The Gaslight Anthem (Posted Date: 29 Jun 2008, 17:50)

The Gaslight Anthem / The Escape Artist / Whisk

27.06.08 FZW, Dortmund

What happens when you meet friends at a show? You usually miss the support acts. I only got to hear Whisk and The Escape Artist from outside the FZW as I preferred to have a drink and a chat.
The Gaslight Anthem had changed their setlist a bit compared to the Münster show. This time they opened with We Came To Dance and they included two more new songs from the forthcoming album into the set, High Lonesome and Meet Me By The River's Edge. Again, the crowd sang along loudly to the hits such as 1930, I Coulda Been A Contender or the grand finale, Say I Won't (Recognize). The sound was much better than at the Gleis 22, you could hear Brian's vocals crystal clear but the Münster gig still provided more energy because of the smaller, more intimate venue.
Meanwhile I had the chance to listen to the The '59 Sound and thought it doesn't have as many anthems as Sink Or Swim it's a grower and briliant as well, especially The Backseat, my favourite track from the new album. Only the sound is lacking a bit of the energy and power something missing as well on the Senor And The Queen EP so the new tracks unfold their full potential only when you hear them live.
"And I carry these songs like a comfort wherever I go."

The Loved Ones (Posted Date: 27 May 2008, 19:50)

The Loved Ones / Frontkick / The Escape Artist

23.05.08 Café Nova, Essen

What are girlfriends good for? Well, sometimes they can introduce you to excellent bands you haven't heard of before. My sweet lady got me to listen to Keep Your Heart by The Loved Ones which I immediately liked for its raw but also catching tunes. And with the new album Build And Burn out to be presented live we both took the chance to see them in Essen.
First band of the evening were The Escape Artist from Dortmund, rising from the ashes of My Favorite Chord. They sounded really good and made me look forward to their next show at the FZW in June opening for The Gaslight Anthem.
Next up were Frontkick from Berlin with Clash influenced punk rock and even some songs sung in Spanish - not bad but not really my cup of tea.
The Loved Ones then got the crowd going with a set consisting mostly of songs from both albums. The kids sang along to Jane, 100K or Louisiana and got fed with tequila by the band who definitely seemed to enjoy the show. You never know whether such remarks are sincere but singer Dave claimed the Essen show to be the best of the tour so far.
But who am I to disagree as me and my girlfriend were thrilled as well.