HardRockChick

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

The Faint, Jaguar Love @ The Grand Ballroom, 8/5/08

dev@hard
August 6, 2008
4
3

It’s night 2 of 3 for following The Faint this week. Does it get any better than The Fillmore show?

The opening band, Jaguar Love, was a bit better on my ears than last night’s disco stinker, Glass Candy. The lead singer has a very high register voice, and paired with his blond mop of a haircut, I thought of him as a ’00s hipster version of David Lee Roth. Then I thought, I would love to hear him say, “I’m Dr. Rockso…I Do Cocaine…K-K-K-Yeah!!!!”. But I digress. The band didn’t seem to gel together- they have the aforementioned DLR vocalist, the bassist looks like he should be in the Black Crowes, I couldn’t even hear the keyboards, the guitarist was not memorable, and the drummer seemed bored. But, I think the name fit them well- the vocalist does this scream/roar a lot that I can only imagine sounds like jaguars in love.

Who picked these openers?

But, I will endure them for The Faint. Since I reviewed most of the songs already from last night’s show, I’ll just speak to the differences. The band seemed in a much looser mood, perhaps in celebration of their album being released that day. Todd smiled a lot. The lack of a barrier changed the vibe of the show as well- periodically throughout the set, people jumped on stage or attempted to crowd surf. The first chick to jump up there wanted to crowd surf, and I don’t know what she was thinking, because she was not dressed for it and was sporting a purse the size of my torso. Later on a chick ran on stage and drunkenly danced behind Jacob, and then tried to get all up on Todd, who pushed her out of the way to get to his mic to keep on with the vocals. Seriously, people, this is insanely disrespectful. That is their turf. If they invite you up, like a Dillinger show or Girl Talk or The Stooges or something, then, by all means, go. But don’t interrupt their set for your selfish drunken whims. Another chick jumped up their later and semi-politely asked Todd for a hug, and he half accepted half cringed as a bouncer dragged her away. People also threw neon sticks on stage. As rowdy as it sounds, the crowd didn’t hold a candle to the mosh pit mess I was in when they played Mezz in Dec. ’06.

The setlist changed up the order of some songs and added a couple of new ones. They started with Glass Danse and ended with Agenda Suicide, which was the opposite of The Fillmore show. Apparently they listened to my request from my last review, as they added Psycho to their set, and it was divine live. They popped in some golden oldies- Call Call and Victim Convenience– off Blank Wave Arcade. Paranoiattack ended the regular set this evening. After coming back out, Todd admitted to the lameness of the obligatory leaving the stage and coming back, and pummeled through the last 3 songs with high energy.

It was much hotter at this show, and the sound at this ‘grand’ ballroom is far inferior to The Fillmore. I observed this set from the right side of the stage, in order to take in all the goodness that is Dapose, and witness not 1, but 2 keyboard backbends (thank you!). I realized that the members of The Faint can all be matched to signature dance moves:

Dapose: the finger snap stomp headbang
Jacob: the backbend (duh!) and sidestep quick turn
Todd: the microphone cord asphyxiation toss
Joel: the limp arm over the shoulder groove
Clark: due to his seated position, the only observation here is that he is the only one that seems to be drinking a beer…

Thanks to HRC homie Eryn for getting the setlist last night and giving it to me. The stage guys for The Faint are really great about handing them over after the show.

Not to end on a negative note, but 2 big WTF’s about the merch situation. Why is only 1 person working the table? Also, there were some covert posters available, but they were not advertised to anyone. We happened to see one floating around after all had been handed out, and acquire it ‘aftermarket’, but as a collector, this is seriously annoying. There should be posters for sale at every show. /rant.

OVERALL: 8.75/10
The Faint performance: 9.25/10
Jaguar Love performance: 5.5/10
venue (The Grand Ballroom): 7/10
crowd/scene: 7.5/10
value ($22.50/ticket): 9/10
memorable: 9/10

Our homemade fans shirts: they spell HOSPITAL, but in the shot it looks like ‘HOSTAL’, which is pretty funny
hostal

band

setlist

poster

Check out the head spinning The Geeks Were Right video on their site.

Check out my Broken Spindles review, Joel’s side project.

Comments

  1. I LOVE the dancing analysis. Good stuff. Slightly stage left is the best spot to truly enjoy Dapose and Jacob. I love their completely different interpretations of the music. Dapose just makes me smile with is groovy snapping. Jacob is electric! Literally. It seems he’s directly hooked into his keyboard as he snaps his body with every synth beat or twist.

    It’s contagious… [I think I elbowed a few people. even my friends. sorry!]

  2. The dancing analysis is spot on… Brilliant! Another great show. Sadly no “The Conductor” but maybe they’ll play it in San Diego.

  3. you forgot to review shy child, the first opening band… i thought they were amazing!
    other than that, your review was spot on

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

A New Level: Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth VH @ SoFi Stadium Los Angeles, 8/25/23

“Now a new look in my eyes my spirit riseForget the pastPresent tense works and lastsGot shit on, pissed on,…

September 4, 2023
9
0

Gimme Danger: Iggy Pop & The Losers with Grace McKagan @ The Pearl Las Vegas, 4/29/23

“Gimme danger, little strangerAnd I feel with you at easeGimme danger, little strangerAnd I’ll feel your disease There’s nothing in…

May 29, 2023
8
77

Kill or Become: Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, Immolation, Black Anvil at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay 11/25/22

“Living out the days and nights in absolute fearNever knowing when and where thethreat of the undead draws nearThoughts of…

December 3, 2022
8
88

Looks That Kill: Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison, & Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, 9/9/22

“Now, listen up She’s a razor sharp If she don’t get her way She’ll slice you apart Now she’s a…

September 19, 2022
10
32

A Dangerous Meeting: Mercyful Fate, High on Fire, Paradise Lost, Fugitive, Suicidal Tendencies, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony, Frozen Soul, Emperor, Mayhem, Carcass, and Wolves in the Throne Room @ Psycho Las Vegas @ Resort World, 8/19-21/22

“Oh, they should have knownNot to play with the powers of HellSome people have lost their waySome people have lost…

August 30, 2022
12
32

Among the Living: Anthrax 40th Anniversary Tour with Black Label Society @ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, 7/28/22

“I’m the walking dudeI can see all the worldTwist your minds with fearI’m the man with the powerAmong the living,…

August 19, 2022
6
29

Mad World: Tears for Fears, Garbage @ Kia Forum in Los Angeles, 6/4/22

“And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are…

June 12, 2022
8
19

She Sells Sanctuary: The Cult, Des Roc @ House of Blues Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay

“The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive And the sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive, keeps me alive…

May 27, 2022
5
30

Rock You Like A Hurricane: Scorpions, Skid Row @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas

“It’s early morning, the sun comes out Last night was shaking and pretty loud My cat is purring, it scratches…

April 15, 2022
5
38

Turbo Lover: 50 Years of Heavy Metal with Judas Priest and Queensrÿche @ Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas, 3/13/22

“We hold each other closer, as we shift to overdrive And everything goes rushing by, with every nerve alive We…

March 22, 2022
7
16