superchunk
november 11, 2001 • sonic boom records, seattle wa
• review by janice • photography by mike


review: We like free. Free is good. So, when we found out indie-rock pioneers Superchunk were playing at our favorite record store just down the street, how could we refuse? Damn, we wouldn't even have to pay for parking since we could just walk there. Here's something funny: in the many, many years I lived in Texas, I never got to see Superchunk play, not once. Since we've moved to Seattle, only three months ago, we've seen 'em twice. Both for free!

The last time was back in August 2001, when they played a free outdoor show at the EMP. And that was pretty awesome because all these tourists and families were strolling by and kept stopping to watch these "crazy young kids" rock out. To which Superchunk ended their set with a roaring performance of "Slack Motherf*cker". HA! At the time, I was pretty pissed off because there were kids around, and as anyone who knows me can tell you, I don't even like curse words.* And it reminded me of a time I saw Tsunami play at a Borders Books & Music in Fort Worth, TX and they censored the "f-word" out of one of their songs. Later, Jenny told us that she saw a little boy sitting on his grandfather's knee in the audience and she just couldn't sing the song how she wrote it. But, now, looking back at Superchunk's performance that idyllic August afternoon, it kinda makes me laugh. I mean, it's Superchunk, for crying out loud.

But then again, with their new album, it sounds like the ultimate indie "rawk" band are maturing. While waiting for the band to show up (they were an hour late due to a Seahawks game and the ensuing traffic), we got to listen to their new CD three whole times, and it's probably the first Superchunk album I really, really like. It's not as rocking as we're used to, and definitely more melodic. It leans more towards Mac's Portastatic project than past 'Chunk releases. I don't think I detected the "f-word" once.

The band finally arrived, and Laura stomped into the record store carrying her bass and looking pissed. Just raging, undeniably pissed. I know, honey. The Seattle traffic drives me crazy, too. I noticed a petite blond chick entering the store behind her, too.

The band sat down for their performance, and before they began, Mac solved the mystery by introducing the blond girl as Annie Hayden formerly of Spent! Right on!

The new "mature" songs sounded perfect with their stripped-down acoustic take, and even more mellow with Annie's angelic vocals harmonzing with Mac's. Sadly, since I don't have the new album yet, I can't relate any song titles, but I seem to recall "Art Class" and "Florida's on Fire" among the songs performed. "Florida's on Fire" sounded soooo lovely, played quietly in the record store setting! Just really lovely, and who would've thought anyone would use a word like that for Superchunk?

Meanwhile, Laura was standing behind her sitting bandmates, playing her bass. She just looked pissed! Her eyes were like evil slits, slowly scanning the audience, and every once in a while, she must've saw something that obviously displeased her, because her whole face would scrunch up in disgust! What the hell?!, I thought to myself. It was so bizarre, that I just stood there watching her for a while as her eyes scanned the audience. And then it happened. Our eyes met. And, strangely enough, Laura's whole face just broke into a smile. I have no idea why. All I can think is that maybe there was someone she knew standing behind me, and maybe our eyes never met at all? Or maybe she was reading minds as her eyes scanned the audience (scrunching her face at the Converse-clad Indie Boys secretly thinking, "Damn, Laura's hot, heh heh heh..."), and when she read my mind, she had to smile? Who knows!

They only played a handful of songs since the Seahawks traffic messed up their schedule and they had to run to the club. But their performance was really great! Such a weird, wonderful contrast from their more-rockin' Summer show. Heck, I would've payed to see it. ; )


* I suppose a case could be made that "pissed" is sort-of a curse word, so before I get any e-mails accusing me of being a hypocrite, I will further explain that I speak "TV." As in: if it's a word that could be said on TV, I probably use it. Except for Cop Shows. And not Cable TV either. You get the idea.

related links


• check out more awesome pics of the show at photophonic.com!