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Avett Brothers go on a roll in Cheswick
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
By Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
By Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Scott, left, and Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers perform at the Ches-A-Rena in Cheswick on Sunday.
"I remember seeing some footage of Buddy Holly playing in a skating rink,"
Seth Avett said looking out at the crowd Sunday night. "I always wanted to
play in a skating rink."
The Avett Brothers got their chance at the Ches-A-Rena, and rock 'n' roll
pioneer that he was, Buddy Holly never could have imagined what they do.
The Avetts started as a rowdy trio from the backwoods of North Carolina
playing hillbilly thrash with shouts and hollers ... or ... tender vocals and divine
Everly Brothers harmonies. The basic setup was Seth on guitar and high hat,
brother Scott flailing away on banjo, and Bob Crawford pulsing on the
stand-up bass.
A decade later, you never know what you're going to get from the Avett
Brothers. On Sunday, "The Perfect Space," a song from the band's masterful
2009 studio effort "I and Love and You," began as a tearful ballad with Scott
on piano and Joe Kwon on cello, until Seth strapped on an electric guitar and,
with long hair flying, turned it into a blazing hard rock song.
The modulating folk song "Salina" became a full-blown suite with a delicate,
minor-key classical duet with cello and Seth on piano.
Of the many Avett Brothers appearances in Pittsburgh, including two at the
Arts Festival, this one was probably the best, between the high energy level,
the brothers' phenomenal game of musical chairs and the envy of all set lists,
with plenty of vintage stuff, faves from "Emotionalism" and rarities such as
"My Last to Jenny" and "If It's the Beaches" (with a crowd sing).
The last half-hour was particularly epic with "Gabriela" going all over the map,
from flamenco to psychobilly; a souped-up electric "Slight Figure of Speech"
with Dave Mayfield helping out; and joyful finale of "Paranoia in b-flat Major"
that took a second try to get perfect.
At this point in the game, while some bands are settling into routines, the Avett
Brothers are finding ways to surprise their growing fan base and, of course,
still bringing it hard every time.
Seth Avett said looking out at the crowd Sunday night. "I always wanted to
play in a skating rink."
The Avett Brothers got their chance at the Ches-A-Rena, and rock 'n' roll
pioneer that he was, Buddy Holly never could have imagined what they do.
The Avetts started as a rowdy trio from the backwoods of North Carolina
playing hillbilly thrash with shouts and hollers ... or ... tender vocals and divine
Everly Brothers harmonies. The basic setup was Seth on guitar and high hat,
brother Scott flailing away on banjo, and Bob Crawford pulsing on the
stand-up bass.
A decade later, you never know what you're going to get from the Avett
Brothers. On Sunday, "The Perfect Space," a song from the band's masterful
2009 studio effort "I and Love and You," began as a tearful ballad with Scott
on piano and Joe Kwon on cello, until Seth strapped on an electric guitar and,
with long hair flying, turned it into a blazing hard rock song.
The modulating folk song "Salina" became a full-blown suite with a delicate,
minor-key classical duet with cello and Seth on piano.
Of the many Avett Brothers appearances in Pittsburgh, including two at the
Arts Festival, this one was probably the best, between the high energy level,
the brothers' phenomenal game of musical chairs and the envy of all set lists,
with plenty of vintage stuff, faves from "Emotionalism" and rarities such as
"My Last to Jenny" and "If It's the Beaches" (with a crowd sing).
The last half-hour was particularly epic with "Gabriela" going all over the map,
from flamenco to psychobilly; a souped-up electric "Slight Figure of Speech"
with Dave Mayfield helping out; and joyful finale of "Paranoia in b-flat Major"
that took a second try to get perfect.
At this point in the game, while some bands are settling into routines, the Avett
Brothers are finding ways to surprise their growing fan base and, of course,
still bringing it hard every time.
It would be hard to find a band with grander artistic scope than
Coheed and Cambria. Over the course of six years and four
groundbreaking albums, the New York foursome (Claudio Sanchez –
vocals, guitar; Travis Stever – guitar; Michael Todd – bass; Chris
Pennie – drums) has diligently developed a unique sound combining
forward-thinking classic rock with strong pop sensibilities and
intricate musicianship. Simultaneously, through his lyrics and comics,
Sanchez has created a celebrated epic alternate universe called The
Amory Wars, in which lies an ongoing conceptual tale that gains depth
and complexity with each and every record.
With the band's latest creation, the euphoric No World For Tomorrow,
we arrive at the final chapter in the saga of Claudio Kilgannon, the
story's main character, who is out to avenge the death of his parents
(Coheed and Cambria Kilgannon). While the story is set to reach its
destructive end with NWFT, the band reveals their next album will be a
prequel to the saga.
Concept aside, the latest offering is Sanchez's and the band's most
personal document yet, with various emotionally charged events of the
last year dictating the direction of the writing process. In addition,
the band recruited Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Stone Sour)
to produce the record while rock guru Rick Rubin played a role as the
band’s A&R. The result is the most brilliant culmination of Coheed and
Cambria's musical and literary vision to date.
Coheed and Cambria. Over the course of six years and four
groundbreaking albums, the New York foursome (Claudio Sanchez –
vocals, guitar; Travis Stever – guitar; Michael Todd – bass; Chris
Pennie – drums) has diligently developed a unique sound combining
forward-thinking classic rock with strong pop sensibilities and
intricate musicianship. Simultaneously, through his lyrics and comics,
Sanchez has created a celebrated epic alternate universe called The
Amory Wars, in which lies an ongoing conceptual tale that gains depth
and complexity with each and every record.
With the band's latest creation, the euphoric No World For Tomorrow,
we arrive at the final chapter in the saga of Claudio Kilgannon, the
story's main character, who is out to avenge the death of his parents
(Coheed and Cambria Kilgannon). While the story is set to reach its
destructive end with NWFT, the band reveals their next album will be a
prequel to the saga.
Concept aside, the latest offering is Sanchez's and the band's most
personal document yet, with various emotionally charged events of the
last year dictating the direction of the writing process. In addition,
the band recruited Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Stone Sour)
to produce the record while rock guru Rick Rubin played a role as the
band’s A&R. The result is the most brilliant culmination of Coheed and
Cambria's musical and literary vision to date.
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