How I Got My Groove Back
The Foundry Field Recordings in warmer times.
It’s about time I got out to see some bands this year. I had pledged to get out more, but it just hadn’t happened. Due to weather[1], my dwindling bank account, and lack of motivation, my first rock show of 2011 didn’t happen until the last Friday of January. Lame, I know.
Still, I was excited to get out and see local heros The Foundry Field Recordings. I once likened them to a “boring version of Death Cab for Cutie,” which was a hasty assessment and not fair[2]. Now, if they’d only release that next record…but that’s another post for another time[3]. Friday was about a rock show.
There was actually room for me on the list at the door and I slipped in free of charge. A Lagunitas IPA later, The Foundry Field Recordings were on. It was a blistering set with nary a witty exchange between songs. All the favorites from previous releases were present as well as few of those tracks that have yet to be officially released. It was nice to ease myself into this local-centric mindset toward rock shows with an old friend.
And the FFR are friends of the Coalition for sure. Besides putting my name on the list[4], the guys showed me to the “green room” which used to be a kitchen for a Jamaican joint inside of Mojo’s[5]. Upon entering this back room, I discovered a TV and Sega Genesis with NBA Jams. I lost by one point to FFR’s Billy Schuh, but I was glad to represent well with the Cavs combo of Mark Price and Brad Daugherty. I returned the favor with a little muscle in moving some equipment to the band’s practice space[6]. One after-hours drink later, I headed home.
Friday night was not typical, at least in recent months, but to do it two nights in a row was even stranger. There was another local gig, this time at East Side Tavern, and Billy got me in for free for the second straight night in a row. Playing Saturday night was another local act, Richard the Lionhearted. Something about this band feels so familiar, but this is maybe the second time I’ve seen them. They’re serious about this band thing and it shows in their sharpness and professionalism[7]. I’ll be looking for more Richard the Lionhearted as I continue to get in touch with the scene, which should continue as the year progresses.
Speaking of which, I’ll be blogging elsewhere about said scene. There will be more once some details are worked out and my first post is up.
Notes:
1Apparently, Middle Missouri is expecting 18 inches. That’s right. 18. Anyway, people were going ape shit at the grocery. Snowpocalypse III of the winter hits later today. Instead of a rock show, it may keep me from a cellared beer tasting to which I’ve been looking forward. Damn snow.
2OK. I was a little tipsy and eagerly anticipating the headliner, Spoon. So, that first assessment of The Foundry wasn’t even remotely fair. Plus, I’ve had time with the band’s material – released and otherwise – and consider them a pretty solid act.
3The “new” material is really good. It’s got hooks for miles and resembles the peppier music of The Shins. Seriously, the band needs to release this shit and yesterday.
4After everyone else on the list couldn’t make it.
5I do miss the goat curry.
6OK, so I didn’t really lift/move much, but I was there and I carried some stuff, nothing too heavy.
7Aside from a Doors cover.
Beer and Pavement 
In re concerts: I’m jealous. I’m familiar with the Foundry canon, but what genre is Richard the Lionhearted? If they’re doing the Doors, how ironic is the fanbase?
In re weather: Up in Colorado, two feet of snow isn’t enough to cancel school. Here in New Mexico, they’re expecting six inches over the next week, and it’s chaos! Your neck of the woods is pretty bad because it’s never just snow; it’s a frothy mix of snow and ice. Good luck, even though I suspect the worst will be the crowds at Hy-Vee.
I should send you some of the newer FFR demos Billy sent me like two years ago. Remind me if I forget. You’d like Richard the Lionhearted. They’ve got a bit of the alt.country without the twang, a lot like White Rabbits and that sort of thing. They’re certainly a solid band. Like I said, their songs just feel so familiar.
You don’t even know the half of it. People were going crazy at Hy-Vee. I hate the snow more for the freak-out than having to actually deal with the wintry mix.
You’re assessment of FFR the night they opened for Spoon was pretty close to the truth (I take it you’re talking about the Blue Note show a few years ago). The whole room felt deflated that night. And Spoon were being dicks to Billy and the gang. I think I left during Spoon’s first encore out of boredom. That’s the problem with the Blue Note- if everyone’s not into it the whole room goes dead.
Man, I somehow missed this comment. Sorry, Jert.
Yeah, that was the show and you’re right. That place sucks ass if there’s no energy.