By: Sean Sauder
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| Bassist Ted Hudson and lead vocalist/guitarist Alex Dezen of The Damnwells - Photo by SMelAVision |
This review could easily turn into a rant about what's wrong with the music industry these days (in my opinion), but I will try not to go down that road. What I will say is that The Damnwells are a damn good rock band, and the headliner on this evening is just a terrible, terrible band. I'll give you one guess who sells the most albums and who 95% of the people were there to see (hint: it's the band with the bad haircuts and black eyeliner).
That being said, I felt good for The Damnwells. Even if the majority weren't there to see them, they played to a pretty good-sized crowd tonight, and hopefully they won over some new fans. This was a stark contrast to the last show The Damnwells played in Minneapolis in October of last year—a headlining set at a sparsely attended Fine Line. Also, if memory serves me correctly, the band had just come from Fargo, where that show had been cancelled altogether due to slow ticket sales. (For more on the trials and tribulations of this hardworking rock and roll band, check out the movie they inspired, Golden Days.)
Tonight's show leaned heavily on songs from The Damnwells most recent album, 2006's Air Stereo. The album opener, "I've Got You," was a good way to ease into the evening, and was followed up by the high-energy rocker (and one of my favorites), "I Am A Leaver." "Louisville" was dedicated to the band's recently deceased tour van (The Gray Ghost), and "You Don't Have To Like Me To Love Me (Tonight)" went out to, as lead vocalist/guitarist Alex Dezen put it, "Sunday dressed up as Saturday night." All of the members of the band (which also includes guitarist David Chernis, bassist Ted Hudson, and drummer Steven Terry) are good musicians, but the real secret weapon is Chernis, who's lead guitar licks and elegant playing enhance the already well-written songs.
A couple other highlights of the show for me were "What You Get" and "Sleepsinging" from the Bastards Of The Beat album. Unfortunately, due to their opening act status, it was a short set and there were some songs that I really wished would have been included that were not. Not to fear—if history is any indication, The Damnwells will be back again. Maybe even for a headlining show, playing to their small but loyal fan base. Hopefully some new converts from tonight will join us.
Set List
I've Got You
I Am A Leaver
Kung Fu Grip Kiss
Louisville
Death After Life
Accidental Man
You Don't Have To Like Me To Love Me (Tonight)
What You Get
Golden Days
Sleepsinging
Location Info:
First Avenue
Artist Info: The Damnwells
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