Gaslight Anthem / Murder by Death

Gaslight Anthem / Murder by Death: live In Denverlive In Denver (2009)
Side One Dummy Records

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

Contributed by: thepopeofchili-townthepopeofchili-town
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 15th 2009Last year, the Gaslight Anthem took part in what came to be affectionately known as the RAGATALK3 tour, opening for the incredibly solid lineup of Rise Against, Alkaline Trio and Thrice. Back on that tour, it seemed the only people who knew their songs were me, and about six other dudes with beards..

Last year, the Gaslight Anthem took part in what came to be affectionately known as the RAGATALK3 tour, opening for the incredibly solid lineup of Rise Against, Alkaline Trio and Thrice. Back on that tour, it seemed the only people who knew their songs were me, and about six other dudes with beards. They won a lot of new fans on that tour and since then, have pretty much blown the fuck up. This fall, they're on the road with three incredibly solid bands yet again, only this time as headliner.

I had only been to Denver's Ogden Theater once before, for a Brand New show in 2007, but I remembered the venue had GREAT sound. Last night's show only reinforced that. Frank Turner came out first and was greeted by some adoring female fans with roses. I would have liked to see him with a full-band setup, but his solo acoustic format worked out nicely for the venue, which was still filling up. He played a good mixture of new and old and definitely made some new fans, much as Gaslight did on the Rise Against tour last fall.

Set list:

I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous
Try This at Home
Long Live the Queen
The Road
Worse Things Happen at Sea
Journey of the Magi
Photosynthesis
The Ballad of Me & My Friends

I've been a fan of the Loved Ones ever since Keep Your Heart was released on Fat in 2006; however, this was my first time seeing them live, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. Watching Dave Hause live, you can definitely tell he's been studying Brian Fallon and copying his stage moves. I also saw a little bit of Billie Joe Armstrong in there. However, he was pretty entertaining, and he pointed to my Replacements shirt and gave me the thumbs up, so that was cool. The band played super tight and I was pleasantly surprised to hear my favorite song of theirs, "Massive."

Set list:

The Inquirer
100K
Distracted
The Bridge (Super fast version)
Massive
Breathe In
Pretty Good Year
Jane
Louisiana

I've bought a ticket to see Murder by Death before, but my friends and I were there for Fake Problems, and we left after their set (It was Valentine's Day, and we had a lot of drinking and crying to do), so this was my first time actually seeing them. I was definitely impressed. When I heard about this tour a couple months ago, I picked up their two most recent albums, but hadn't given them much attention. I definitely will now. Bonus points for their cellist/keyboardist, who is hands down the prettiest girl I've ever seen at a punk show, on stage or otherwise.

Set list:

Ball and Chain
'52 Ford
Sometimes the Line Walks You
- a bunch of songs I didn't know -
Brother
- a couple more songs I didn't know -

Gaslight came out and did what they do best -- having seen them quite a few times now, I knew what to expect, so I wasn't wowed like the first couple times. Brian promised "This is the last time we'll make you come out and see us to hear the same old songs." That's pretty much what the set list consisted of, although "1930" was a nice surprise. He also promised that the new album was sassy, full of magic and swords, and that Mastodon would be psyched.

Set list:

High Lonesome
Casanova, Baby!
Old White Lincoln
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
The '59 Sound
We Came to Dance
Film Noir
Miles Davis & the Cool
The Patient Ferris Wheel
Stand by Me / I'da Called You Woody, Joe
Angry Johnny & the Radio
Great Expectations
Here's Looking at You, Kid
The Backseat
Encore:
Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
930
Say I Won't (Recognize)

This tour's lineup is absolutely fucking awesome, and they're only about a week into it, so if you have the chance, don't think about it, GO!

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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.

sundowning10 (October 20, 2009)

I went to this tonight at the Troc in Philly. Broadway Calls played instead if Frank Turner but they played a very good, energetic set. Gaslight blew me away, they played Boomboxes and Dictionaries so I was surprised, it was just an amazing night

misterspike (September 18, 2009)

So wish this tour were coming to South Florida. Last time I saw The Loved Ones was with Gaslight opening at this little place in Miami last year ... strange seeing the billing flipped.

LarsBars (September 18, 2009)

I was one of those dudes with beards! Woo for us.

candypatrol (September 18, 2009)

Skow in LA last night was awesome, MBD was sounding near perfect. Gaslight got a bigger reception than I'd anticipated. Seeing them tonight again in Anaheim hope I'll get there early enough to catch Frank Turner.

Ended their set with "We're getting a divorce...." he said they hadn't played it in a long, long time. Don't know if many people appreciated it as much as I did.

zombiepunk (September 17, 2009)

I went to the show last night at HoB in San Diego and for the 3rd time I was blown away by Gaslights performance. I had never listened to Murder by Death besides maybe 2 songs prior and couldn't of come away a bigger fan. The Loved Ones didn't wow me or anything but they are always energetic and you cant help but to love the closer "Louisiana". At the time Frank Turner went on the place was virtually empty and slowly filled up throughout. Unfortunately for all those people they missed a solid performance filled with all the old favorites and his new hits like "Try this at home" and "the Road". Ive been a huge fan of Frank since his last record was put out and this was my first chance to see him live, I don't think I'll ever miss him again if he's in the area. The sets were pretty much the same as the ones in the review, but for Gaslight they changed their encore set. Started with "Blue jeans and white t-shirts" then played "American Girl" by Tom Petty in which Frank Turner ran out and sang with Brian(definitely the highlight of the night for me, you could tell all the guys were having a great time) and then they closed with "Say I wont(recognize)". All in all it was a near perfect show as far as Im concerned.

mill83 (September 17, 2009)

I liked everything about this show... missed Frank Turner cause I didn't care... sorry fans of his. Loved Ones were solid, and I liked their energy. Murder By Death is a band I should really like but I just don't get into them too much. They played really well, and maybe I'll lock myself in a room with a MBD-random loop playing to try and get into them. As for Gaslight, other than play "1930", I liked the back in the spring at the Gothic muuuuch more. They seemed flat to me - don't know why. Although I ate the fuck out of a turkey sandwich when I got home.

Also, if the cellist for MBD is the "prettiest girl" you've ever seen at a punk show, that sucks. I'm VERY sure there were 4 prettier-looking girls in a 17-foot radius from you. Also, ummm Hayley Williams is punx fer sure!!1!!

yummygrass (September 16, 2009)

Dave Hause copying Brian Fallon? I highly doubt that.

When I first saw the Gaslight Anthem it was when THEY opened for the Loved Ones.

And about six people were there, before the 59 Sound era.

Also, they ended with Boomboxes and Dictionaries.

bwisott (September 16, 2009)

I was one of those guys singing with you at the Denver RA show man. Didn't go to this show because i have seen them twice and i really wanted to go to Monolith. (Which was awesome, but MSTRKRFT didn't show up)

MattRamonesucks (September 16, 2009)

Fuck you.

visualdegree05 (September 16, 2009)

I was really impressed with MBD, Frank and The Loved Ones. I've never seen or heard of any of them. My tolerance for sucky sub-par openers is beyond exceeded. I saw Gaslight in April back in Colorado Springs at the Black Sheep (as well as the Rise show, that's what got me started - I believe you were the one screaming the lyrics to The Patient Ferris Wheel and you told me who they were.... Anyways). The Black Sheep is a much smaller venue and I suppose allows for more intimacy to be established between the audience and bands. That show they seemed more involved with the audience - Brian had a lot more stories not including turkey sandwiches. This time they didn't seem that unified - what was up with Alex's hippy vibe?? However, the play list was the same, only they actually didn't play Ferris... I liked the music, I liked the sound, and I still love Gaslight. So, great show.
Ps - Thanks for the good review.

ninjagun (September 16, 2009)

I watched this one from the wings and it was definitely a good one. We dropped off in Omaha so this was my first chance to watch the whole show as a spectator. Really good.

ashtraymonument (September 16, 2009)

yeah dude, they played boomboxes the last time they were in denver this year

specsthadec (September 16, 2009)

I've seen them a bunch of times and i was a little dissapointed there wasn't more played off of Sink or Swim. Wooderson, Coulda been a contender, drive.....all songs i've seen them play the last time around...hell, i saw them play at a bar on St. Patty's day and they played more from Sink or Swim. Good show, not great.

thepopeofchili-town (September 16, 2009)

"why doesnt gaslight switch up their setlist a little bit? they do have 2 albums and and ep but they seem to play the same songs everytime. why no boomboxes and dictionaries for the past 2 years or so?"

They've played it a couple times on this tour. The encores are a little different every night.

facetofacereunion08 (September 16, 2009)

why doesnt gaslight switch up their setlist a little bit? they do have 2 albums and and ep but they seem to play the same songs everytime. why no boomboxes and dictionaries for the past 2 years or so?

ashtraymonument (September 16, 2009)

score is for getting groped and rubbed against by beautiful ladies while murder by death played.

i'm pretty sure that guys voice impregnanted every woman in the room

darthnader (September 16, 2009)

this at house of blues in boston or getting shitfaced at pumpkinfest in keene

tough choice

american_666_jesus (September 16, 2009)

I'm going to see this in Milwaukee and I am beyond excited. I haven't seen the Loved Ones in years, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what's new from them. I've never seen Frank Turner and I'm really glad that he doesn't have a full band support. I've seen MBD 3x and Gaslight twice in the last year and they are always great.

damnitsderek (September 16, 2009)

Score is for you getting to see them play 1930 and me not getting to in April, and for me not being able to see this show next week.

Ilovesuckingdick69 (September 16, 2009)

this sucks

thepopeofchili-town (September 16, 2009)

"wait holy shit, were you wearing a let it be shirt? i'm pretty sure i was next to you during gaslight"

Yup, that was me.

"i missed most of frank turner's set because the ogden decided to have the door and show time be the same thing. motherfuckers."

Same here, but I was lucky enough to walk in about 5 minutes before he started.

Thanks for all the comments guys, there's more pictures on the summit.

mpc (September 16, 2009)

This setlist makes me wish I had seen them before The '59 Sound came out, as it's missing a lot of my favorites. But I will be seeing them in a few weeks for the first time so I'm at least partially stoked.

savestheclash (September 16, 2009)

Show was great! Frank Turner was awesome...They had doors open WELL before he started, though few people were there for him.

BarleyPat (September 16, 2009)

Sounds like a great show. My favorite Loved Ones songs are Suture Self and Player Hater Anthem, so those would be missed.

That's a little different arrangement of the setlist than the few times I've seen Gaslight. I don't think I've heard them play "Here's looking at you kid" and I love that song. There is a serious lack of Sink or Swim (why did they stop playing "We're getting a Divorce.....?), but at least they played my two favorites: Angry Johnny and 1930.

jinxproof (September 16, 2009)

excellent show.

great review.

Cheesetits (September 15, 2009)

Seeing this next week, stoked, although I don't like Murder by Death's recent stuff, and it looks like that's what they're mostly playing.

ashtraymonument (September 15, 2009)

wait holy shit, were you wearing a let it be shirt? i'm pretty sure i was next to you during gaslight

ashtraymonument (September 15, 2009)

show was ok, i've seen gaslight play better sets. this was far to 59 sound heavy (at least break up the songs a bit!) i had a shit ton of fun though. murder by death killed it, the loved ones were...the loved ones. and i missed most of frank turner's set because the ogden decided to have the door and show time be the same thing. motherfuckers.

my biggest complaint was the sound during gaslight. wayyyyyy to heavy on the bass levels. i felt like my internal organs were going to collapse during the show.

Blackjaw_ (September 15, 2009)

Score is for Massive.

ozmanx (September 15, 2009)

Sounds good. I'm going to check this tour out on Friday so here is hoping for an entertaining show.