Sebastien Grainger, Knitting Factory, 26 March 2009
Synopsis
While his former DFA 1979 partner is providing the pill-taking soundtrack for young people around the world, Sebastien Grainger is playing fun, danceable rock at small venues in the US and Canada. With his band The Mountains (Nick Sewell, Leon Taheny, Andrew Scott), Grainger played most of the songs off their self-titled release, with the addition of a new track “It’s a Living.” Personal highlights were an extended version of “I Hate my Friends” and bopping to “Renegade Silence”.
The crowd
Small, dedicated, mostly white, mostly male.
The drinks
Totally unavailable. All bars at the Knitting Factory were closed that night. Though, a helpful security guard did suggest that I go to nearby Long’s Drugs, pound a beer, and return.
Opening act
I saw the last few songs of The Show is a Rainbow (a solo multimedia experience performed by Darren Keen). I have not seen anything like this before: Keen eschewed the stage in favor of singing from the middle of the dancefloor, explained one song as having been inspired by being hit in the face with other men’s penises while his mother had sex with assorted partners while he was in utero, and used the phrase “buckle the fuck up” at least 10 times. Thank you, Darren Keen.
The outfit
Before beginning his set, Grainger removed his shirt, tightened his suspenders, and affixed multicolored Ray Bans to his face. My attraction flowed as freely as his sweat.
The Plea
Sebastien, come back, play a venue that serves alcohol, and don’t play “It’s a Living” or “Niagara” to me ever again.
Set List
Love can be so Mean
Who do we care for?
I’m all the Rage
(I am Like a) River
By Cover of Night (Fire Fight)
It’s a Living
I Hate My Friends (extended)
American Names
Renegade Silence
Meet New Friends
Niagara
MORE SEBASTIENS
» Sebastien Grainger (Myspace)
» Sebastien Tellier @ Henry Fonda Theater, December 3, 2008
One more “Sebastien” live review and I will add a full-on “Sebastien” category, gang. Hop to it. -ed
Yeah … the knitting factory … it’s a tough spot in this day in age A lot of out of town mangers/b.agents & such seem to book this spot … don’t know why … I think maybe because of it’s name which to me seems to at this point = an out dated legacy but that’s neither here nor there … & they think it’s gonna be dope … little do they realize there’s no walk through traffic … no established scene comparable to that of a venue like hotel cafe for instance … where people will just come out without knowing the artist of the evening, just to be a part of a vibrant music scene etc … hope that makes sense?
Also, there’s no parking for bands who play there & security is not the friendliest/inviting/easiest to deal with … it’s not intimate like the mint or the temple bar/dakota or spaceland & such where I find it to be a better atmosphere for art to be appreciated & flourish … not only by fans but by the people who run these places.
So now that I’m off on this tangent … let me bring it back full circle … I was at that show that night to see Princeton play… they’ve been supporting Sebastien Grainger on this last stint up the pacific northwest. They’re out of Los Angeles, the two twins spent a grip of time on the London scene. They’re about to drop a full record & have released some EP’s thus far. They have a cool sound … maybe check’em out … who knows? you might like em. =)
Wishing everyone the best. Much love, health, joy, peace, positivity & possibility …
(@ #1: princeton by karen)