Beck provides an antidote for our times with uplifting live show

Genre-hopping genius Beck brought his masterful live show to Pinewood Bowl in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sept. 19.

A night during a never-ending summer was a perfect backdrop for Beck to breeze through hits and rarieties from his 13 studio albums, from the ground-breaking "Odelay" to the Grammy-winning "Morning Phase." But Beck seemed most at home performing songs off his newest album, "Colors."

With embullient tunes like "I'm So Free," "Dreams," and "Up All Night," Beck's new album provides the right antidote for the times we live in. On "Wow," Beck has reached his pinnacle: He's still the eccentric pop star we've always known, but he's taken on almost an evangelistic form as he sings lines like "My demon's on the cellphone" and "It's your life, you gotta try to get it right."

Beck. At top, Julian Casablancas joined him onstage. (Photos by Christoper Windle.)

But we can't forget Beck's finer moments from his past. After opening with hits "Devil's Haircut" and "Loser," Beck took the crowd on a run through some of those moments with the sax-tinged "The New Pollution" and the sex-tinged "Mixed Bizness." He went back to "Guerro" for "Black Tamborine" before returning a second time to the Prince-flavored masterpiece "Midnite Vultures" for an acoustic version of "Debra," segueing into a crowd sing-along of "Raspberry Beret."

Beck gave a chance for his latest touring band to shine, with four members joining him at the front of the stage on vocals and a variety of instruments for a few acoustic songs. They performed slower songs "Lost Cause," "The Golden Age," and "Blue Moon" along with a couple of crowd requests.

But most of the show was an uplifting affair. After the acoustic break in the action, the full band returned with a high-energy string of mostly recent hits: "Dreams," "Girl," "Wow," "Up All Night," and "E-Pro."

Beck and his band came back for an extended encore of his biggest smash, "Where It's At," with band introductions to a variety of song snippets, including Chic's "Good Times" and New Order's "Blue Monday." But the most entertaining cover was a duet with Julian Casablancas of opening band the Voidz. Beck and the Strokes singer took on the Human League's "Don't You Want Me Baby" to hilarious effect. 

Beck closed out the show with "One Foot in the Grave" and came full circle with a reprise of "Where It's At," shuffling offstage along with his band members.

It was a night that recalled some of pop's biggest stars, Prince and Bowie among them, icons Beck no doubt emulates with great respect. Nearly 25 years after Beck hit it big, the show proved that he ranks up there with the best of them.

The Psychedelic Furs at the Surf Ballroom

The Psychedelic Furs made a rare stop in Iowa, bringing the band's classic alternative sound to an iconic venue, the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

The Surf is known as the last stop before "the day the music died," when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper perished in a plane crash nearby after playing their final concert at the venue. The Surf tastefully pays tribute to the trio, as well as to the many, many musicians who have played the venue over the years.

Tim and Richard Butler. Rich Good and Richard Butler (at top).

The Furs joined those acts on Aug. 8 with a solid, 18-song setlist that spanned the band's career. Though there's not yet new music from the Furs, the band manages to make each tour special, swapping out and shifting deeper album tracks around and still playing all of the hits that the crowd expects.

Case in point, when we last saw the Furs, the band opened with "India," not quite harnessing all of the song's energy to full effect. Nearly two years later, the Furs closed the show with the blistering track off its debut album. It turned out to be the perfect song to follow the band's defining track, "Pretty in Pink."

Rich Good and Richard Butler (at top).

At the Surf, the band opened with the "Mirror Moves" hit "Heartbeat" and followed with the must-hear "Sister Europe." "She is Mine" and "Only You and I" were welcome additions to the setlist, the latter giving guitarist Rich Good a chance to let loose. The band members are always entertaining, with singer Richard Butler's trademark moves, bassist Tim Butler's interplay with the audience, and saxophonist Mars Williams' boundless energy.

There are many, many reasons the band attracts a crowd: the shimmering beauty of "The Ghost in You," "Heartbreak Beat," which always prompts a sing-along, and the ever-relevant "President Gas," to name a few. We'll be back. A Furs concert is where we met, after all.

Nearly five years later, we see a lot of concerts, but we can always count on the Furs to put on a great show.

All photos by Christopher Windle.

Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2018!

Duran Duran offered a taste of an upcoming live concert film to thank fans on Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2018.

The clip of "Pressure Off" and "Hold Back the Rain," slickly directed by Gavin Elder, captured the band onstage during its triumphant show at Budokan last year.

Duran released a limited edition record of several songs from the show for April's Record Store Day. On Friday, Nick Rhodes said the band is hoping to complete editing on the film of the full performance for release later this year.

Duran spent most of the past few years touring behind its last album, "Paper Gods,” ending the tour at the iconic Tokyo venue.

As Duran spends some time relaxing and possibly recording this year ahead of its 40th anniversary, 2018 is looking to be a great year for watching the boys on film.

In addition to the recent BBC documentary and special, a release of the Budokan concert film this year would mark the band's most recent official concert film release since "A Diamond in the Mind" in 2012.

Although it might be hard to top that film, the Budokan footage features Nile Rodgers as well as Duran in some of its most colorful stage wear in some time. It's hard not to smile as Simon Le Bon dances in white denim and Nick Rhodes displays an extra dose of onstage energy in a fabulous sparkly purple jacket.

I'll be looking forward to seeing the full film. Until then, happy DDAD!

Photo by Christopher Windle

The Dandy Warhols at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox

The Dandy Warhols hail from Portland, Oregon, of course, but the band was right at home in Denver during its two-night stand on July 12 and 13 at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox.

Nearly 25 years after its formation, the Dandies have endured as one of the most stable bands in rock. The Dandys were originators, along with the Brian Jonestown Massacre, of an alternative/psychedelic music scene that also gave birth to bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Warlocks.

Courtney Taylor-Taylor. (All photos by Christopher Windle)

Iconic frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor is the principal songwriter, but there's a lot of depth in the Dandys. Drummer Brent DeBoer sings harmony, and on the side, leads the band Immigrant Union. (When he can't make a gig because of another commitment, original drummer Eric Hedford readily steps in.) Original members Zia McCabe and Peter Holmstrom are there, too, seemingly having just as much fun as ever. Keyboardist McCabe deejays as her side gig (and dabbles in real estate as well). Guitarist Holmstrom helms the excellent band Pete International Airport.

We were there for the Thursday night show in the cozy venue packed with dedicated Dandys fans. It was a cool scene that was perfect for the Dandys, with surroundings seemingly straight out of one of the band's videos. And the city was perfect as well, because well, we all know that the band members like to partake.

The opening band, glam-rock throwbacks Uni, put on a surprisingly pleasing show. (The footage of the band on YouTube just doesn't do it justice.) Uni doesn't really break new ground, with songs that sound like they're from the movie "Velvet Goldmine." But its new frontman, clad in a partially see-through, rhinestone-embellished unitard, managed to transfix the appreciative crowd.

Peter Holmstrom

Still, there was no upstaging the headliner.

The Dandys played a well-curated setlist of 14 songs, some of them extended versions. The crowd ate it up, even the lengthy intro to "Boys Better" that somewhat resembled "Pete International Airport" (the song). The band opened with "Be-In" and also played "I Love You," though it skipped some better-known singles off the album "The Dandy Warhols Come Down." Also well-represented were "Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia" and the Nick Rhodes-produced "Welcome to the Monkey House."

Though it may be tempting to define the Dandys by the band's late '90s/early 2000s heyday, its most recent album "Distortland" is one of its best. The band made room in the setlist for two tracks off the album, "Styggo" and "Search Party."

Then there were the songs that must be heard, "Holding Me Up" and perhaps the band's finest moment, "The Last High,” played back to back. And "Godless" had its rightful spot in the setlist, flawless as usual.

Pete's pedals

And then there are the moments that only the Dandys can do. When Zia left the stage for a bathroom break, Courtney broke out a version of "Monkey House" that sounded exactly like the album version, with only his guitar and Pete off to the side of the stage for emotional support. Always fun.

It was a chill evening with a down-to-earth band and a crowd of some of its biggest fans, there for the handful of shows on the agenda for 2018 while the band prepares its next album.

Hopefully, the Dandys will keep on ruling into a third decade.

Simon Le Bon

I debated whether to post anything about last week's allegation against Simon Le Bon. I haven't responded to any threads on Facebook groups or on message boards. But because I have a blog that's focused on Duran Duran, I will write but not promote a post that will be available to visitors to the blog, whether they are here to read about Duran or one of the many other bands we follow.

Duran's official Facebook page posted Simon's response to the allegation, as follows:

"I have read the statement which Ms. Hariri posted yesterday on Facebook about a record signing 23 years ago at Wherehouse in L.A.

"The behavior that Ms. Hariri has accused me of, would have been just as inappropriate and unacceptable to me then as it is today. But the allegation is simply untrue.

"When Ms. Hariri first contacted me about her claim months ago, I proposed meeting with her in person so I could set the record straight. Instead, she has decided to pursue this publicly.

"I have always been one who can admit my mistakes and apologize for my failings. But I cannot apologize for something I did not do."

I choose to take Simon's word for it.

Some have shared worries about the effects of the woman's allegation on Duran's career. Duran plans to spend much of the next year or so mostly out of the spotlight regardless, with 40th anniversary activities commencing in 2019-2020. I hope that by then, this, too, will pass.

Duran Duran takes over BBC4

It was a proud moment for Duranies everywhere, and especially in the U.K., as Duran Duran took over BBC4 for an evening on June 29.

Sandwiched between episodes of "Top of the Pops" featuring Duran and the band's David Lynch-directed "Unstaged" concert were two hours of new programming. One, a 40th anniversary bash/documentary "There's Something You Should Know" was followed by "A Night In."

"A Night In" is a showcase for the camaraderie among the four remaining original members. They watch clips of their biggest influences from the worlds of music, TV, movies, and more. They're still in awe of Bowie and Bolan and still love the movie that helped start it all, "Barbarella." It's a satisfying look behind the scenes at what makes Duran tick.

But the gem of the evening was "There's Something You Should Know." While the program was billed as a documentary, it was more of a look back at the band's career highlights, much like the David Bowie special "Five Years." There was an extensive focus on the band's self-titled debut album and "Rio."

The members of Duran are back where it all began, Birmingham, at the site of the Rum Runner club and in the seats of a classic Citroen, the band's original "tour bus." There, Simon, John, Nick, and Roger reminisce about the early days, listening to an original Duran demo tape on the car's cassette player. It's clear from the way that the four originals interact with one another that the magic's still there. Jokes come easy, and the others refer to Simon affectionately as "Charlie," just like in the old days.

There are stops at other Duran career high points, and visits with Duranie luminaries like Mark Ronson, Nile Rodgers, Cindy Crawford, and in a bit of a surprise, Boy George. Ronson and John Taylor drop in at the iconic building of Capitol Records. Ronson, who has produced much of the band's recent work, is still every bit the Duranie, definitively stating that "nobody really wanted to give you credit for the fact that everybody was a great musician."

"Notorious" is represented, as we're reminded that Rodgers still thinks of Duran as his second band. Sure, we know these facts, but isn't it good that now the world knows, too?

Duran is criminally underrated, passed over most notably for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite a 40-year career. The BBC's math is based on the year 1978, a date the band itself has used often over the years; however, Duran has more recently pushed that date forward on its calendar.

Although the main focus is the '80s, "There's Something" also revisits "The Wedding Album," "Astronaut," and "Paper Gods." Simon talks with his old choirmaster, and Nick commiserates with suit designer Anthony Price. There are shortfalls: much of Andy's contributions, and Warren's entirely, are glossed over. But the program does a great job of covering the bases in just an hour.

Overall, "There's Something" is a good reminder for the general public that Duran is still deserving of the recognition that so many young fans gave the band so many years ago.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club leaves an impression

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's true garage-rock talent was on display in Omaha on May 17.

The concert was the first in an outstanding array of late spring and summer concerts at the venue of the night, the Slowdown. Watch the blog for reviews of at least two more coming shows there: Gary Numan and the Buttertones.

BRMC got an assist from opening act Pete International Airport, the Dandy Warhols' guitarist Peter Holmstrom's other band (which is also named after a song off "The Dandy Warhols Come Down"). The band played a brief set before making way for an extensive one from the headliner.

Pete International Airport's latest album, "Safer With the Wolves," features guest vocalists like the Black Angels' Alex Maas and BRMC's Robert Levon Been, who joined the band onstage for "Flowers of Evil."

Been's command of the stage was apparent with the opening act, as well as when his band stormed out with back-to-back songs featuring his vocals. From there, he and Peter Hayes seamlessly traded off vocals, and sometimes bass and guitar.

Throughout 22 songs, BRMC showcased the band's biggest tracks and ones off of its latest album, "Wrong Creatures." Especially enjoyable among the newer tracks were opener "Spook," "Question of Faith," and "Circus Bazooko," which despite the fact that it does sound like circus music, works live.

Despite an often-grungy feel to most of its faster songs, BRMC also manages to sound downright tender on tracks like "Echo" and "All Rise." This incredible range was evident by mid-set, when Been and Hayes each played an acoustic song on their own, "Dirty Old Town" by the Pogues and BRMC's own "Complicated Situation."

BRMC did it all: Been played piano, Hayes smoked a cigarette while playing (and singing), and drummer Leah Shapiro dutifully kept the beat (and also joined Pete International Airport during its set). The band also included in its set list a cover of “Let the Day Begin” by ‘80s band The Call, Been’s late father, Michael’s group.

In a time when musical acts often rely on backing tracks or even offstage musicians, it's refreshing to see a three-piece band with a huge sound playing a small venue with little, if any, help in that department. BRMC put on just that type of impressive show.

Been on piano. All photos by Christopher Windle.