The Lawrence Arms / the Draft

The Lawrence Arms / the Draft: live in Minneapolislive in Minneapolis (2006)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 5

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Contributed by: OpiesOpies
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Published on September 15th 2006My last foray into journalism was in 1996 when I wrote a review of a Fugazi show that was published in my college newspaper. Since then, I have become a junior high teacher, got married, had a son, played in numerous bands and have seen hundreds of bands live yet I still feel a great bond with the .

My last foray into journalism was in 1996 when I wrote a review of a Fugazi show that was published in my college newspaper. Since then, I have become a junior high teacher, got married, had a son, played in numerous bands and have seen hundreds of bands live yet I still feel a great bond with the punk community and culture. This last Saturday, September 9 at the legendary Triple Rock in Minneapolis, I solidified my belief that music can change lives like nothing else known to mankind.

After the sketchy 2-hour drive to the Triple Rock, I was delighted to walk into the Rock and see Brendan Kelly and Jason Black sitting at the bar having some quick eats and a few drinks. The rest of the bands all started showing up soon after and gave hugs and exchanged stories as this was the first night of the tour. Not wanting to break up their reunions, I talked to Erik and Billy from Dillinger Four who were bartending and asked about the new D4 album. Sadly, they said they haven't been in the studio yet but were hoping to start recording early this winter.

As I caught up with an old friend, Bullets to Broadway were starting their set. They were very energetic and left me with a more punk Dance Hall Crashers vibe. The female bassist pulled off some great vocals opposite the male frontman. I was definitely bobbing my head at the end of their short set.

Next up was the Blackout Pact. I had read some good things about these guys but was honestly a little disappointed in their set. They are great musicians but the constant harmonics and metal-tinged riffs did not do much for me. Having not heard them before, I definitely had different expectations.

I would however say that the Draft did not disappoint. This is surely their breakout tour. There is no doubt in my mind that despite all their history in HWM, the Draft is about to make a huge name for themselves -- not as a side project, but as a hugely respected band in their own right. I was surprised at how many kids knew the lyrics, as in every single one, to every single song. The amount of energy from the crowd was fueled on by Chris Wollard and Jason Black as they played every single note with passion. The 8-song set was obviously very HWM influenced, but with a much poppier rock and roll aesthetic.

This was my second time seeing the Arms and I was eagerly awaiting the new songs live. Their set consisted mainly of material from Oh! Calcutta! with a few choice songs from their earlier stuff. The whole band seemed to be in top form. They played with a ton of energy and were extremely tight. It was interesting to see the place nearly sold out with parents, older punks and kids (literally -- there was a 3-year-old boy running back and forth across the stage for 2 songs) enjoying their set. Testament to their growing popularity, about a year ago they played at the Triple Rock to 200 kids at most.

A great time was had by all. Chris and Brendan were swarmed by kids after the show and they did take the time to talk to all of them. It has often been said that punk breaks down the walls between fans and musicians and this was demonstrated at this show. On the way out, I passed by Jason Black and Chris McCaughan outside talking with some people and as they looked up at me walking by I told them I loved the new songs and good luck with the tour. Jason said "Thanks, I appreciate it!"

No attitudes, no pretension, just great guys.

Set list:

Cut It Up
Great Lakes / Great Escapes
The Devil's Takin' Names
100 Resolutions
Turnstiles
On with the Show
Recovering the Opposable Thumb
Porno and Snuff Films
Northside, the L+L and Any Number of Crappy Apartments
Necrotism
Like a Record Player

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Cos (September 21, 2006)

Punx don't, but kids who buy Fat Wreck stuff do.

kingofsuck (September 20, 2006)

The LA show is tomorrow and its not sold out. I thought these guys were big?

Punx don't buy tickets in advance.

Cos (September 20, 2006)

The LA show is tomorrow and its not sold out. I thought these guys were big?
--Cos

Gavin_and_that (September 20, 2006)

This band are the best band on Fat, and possibly the best band in the fucking world. In my eyes atleast anyhow.

Anonymous (September 18, 2006)

Opies skate team 4 life.
Algona/Mason City represent.

modelcitizen (September 17, 2006)

i desperately want to see 106 south. that would be the best.

Anonymous (September 17, 2006)

this fucking show is amazing, not really well represented by this review. I saw them play covers, old shit, new shit and even saw the drummer play guitar and sing. TLA fucking rocks, and I don't believe anyone that's seen this tour would say otherwise.

cash_money_hustla (September 16, 2006)

What is this Pickles you speak of?

aarontoben (September 16, 2006)

i saw this show in lawrence. the larry arms played a countried cover of skulls (misfits). and chris played a lick from "i just died in your arms tonight" and said they had practiced in soundcheck, but they did not play it. good set. not nearly long enough. no encore either.

EyesLikeBombs (September 16, 2006)

So...am I like the only person who wouldn't recognize these dudes if they were walking down the street?

Opies (September 16, 2006)

Yeah, I just realized that I left out maybe 4-5 songs on this review. They were cut off early though because of a later show that night at the Triple Rock. I think they had at least 15 songs on their setlist but only had time to play 11 or 12.

ConsolationPrizefighter (September 16, 2006)

"i'd kill a newborn baby to hear turnstiles live."

Calm down buddy, they've been playing Turnstiles consistently for a while now.

Anonymous (September 16, 2006)

I liked this review. I LOVE the Lawrence Arms

groupie_love (September 16, 2006)

"the arms played both criminal and 106 south in denver last night, and probably 17 songs. Amazing!"

damn fucking right! thursday night was the balls... especially the encore...

Anonymous (September 16, 2006)

I have to say that the lawrence arms put on an awful show. I saw them with lagwagon in toronto and their set was boring and lacked energy and the sound was terrible. I hate to put any fans down their last album was cool but their shows arn't as good as they could be.

andburntherest (September 16, 2006)

i'd kill a newborn baby to hear turnstiles live.

MikeStupid (September 16, 2006)

Just got back from the show in Salt Lake City. Here's the setlists for both bands I knew. I'm a little drunk, so I might fuck up.

The Draft:
New Eyes Open
Not What I Wanna Do
Let It Go
Bordering
Longshot
Wired
Lo Zee Rose

Lawrence Arms:
Recovering The Opposable Thumb
The First Eviction Notice
On With The Show
Turnstyles
The Devil's Taking Names
Great Lakes/Great Escapes
Kevin Costner's Casino
Porno & Snuff Films
100 Resolutions
Are You There God? Its Me Marget
Cut It Up
Requiem Revisited
Brickwall Views
Necrotism
Like A Record Player

Encore:
Nebraska
Key To The City

Anonymous (September 16, 2006)

blackout pact stinks, don't deserve to be on this tour. Arms are awesome...

Anonymous (September 16, 2006)

the lawrence arms played alot more songs than this. they played 15 songs at least. also this is in no way the order they played them in. recovering the thumb was first... i know that for sure.

Anonymous (September 16, 2006)

the arms played both criminal and 106 south in denver last night, and probably 17 songs. Amazing!

syr667 (September 15, 2006)

i guess i don't remember specifically, but i'm pretty sure they played more songs than that... and yeah, pickles was awesome, dancing with his laser pointer and denying brendan hi-fives...

the best part was when brendan was talking about how that was how you told someone you like them when you were a kid, and now you just have sex with them, "not that i would ever have sex with him under any circumstances"

hilarious... as always...

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

oh god. you hated the first 2 bands but like the last 2? how is that a 5 star show then if have of it sucked? get your hand out of the lawrence arms' ass already. they aren't remotely talented at anything they do.

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

Do you guys feel apprehensive about approaching the bands you like? Like after the show, or before the show? It seems like many are, and that's a shame. I think the last thing they want (at least for most of them) is for you to put them up on such a pedestal like a celebrity. That's what's great about this music, you can just strike up a regular conversation. You can even get away with making fun of their mom if you wanted.

-kliph

Scruffy (September 15, 2006)

"Posted by elliot on 2006-09-15 09:17:14

the only part of this review i care about is that D4 has not recorded yet. i'm gonna drive up to minneapolis and kick their asses into shape."

If you did this, I would throw some gas money your way.

ChokingVictim (September 15, 2006)

That sucks about the new D4 record. I get to see the Arms for my first time next month, I'm fucking pumped for it. I hope they have a longer setlist though.

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

nice review. weak set list by the larry arms though. its their big headlining tour and they only play 11 songs, 5 of which of off their newest album? boo to that. i hope the chicago show at the metro has a doper set list.

Enemy_Will (September 15, 2006)

I know its not that big of a deal, but I really don't feel we need another TLA review for awhile. I mean, there's only ten reviews posted at a time. I'm just saying this because the reviews are my favorite feature here.

P.S. Has anyone ever see TLA play 106 South?

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

To the guy below. If you dont get it, then dont try and get it and move on. You don't have to jump on the Larry arms bandwagon. You have an opinion, you dont think they are all that great. Thats your right and its noted.

On the other hand I pity you if you dont have the larry arms in your life.

Moo

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

Can someone please for fuck's sake please please please tell me why they think LA is any good at all. Please convince me. I just don't understand.

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

"If you don't mind it, do something adorable...haha ok!"

mikeinflames (September 15, 2006)

i'm so jealous

this tour isn't coming to toronto and that makes me cry

gnarlynarwhals (September 15, 2006)

Pickles!

elliot (September 15, 2006)

the only part of this review i care about is that D4 has not recorded yet. i'm gonna drive up to minneapolis and kick their asses into shape.

thebiglebowski (September 15, 2006)

The arms need to play some new songs

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

a dance hall crashers vibe in bullet to broadways.. really?

kidxdynamitexx (September 15, 2006)

this show was super cool!
that little kid was adorable, fuckin great show all around.
i am so anxiously awaiting a new D4 album, or at least another show, the only reason i had for living in minnesota was monthly D4 shows. but they havent played an all ages show in minneapolis since last november. it really sucks.

1234go (September 15, 2006)

Soooooooo Dillinger who? New record when?

salsashark (September 15, 2006)

The Larry Arms are one of the funnest, rawest live bands I've ever seen. So much energy and so many incredible songs. The time I saw them in Columbus was a close second for the best show I've ever been to. Score is for the Larry Arms in general.

Also, has anyone ever seen them play "Here Comes The Neighborhood"? I adore that fucking song.

MikeStupid (September 15, 2006)

I'm seeing them in less than 24 hours and I couldn't be more excited. I'm just hoping they play "Quintecuple Your Money," since that's probably my favorite song of all time.

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

Weird they played more songs at the show in Dallas when they opened for Lagwagon, and the Draft only 8 songs =(

I was thinking about driving 250 miles to go see this show in norman oklahoma, but this looks a little dissappointing. the draft said they were coming to texas soon anyway.

ConsolationPrizefighter (September 15, 2006)

That seems to be a pretty standard setlist from the Larry Arms. Replace "Northside" and "Like A Record Player" with The Dancing Machine and Quincentuple Your Money and that's pretty much the exact setlest from when I saw them, barring order. Score is for not mixing it up a little more than that.

kingofsuck (September 15, 2006)

This, children, is what we call "org-core."

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

I'm looking at the set list and I am not feeling so good about it... were those the only songs that they played?? it seems short for a headlining tour... i hope that that was just a partial list and that there were at least three to six more songs that were played.

BrendanKelly (September 15, 2006)

good times.

sickboi (September 15, 2006)

"100 Resolutions" is slowly becoming one of my favorite TLA songs.