad they finally had another gig in the books (their first in six months) but it just so happened to conflict my plans to see Barsuk recording artist Ra Ra Riot when they came through Tempe, AZ, on their first tour in support of their new album "The Orchard." Nonetheless, friends prevail over fame for me and I set my schedule to attend SFA.
Today, I started thinking that maybe I could make both shows. Kyle's band played at 9PM, so if The Clubhouse started shows late, like 9PM, then I would be able to see both of them. I called the venue and there was no answer. I checked the website, and the show started at 7:30 with only one opening act, so both bands I'd want to see would be playing simultaneously in different venues in the same town. Oh well, I went to Kyle's show.
As soon as I started talking to Kyle, he asked whether I had paid the cover yet. I had not (I have a way of slipping through doors) so he handed me a free pass in order to get into the show. It was a nice souvineer, notwithstanding their new album, my only "Superfunk Allstars" memorabilia to date. Surprisingly, the bouncer came over to me (the guy who was supposed to charge me at the door) and he was going to insist that I pay cover, except he saw my ticket so there was no need.
For the first live gig in six months, Superfunk Allstars did a solid job! Quick 60-minute set, and they wrapped. I spent a little bit of time (about 15 minutes) talking to the guys before I told Kyle that I was going to split to see another show. I figured that they only played 60 minutes, so if the national touring band played 90 minutes, then I could hear the last bit of their show outside the venue.
When I got to the Clubhouse, the parking lot was PACKED! Knowing musicians as well as I do, I drove around back first where the tour vans were. I could hear a band playing live, so I knew this area was my best opportunity. There was only one parking spot in the entire lot, so I had the good fortune of getting it, and then I walked around to the back area where I had just driven by, except now the music from inside sounded like a recording. There was a gentleman coming out of the double doors, so I politely asked whether the music inside was live or recorded. Now that I've re-written that question, I understand his confusion because he said it was a live band, HIS band, and then said that they had just finished.
I asked if his name was Wes, the lead singer of Ra Ra Riot. It wasn't. His name was Colin. "What's the name of your band?" I forget his answer, but I basically heard Opening Act. "Has Ra Ra Riot played yet?" Colin said they were on next, so I could hardly contain my excitement! Colin and I chatted for another couple minutes, exchanged names and other courtesies including set durations, and then I went around to the front.
I was so happy with my stroke of luck that I was willing to pay $20 at the door. Lucky for me, showing up late, it was only $15. I had promised to pick up a friend at work around midnight, and I had previously told her that my second gig was not going to work out, so I would be available. Colin told me that the band plays an hour, sometimes an hour and a quarter, so I felt like I would have enough time to get to Amy's place by midnight.
Ra Ra Riot took the stage right around 10:30, which was getting to be close to the estimate where I may have to leave the gig early. The thing that impressed me the most was the size of the crowd. Before long, I was less impressed with the size of the crowd and more impressed with how intently they were listening to the music. I cannot remember the last time I was a part of a crowd that size that truly appreciated the music. No one was there for the fame of the band. No one was there because they wanted to mingle. The population in attendance was there to hear this band, whether they were familiar with all songs from both albums or only a couple tracks.
They played a short & sweet set, wrapping up after 45 minutes with their fantastic "Ghosts Under Rocks." Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed. Not by the fact that paying $15 for 45 minutes of entertainment meant I was paying $1 every 3 minutes, but because they had not played my favorite track "Dying Is Fine." The band thanked the crowd, and they left the stage. A large portion of the crowd exited the doors. I wasn't sure what to think, but I wasn't ready to leave without hearing the song.
Not (too) surprisingly, the band came back onstage after a full minute and they thanked us again before starting a new song. After that last song, I knew there was only one thing left. It had to be the song I paid to see. They started up "Dying Is Fine," and it was worth $15 to see just that one song performed live.
Ra Ra Riot is formed of several talented musicians, but as a group, they're a one-song-band. Not necessarily a "One-Hit Wonder," but the magic in this song is so far above every other song that they perform together that it is almost hard to believe it's the same band. It was the single greatest performance of any song I've ever seen live by a national act.
After the gig, I picked up their CD/DVD of the new album since I knew more of the profits would go directly towards the band itself. The girl they had working merch actually acknowledge the fact that I had figured that out and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the band.
I stuck around a little while, I told Milo (guitarist) my statement about what a pleasure it was to see that many people truly enjoying the music of a band, and then I started heading out to get to my friend's job before she could text me. I was halfway there when she said that she was finally off, and (since she had been there for 12 hours) ready to go!
All in all, it was a GREAT night -- and it had been a long time since I had so many moving parts fall into place so perfectly. I will have fond memories of this night and Ra Ra Riot for a long time to come.
