One True Thing That Don't Fade

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Fillmore
March 15 2006

Okay, it took me nine months to like Howl. In fact, the first time I listened to it, I came very close to throwing the disk out the car window so that it would shatter on the 280. I wanted to hear the loud fuzzy guitars that I had come to know and love. Part of me secretly vowed not to give up, but even after their September show at The Great American, I still wasn’t convinced that Howl was a good 3rd effort.

However, the current Mercury Retrograde in Pisces has made me reconsider many things…among them, my lost love: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. *sigh* It’s like falling in love again with your ex!

I miss Robert’s black leather jacket and wild mass of hair, but it’s okay, since he’s playing the piano on this tour and sings my two new favorite songs: Mercy and Sympathetic Noose. At one point someone in the sold-out crowd at The Fillmore yelled, “Satisfaction!” and Robert played the song’s opening riff on his bass. BRMC with a sense of humor? I don’t think that would’ve happened back in 2003. Which reminds me…Black Rebel has now surpassed Blur as the band I’ve seen the most.

Show Tally
BRMC: 2003 (Fillmore & Bill Graham Auditorium), 2004 (Grand Ballroom, Catalyst), 2005 (Great American Music Hall), 2006 (Fillmore).
Blur: 1990 (Brixton Academy), 1991 (Metro), 1992 (The Vic -- they played with Senseless Things. When that show ended, we jetted up to the Metro to see The Wedding Present and The Catherine Wheel – Blur jetted up there as well and Damon sang a few songs with The Catherine Wheel), 1993 (metro), 1994 (?) we had tickets to a 1995 show, but sold them to some kids and went out to dinner instead
Vue: 2004 (Catalyst, Bottom of the Hill, Great American, Blank Club)
Oasis: 1994 (Metro), 1995 (Rave), 2005 (Shoreline)
Ride: 1990 (London Town & Country Club), 1991 (London Town & Country Club), 1992 (Metro)
Social Distortion: 1988 (Odd Rock Café), 1992 (Riverside Theatre), 2003 (Warfield)

Okay, back to the subject at hand.

Missing from Wednesday’s set at the Fillmore was Rifles – probably the best song off their self-titled debut. However, they did play White Palms. Once again they opened with six tracks off the new album – but this time, it only increased my appreciation for Howl; especially the songs, Sympathetic Noose (they must’ve been listening to John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band!) and Mercy (they must’ve been listening to Simon & Garfunkel!)

I’m even enjoying Howl’s title track, although it’s a bit Indie sounding…which means I need to rant for a brief minute: I’ve been on iTunes listening to new bands that are supposed to be all the rage: Stars? Clap Your Hands Say Yeah?

Indie is what happens when kids take Prozac and Lithium. (Somewhere, a girly-thin white boy with a Macy's star tattoo on his wrist is crying). I don’t want to see another waif-like, pale boy crying about his dead puppy and extolling the beauty of yellow flowers. Please stop whimpering, get some sun and eat something. You’ll feel better – trust me.

Now back to scheduled BRMC programming. They dedicated Heart + Soul to their moms, who were all in attendance. What nice boys.

Fillmore setlist:
Feel it Now
Fault Line
Restless Sinner
Shuffle Your Feet
Aint No Easy Way
Howl
White Palms
Stop
Six Barrel Shotgun
In Like the Rose
Weight of the World
Promise
Sympathetic Noose
Gospel Song
Shade of Blue
Red Eyes and Tears
Spread Your Love
Punk Song

Devils Waitin
Mercy
The Line
Heart + Soul
Open Invitation