I had no idea what to expect other than what my friend told me was the best live band he’d ever seen. This coming from a kid who saw Rammstein in GERMANY and he’s saying THIS is the best live band he’s ever seen. No way. But sure enough, Olivia Tremor Control filled the stage with, at times, 10 musicians rocking out (hard!) for a sold out Tuesday-night crowd at the Bowery Ballroom. There was so much switching on instruments and colossal sounds (especially from the tuba. Yes, a fucking tuba!), and the drummer kept the audience attentive with reel-to-reel tapes of kraZiness while the rest of the band handed guitars and other musical goodies (the Ian Curtis guitar and the bowed saw, which sounds oddly enough like an ondes-martenot, were probably the best in the lot) around. And then a surprise came. But check out some pictures before we get to that.
The only way to rock an accordion is to rock it like a fool.
And then something weird happened...
Wait for it...
Wait for it...
OK...
Oh Comely! Who the fuck is this guy? And more importantly, what the fuck has he been up to lately? Well, besides being awesome. And making me tear up at the Olivia Tremor Control show.
Came back out for the encore and sang along (and by "along" I mean he sang so loud he was practically leading the band). Then he decided to jump around and tackle people.
Amazing! That's really all I can say.
Apparently the world is ending and Jeff Mangum is enjoying every minute of it. I've never seen a brown recluse spider smile so much...let alone do shambolic chorus line dance in front of a psychedelic projection screen.
Posted by: maxwell | August 03, 2005 at 09:47 AM
crap. sounds like i missed the concert moment of the year.
NMH reunion? please? all i'm left with is my good buddie singing songs from On Avery Island when he gets drunk.
Posted by: dave park | August 03, 2005 at 11:46 AM
holy moly i'm going to OTC tonight dammmit i better not have picked the wrong night. hope jeff is there tonight too. guess this might confirm what my friend said which is that Jeff moved to WIlliamsburg recently!
Posted by: rachel | August 03, 2005 at 12:19 PM
you suck dave
Posted by: danno | August 04, 2005 at 12:02 PM
i didn't write or go to the show. the writer is aaron richter. he sucks! yeah! :)
Posted by: dave park | August 04, 2005 at 12:25 PM
where the fuck is Jeff Mangum?
Posted by: stephen | April 26, 2006 at 02:35 PM
I don't care but friend do.
Posted by: ciera | May 18, 2006 at 01:56 PM
I was at this show. One of the more amazing shows I've ever been to. OTC is incredible live. Too bad this was probably a one time shot. I'd love to hear them try and do another classic album. Circulatory System is cool though. plan to see them this year. I guess this is a bit after the fact. but i just came across.
Posted by: Olivia Tremor Control | October 04, 2006 at 01:33 AM