December 30 2007: Siberian, Damien Jurado, the Long Winters, Sean Nelson, Peter Parker, Pale Pacific - Chop Suey, Seattle WA

So! Caitlin and I were planning to be in Seattle anyway, to see Harvey Danger. And then just before Christmas I heard the Crocodile Café had closed. Sad news. And that there was to be a benefit show for the Croc’s recently-out-of-work employees, on the very same night as and just six blocks away from the Harvey Danger gig. Happy news.

We showed up at Chop Suey a few minutes before eight, just missing Sonny Votolato, brother of Rocky. Which was too bad. But Pale Pacific were great, and Peter Parker were fabulous. Two groups I’d never listened to before, but it’s amazing what the three-songs-in-quick-succession format will do. Like musical tapas. And when you’ve got a Mack and Jack’s in your hand, what’s not to love?

Sean Nelson came on next. He sang three songs I didn’t know, while playing keyboard. It was fun to see him by himself, but he didn’t blow me away. Caitlin loved him though. I loved my second Mack and Jack’s.

And after a quick field trip down to Broadway to get a quesadilla, during which time we ran into none other than Keith Blood, who I didn’t know was living anywhere near Seattle, we were back in time to see Damien Jurado. But it wasn’t Jurado setting up on stage. It was a bunch of hairy guys. And I swear I didn’t have any idea who on earth they were until it suddenly hit me that Hey! Isn’t that Mike Schorr on drums? And then wait! Is that a really hairy Eric Corson there? AND DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE REALLY REALLY HAIRY GUY WITHOUT A FRONT TOOTH IS JOHN RODERICK???!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!! SWEET JESUS IT IS! SURPRISE UNANNOUNCED SET BY MY FAVORITE BAND IN ALL OF SEATTLE!!!!, WHO I HAVEN’T SEEN IN OVER A YEAR!!! HIP HIP HOORAY! And I about shit myself as they, collectively arguably my favorite formation of the Long Winters to see live, went into “New Girl.” Roderick’s guitar, after the first chorus, disattached from its strap but John continued without it and went on to play maybe the greatest strapless solo I’ve ever seen, and without resorting to the old going-down-on-the-knees trick. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed “New Girl” so much.

And then “Carparts!” During which Roderick broke a string and just let Corson’s bass take over during the bridge. It was great to think that here Roderick is, still playing “Carparts” in Seattle after all these years (at least ten, I guess), and still finding ways to maye it interesting.

But after the broken string they called it quits, even though Dave Bazan offered John his telecaster. Cause they had to make way for Jurado! Who played “Lose My Head,” a new one and then closed with “Paperwings,” which Bazan came out to play drums on. But everyone was talking all through the set.

And we stayed for one more act, who kind of sucked ass, before moving on to Neumo’s.