Laine Marschik’s slideshow of Tapes ‘n Tapes @ the Firebird, August 21, 2010

[show_avatar email=julie@iwenttoashow.com align=left avatar_size=62] First off, Tapes ‘n Tapes is a Minneapolis band and it was kind of heartless to make them play in St. Louis, in mid-August, in a venue with a busted air conditioner. But did they complain? Only a little bit, and never in earnest. No pants were removed (though the threat was stated), and drummer Jeremy Hanson stayed buttoned up in his Clark-Kent-Oxford-and-plastic-glasses getup for the entire set. To date, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone sweat through a guitar strap. Well done, Tapes ‘n Tapes!

I’ve always admired Tapes ‘n Tapes for their variations in style from one song to the next. As Matt Ketzman jumped from his usual keyboards to playing the trumpet, to backup guitar, songs like “Headshock” and “Just Drums” sustained convincing Rage Against the Machine thrashing, and a couple of the new songs carried a California, almost early Offspring vibe that bordered on Ska. The smallish and diverse crowd stayed rowdy through each incarnation of the band’s sound.

Front and center in front of the stage stood a twenty-something couple, conspicuous for their enthusiastic dancing and high five at the end of every song. A too-hip-for-St. Louis couple jostled in front of me for the sole purpose of mocking their dance moves, but our sweet-faced heroes continued to frug and skirt switch, unabashed. Fifteen songs in, lead singer Josh Grier gave the kids a shout out for dancing their asses off, despite the heat, and they leapt into the happiest, sweatiest high five I’ve ever witnessed.

It was a steamy night at the Firebird, but Tapes ‘n Tapes smiled through the whole thing. They compared pit stains (if it’s August, always wear white!), they threatened a pants off dance off, they lost the order on their set list, but they finished a full show. After a nearly 20-song set, the audience cruelly clamored for an encore but were unrewarded, even after several rounds of choreographed wooooing from the wonder twins.

Come back in Winter, guys. We’ll make it up to you.

Partial Setlist + notes:
10 Gallon Ascot
Headshock
Cowbell
New Song– A little early Offspringy
Demon Apple
Walk it Off
New Song
Hang Them All
New Song– White Stripes Bluesy
Q&A Session because they got too hot.
Omaha
11.
12.
13.
14. Just Drums– Rage Against the Machine-y, AWESOME
15. New song + shout out to the wonder twins
16.
17. Insistor
18.

No encore

Local openers Art Majors handed out a solid set of songs and Spencer-Krug-esque lead singer Michael Roche put on an outstanding show.

Their songwriting is some of the tightest of any local band I’ve heard. I’ll definitely catch them next in September during the PLAY:STL weekend, Saturday the 18th at the RAC at 8:00.

Check out Laine Marschik’s slideshow of Art Majors @ The Firebird.