Lemonheads at Abbey Pub

Just last week I once again went to see my beloved Lemonheads for both nights of their two day stand at Abbey Pub. Evan Dando and co. were back in town so soon after December's Double Door shows to celebrate the reissue of their seminal 1992 album "It's A Shame About Ray" which was recently re-released by Rhino Records. Both shows featured "Ray" performed in it's entirety along with a slew of other songs. This time around found the most excellent duo of Vess Ruhtenberg and Devon Ashley once again holding down the bass and drum duties respectively.

Thursday night's show kicked off with my buddy Thax Douglas reading his new poem Lemonheads No. 3 whislt a bemused looking Evan tuned up. From there the band launched into an overdriven take on the rarely performed "Ray" opener "Rockin' Stroll" and we were off and running with little fanfare. By the time of "Rudderless" things really started to gel and you could feel everybody up front really getting into it, myself most definitely included. That was followed by what was one of the best damn versions of "My Drug Buddy" I think I've ever heard and lord knows I've heard quite a few! "Turnpike Down" was great to, both bittersweet and "punchy" at the same time. The energy level really picked up during "Bit Part" and "Allison's Starting To Happen" with everyone boppin' up and down and singing along, and Evan looked pretty content at that point. After the "Ray" segment ended Evan launched his usual solo spot which featured classics like "Being Around" and of course "Outdoor Type". He did "Into Your Arms" in A with the capo up high on the neck of his guitar and did the same for "Skulls" both nights, which came complete with some rather trippy echo effects on the vocals. My favorite part of the night this time around was when the full band came back out. "Down About It", "Great Big No", "No Backbone" and "If I Could Talk I'd Tell You" all sounded killer and that new arrangement they worked up for "Style" over the last year or so was pretty damn epic. All in all an absolutely top notch show. Click here for Spin's review of that first night complete with some really nice pics.

I couldn't believe how crowded it was for the Friday night show. We're talking "packed"! Could barley move, let alone breathe and was surrounded by loud, pushy drunks up front. Evan arrived about ten minutes after showtime and walked straight onstage in his typically nonchalant manner, sporting some goofy sunglasses and clutching his backpack. He quickly picked up his guitar, plugged in and went straight into "Close Up The Honky Tonks" which was totally cool before starting the "Ray" set. A couple songs in I went upstairs to the balcony to get away from the strain of the crowd. Everything sounded great up there though. Crystal clear actually. I pushed my way back up front for the solo set which on this night featured mesmerizing takes on "Frying Pan", "Big Gay Heart" and "Ride With Me". "Big Gay Heart" sounded especially good and was definitely a crowd pleaser. When the band came back up they did a lot of the same songs as the previous night ("Down About It", "Great Big No" etc.) though this time "Stove" was played which was one song I really wanted to hear the previous night. So that was awesome and I was right on the side of the stage for that last part of the show which was totally cool. "Style" and "No Backbone" closed things out with "Style" once again being a highlight. All in all, another top notch showing from Evan, Vess and Devon. Posted below are some snapshots I took that second night including quite a few shots I took from the steps at the side of the stage. I also shot some video during "Frying Pan", "Big Gay Heart" and "Style".





















"Frying Pan"


"Big Gay Heart"


"Style" (from the stage steps!)


I feel really grateful that Mr. Dando has blessed us Chicago fans with so many memorable appearances in recent years and especially fortunate to have seen him four times in the last few months alone. For these are truly some of my all time, all time favorite songs. Some of the finest songs ever written in my not so humble opinion and whenever I get to see them performed live in such intimate settings it's a deeply personal, downright transcendent experience for me. I believe the phrase I'm looking for is "life affirming". All's I know is it sure helps keep me going. Wherever that may be....