Long Winter IV with Holy Fuck, Fucked Up +- Great Hall (Feb 8/13)

Holy Fuck were playing their first show in over two years to close out the fourth edition of Long Winter. Perhaps out of practice setting up their truckload of gear they started a little late but it's worth it as they pride themselves on being 'analog' rather than laptop-based and that definitely makes for a stronger show. With a live drummer, bassist and two keyboardists/effect pedals and boards they resuscitated a few old favourites to get the crowd grooving. Brian Borcherdt admitted that they were super nervous to play after such a long hiatus and even more so because they were playing brand new tunes for the first time live. (At least I think that's what he said through his strong effect mic.) A couple of these new songs are sure to be hits while others may take a bit of time to gain affection. Despite playing past 2 am they commanded a relatively large crowd to the end to watch them under the blazing lights that they couldn't seem to get turned off. Good to see the boys back and start getting excited for the real return of HF as their next step is back into the studio.

Finally Fucked Up! The buzz around this hometown band has been humming for years, especially pertaining to their live show, and after repeated failures I finally got to see them - at their own curated concert. What I'd heard came true as the energy was high from the crowd and perhaps even higher from the six band members on stage, led first and foremost by their larger-than-life lead screamer Damian Abraham. First the music - they carry off their melodic hardcore punk rock, balancing Damian's growl with some excellent singing vocals, both male and female on some Chemistry of Common Life and David Comes to Life. Outside of the entertainment provided by the rambunctious crowd, including ill-advised stage dives (into nobody, diving board style, running start), the awful singing into Damian's seemingly ever-present mic and their love for the big man, hugs and kisses to that sweaty head, it was Damian who provided the real entertainment. While still wearing a sweater he crushed a beer can on his forehead which showed as a contusion by the time he was down to a t-shirt. It wasn't long though before his shirt was off for that signature Fucked Up image that is burned ingrained into their public image. All the while the band rocked out the tunes like Queen of Hearts and The Other Shoe (during which Damian somehow ended up with a lady's boot in his hand) and he screamed along when he could, blurring the line between band and audience and making for an energetic set with a sustaining buzz.

My critique was going to be that Kids on TV need to either commit to the act fully or drop it, and then they said they've been at it for ten years and I realized I guess I don't know what I'm talking about. In various states of dress, and undress, the female sported spandex while the little guy was topless and had some makeup on his face, but nothing compared to the full head of makeup on the third member. They sang along to prerecorded songs and generally tried to lead a party but as mentioned it didn't seem to meet levels expected of a novelty band like this (when compared to Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party or any band at the last Lee's Rich Aucoin show). Even when I recognized a couple tracks it didn't put it over the top. The finale was entertaining though as they invited another couple musicians to join them as well as the majority of the dancing audience members for an onstage jamboree which was entertaining to watch.

Maylee Todd played a set of perky music that had a dance party going in the conversation room. I missed most of it but did see her crouch by into the crowd to the bewilderment of a few conversations in the back of the room, only to be fireman carried back to the 'stage'. Energy!

Over in the conversation room Tasseomancy were doing their best despite (to spite) the conversation happening in the room. They are a quiet band with their mandolin and dual female vocals and managed to command attention at the beginning as some sat to watch the steel drum. However as time passed and attention waned the din increased considerably and it was a feedback loop that diminished the set's effectiveness. It wasn't bad to begin with when the hushed music could be appreciated but perhaps there was a reason it fell off.

The discussion earlier in the evening regarding love and couples vs singledom was quite enjoyable and provocative. Also the full-length film being shown downstairs seemed quite quirky, awkward and funny and may just be something I'll watch on my own time. I couldn't see much of the choreographed dance but Yacht Club's music played live that it was set to seemed decent. Not being one to critique visual arts all I can say is nothing grabbed my attention much, though the wooden plumbing was interesting and the translucent upper body molds were cool (except they were in sight lines of the balcony). A mixed bag at this Long Winter, as there probably is at most, but there's a bonus fifth edition scheduled for March so we'll see what's in store.