merlin:

Owing to an unexpected frenzy of whip-it inhalation, I missed a lot of the Jawbox set, but what I did see was paint-peeling — like the appearance on Fallon last night. And, of course, Meat Puppets were stellar, as always. But, wow. STP was really fucking good. I was converted.

Remember, now, 1995 was deep indie snob territory for me. I was all GbV and Built to Spill and Pavement and whatnot and fuck that 3rd generation grunge bullshit. But I was wrong. STP were tight as duck’s ass and had a lot of soul. Also, a rocking chair. Seriously. For the “quiet” part of the set.

I couldn’t believe how great they sounded last night, or how much fun they were obviously having - J. Robbins is still just a stunning vocalist, and Jawbox’s performance couldn’t have been any less perfunctory. The “For Your Own Special Sweetheart” remaster has lately been in heavy rotation over here, and I’ve been rediscovering the things that made that band so great. (And new things - those harmonies on “68!”)

In an era where the 90’s band reunion tour is almost a rote cliche, watching a band this enormously influential not go for the easy cash grab is remarkable. Doubly so considering the cred police who idiotically dismissed them as sellouts when this now-classic record came out on - gasp! - Atlantic.

Do I wish they’d play real shows? Of course. They killed it yesterday. But I can hardly hold it against them if they don’t.

PS: When I saw STP (late ‘97 or so?), it was a comically large divan of some sort that actually got lowered from the rafters above the stage. Cue reclining (and almost certainly X-ing) Weiland, a few acoustic numbers for the ladies, etc. Forget which buzz bin casualty opened, but they sure weren’t Jawbox.

This was posted 2 years ago. It has 25 notes.
  1. eldee reblogged this from merlin
  2. thetapeleader reblogged this from merlin
  3. dayan reblogged this from merlin and added:
    I couldn’t believe how great they sounded last night, or how much fun they were obviously having
  4. markarms reblogged this from merlin and added:
    on Fallon last night. My old band recorded with J. in Baltimore a few years back, and he is one of the nicest guys I’ve...
  5. hman reblogged this from merlin
  6. merlin reblogged this from robot-operator and added:
    Jawbox - Savory (1994) Original video of a classic from the recently released For Your Own Special Sweetheart....
  7. robot-operator reblogged this from merlin and added:
    No. Effing. Way. Saw these guys in 1995, it was an epic show. merlin:
  8. erikczaja reblogged this from kimlovesstuff
  9. endonend reblogged this from merlin
  10. kimlovesstuff reblogged this from merlin and added:
    Read More Woah. I’m still not big on bands reforming (apart from Jawbreaker - I’d be TOTALLY fine with that) but this is...
  11. merlin posted this