So Friday night the wife and I headed downtown to see The Revival Tour featuring Chuck Ragan (of Hot Water Music), Tim Barry (of Avail), Ben Nichols (of Lucero), Austin Lucas, and Chris McCaughan (of The Lawrence Arms), along with a backing band consisting of Jon Gaunt on fiddle, Todd Beene on pedal steel, and Digger Barnes on upright bass. Do I even need to say just how amazing it was? Well, it was. I didn’t know that Austin Lucas was playing this date of the tour, so that was a pretty cool surprise. I didn’t pick up a copy of the Revival Tour LP but did get a copy of the Chuck Ragan/Loved Ones split 7”. Check out the pictures (I so need a new camera) and videos (courtesy of my wife) from the show below.
Ben Nichols – Nights Like These (w/Chuck Ragan)
Chuck Ragan – Bleeder (w/Chris McCaughan)
Chris McCaughan – 100 Resolutions
Tim Barry – Idle Idylist (w/The Revival Tour)
Chuck Ragan – God Deciding
I just wanted to note that either I’m too old or just wasn’t drunk enough. At the show on Friday night probably close to 1/2 the crowd seemed totally disinterested in the music most of the time and were (instead) talking and just being generally fucking annoying. I realize that its a rock club and that when people play quiet acoustic songs the “chatter” of the crowd will be audible, but this crowd seemed particularly loud and disrespectful. The offenders were annoying but nothing could have ruined this show for us. It was simply amazing.
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Eric — i’ve long enjoyed your stuff here at CYSTSS. And unless i’m too old (35) or not drunk enough (~4 tall boys) too, we had the exact same problem here in Gainesville during their stop. The problem was especially bad in the front where i was — and especially during Austin Lucas’ section. I was really pissed b/c I like Austin’s music and he seems like a great guy. What a crappy “homecoming” for Chuck. I felt mad and embarrased. I almost yelled “shut up” but didn’t know how to do so w/o it sounding like i was saying that to Austin. To add insult to injury the show got cut short b/c of a fight outside… Though they did do an impromptu set outside in a drive-thru.
Where was the show? (I used to live in Chicago). The Revival Road CD is pretty good —- i was bummed they didn’t have the Chuck Ragan/Loved One’s split yet at our stop on the tour.
These guys need to put a lid on their self-indulgent Bob Dylan fantasies, get back to their incredible bands, and make meaningful music again. Seriously. I respect your opinion Eric, and Mark, you seem equally sincere in your praise. However, as strong a songwriter as Chris McCaughan is and as great a song as 100 Resolutions is, his solo acoustic version is so flat and uninspiring; I’ve seen and heard multiple versions. Oh well, I still thank him and his mates profusely for giving us the original. Both TLA and HWM are such great bands it really kills me to see Chris and Chuck wasting precious years on this stuff; they’re not ready for the pasture just yet. Eric, set them straight, will you?
What a good show.
In regards to ‘getting old or not drunk enough’, I agree. Although I’m only 22 I’m super annoyed at shows now. I actually had to say something to these kids (they were 16-17) standing behind me during a Gaslight Anthem set. They were being rude and loud right in my ear because they wanted to see Thrice. Granted, a person doesn’t have to like all the bands on the bill, but I didn’t pay to hear them shit-talk so I had to say something. It was just disrespectful. So you’re not the only one.