A handful of months ago, my friend Heavy from North Carolina sent over a review of the Avett
Brothers from Augusta, Georgia. I checked out a couple of their tracks then headed to Fingerprints to pick up Four Thieves Gone, their latest offering. I was instantly hooked. Since then, I can’t seem to stop talking about them. Missed their set at Wakarusa but made up for it by catching them at Bonnaroo.
Friday night, they returned to New York City for their sold out show with Nicole Atkins at the Bowery Ballroom. Once we got confirmed for tix and a photo pass, I couldn’t stop gushing about how excited I was. Left Philly early on Friday to try and get back to Brooklyn by 3:30 to pick up some dry ice so I could sling some cream afterwards. The 100-mile drive north took me FOUR hours and I didn’t roll into Williamsburg ’til an hour after the dry ice corporation closed.
Jon and I got there as Nicole Atkins was on stage. She has one of those voices that is beautiful and powerful at the same time. Her music was a mix of throwback rock ‘n’ roll and soul with a southern tinge. I have a feeling we’ll all be seeing her around more often.
The Avetts took the stage to thunderous applause and from the moment they first attacked their banjo, acoustic guitar, and stand-up bass, it was a non-stop party. During “Talk of Indolence”, Scott screamed out, “last night in New York I got raging drunk, remember one time I got raging drunk with you.” Tonight was that night, and when everyone looked back on it the following day, they would know exactly what Scott was singing about.
It’s easy to tell the Avett’s have spent a ton of time on the road the last few years. They’re masters at everything they do. They’ve taken a very traditional type of music, bluegrass, and fed it a few Sparks.
The music is raw, punky, and real. If the show calls for a rockin’ set, they can keep everyone moving the whole time. If it’s a mellow, seated show, they can focus more on their ballads and classic songs.
I hadn’t heard about Paleface for years but as I was walking to the show I saw a poster that made me smile. It was even more surprising to see him jump up on stage and rock out with the Avetts for a few songs. He sang “Dancing Days” off Four Thieves Gone and added guitar, vocals, and harmonica to a handful of other tracks. It was a perfect fit. The Avett’s closed the night with the title track off Four Thieves Gone and the crowd sang along as the song slowly closed another great show.
My goal is to see the Avett Brothers as much as possible. Luck has it that they’ll be playing in Medford, Oregon right before our third annual ice cream social on August 12th in Ashland. I think I’m getting sick and it’s hot as Hell in NYC. Too bad we gave away all the ice cream and popsicles at the Pool Party yesterday. I could really go for a fruit pop.
