2019 has brought a lot of changes for me. I got promoted at my job and it’s been a huge influx of work. I don’t feel like a “zombie” anymore but the mental toll has taken a bite out of my life outside of work hours. Anyways, not here to complain, but I would chalk that up as to why I haven’t been out and about as much. I believe this is my first big show of 2019 and hey, it was great one!
I’ve been trying to see Built to Spill since I first heard of them when I moved to Seattle 6 years ago. At that time I was in a band called Po’ Brothers and we had played the Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle. A guy there by the name of Larry told us we reminded him of Built to Spill. I had never heard of them and was intrigued so I bought their album “There’s Nothing Wrong With Love” in Bellingham.
While that Album was great, what really sold me on Built to Spill was “Keep it Like a Secret”. This album alone got me into a whole new universe of music and helped ensure that Built to Spill is one of my top favorite bands. Can I put a number to it? Not really but probably somewhere in the top 30.
Anyways I’m rambling but that’s good. I haven’t got on here in a while so sometimes you need to just let loose. Any whooo… I’d missed Built to Spill at the Showbox multiple times, probably at least 3 times but maybe more. Anyways I was on Facebook and saw that they were playing Columbia City Theater. I thought it was a fluke or something at first but once I found out it was real I bought tickets immediately. Alyssa didn’t want to go so I asked Jake Naville if he’d like to go.
Jake was kind enough to get us an uber down there. We were probably the first people there which surprised me. I must think more highly of Built to Spill than most people because I was picturing throngs of people just beating down the doors to get in there. We had a bunch fo beers, met some guy named John who was all of 5’3″ and all about smoking some weed. That definitely set the tone for the rest of the night
I wasn’t initially wanting to see the openers, rather I just wanted to focus on partying. But the show was delayed or there was a late start or something. Anyways a band called the French Tips opened it up. and MY GOD did they open it up. I was completely astounded at how great they were. Their bass tone was amazing and all the instruments tones were just perfectly spaced and complimented each other so well.
Seriously, The French Tips encapsulate great rock music to me. They had the tones, the energy, the rawness, the whole package. By the end of their set I was an instant fan. I really regret not buying merchandise but I had spent too much money to get to enjoy that part. I have to say it really surprised me, but I’m so happy I got to see them because now when they come back I’ll be there in a heart beat. 10/10 highly recommend.
Next up was Orua who was great as well. I feel bad writing so little about them but I probably wasn’t paying as much attention as I should to their set. After being so enthralled with the French tips it was back to drinking and smoking for me. They’re from Brazil so a lot of the words I didn’t understand, but I can tell you they rocked out and I did enjoy watching them.
Finally Built to Spill came on. I was surprised to learn before the show that Doug Martsch routinely changes members of Built to Spill and was honestly a little worried. I very quickly found out that I had nothing to worry about.
It seems he had members from Orua filling in for all the positions of the band. I gotta admit I didn’t notice any funkiness or anything that was off. That is crazy to me from a musicians standpoint because I’m not sure I could just going a band and play their music with the same gusto and perfection that I’ve come to have with my own music.
I was really excited that they played “the Plan” towards the beginning of the set. Probably one of my favorite one of their songs so it really drew me into the rest of the set. If your a newbie who hasn’t heard their stuff I would definitely start there.
Doug is looking old these days but he sings perfectly and moves around stage like a young guy. One guy I was standing next to described his demeanor on stage as that of a bobblehead and I laughed and had to agree. It’s funny seeing this high pitched “nice” voice coming from a balding 50 year old guy that kind of bobbles his head as he sings.
They went on to play “Center of the Universe”, “In the Morning”, and “Randy Described Eternity” among others. As I said earlier everything came through perfectly. That speaks to how great the musicians are that he had play with them.
Anyways it was a great night, and I think me and Jake may have had too much fun. the next day was rough at work but it was well worth it. I got to hold on to these times, I never wanna miss out or lose out on a good time because I’m worried about what tomorrow will bring. Thats no way to live!
Mark another concert off my list and I hope to get out and see another one soon.