Parking and tardiness are my two biggest downfalls in attending shows – I’m late everywhere I go, which wreaks havoc on evenings when I want to see the first opener. I can’t figure why anyone thought it was a good idea to pair acoustic troubadour David Dondero with two punk bands, but I was thrilled to have the chance to see him; I was only recently turned on to his music from his latest release Simple Love.
As usual, though, I got a late start for the 8:00 gig and after spending 15 minutes trying to park I got to the theatre at about 8:10. I could hear Dave playing Rothko Chapel (my favorite song of his) as I was waiting in the will call line. Sad for me, but I still got to hear him play for half an hour or so. Present onstage were just Dave with his acoustic guitar and a guy playing what I believe was a lap steel guitar (Dave introduced him, but I didn’t catch his name). I felt that Dave’s voice was a bit stronger in the live setting than the tremulous vocals (that so influenced Conor Oberst) from his recorded material. He only did one more from the new album – The Prince William Sound – a few from South Of The South and Pity Party, and a Woody Guthrie cover to close. Though Dave played a highly enjoyable stripped-back, earnest set, the unfortunate repercussion of pairing an acoustic singer-songwriter with punk bands is that the crowd will invariably chatter throughout. By the time Dave’s set was over, the talking was threatening to drown out the music, which was both aggravating and discouraging. Here’s hoping I get to see him in a more apt setting in the near future!
Matt And Kim were up next; I’d missed them at the Hi-Dive earlier this year and was excited to see them play. I know they hate being called “cute” so I’ll try to avoid that particular characterization (they are though). With Matt singing and playing a keyboard and Kim drumming her heart out, they don’t really bring anything original as far as the music, but they are a fun live act. They had smiles firmly adhered to their faces, lots of energy, and funny banter about Matt’s “BCGs” (birth control glasses) and the “nerd strap” he used to keep them on his head. Both were positively gushing throughout their set about playing at the Boulder Theatre for so many people. I wonder how they’ll feel at Red Rocks this weekend for Monolith? I decided to leave after Matt And Kim rather than sticking around for Against Me! – who were the only band on the bill that I was unfamiliar with. I’d really had about enough of the moshing for one night anyway…
Read TLOBF’s review of David Dondero’s Simple Love here.
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I’m glad you got to see him, although it is so much better in an intimate setting or in a crowd with a large adoring fan base.
To answer your question, why is David Dondero on that bill? My thought is that Dondero is respected in the Punk DIY community. Having been a part of This Bike is a Pipe Bomb for a while is just a part of the reason. Also Against Me, years ago played basements and house shows across the country as a part of that DIY ethic. David played a couple of years ago to about 600 at the Planet x fest many there just to see him.
So history means nothing to the current fans of either Against me or Matt and Kim although in many ways both those bands have done things on there own in there own terms like Dondero.
Glad you like him.
Thanks for the insight. It was just really irritating to have such a talented guy have to compete with the talkers. I still can’t understand why people pay to get into a show just to talk anyway. There are so many better places for chatter… :)