BITE ME! KROQ Almost Acoustic Xmas night 1 Live

KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2004

Universal Amphitheatre

December 11th (night one)

So, after just stopping short of whoring my body I finally managed to get hold of tix for this ever popular annual event, which is kind of like a cliff notes version of all the shows you saw or were unable to see throughout the past year.

After watching bits of Snow Patrol and Keane on the most excellent Web Cam footage I left my house and arrived at my seat just in time to see Taking Back Sunday smash onto the stage and man were they good. I’m sure that after the more melodic sing-a-longs of the previous bands they gave the crowd a good sharp kick in the arse. My girlfriend was quite fascinated by vocalist Adam Lezarra, and she said watching him perform was actually making her hot. Personally, I think it was the warm venue, but I digress. I really enjoyed the songs off the group’s debut album, but since I don’t have the new album yet the unknown songs passed me by a little. It didn’t really matter because when they ended with "Tell All Of Your Friends" I was smiling big style as I screamed along with the band. Now that is what I call a great start.

Next up was Modest Mouse who, I have to confess, I don’t get and after shaking it to TBS I was needing refreshment, so off I went in search of a $12 corona. Also, because of the sheer amount of bands performing the stage spun around as soon as one band ended so the next one could start their set, so you had to time things well.

Next, ladies and gentlemen fresh from their two sold out unable to get tickets shows at the Wiltern was Muse. Muse was astonishing – plain and simple. Matt Bellamy is a virtuoso. He plays guitar the way nobody does anymore. Then, when he gets behind his ‘close encounters’ style piano he is stunning there too. I had been told by many people that in a live setting Muse is an unstoppable force but, seriously, nothing could have prepared me for the spectacle I witnessed. I was open mouthed as soon as their set began. The band mostly played tracks from their latest album Absolution, which was fine by me because it is a bloody great record and one of my faves of the year for sure. "Stockholm Syndrome" blew heads off, as did the Indie 103 fave "Time Is Running Out". But, even more amazing was "Butterflies And Hurricanes" because Matt went from sci-fi guitar to classical sounding piano and back to the axe without missing a beat. Awesome! The band—all three of them—are so darn tight. Muse was surely the highlight of the night.

After a quick break I got back from shaking hands with strangers and plunked my butt back in my seat just in time to see Glaswegians’ Franz Ferdinand take the stage. The giant screen above them displayed only their name, while the side screens displayed their show in black ‘n’ white. My girlfriend said that was genius on the managers part because it forced you to actually watch the band and not the video. That is why she is a manager and I’m a nurse! "Michael", "This Fire," and "Take Me Out" were all played with knee-jerk precision, while the guitar player shaked and fidgeted like he was wired. The group also played a new song, but the name escapes me. However, it sounded like a Franz Ferdinand song through and through, as it had angular rhythms and sounded sharp like a knife.

As soon as Franz played their last note the stage started to turn as The Killers, who were dressed in matching festive red velvet tuxes, were already beginning to send their own message to the people. Lead Killer Brandon Flowers (real name?) exudes charisma and looks just like a sweaty Matt Damon with eyeliner. They flew through their 40 minutes playing "Jenny", "Somebody Farted", sorry I mean "Somebody Told Me," the piss poor "Indie Rock ‘n’ Roll", and the sleazy as hell "Andy You’re A Star". The boys ended with the sweet soul of "All These Things That I’ve Done" and its sing along hook. At the center of the stage stood Brandon’s mirror tiled keyboard stack, which he jabbed and stabbed at now and then, which kind of took the focus off his stagecraft. I reckon they should have a guy or gal do keys so he can prowl around more. The other guys do a good job of pumping out the new disco rock, but they don’t shine like Mr. Flowers.

After the hi-energy party vibe it was brave of Interpol to open with "Last Exit" from their new album Antics, but as they slow burned through it an atmosphere began to form. Unfortunately, it was short lived as gremlins set in and each song was followed by mumbling false starts and tune ups. Did they forget they only get 40 minutes? Hello? There is no time for dicking around. Such a shame that people left for the bars because when Interpol were on they sounded great. "PDA" was so strong, and the new song "Slow Hands" was monstrous. Unfortunately, the lack of momentum killed this show. What a terrible pity.

Rounding off the evening was an enthusiastic if workmanlike set from Jimmy Eat World. I have to say, I enjoyed seeing the guys rocking out amongst their winter wonderland of illuminated snowmen, Santas and stars.

So that was night one and what a great night it was. It really made me look forward to night number two. -Glen