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| The Weakerthans / Maritime / Micolive in Cleveland2003 live show  Review by: cobra See others by this writer The Weakerthans (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on October 21st 2003 I've probably been to the Grog Shop dozens and dozens of times, but honestly since it moved at the end of this summer, all the shows I've been interested in enough to go to have been elsewhere, so I hadn't had the chance to scope out the famous venue's new location. I figured though that this would be an excellent chance to. I heard the new Grog Shop was considerably bigger than the old one, and I hoped so since the last time the Weakerthans played Cleveland it was PACKED. I made sure to get advanced tickets although they didn't sell out in advance (the Anti-Flag show that was before it at the Grog did). After exploring the nice new venue, I wandered over to watch Mico preform their set. I hadn't heard anything of theres, but somewhere I thought I read a review of an album that was supposed to be good. Well, I didn't remember the review saying that the band was derivative and boring emo-punk. Typical for the now beaten-to-death genre, the band started out with a pretty verse which made me believe I might be in for some soft Seam-type stuff, but then went into the distorted powerchord chorus we've all overheard. I wandered off, got a PBR tallboy, and watched the Yankees/Red Sox game with most of the crowd (including the dude himself, John K). Behind me Mico kept playing their exausted blend of emo, which lacked any catchiness to me. Next up was Maritime, who I was definately excited for. When I showed up that night I spotted Davey Von Bohlen outside, and then saw posters that said "ex-Promise Ring, ex-Dismemberment Plan". I would find that they contained the bass player from Dismemberment Plan, and Davey and the drummer from TPR. I haven't been listening to the Promise Ring lately, but I was starving for something great. They played about eight songs, checking in on the baseball game in between. The material sounded like it would've fit great inbetween Very Emergency and Wood/Water with the energetic bouncy pop songs of the former, and the soft chords (and a couple soft songs) of the latter. I enjoyed it a lot, yet I can't say I was "blown away". I picked up their tour EP afterwards (limited edition, I'm a sucker). The Weakerthans quickly took the stage (I love it when bands "quickly" take the stage) and introduced themselves with "Fuck the Yankees, we're the Weakerthans" and then launched into "Aside" (I think, blame the Pabst). I remember when I went to see the Weakerthans for the first time and I was very afraid that I was going to be dissapointed in the band who created such amazing music on record, but such a thing definately didn't happen. The Weakerthans have some sort of charm that must be because they're from Canada, that makes them completely likable. They manage not to screw up their live interpretations of the songs, yet also add some improvision and extra bits of goodness, that make live tunes so great.
Lessee if I can remember the playlist... After a brief break (which I never understand) they came back on and played "One Great City!" "Everything Must Go!" and then (thank God) "Confessions of a Futon-Revolutionist" and "Diagnosis" from Fallow. Now looking back on this playlist (obviously reconstructed, hehe, from album listings), they played a pretty lengthy set, but it went by extremely quickly. and Don't distress if some of your favorite songs aren't on this playlist, because in the half-dozen or so times I've seen them play, I think I've heard nearly everything, they do a great job of mixing up from night-to-night.
A great show, my favorite band.
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Propagandhi is better. Maritime? Weren't they called In English near 5 months ago? Didn't they still play boring stuff. this score is for the Anti-Flag show right before this show that I attended they played the exact same set in orlando weakerthans are a pop rock band with a tiny bit of ounk and alt. country thrown in. They have some of the best lyrics around, and they put on a kickass live show. I have never heard the Weakerthans, and I have never heard of any of other bands at this show. P That sounds pretty lame. those guys would never back that website The weakerthans rule! someone told me they saw Weakerthans banners for the new record on suicidegirls.com, what the fuck is that all about? i saw the weakerthans in columbus, i thought mico was kool, maritime blew, and the weakerthans kicked ass, i also was worried about being let down from the cds, but i'm not i love the weakerthans even more now!!! I went to go see the Weakerthans last month but when I got to the door it said 12 dollars, while I had only brought 10 (3 of which was borrowed) because that's what the website had said. i shall see them on the 29th in cambridge. weehoo infinity. LOL! that's quite possibly one of the funniest statements ever below. The weakerthans are exactly that, weak. I cant believe epitaph signed a shit band like this, Brett needs to stop doing so many drugs and see that theres skatepunk bands that need to be signed. argh, why on earth did the Anti-Flag show have to go on before this and push the Weakerthans show to 10 o'clock?! i saw em with the constantines. was high as hell so it was great! I'm going to this show on friday in DC. Evidently you haven't spent alot of time listening to "Reconstruction Site" "the new CD even puts the last Wilco record to shame.." How could anyone ever say they hate The This may be the only band on here that doesn't have fuckers saying "I hate this band." hopefully i'll attend the 10/28 show. just for the weakerthans and mico. "Fuck the Yankees" The Weakerthans are quite possibly the best band going right now, the new CD even puts the last Wilco record to shame.. Saw this show in Columbus on friday(10/17) Mico didn't sound that great, but Maritime and Weakerthans kicked ass. I am mad they didn't play Confessions of a Futon-Revolutionist but still great show. |
