Built to...Rock!

This show came about only after months of anticipation.  I purchased the tickets eagerly in March or so for the May date, only to learn the horrific news that Doug Martsch had injured his poor little eye and would have to postpone the entire tour for a season.  In between I managed to catch a show in Tucson while I was there, which was pretty damn sweet and abetted my yearnings for a snippet.  Still, by the time October rolled around I was excited as ever to see these guys for the sixth time.  Let me say it here: Built to Spill is the best band ever.  It’s my favorite band.  I really like this band.

I’m also quite the fan of Irving Plaza, with their two conveniently located, accessible bars right at the back of the main floor and balcony.  It’s excellent that you can watch what’s going on, even while it’s happening right behind you and you can hear the program crystal clear, while facing the bar and staring at TV monitors.  It’s a fine way to casually absorb and consider the opening bands while not cramming in with the other confused, half-interested fools. We arrived a cool two hours after doors opened, thinking we’d have just enough time to gulp down a few exorbitantly priced cocktails before enjoying the show.  We purchased our booze and took a nice spot to the left, to see just what this “Camper van Beethoven” was all about.  It was about eleven and they seemed like a fun bunch to hear a few songs from…and then they continued to play for another hour and a freakin’ half.  I’ve heard of band time, but this was insane.  My knees began to ache, my bladder filled and needed to be relieved several times, and Laura began complaining loudly.  “Get off the stage,” in fact, was heard to be uttered by not just our rude, blatant selves.  Now, I don’t like to be uncouth, and I commend everyone for doing what they do and creating something that I certainly could not myself equal, but I think this set was a bit lengthy.  They played the “Take the Skinheads Bowling” song, and I was like “Oh yeah, those guys.”  Laura booed some more. I later learned that this very band had in the past become — and then ceased to be — Cracker.  Like being stoned indeed.

Then Built to Spill came on.  Martsch and the boys casually slouched onto the stage, to the yelps of a few who recognized their faces and demeanors, and played around with their instruments for a bit.  They have always presented themselves in a similar fashion, not so much creating an engaging stage presence, but certainly playing with rockin’ awesomeness and impeccable skill.  They all maintain a very casual, aloof sensibility, one that suggests they could do this in their sleep, while somehow managing to play very clearly some of the most difficult live music I can think of.  Martsch occasionally leaned in between songs to give the crowd a “Gee, thanks,” and everyone giggled.  Back in the day at my first Built to Spill show in Tucson, I casually got backstage due to being acquainted with the opening band.  This was sadly before I was a superfan, and like the fool and drunk that I am I left mid-way through simply because I had run out of beer.  My love of booze may override all of the other joys in my life, but at present these guys are on the top of my awesome list, and I promise to appreciate them even more so now.  I have and will.  Like, I said, sixth show.

The band played a wonderful mix of songs old and new this time, much to my enjoyment. They threw in a fine smattering of tunes from my favorite album of theirs, Perfect from Now On.  They also did some old hits from There’s Nothing Wrong with Love, which got the crowd a’swayin.’  And of course, everyone goes crazy and wets their pants for Keep it Like a Secret. Most specifically “Carry the Zero,” which I think they’ve played every time in my viewing history.  One song that I’ve never heard live however, but would melt my heart were it to be so, is the oft requested “Time Trap.”  Folks were yelling requests for it right off the bat, and this continued until some poor fool chanted “Play Timewarp.”  Martsch giggled sheepishly and muttered into the mic “No, we’re not gonna play any Rocky Horror.”  Oh, those crazy guys.  I will go to see Built to Spill anytime they play in a town I am in, and I will feel love, joy, and happy butterflies.