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On my way out of town last weekend, I dropped in to see A Place To Bury Strangers. It was awesome. I've taken a lot of flack for being critical of shoegaze ("space rock," etc.) artists playing so loud one can't hear the music. I didn't think it was that loud. There was some abrasive high end, but it didn't seem much "louder" than any of the other shows I've been to at the venue. Vocals were up front, I could hear what Ackerman was saying pretty clearly - sounded good.
No equipment broke, either. This sort of thing (gear issues, turning amps up to 27 instead of getting a good mix prior to the sound guy's involvement, not paying enough attention to spatial aspects when recording, etc.) happens way too often (I hate to crucify APTBS - everyone in that scene - including myself - is/has been guilty of it, but they're the only one's getting much press). I don't think it has to be "the scene that celebrates itself." Circa 1994, there were a lot of 14yr. old kids' CD collections with a copy of Jesus and Mary Chain's Stoned And Dethroned wedged between their copies of Siamese Dream and Nevermind. I wouldn't mind seeing Oliver Ackerman and Scott Cortez laugh their way to the sort of bank that doesn't have anything to do with food.
All that aside, one of the best shows I've been to in awhile. Every song in the set sounded like an epic album/set opener or closer (why not, ya' know?). I think they're heading west right now. If you're out there, it's definitely worth checking out.
A Place To Bury Strangers
Detroit, MI (Magic Stick)
Feb.15,2008
11.45pm
