The Empty Bottle wasn't empty

I really need to quit using Old 97s lyrics for show reviews that have nothing to do with the Old 97s. But anyway. On Saturday evening, I made the (frigid) drive down to (frigid) Chicago to see the Scott Amendola Band play at the Empty Bottle. It was an early 7:00 show, but the place filled up quite impressively.

As well it should have. I enjoyed the shit out of that show, to use a technical term. The band (featuring Jeff Parker and Nels Cline on guitar, Jenny Scheinman on violin, John Shifflett on a very skinny upright bass, and Scott on drums) performed their album Believe - as well a couple other numbers. Set up in the middle of the floor, they ripped through the songs, obviously having a good time with each other and the crowd. It's a jazz album, but the songs pass through a dizzying number of styles and a variety of rhythms. I'd seen Jeff Parker and Nels performing together before, but on Saturday I was most impressed with Nels, Jenny, and Scott - Nels and Jenny in particular, for the amazing sounds they were coaxing from their instruments. Nels' guitar reminded me of a piano at times, while Jenny's violin seemed to imitate both horns and the scream of an electric guitar. The link below is a short video I took of the awesome new song whose name I cannot, of course, remember. "Blues for" something. At any rate, it is excellent.

Know what sucks?

Being sick. I've been sick since, well, Monday evening. Yesterday seemed to have been the worst (today's not a ton better) but I hope it doesn't stick around much longer. I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but I've had a perpetual low-grade headache, some light-headedness, a fever, achiness, fatigue, and nausea. Mmmmm. I've been working from home the past couple of days, and I'm so sick of being here, but I really don't feel well enough to leave. Woo!

Also, it's snowing outside. Pretty hard.

Sorry I haven't been very entertaining lately. Sunday night I saw Nels Cline and Jeff Parker's quartet play Paul Bley's record "Turning Point" in its entirety at the Empty Bottle. (And I got home around 3:45 a.m., which probably didn't help the impending sickness.) It was fun seeing Nels as the front man, introducing songs and sharing little anecdotes, and the music was impressive - but it's not quite my cup of tea. I find it interesting, and I liked a couple of the songs in particular, but it doesn't ... transport me. Still well worthwhile, and I got to see a lot of friends there too.

Pan-DA!

Tonight (last night?) I saw Deerhoof at the Empty Bottle. It was a fun show, and I'm glad I went down - despite the fact I'm going to be ass tired tomorrow morning. (This morning.) My favorite songs are the ones during which Satomi does cheerleader dances along the front of the stage. Good times. Kristina and I also noticed that the drummer has the skinniest knees ever.

The openers were Nedelle, Sicbay, and On Fillmore. Nedelle was enjoyable, and probably the most unlike the rest of the acts. Girl + guitar type stuff. (Eventually girl + guitar + guy named Paul.) Sicbay was energetic and loud. Very loud. And from Minneapolis! On Fillmore was hypnotic. Despite having seen Glenn play solo and in a few other guises, this was the first time I'd ever seen On Fillmore. They pretty much played "Sleeps with Fishes," and it was really good. It was interesting seeing Glenn on just vibes. Wearing a pretty awesome red cowboy hat that looked a little too small, I might add. (Darin had his hair in 2 braids and was wearing a white tunic - I was wondering which cult he'd joined; Gina asked when he joined the Polyphonic Spree.)

My favorite line of the night came from Kris:

Kristina [returning from the bathroom/bar during Deerhoof]: "Jeff's here."
Kris: "Oh, that's so gay."