Airborne Toxic Event infects my mind!
Okay, maybe I’m overreacting.
But that said, I’ve seen plenty of shows in my concert-going lifetime. Some good, some REALLY GOOD, a few GREAT, and some just ok. I remember seeing SMASHING PUMPKINS in Chicago before SIAMESE DREAM came out and they blew my mind. I came out of that show knowing in my soul that this was going to be a really important band, and certainly they became that. (I also saw them in Houston in 1997 and they bored me to tears, but that’s another story.)
Anyway…I had that feeling again. Last night. At the BLACK CAT in DC, when I got to see THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT live for the first time. I’m now convinced that this is one of the most important bands of the last several years. (Last time I felt this way: ARCADE FIRE).
Alright, disclaimer time. I picked these guys as my favorite band of 2008 based only on their self-titled debut album. And we’ve certainly played plenty of tracks from TATE (for short) on RADIO FREE CRUZE. Unless they were really awful, chances are pretty good that I was going to enjoy the show.
But it was more than that–at least for me. From the moment they took the stage (opening with WISHING WELL, a perfect track to start the show), to the rave-up performance of GASOLINE, to a couple of new songs (ECHO PARK was particularly good), to a “bring-the-house-down” rendition of their biggest song, SOMETIME AROUND MIDNIGHT, I was certain that this band is ”important.”
I went on the web to see what others thought, and predictably found a few blog posts blasting them as “posers…” Wondering how anyone could like this band, and how they weren’t authentic.
Perfect! Now I’m CONVINCED that I love them. Most of my favorite bands, actually, are the ones that indie snobs seem driven to insult and dismiss…so I know I’m right on track with this one. (And to the haters…why not spend your energy telling me about a band you DO like? Such a better use of your time.)
Bottom line…maybe I’m overreacting, but the debut album from THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT is one of the best albums I’ve heard in the last few years. And the live show is enthralling. If you have the chance…don’t miss them!
–Cruze, RFC
Leave a Reply