Whigging Out
By Dan on Jul 31, 2008 in Music
We went to see the Whigs and the Toadies at the Pageant in St. Louis last night. We really went to see the Whigs; the Toadies just happened to be headlining. Rather than a review of the show, I thought I’d just throw out a few observations.
What a great place
The Pageant is a wonderful place to see a show. Great sight lines, readily accessible beer, clean facilities – what more could you ask for in a venue. Aimee Mann will be opening for Squeeze there in September. Dude, I can seriously see myself at that performance.
What a difference a radio hit makes
Upon entering the Pageant, I was a bit surprised at the large crowd that had gathered and initially assumed that the Georgia-born Whigs had garnered more national recognition than I realized. Later, it became clear that most of the kids were Toadies partisans.
I was familiar with two of the radio hits the Toadies charted in the mid-90s, Possum Kingdom and I Come From the Water. At the time, the songs didn’t register with me as being much, although I didn’t dislike them. Yet it turns out that they made enough of a mark that over a decade later a strong contingent of young concert-goers forked over $15 to see them perform. Some of them even moshed, no less.
What a difference a drummer makes
In my opinion, the Whigs were the highlight of the evening. They’re much stronger musically and a good deal of the credit goes to their drummer who out-classed the rather pedestrian performance of the Toadies’ drummer.
I use to thing that a band’s worth lie mostly with the singer’s voice, the guitarist’s riffs, and the songwriter’s proficiency with melody. Although I once dabbled in drumming my own self, I didn’t pay much attention to that man behind the skins during live shows.
Because I generally considered drummers to be likable, yet simple time keepers, I couldn’t understand why Paul Westerberg felt the need to push long-time Mat Christopher Mars to the side or why Jeff Tweedy showed the door to original Wilco drummer, Ken Coomer. But as I became more sophisticated in my appreciation of drumming, the reasons became clear.
Both Westerberg and Tweedy wanted to advance their songwriting beyond the constraints of a straight-forward 4/4 beat and they needed drummers who were able to open up the songs with polyrhythms and what not. If you’ve ever seen Glen Kotche, Wilco’s current drummer, perform, you can better appreciate how the beats he creates are essential to the overall sound of the band’s songs.
I’m now of the opinion that a good drummer carries a rock concert and a bad one can drag down the rest of the band, no matter how talented they all may be.
What a geezer I am
Surveying the crowd, it struck me that twenty years ago I very well might have been at a concert in St. Louis with the parents of some of the people who had gathered last night. I wonder how they’re all getting along these days.
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No kidding we went to see the Toadies - who are the Whiggs? The Whiggs lead singer/guitar player seemed to struggle to keep time and their stage presence (or lack-there-of) was terrible to watch for the grueling 30ish minutes. The band came off as a young band that needs growth in two major areas: time keeping and stage presence. Bottom line: the Whiggs were not the type of music I went to hear. NONE of the people I went with liked them. They may have their fans - but their sound didn’t resinate with my fellow concert goers (in the pit). Their music is not in-line with the type of music that we went to see: hard-hitting alt-rock. When I go to a rock concert I expect a few things. Here is a list that you might want to check out: solid guitar, bass, vocals, backup vocals, great drummer, good rhythm guitar, ANY stage presents with a heaping side of talent.
“What a geezer I am” Indeed. Perhaps as you have gotten older you have forgotten the real meaning of a rock concert … please refer to the above list. Everyone in the pit celebrated not only because we were closer to seeing the Toadies - but didn’t have to listen to that crap anymore.
@lisha | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
Stage presents? You get gifts from the band???
By the way “@lisha” is very, very rock.
nancy | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
I went to the Pageant with friends to see the Toadies. I had never heard of the Whigs, but I had an open mind.
I can see why the blogger points to the drumming, as the drummer was the best part of the whigs, but I don’t see how you can possibly describe the Toadies’ drumming as “pedestrian”. The Toadies have been breaking the 4/4 mold with interesting and complex rhythms since the Whigs were wearing pull-ups.
The Toadies’ performance surpassed my expectations — great rock show. The Whigs’ performance did not. I got modest enjoyment from two of the songs they performed and later learned that one of them was a cover.
My suggestions for the Whigs: 1) Consider adding a rhythm guitar to fill in the gaps (and there were many gaps). 2) Work out a set list that allows you to flow more organically from one song to the next — they were switching instruments between every song (while the crowd waited silently).
Walter | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
I went for the toadies & was fairly unimpressed with the opening act. It was nice for a garage band but really lacking any distinct style or feel.
The Toadies were great.
SlackerSam | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
Opinions, opinions, opinions.
Seems that Walter and SlackerSam gave their opinions while respecting Dan’s whereas @lisha insults Dan???? Ahh, to be young and stupid again.
While his comments were respectful and coherent I must take Walter to task for having to be told that one of the Whig’s songs was a cover……..of the Rolling Stones!!!!
M.B. | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
I think what we’re dealing with here are some serious Toadies Roadies. It’s all good…two of the commenters have thought REALLY hard about what it would take for the Whigs to impress them and shared that with us all.
nancy | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
Who knew a band like the Toadies would have such rabid fans 12 years since we last heard anything from them. Make sure not to disrespect Dishwalla or The Verve in future posts!
Russ | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
I recognized the Stones cover (I just didn’t like their version). I was talking about another song. I was told it was a cover by another concert-goer. (I trust that the person next to me knew it was a cover, but I can’t be sure.)
I fell in love with the Toadies’ first major release, “Rubberneck”. It was one of those albums that just blew my mind the first time I heard it.
Their second album was delayed several years by their original lable, and that stalled any momentum they had. The band broke up soon after, long before most of us fans got a chance to see them live. So I have a feeling that a lot of their shows are going to look just like the STL show — full of 30-something, die-hard, ’90s-loving, Toadies fans who never got a chance to see them live — like me.
Luckily, it turns out that their new stuff is pretty damn good, too!
Walter | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for letting me know you were in town.
You are an old fart. Might as well just put on the headphones, sit back in your rocking chair and wallow away your golden years.
I wonder if @lisha’s mom had to drop him/her off at the show ? A curfew does suck.
Chaz | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
Russ
Currently residing in the “Where are they now?” file, Dishwalla and The Verve serve up a perfect sidedish to the Toadies. Nicely done and thanks for the laugh!
nancy | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
I would give these Toadies 1 ounce of respect if someone could confirm for me that there name comes from the most excellent Minutemen song of the same name . . . (oh, and if uber-Pixies-fan Nancy ever gets a whiff of the Toadies butchering cover of “Where is my Mind” she will FREAK OUT!)
Rock-Robster | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
So when the Whigs reunite 10-12 years from now, which band will they be openning for?
Walter | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
Blasphemy!!! Touch not the Pixies.
nancy | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
Dishwalla! Well played, Russ.
Dan | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply