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IN THE BLACK & WHITE: 010 - XX Merge Day 3

Posted by: pjsykes – Jul 26, 2009

07.24.09 | XX Merge Day 3 | Cats Cradle | Carrboro, NC

Jon Wurster Boycots Merge for not having any Philly bands
photo by: PJ Sykes

The Essex Green
photo by: PJ Sykes

It is hard to believe that The Essex Green have not put out a new record since 2006. Their boy/girl vocals and breezy 60s sound made them the perfect band to open Day Three. They played songs from all three of their full lengths, including “The Late Great Cassiopia” from “The Long Goodbye,” a song which I have put on every mix CD (approximate guesstimate) I have made since the album came out in 2003. Seeing them again really made me wish they'd come out with a new record—I am sure I will say the same about Ladybug Transistor tomorrow.

The Essex Green "The Late Great Cassiopia"

Spent
photo by: PJ Sykes

The night's emcee, the multi-talented Jon Wurster of Superchunk, informed the audience that this was Spent's first show in 22 years. This seemed fishy since Merge itself is only 20 years old, so I looked it up and the band's last show was in 1997-- TWELVE years ago (though they played NYC last month!). Spent plays early 90s infectious indie rock and they are very good at it.. At one point, guitarist John King asked the audience if any of us had a cassette player and handed several of us copies of Spent's album “Songs of Drinking and Rebellion” on cassette because he said he had a whole box full of them.

Spent "Brewster Station"

Lambchop
photo by: PJ Sykes

I don't know how I've gone so long without ever listening to or seeing Lambchop live. I now regret those years of foolish mistakes. There is something magical to me about a stage full of people playing together, especially when everyone is so joyous. Lambchop play music that incorporates many aspects of soul/country/jazz/Tom Waits, which sounds terrible but in reality they're freaking awesome. No band has received more applause at XX Merge so far—after their brilliant finale, a cover of the Talking Heads' “Once in a Lifetime.”

Lambchop "Slipped Dissolved Loosed"

Polvo
photo by: PJ Sykes

Polvo had a tough act to follow, since Lambchop was such an audience favorite. I think there may have been some internal tension, because the band felt a little off. Nonetheless, their set was pretty good and full of guitar-driven, tight, swirling rock. Ash Bowie talked about their new record coming out soon on Merge. Dave Brylawski thanked longtime Merge employee Spott, who actually played trumpet with Lambchop on a few songs, to show the interconnectedness of the Merge family.

Polvo "Beggar's Bowl"

Pipe
photo by: PJ Sykes

I know, I was not prepared for Pipe, I am sure people around me made fun of me. As soon as I heard comments like “I've never seen Pipe play for more than fifteen minutes” I knew this was going to be an unusual performance. As soon as the band got on stage people began pelting PBR cans at them. While the audience was a bit unusual, the band was extremely entertaining, particularly singer Ron Liberti who egged on the audience and whose posturing was incredibly hilarious. They ended with an almost-unrecognizable cover of Joy Division's “Warsaw.”

Pipe "Spring Training"

Spoon
photo by: PJ Sykes

News on the Internet is that the audience was disappointed with Spoon because they didn't play enough hits. Why does a band who is still writing and recording music need to spend an hour and a half playing all the hits? I was happy to see them play some newer material and experiment a little more. Of course, I have very little to complain about, as they performed my two favorite Spoon songs, “Lines in the Suit” and “Chicago at Night,” both from “Girls Can Tell.” Britt Daniel is a very charismatic frontman, and he is definitely made better by his band members. I was touched at how much praise they gave Merge, especially knowing their backstory and their troubled history with Elektra. I definitely felt like cheering on the label too, since they have brought me so much amazing music over the years.

Spoon "Don't Make Me A Target"

Saturday is essentially 13 hours of music with about a two hour break in between. We are ready and excited to see the remaining bands, which include Portastatic, M. Ward, Destroyer and Telekinesis!

Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 4
Melissa Koch
Merge Records

more IN THE BLACK & WHITE

words: Melissa Koch
photos: PJ Sykes