I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: April 26, 2018] Built to Spill

This was my third time seeing Built to Spill.  I had seen them as a five-piece and a three-piece.  And this show was another three-piece set up.

I thought it was strange that the drummer’s drums were set up off to the right of the stage instead of in the middle, but that was how they left them.  And, indeed, that’s how they played at Stone Pony with drummer Steve Gere off to the right and bassist Steve Albertini to the left.

The two guys don’t do a ton–that’s not their job.  They are there to anchor whatever Doug feels like doing.  And it’s amazing the way they can adjust to whatever he decides to do–jam, change tempo, whatever.  They’re an amazingly tight band,

Doug Martsch came out with his gear and set everything up.  I was right in front of him (unlike the last two shows where I couldn’t really see him that well).

Doug’s guitar amp was in front of me–his gear was right there on the floor and on the amp.  I knew from the previous band that I was too close to the stage, but honestly I came more to watch Doug play than to hear him sing (although I do love his voice and lyrics).

It turned out that most of his guitar was coming from that amp.  Despite being so close, the bass and drums were also loud enough that the music overall sounded great.  I just had to struggle to hear the words (which I knew already anyhow, right?).  It was a great location to be in as I could see everything he was doing.  And when he played more quietly, I could hear his vocals floating around the room.

Songs like “Strange” felt almost like an isolated guitar track.  The quiet guitar of “I Would Hurt a Fly” meant that lyrics came through, but “Reasons” was  tougher to hear, until the end.

The show was similar to the Stone Pony show in 2015 in that Doug played guitar with all kinds of effects that really changed the sound of his music.  He also had a hand gadget on his amp that he used to bend and manipulate the notes–he seemed to just be exploring sounds for a number of extended solos.

The difference between this set and the previous show was the set list.  There were seven songs that I hadn’t heard them play live yet.  So for the three shows that I have seen, they played 48 songs and 33 of them were only played once (they pretty much play “Goin’ Against Your Mind” and “Carry the Zero” at every show–and I never tire of hearing them).

They seem to have a cover song for each show as well.  This show was The Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang” which was cool to hear Martch’s way.

But there I was right in front of Doug unable to take my eyes off of him as he played.

The crowd was pretty well-behaved (I guess) until near the end when some people needed to start moshing (to Built to Spill?).  Doug doesn’t talk much–it’s not clear if he’s even enjoying himself.  I love that he utterly ignored every single request that was called out.  But he (like last time) seemed pleased we were there and thanked us for coming.

Because I was literally at the stage I was able to take pictures and videos without even looking at the screen, just prop it up and let it roll (which is probably why the vocals are even quieter on the video than I remember them).

I love “You Were Right” so it was an awesome show closer for me.  I loved getting to see the guitar solo up close.

The bassist and drummer (Jason Albertini and Steve Gere ) were fantastic. I loved the way Albertini kept the rest of the song interesting while Doug was soloing (especially true during “Goin’ Against Your Mind”).  I love this video where you can watch him stomp the effects pedal.  And Gere was dynamite–smashing things when called for but also using great restraint when necessary.

It was a great set.  And a great show.

Even cooler is that after the show, I saw that Doug was chatting with people, so I had him sign my ticket stub.  He was super friendly.

And as I was leaving I saw that he was just sitting on the stage, hanging out with a small group of people.

It was another great show from Doug and the guys.

Next time I see them (and there will be a next time, I’ll be sure to stand back to appreciate all of the music, not just the guitar.

 

Setlists (bold songs were first time played)

2015, Union Transfer, PA	2016, Stone Pony, NJ	2018, House of Independents, NJ
Goin’ Against Your Mind [YiR]	All Our Songs [UM]	So [UM]
Distopian Dream Girl [TNWWL]	Goin’ Thru (new?)	In the Morning [TNWWL]
So [UM]	The Plan [KILAS]	Strange [AMOTF]
Three Years Ago Today [UAW]	The First Song [UAW]	On the Way [UM]
The Wait [YiR]	Reasons [TNWWL]	Stab [TNWWL]
You Were Right [KILAS]	Joyride [NormalYears]	I Would Hurt a Fly [PFNO]
Mess With Time [YiR]	Some Other Song [UM]	Understood
Never Be The Same [UM]	Understood (new?)	Reasons [TNWWL]
How Soon Is Now? (The Smiths)	Hindsight [TINE]	Virginia Reel Around the Fountain (Halo Benders)
Center of the Universe [KILAS]	Stop the Show [PFNO]	Back on the Chain Gang (The Pretenders)
Pat [TINE]	Effigy (Credence Clearwater Revival)	Kicked It In The Sun [PFNO]
I Would Hurt a Fly [PFNO]	Alright (new?)	Goin’ Against Your Mind [YiR]
Done [TINE]	Virginia, Reel Around the Fountain (Halo Benders)	Carry the Zero [KILAS]
Carry the Zero [KILAS]	Else [KILAS]	encore
encore	Carry the Zero [KILAS]	Broken Chairs [KILAS]
Living Zoo [UM]	encore	You Were Right [KILAS]
Untrustable/Part 2 (About Someone Else) [PFNO]	Randy Described Eternity [PFNO]
	Goin’ Against Your Mind [YiR]