Under the Influence of Giants / Dirty Heads - Cafe du Nord - 9/14/06

Originally uploaded by ryanfoley.

I like to think that I'm a pretty good concert buddy. As the list of shows to the left suggests, I'm interested in a lot of shows, even if I don't go to them all. But if someone invites me to a show, I'll typically go.

So when Lisa asked me to go see a reggae-rap band called the Dirty Heads, I went (despite not being a reggae, rap, or reggae-rap listener). Lisa thinks that they're going to be the next Linkin Park, so take that however you want. Regardless of their musical taste, I have to say that they were fun to watch. They put on an energetic show. And I spent a lot of the time trying to figure out if the DJ was Mexican or Asian (I'm pretty sure he's Asian).

Neither of us had heard of the headliners, but we decided to stick around to see what they were like. Under the Influence of Giants is a glammed-up rock band that somehow rests in the middle of the Rapture and Junior Senior. They've got the look and feel of a major-label band. And they're signed to a major label (Island), making them labelmates with the Killers. I'd be a poor judge of music if I didn't suggest that if cards are played correctly, these guys will follow in the Killers' footsteps.

I grabbed the CD after the show. I have this ongoing mix in my iTunes for danceable indie rock and figured I could put a song or two from UTIOG on there. And who knows, a year from now these guys will be claiming their sophomore record is the best in 20 years.

I Love You Jon!

Originally uploaded by ryanfoley.

After seeing The Spinto Band the previous night at Cafe Du Nord, I got to see them open for the Arctic Monkeys at Great American. At Du Nord, I was right up front, beyond the main speakers, so I was listening to the set through the monitors. The second show had dramatically better sound.

The Spinto Band is pretty young (19-22), but they really put on a good live show. There sound is tight and they have fun up there. I also created a connection between one band member (Jon). His cousin's friend was in the audience at Du Nord. So I cheered for him exclusively. I also got to give a shout out to Delaware (where they're from).

The Arctic Monkeys are, as expected, mostly hype. I thought they were supposed to be good live? They barely said two words to the audience, and hardly moved around. That combined with all of the 15 year olds pushing around up front caused me to move to the back (how old am I?).

In the back I ran into Jon. We talked briefly before the show, and while watching the Arctic Monkeys he tried to convince me that they were good. I think he was just being nice. After we were done talking he went to the merch table. A minute later he gave me a handful of stickers.

It's that sort of thing that gets you die-hard fans. Jon, and the Spinto Band as a whole, expect to see/hear me the next time you're in town.