Decent Days and Nights
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 11, 2006 6:35PM
We’re getting grumpy, we admit it. Looking over the calendar for the next week we see a lot of middling local acts padding club schedules as we settle in for the customary mini-hibernation in the music scene that lasts into January. Yeah, the New Year’s Eve shows provide a break with big-name acts, but even those are looking pretty lame this year. However, we must soldier on so here’s a few of our picks for what to see and what to avoid in the next seven days
The Zincs are an underrated local gem. While their albums tend to get mired in down tempo melancholy – not that such a thing is always bad – their live shows tend to carry a lot more tension and drama. Jim Elkington is always willing to take the sour notes and try to work them into something sweet. He’s also comfortable enough with his band to allow them to craft something a little wilder and less safe than you would expect from hearing their recorded output.
Subterranean, Tonight, Dec. 11, 9:30 p.m., $12, 21+
We admit we’re not exactly fans of local trio oh my god. We always end up digging a couple of songs off their discs but, and we’re sure their rabid fan base will disagree, we’ve always found their live shows to be a bit to over-the-top in that “look at us, we’re so weird we must be artists” sort of way. To our sensibilities such theatrics ring false with this particular combo. Like we said though, their fan base is loyal, so what do we know? Maybe we’re totally missing something. Or maybe you can fool some of the people some of the time.
Double Door, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7:00 p.m., $5, 21+
Office gets lots of love and most of it is well deserved. Lead officer Scott Masson has been plugging away at this particular project for years, and recently his efforts seem to finally be paying off. While we find almost no fault with this incarnation’s debut, Q&A, we feel the need to quibble with the group’s uneven live shows. When they’re on, they are SO on, but when the band isn’t firing on all cylinders the magic can get sucked out of Masson’s enchanting pop. We’re hoping the band’s going to treat the crowd to an A+++ show, but we feel the need to warn you that while the heart beats solidly in this band, the frame is, at time, shaky.
Double Door, Friday, Dec. 15, 8:00 p.m., $10, 21+
Finally, we wouldn’t usually recommend a Pretenders show in this space, however since The Reputation is using their opening slot as their farewell show we feel it’s worth a nod. Technically, Elizabeth Elmore decided to disband The Reputation a few months ago, but we’re glad she’s bringing her tight combo to the stage one last time to give her heart on a sleeve pop a decent send-off. Reportedly Elmore has no plans to record or tour again, but we hope that's not totally true since it would be a shame to lose the talents of a songwriter whose talent has been consistely strong over the years.
Riviera Theatre, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6:00 p.m., $42, All ages
Like we said, we're getting a bit grumpy so feel free to disagree with us, or point out shows we might have missed. At this time of year we don't mind being told we're wrong as long as you're speaking from the heart.
Office photo by Amber Meairs