Top five live shows of 2019

The Damned and X

Two bands that have been around for more than 40 years, the Damned and X, proved that they're still going strong at their show at Chicago's House of Blues in May. X, with its lineup of four original members, played several of its best-known songs while sounding great and having fun. The Damned's Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible, the two original members of the band, were joined by bassist Paul Gray to play the masterpiece album "Machine Gun Etiquette" in its entirety. The band ventured on to a second set of well-known songs and rarities, playing 22 tracks and two encores in all. It's rare to see not one, but two, bands that have been around for more than 40 years. To see two such bands that appear to still be having a blast doing it, well, that's pretty amazing.
Read more: The Damned and X show their punk rock staying power

Photos by Christopher Windle.

The Faint with Closeness

The Faint returned to its hometown of Omaha for a packed show at the Waiting Room in May. Closeness (pictured), Faint frontman Todd Fink's group with his wife, Orenda Fink, warmed up the audience. The Faint later stormed onstage, playing songs from new album "Egowerk" as well as the best of its back catalog of six other studio albums. The show was an intense, high-energy thrill ride, and the audience didn't want it to end.
Read more: The Faint displays the best of Omaha

The Psychedelic Furs

The Psychedelic Furs' touring machine roared into the Truman in Kansas City in May, and it was clear that the band was there to show the crowd a good time. Though the Furs got a bit political with "President Gas," the show was mainly a time to party. Like the best first wave '80s artists, the Furs offer music that fans can escape to. And the world could use an escape right now. So the Furs delivered, playing hits like "Heaven" and "Pretty in Pink." The band has since added new music to its live show and has a long-awaited new album on the way in 2020.
Read more: The Psychedelic Furs at the Truman

Clan of Xymox

The U.S. government shutdown early this year had effects that reverberated through all walks of life, including the goth/darkwave community, when Clan of Xymox was forced to postpone its U.S. tour because of delays in processing the band's visas. But the tour dates set for this past spring finally happened, with the U.S. stint by the Germany-based band beginning in Denver and hitting Omaha in November. The band proved that its delayed U.S. tour was well worth the wait. Bolstered by opening band the Bellwether Syndicate, Clan of Xymox had the crowd dancing, singing along, and even laughing to frontman Ronny Moorings' droll insights.
Read more: Clan of Xymox, at last, brings show back to U.S.

L7

The all-female grunge band brought its powerful live show to Omaha in June. The crowd at the Slowdown was treated to a 21-song set of hits and fan favorites from the band's longest-standing lineup of Suzi Gardner, Donita Sparks, Dee Plakas, and Jennifer Finch. Gardner, Sparks, and Finch took turns singing lead, performing songs like "Andres," "Dispatch from Mar-a-Lago," "Shitlist," and "Pretend We're Dead."

Honorable mentions: T.S.O.L., Interpol, the Descendents, Wilco.

Duran Duran's top moments of 2019

Duranlive

Duran Duran kicked off its 2019 tour dates in Miami, performing gems like "The Seventh Stranger" (for the first time since 1984),  "New Religion," and "Friends of Mine." The band would go on to play two dates for Kaaboo, in the Cayman Islands and San Diego, and traveled to Iceland, among other touring highlights.

Record Store Day

Duran gave a nod to its past with a double-album release for April's Record Store Day with "As the Lights Go Down." Thirty-five years after the band's shows in Oakland, California, for the Sing Blue Silver tour were recorded for posterity, fans lined up again to get a limited-edition copy of the performance on candy-colored vinyl. "As the Lights Go Down" was originally used as the name of the edited version of the concert film "Arena" that aired on Cinemax back in the day.

NASA concert

Over the summer, Duran played a show for the anniversary of the Apollo mission. The band fittingly went with a space theme, playing "Planet Earth" and "Space Oddity" from its standard setlist, but also dusting off lesser-played tracks like "Astronaut." Duran also tried its hand at a space-themed cover song, "Walking on the Moon" by the Police. It was a magical night for the band and its fans that began with another surprise: the band taking the stage as drones put on a light show overhead, opening with "The Universe Alone."

A night inducting Roxy

In March, John Taylor and Simon Le Bon had the honor of inducting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Roxy Music, perhaps the band on planet Earth that has influenced Duran Duran most. In their induction speech, Simon described Roxy's music as "a shock to the system. ... The musicians themselves were dressed outrageously, each one with an individual, well-defined look."

"Put it all together, and what you got was pulp science fiction."

John continued by saying that Roxy made him realize "what I wanted to be. I knew my destiny. ... I am always proud to say that without Roxy Music, there would be no Duran Duran."

DD15

Signs point to the band's 15th studio album surfacing next year, perhaps in late spring or early summer. The band spent time in the recording studio in 2019 with super producer Mark Ronson and two likely guest musicians, Blur's Graham Coxon and singer Lykke Li. The band has announced two tour dates in June: a headlining spot at the Isle of Wight festival and a show at St. Anne's Park, "in support of the release of their next studio album." Although details have been scant of late, it does look likely that Duran will be releasing new material in the next six months or so, fingers crossed.

Photo by Christopher Windle

On ‘Wilco Wednesday,’ Tweedy and Co. show how it’s done

It was “Wilco Wednesday” in Omaha on Nov. 20 as the band returned to the state for the second time in a little more than two years.

The band last played an outdoor venue in Lincoln (Wilco launches fall tour), and this time, took its show indoors for a concert at the ornate Orpheum Theater. The band played several songs from its latest album, “Ode to Joy,” while still managing to touch on every era of its career.

The new album is moody and introspective, a showcase for vocalist Jeff Tweedy’s lyrics and Glenn Kotche’s drumming. Songs like concert openers “Bright Leaves” and “Before Us” chug along like the trains from Tweedy’s childhood. The singer’s father worked on the railroad, a topic he writes about in his recent autobiography “Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back).”

Photos by Christopher Windle.

But the show really picked up steam when Wilco played songs off its masterpiece, “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.” The audience sang along with “Jesus, Etc.,” “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,”
and “War On War,” a song the band had skipped playing at its last show in the state.

Around the middle of the set, Wilco threw in another highlight it hadn’t played before, the thrilling “Bull Black Nova.” Fittingly, it played the track about vehicular manslaughter right after another dark song, the dreams-of-murder ballad “Via Chicago.”

There were less moody moments, too, like when Tweedy put his guitar aside for the upbeat “Hummingbird,” or when guitarist Nels Cline let loose on “Impossible Germany,” playing a solo somehow different from but still as great as the one on record.

Most of the last third of the show consisted of “rock songs,” including recent single “Everyone Hides,” “I’m the Man Who Loves You,” and a rousing “Misunderstood.”

Despite already having played 26 songs, the band came back for an encore: “I’m Always In Love,” “California Stars,” and “The Late Greats.”

It was “Wilco Wednesday,” as Tweedy said, “like taco Tuesday, but with Wilco.”

But it was much more than that. It was a brilliant show by a band that has been around for 25 years and just keeps on delivering.

New record review: The Damned ‘Black Is the Night’

The Damned, in its fifth decade of existence, didn’t have an official best-of anthology until early this month. But “Black Is the Night: The Definitive Anthology” (BMG) is finally here, and it’s magnificent.

Spanning two discs, or four LPs, the anthology features 39 songs, from the first British punk rock  single, “New Rose,” to the band’s most recent single, “Black Is the Night.” The new song is a sweetener for seasoned fans; other than that track, “Disco Man,” and “Fun Factory,” the other songs are all available on the band’s studio albums or rereleased version of those records.

Still, there’s a lot here to like for fans new and old. I fall somewhere in between, having gotten heavily into the Damned a few years ago and promptly purchasing the band’s entire studio discography. For music fans feeling curious about the Damned but not knowing where to start, “Black Is the Night” is the perfect gateway.

The anthology lays out how the Damned is best enjoyed. Instead of a chronological track listing, the album is more like a playlist arranged by tempo and mood. The first disc is composed of early songs that helped define punk and post-punk: “Love Song,” “Wait for the Blackout,” “Ignite,” and “Smash It Up” among them. A “newer” song “Democracy?” fits right in, with a timely political message to boot. The Brian James years are neatly compartmentalized on disc one.

While the first disc captures the rapid-fire energy of the band’s live show (The Damned shows punk rock staying power in Chicago), disc two shows the Damned’s theatrical and artistic side. “Eloise” still sounds as amazing as when the band was climbing to near the top of the pop charts, and “Grimly Fiendish” deliciously marks the band’s foray into goth. The centerpiece is the majestic “Curtain Call,” all 17 minutes and 10 seconds of it demonstrating that the Damned was a true musical force, one that could still be kicking around four decades later.

The band shows that it’s survived, and thrived, with recent single “Standing On the Edge of Tomorrow” and the “Black Album”-tinged title track. Both are written by singer Dave Vanian, at a creative peak of late.

Who know what’s next for the Damned? The band brought “A Night of a Thousand Vampires” to the London Palladium, and Vanian (who shaved his head mid-set to portray Nosferatu) has hinted the band may hit the road with a version of that show.

Longtime drummer Pinch departed the band after the show. But with Vanian, dynamic guitar and bass duo Captain Sensible and Paul Gray, and the ever-entertaining Monty Oxymoron onboard, it’s not a stretch to say the Damned might be around to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a few years. It’s a thrilling thought, indeed.

Clan of Xymox, at last, brings show back to U.S.

The U.S. government shutdown early this year had effects that reverberated through all walks of life, including the goth/darkwave community, when Clan of Xymox was forced to postpone its U.S. tour because of delays in processing the band's visas.

But the tour dates set for this past spring are finally happening, with the U.S. stint by the Germany-based band beginning in Denver and hitting Omaha on Nov. 10.

Last year, Clan of Xymox proved that an eight-hour drive wasn't too far to go to see a fantastic live band: Clan of Xymox puts on ethereal show in Denver. This time, the band proved that its delayed U.S. tour was well worth the wait.

The Bellwether Syndicate. All photos by Christopher Windle.

Bolstered by opening band the Bellwether Syndicate, Clan of Xymox had the crowd dancing, singing along, and even laughing. It turns out that frontman Ronny Moorings is quite the comedian, offering his droll insights on the flooding in the Midwest and the city's desolate surroundings.

It might be a stereotype to believe that all Midwesterners have to turn in early to get back home to the farm. But besides one audience member who shouted, "no more cow jokes," the crowd seemed game for Moorings' needling.

Clan of Xymox started off with "Stranger" and its instrumental intro and built the excitement from there. Especially inspired were the four female-themed songs: "Jasmine and Rose," "Louise" ("not about the cow"), "Emily," and "Hail Mary." 

Classic tracks "Muscoviet Mosquito" and "A Day!" got everyone in the crowd dancing, even the Bellwether Syndicate. Clan of Xymox closed the show with an encore of "Cry in the Wind" and "Back Door."

Hopefully, it won't be too long before the band comes back to this area of the country. Clan of Xymox has proved that it's worth seeing time and again.

Indie rock hitmakers Interpol shine bright in Omaha

In the early 2000s, an indie rock scene that was stylish and subtly influenced by '80s new wave formed in New York City, led by bands like the Strokes and Interpol.

While the Strokes are largely inactive now, Interpol is still going strong 17 years after the release of the band's debut album, "Turn on the Bright Lights."

To begin its Omaha show on Sept. 15, the Manhattan trio went back to where it started, playing the first track off the first album, "Untitled." The excitement only built from there, aided by a hypnotizing light show.

Interpol has more hit songs than the casual fan would expect. In fact, Interpol has so many alternative radio staples in its repertoire that the band played most of "Bright Lights" ... save for its first breakthrough hit, "PDA."

In addition to marking 17 years since "Bright Lights," the band is also celebrating 15 years since the the release of its follow-up, "Antics." The band drew heavily from those first two releases, while also playing newer tracks like those off its most recent album, "Marauder."

Photos by Christopher Windle

Paul Banks led the band with his distinctive voice and rhythm guitar. (Since the departure of superstar bassist Carlos D, Banks also plays bass on the band's albums). Daniel Kessler was a machine on guitar and the most animated of the band members onstage, moving from amp to pedals and back with his fancy footwork. Sam Fogarino, the rhythmic backbone on drums, rounded out the official band.

There were many highlights among the setlist's 18 songs. A disco ball filled the venue with starry lights for a gorgeous "NYC." Off "Antics," "Evil" and "Slow Hands" sounded as fresh as when they were released.

With the encore of "Narc," "Take You on a Cruise," and "Obstacle 1," Interpol had the crowd on its feet and dancing, even in a staid concert hall.

Four things to appreciate about Duran Duran

Duran Duran Appreciation Day is upon on, and there's no better time for Duranies to reflect on the many things to appreciate about our favorite band. Here are just four, one for each member of the band:

Duran is still recording new music

Though nearly four years have passed since the release of Duran's last album, "Paper Gods," signs point to the band's 15th studio album surfacing next year. The band spent time in the recording studio last year with producer Erol Alkan. Earlier this year, Duran was in the studio again, this time with Mark Ronson and likely guest musicians Graham Coxon of Blur and Lykke Li. Members of the band have said they're aiming for a 2020 album release, which would tie in nicely with Duran's forthcoming 40th anniversary.

There are always the old classics

Even when new music takes a bit longer to come out than expected, there is always the band's vast catalog to go back to. For me, the band's first two albums and "The Wedding Album" never disappoint. There's no Duran album that doesn't have its high points. And there are even older songs I may have forgotten about or might not have heard in the first place. Case in point: the "Tel Aviv" demo. Maybe I just never listened because I expected it to be another version of the instrumental from the band's debut album. But the song has lyrics and driving bass and guitar. For me, it's a lost classic.

The band can still surprise us

After years of rather staid setlists, the band broke out "The Seventh Stranger" for U.S. shows early this year. And for the recent NASA concert, Duran went with a space theme, playing "Planet Earth" and "Space Oddity" from the standard setlist, but also dusting off lesser-played tracks like "Astronaut." Duran also tried its hand at a space-themed cover song, "Walking on the Moon" by the Police. It was a magical night for the band and its fans that all started with another surprise: the band taking the stage as drones put on a light show overhead, opening with "The Universe Alone." It was a moment that proves that Duran can still elicit chills after all these years.

Duran has still got it

At the end of the day, Duran still exists as a band, and that's no small feat. In 2001, the band was hanging by a thread, its only original members Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes. The Fab Five reunion that followed was short-lived, but the band is still going strong with two of its three original Taylors. Some fans may long for a reunion with Andy Taylor (who did recently meet up with Duran collaborator Nile Rodgers). But even as a four-piece, Duran looks great, sounds great, and "there's energy there" still, as John Taylor recently put it in regards to the band's new songs.

So on Duran Duran Appreciation Day, let's raise a glass to our favorite band, and be excited about all that the future holds.

Photos by Christopher Windle