Red House Painters / Built Like Alaska
Great American Music Hall
July 2, 2001
Photos

A Red House Painters show is guaranteed to bring out the old indie rock guard like nothing else. All us folks who marveled and swooned over the 'Down Colorful Hill' EP back in the day happily took up residence in the GAMH to check out songs from 'Old Ramon', the album that sat unreleased for three years. We'd had hints of what this show would be like back in February when Mark Kozelek had played selections from this latest release on the very same stage. That didn't remove any of our sense of excitement though, because there's just nothing like the Red House Painters live. Even Squid, who normally has to be cajoled into some of the quieter shows on the playinginfog calendar, will stand rooted to the spot and refuse to leave when the Red House Painters are onstage. All of those stupid stereotypical phrases like "ethereal vocals" and "lush sound" shouldn’t be used for any shows except theirs. The Red House Painters are one of the few bands that can truly evoke the feel of their records live. Unfortunately, a big crowd also means chatting, a fact remarked upon by Kozelek when he noted that there were certain songs that they weren't going to do because of the noisy vibe in the house. "You know, it's like trying to fuck somebody when they're talking on the phone..." he explained, causing many hardcore fans to shout "Sorry, Mark!" at their hometown hero. Restless audience aside, we were thrilled with the old school set list they had chosen: Uncle Joe, Grace Cathedral Park, Katy Song, Mistress...they just kept coming, to the point where it almost felt like the people screaming for the ever-absent 'Medicine Bottle' and 'Michael' might actually be rewarded. Well, no dice on those particular two, but it was still a great mix of new and old. Lovely.

It usually takes local bands a year (or longer) to land an opening slot at the GAMH, so it was a fairly huge accomplishment for Built Like Alaska to get this sort of gig. Built Like Alaska have been around in various configurations for about five years, but their most recent line-up, which makes them a quintet with the addition of Fiver guitarist Chris Doud, has only been around for two weeks. They really couldn't have chosen a better time to add a person, since it allowed them far more flexibility and power in a hall the size of the GAMH. This was most noticeable during 'Healthy One', a punk march that loudly proved what they were capable of. There were other great moments from their ep, "This Song Will Bury You" like The Grifters sounding, "Goodnight, not goodnight", and the playfully strummed 'Lowest Bridges'. There was also new material in the form of the unreleased 'Seven Steps' with its Cars-ish kickoff. Built Like Alaska have had a grass-roots approach to music and performing, so it's no surprise that their dedicated fan base followed them to the city, many wearing shirts with the band's name on it and all beaming like proud parents the minute they picked up their instruments. A good scene that cast Squid's thoughts back to earlier in the day when she had interviewed them on KUSF. Lead singer Neil performed an acoustic version of her favorite BLA song, 'Una My Mommas Shoepaw', a sweetly melodied family biography comprised of urban legends that his great grandmother used to warn him to be careful. In this age of disaffected, cynical music, a gentle tribute to a family matriarch is a more radical gesture than an album full of two-minute punk songs. And so, twice in one day, this little unsigned band from the Central Valley rose to occasion, kicked ass with good musicianship, and basically made anyone who knew them extremely proud. Built Like Alaska will be back soon. Better buy those tickets in advance.

Red House Painters
RHP

Built Like Alaska
Bla Bla Bla Bla

Read our other Built Like Alaska reviews:
June 15, 2001 at the Dirty Duck
May 29, 2001 at the Dirty Duck in Modesto
March 20, 2001 at Café du Nord


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