Early on in Tuesday’s show, I realized that writing about it was going to prove extremely difficult, not because the show was terrible but because it was one of my favorite performances this year. The high quality
of the show seemed to me a potential challenge, or rather, what was it
about the Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees show that proved so engaging? Both bands have earned a name for themselves as some of the
best modern garage acts out there; however, I would argue that what they are
doing supersedes any limited definition of genre (which are always limited
terms) and engages in something more interesting. In mixing elements and in
being so prolific and dynamic, Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees have created an
exciting collection of songs and their live performance only heightened what is
great about each of their work.
Thee Oh Sees were the first act to go on. For the last
several years, the San Francisco act has quickly released an impressive array
of albums, all seemingly only months apart. The set was decidedly too short,
but they were technically opening for Ty Segall, so what can you do. Thee Oh
Sees were loud and they filled the space of Town Ballroom almost completely.
This made the show an incredibly immersive one, and my mind did not wander as
it normally does at shows. At one point, a friend ran up to me to tell me this
music was “terrifying.” I was actually kind of annoyed because this interrupted my attention but I think this actually helps to speak to what I like about Thee Oh Sees. Despite, in
a certain sense, their pop sensibilities, there is a definite sinister
undertone to this music. The heavy guitars become droning over time,
leaving you tensely waiting on a final climax to each song. In some cases this
occurs and the result is cathartic and in other cases it just continues until
petering out, leaving a sense of tension to carry over to the next song. This remaining tension never really clears out, even when the build up leads to something. This
trance like quality to the music made the show quite memorable.
Ty Segall’s set ended up surprising me. As much as I have
enjoyed the last few albums, I was not entirely sure they would translate into
a great live set. This also might be residual frustration at how short Thee Oh
Sees set was. However, I was happily surprised by how the performance. The group went through a great mix of songs. Each track was on point and
there was never a moment where things fell off. Equally heavy as Thee Oh Sees, Segall’s music
was still quite different favoring shorter and more straight forward songs. It
was equally entertaining to see a group playing so tightly. Unlike Thee Oh
Sees, and perhaps, in response to, Segall’s songs often result in catharsis,
the buildup ultimately leading to something. This opposite effect was equally
welcome and brought an ecstatic end point to the show.
Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segal ultimately points to the
possibilities within a genre usually thought to be as limiting as garage rock. The
infusion of other elements, on full display at Tuesday’s show, has allowed them
to create one of the most exciting bodies of work in recent years. A catalog
that is as fun as it is musically interesting (which, can sometimes be two very
divergent qualities). The energy they brought to Town Ballroom was contagious
and it was hard not to react on a visceral level. I definitely left the
performance with a strong desire for more, and hope that both acts, whether
together or separate, come back soon. What both acts did, in different ways,
was remind me that seeing live music is an incredibly gratifying experience
when done well.
It was a great show. I kinda felt like Thee Oh Sees blew Ty outta the water though. A bit more excitement in that performance.
They definitely left me wanting more, and I would also say that the Thee Oh Sees are doing something more complex. I think I was most impressed with how tight Ty Segall was, given my view of him as kind of a young puke. Mind you, a young puke I really enjoy but sometimes that can translate into a lackluster live show.
Jon, I felt the opposite. I saw Thee Oh Sees in Rochester last fall and they blew me away there. Part of what Tuesday taught me is that Thee Oh Sees always have the ability to bring fun, and they're a heck of a lot of fun to see live. I feel like Ty Segall tore the roof off of Town Ballroom though. His music, by it's nature is much more dynamic, and if you listen to him, you might think there's less there then Thee Oh Sees, but there are so many layers to Segall's music that they just jump out you in surprising ways. The live show proved this to me, each song had surprises in it that almost took my breath away. I felt like I was in the presence of something great, I get the same feeling whenever I see Jack White do something live. I also really appreciated the added flare of metal-like rock that permeated over his melodies; a chaos amidst the quiet, if you will. Ty Segall may never rise higher than he already has, maybe he will, but as much as I love Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall's set burned a hole in my subconscious that will have me remembering this show for years to come!
rock and roll is still alive in the minds of true believers (a knotted throng) sweating and dancing almost as much as the band on stage. free wheeling free blowing the cool of outer circle attendees (who seem clued into the aesthetic of the scene). movement stagnant surrounding the aware intensity.
cynicism .. is the new hip?
freaking out?
for the over there ! but the square stolid mass is too desensitized to absorb any emotion beyond madness.
damn this age where reality becomes unreal.
damn the combine for shoving every color into submission,
DAMN THE BARRIERS SO ENCODED THAT THEY BECOME INVISIBLE
AND DAMN ANYONE DOUBTING THEIR OWN BEAUTY
.rock and roll: passé X drugs: over done X sex: still popular
SCOREBOARD 2 SEPT 2012 * TOWN BALLROOM BFLO NY