Deep Thoughts at a Toad The Wet Sprocket Concert
Two nights ago, the male half of The Blood Sucking Lawyers called with an offer of a free concert ticket for the next night (last night). Apparently, the female half bailed on him mentioning something about haircuts, errands, etc. All I heard was “free.”
I was actually excited as the concert was one of the great bands of the 1990s – Toad the Wet Sprocket.
Lead singer Glen Phillips
Their great mix of musicianship, lyrics, and pop sensibility made them favorites amongst critics and the masses alike. Here are a couple of my favorite songs
Walk on the Ocean
All I Want
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The opening act was Lee DeWyze… Dramatic Pause… Yeah, that was my reaction, too. The BSL had no idea who that was and, when I explained DeWyze had won American Idol some years ago, he immediately scoffed. He wasn’t that bad, but I really have an issue with the concept of American Idol. Check out my very serious analysis of it here.
And I know you’re dying to know what my beverage of choice was for this concert –
24 O.Z.’s baby.. Go large or go home…
Back to Toad…
They have been off and on since their 90s heyday and just recently released their latest album last month – New Constellation. There have also been solo recordings and side projects as well, but this is their first tour in a while. They sounded like the haven’t missed a beat, playing all their hits from the 90s as well several of their new songs. Those new ones were ok – they stuck to their sound, but nothing groundbreaking or too memorable.
But maybe it wasn’t memorable because I was distracted through the whole concert. I couldn’t get my mind off Woody Allen.
htmlgiant.com
Yes, THAT Woody Allen.
I got to thinking about the similarities between Woody and Toad The Wet Sprocket. Both are really well known for terrific artistry earlier in their careers and are still creating new material. But…
Who really buys the new stuff? It all could artistically compare with what they put out in their peak, but does anyone outside of family and rabid fans really care? With Woody Allen movies, the overwhelming majority of the audience probably got a discounted movie ticket from AARP. At the concert last night, just about everyone was around my age … cough, cough… north of 40.
I guess relevancy doesn’t matter if you have a loyal legion of fans. However, what happens to new acts who put out similar material now? Say you have a director that puts out a movie with the same artistic merits as Woody’s Midnight in Paris. And it’s absolutely perfect for the same demographic. Chances are it wouldn’t make a lot of money. And because of that, the movie probably wouldn’t even get made. Same goes with Toad’s music.
Lots to think about.
But the real reason why I couldn’t stop thinking about Woody Allen? The DRUMMER LOOKED JUST LIKE HIM.
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Here’s another picture from another site –
No idea who the blogger is, but that’s a SUH-WEEET shirt. (jandsbeckblogspotcom)
It was mind-boggling.
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10 comments on “Deep Thoughts at a Toad The Wet Sprocket Concert”
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wine century
Doppel Member, Baby!
I agree that ‘new’ artists get less cred just because they’re new. Lots of great new music and movies that are, indeed, not unlike Woody’s take on relationships. But no one listens, watches. I liken it to our incredible writing and the lack of respect we get. Come on.
Seriously, there’s a new indie flick Short Term 12 that, if it was made by any of the name directors would be Oscar talk. Supporting your theory.
But Woody was one of the all time great stand-up comedians IMHO.
Bonus comment: liked the TTWS videos. Way after my time but cool.
Hahahaha Pabst, love it.
either woody has surrendered his sax and moved to drums or he has a doppleganger )
Damn you Hedonist…do you really favor their bubble-gum pop hits or could you simply not find videos for songs from their Pale album?
I’m glad they’ve been practicing; I saw Toad play the folk festival 2-3 years ago; it was the firs time the band had joined Glen Phillips in years and they were RUSTY. I have New Constellation – it’s definitely watered down. As a point of interest… they’ve also re-recorded their old hits (take that royalty sucking record companies). It’s a weird thing to listen to; while it’s technically perfect, the new mix is way too clean and lacks some of the classic resonance. The “Welcome Home” live album recorded in 1992 is a pretty solid representation of their former glory.
PS: Genuine question, is Randy Guss (drummer) a bonefied dwarf, or just really short? In either case he keeps a mean beat.
C’mon, u should know by now I’m a pop music ho.
Just checked it out and Guss has osteogenesis imperfecta. It’s a congenital disease that leads to brittle bones.
Is your misspelling of bona fide a deliberate pun? Because it worked. Incidentally he is the best musician of the bunch and I agree with you about New Constellation.
That drummer is 100% the love child of Woody Allen and Andy Dick and his face is going to haunt me for the rest of my days.
I agree that many successful bands and artists slip into that zone of making enough money off of loyal, nostalgic fans and middling albums that they are never pushed to really create anything amazing even though they are capable of it (See The Goo Goo Dolls and, although this may be controversial, Pearl Jam). But, this post also reminded me that I still know every single word to Walk on the Ocean and love it, so I suppose its cool if Toad the Wet Sprocket wants to rest on its laurels.
Also, do you watch Parks & Rec? In last week’s episode Ben was wearing a Toad the Wet Sprocket t-shirt. It was amazeballs.
Funny, I never saw any parks & rec, but we recently discovered it. Going through old episodes now. And I know this is embarrassing – same with Modern Family. One of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen…
Re Pearl Jam, I’m right there with you. Tho it’s not like they were not trying – they went soft. Started to sound like Kenny Loggins kids songs, especially that last Vedder one. Guess that happens with age. To be fair, I did hear a new one that was really fast punk-influenced…
Hey I think Toad is incredible and I have loved everything they have ever done and I am no pop aficionado and def no music slouch
Randy Guss is a great drummer. Who gives a fuck what he looks like, asshole!