[show_avatar email=db@iwenttoashow.com align=left avatar_size=62]When a buddy and I were discussing upcoming concerts over dinner and beers recently, we eventually landed on the Middle Brother show in Chicago. The idea that we should make the road trip was floated and was instantly deemed a winner. In seconds we were lighting up our Chicago friends’ phones with text messages. Half a beer later, the trip was planned.
Fast forward a week and a half. We’re stepping off the Red Line in Wrigleyville, on our way to see one of my most anticipated shows of 2011. Middle Brother is a collaboration between John McCauley of Deer Tick, Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit, and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes – pretty much a dream line up for me. The best part is, they’re not just touring as one band. Both Deer Tick and Dawes are sporting their full bands on the tour.

On this particular night, Deer Tick took the lead as the first band to greet a packed house. They started the show off with one of my favorites, “Easy”. Their set moved effortlessly between the slower and prettier songs from their latest album, The Black Dirt Sessions, and more guitar driven tracks from previous releases. The last two times I saw Deer Tick, I felt a bit underwhelmed by the live versions of the BDS songs, but at The Metro, they sounded incredible. I don’t know if the mix at The Metro was just better suited for the new stuff or if the band is feeling more confident overall. Whatever it was, and I feel weird saying this about Deer Tick songs, but the numbers from Black Dirt sparkled. The set was not without surprises, of course. About mid-way through, Vasquez came leaping over the amps from the stage entrance, picked up his v-shaped guitar, and proceeded to lead Deer Tick through an absolutely balls out cover of “Scentless Apprentice”. It was announced a few weeks ago that the guys would be playing a full set of Nirvana songs as ‘Deervana’ at SXSW. If this cover is any indication of how that will turn out, my advice to you is to make every effort to catch it if you’re in Austin. My favorites from the set: “Choir of Angels” and “Christ Jesus”.

Next came Dawes. I’ve only seen these guys live once, when they opened for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes last year. I adore their album and their live show was fantastic that night, but they were playing an opening slot in a venue I’m not super crazy about. Therefore, I was completely stoked to see them in a smaller space and when the crowd was singing along to the second song of their set (“My Girl to Me”), I knew this was the right place at the right time for the band. It was so great to see the them giving their all and getting it all back from the audience.

Earlier in the night, I was lucky enough to venture back stage and see what happens there. The short answer is a lot of crazy things, but when you have this many musicians sitting around, the topic of influences also tends to come up. At one point, Goldsmith had a circle of musicians/friends around him and was explaining the importance of Jerry Garcia in the way he approaches his craft. I can honestly say this took me back a bit because I had never made that connection. I won’t sit here and tell you that I’m an expert when it comes to the Dead, but I’ve listened to my fair share of their live, studio, and solo work. Garcia especially. Once Dawes was on stage, the connection became perfectly clear. The light bulb went off and during almost every solo Goldsmith took, subtle hints of Garcia jumped out at me. I love it when that happens.

One of the things the Dead were famous for was experimenting in front of live audiences. In their own way, Dawes takes similar risks. When Goldsmith was backstage talking about Garcia, he was also tuning up a new-to-him guitar. My understanding was that it was a new acquisition and tonight would be the first time he played it on stage. Unfortunately, that led to some technical difficulties mid-song, but the band didn’t miss a beat and the momentum wasn’t lost. These guys are pros.

Towards the end of the Dawes set, future country music legend Jonny Corndawg made his way to the stage.  After meeting this character back stage before the Dawes set, I was really looking forward to seeing what would happen when he hit the stage. The answer to that mystery was incredible. He owned the crowd. Looking at him, you might not take him seriously. Big ass cowboy hat, snazzy jacket, cowboy boots, and big shades. You’d be making a mistake. With the Dawes backing his every move, Corndawg proceeded to dazzle the crowd with his sincere songs and boogie-woogie dance moves. For the last number of the set, Vasquez , McCauley, and Corndawg would join Dawes on stage for what would probably be my favorite moment of the night. The band ripped into “When My Time Comes” with each person taking the lead for a verse. The crowd was now at an 11, practically yelling along to every word. It was quite possibly the most energy I’ve felt at a show since Mumford & Sons.

By then it was midnight, and almost time for Middle Brother. Not going to lie, I was pretty much in party mode at this point. Also not a lie: so was everyone else. When Middle Brother took the stage, I had no idea what to expect. Everyone backstage was fired up and I just couldn’t see how anyone could stay on the sidelines after that raucous close to Dawes’ set. For the most part, they didn’t. Everyone just kind of rotated around the stage, handing off instruments and trading spots for every song. They played everything off the Middle Brother album, but that set of songs is a whole new animal live. There’s a rawness there that can only come from being on the road in what must seem like a traveling circus at times. Vasquez put it all out there every single time he stepped up to the mic. Goldsmith serenaded during “Wilderness”. They roared through “Someday”. They closed out the MB set with Sam Cooke’s “Bring it on Home to Me” with everyone taking turns at the mic (and I do mean EVERYONE).

 

 

I know it’s only March, but I’m already putting this up there as my best show of 2011 and one I am truly grateful that I didn’t miss.