You'd never have known these guys hadn't played together in a very long time...
Their show the other night would not have given you any indication. Grant Lee Phillips
mentioned the songs they would be playing were from an era when they "practiced a lot".
It showed. The airtight rhythm section of Paul Kimble (bass) and Joey Peters (drums) and Phillips on twelve string played through any number of pedals sounded like a well oiled and muscular machine. They joked about loud / quiet dynamics and showed them off effortlessly. "The loudest slow songs you'll ever hear", Phillips joked. I always associated them more the alt-country of the mid-90's, mostly because of Phillips Americana-soaked lyrical bent. His voice was always front and center for me, burnished baritone and aching falsetto waltzing through songs of of the old weird America, which seems to be getting weirder by the way... But Phillips also shreds. Reminded me of Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr at times, with big blasts of riffs.
Phillips is a natural storyteller and cut-up. He spent most of the evening cracking jokes between songs. Some of the music is melancholic to say the least and he and the band recognize that. It's like they are introducing oddball members of the family. That humor may be absent in the bands earnest songs, but it is an essential part of their show. They looked like they were having a blast and it certainly sounded like it
When they mentioned knowing a "hybrid of a Doors song", the audience roared. What followed is their version of The Doors-doing-the-theme-to-Gilligan's Island to the music of 'The End'. Phillips' Lizard King was dead on complete with drone-y eastern tinged guitar riffs.
Giligan.
Yes, little buddy.
I want to kill you.
Devastatingly funny and musically perfect.
Then they tore your heart out with "Rock Of Ages".
Hopefully not the end.... Maybe a new record!?
GRANT LEE BUFFALO:
The OG line-up consisting of Grant Lee Phillips, Paul Kimble and Joey Peters.
Live at the Old Town School. March 29, 2014.
