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  • Top 5 live performances of 2010!

    Adam here. After playing a bunch of shows this year (122 of ‘em, mostly w/ AM Taxi) and going out to see a handful of gigs here in Chicago, I tried to narrow it down to the best five. Not an easy task. I try not to ever forget, but these five groups reminded me that there is indeed a reason why we do what we do.
     
    5. Architects - October 7, Double Door in Chicago
    Hey man, sick of hearing the same thing show after show? Nothing feels real anymore? Does the scene got you down, man? Well, stop complaining, watch the Architects from Kansas City and your soul shall be healed! This band has always been incredible live and we’re looking forward to touring with them this January. They played Riot Fest this year; apparently AC/DC’s been shagging the Clash and they made a baby…aw.
    4. The Hold Steady - November 19, Otto’s in DeKalb
    I had just gotten home from a short tour w/ AM Taxi, but I wanted to pack up and leave again as soon as I saw Hold Steady’s set last month at Otto’s. I had been listening for years but never got to see them play. They always came around when I was out on the road. The group is fantastic and loud, and the front man is a cartoon with a mic and a way with words.
    3. Company of Thieves - March 19, ES Jungle in Indianapolis
    Sometimes the best part of being on tour is getting to watch a band you love perform night after night. They play “Fire Song”, I think it’s called, and it gets me every single time! Goosebumps and the hair on the arms stand straight up. So good.
    2. Vic Ruggiero & Band - December 4, The Lake in Brooklyn
    I was on the road w/ Deals a few weeks ago. The “club” in Brooklyn was this dark speakeasy, flop house, rehearsal space, bar type place w/ a DJ spinning old ska 45‘s. Vic and two of the Slackers were there playing as a power trio. They did covers of the Sonics, Dion and the Belmonts as well as punked out Slackers songs. “Let’s try to remember how fun this was and maybe do it again sometime.” I hope so.
    1. Larry and His Flask - August 10, Backstage at the San Diego Warped Tour
    The people running Warped Tour took care of the bands. They gave us beer, dance parties and even delicious ice cream! But the best thing they ever gave us was Larry and his Flask. The guys set up after the show by the tour buses; 6 dudes, no PA system, no amps, no mics. Nothing but the real thing. Unbelievable! They did it again in Pomona and someone filmed it:

    You got a top five? Share with us here or at facebook.com/amtaxi
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7nXJkmK_BU The video is alright but you need to see it live to really get it.
    8:47 PM

  • Top 5 live performances of 2010!

    Adam here. After playing a bunch of shows this year (122 of ‘em, mostly w/ AM Taxi) and going out to see a handful of gigs here in Chicago, I tried to narrow it down to the best five. Not an easy task. I try not to ever forget, but these five groups reminded me that there is indeed a reason why we do what we do.
     
    5. Architects - October 7, Double Door in Chicago
    Hey man, sick of hearing the same thing show after show? Nothing feels real anymore? Does the scene got you down, man? Well, stop complaining, watch the Architects from Kansas City and your soul shall be healed! This band has always been incredible live and we’re looking forward to touring with them this January. They played Riot Fest this year; apparently AC/DC’s been shagging the Clash and they made a baby…aw.

    4. The Hold Steady - November 19, Otto’s in DeKalb
    I had just gotten home from a short tour w/ AM Taxi, but I wanted to pack up and leave again as soon as I saw Hold Steady’s set last month at Otto’s. I had been listening for years but never got to see them play. They always came around when I was out on the road. The group is fantastic and loud, and the front man is a cartoon with a mic and a way with words.

    3. Company of Thieves - March 19, ES Jungle in Indianapolis
    Sometimes the best part of being on tour is getting to watch a band you love perform night after night. They play “Fire Song”, I think it’s called, and it gets me every single time! Goosebumps and the hair on the arms stand straight up. So good.

    2. Vic Ruggiero & Band - December 4, The Lake in Brooklyn
    I was on the road w/ Deals a few weeks ago. The “club” in Brooklyn was this dark speakeasy, flop house, rehearsal space, bar type place w/ a DJ spinning old ska 45‘s. Vic and two of the Slackers were there playing as a power trio. They did covers of the Sonics, Dion and the Belmonts as well as punked out Slackers songs. “Let’s try to remember how fun this was and maybe do it again sometime.” I hope so.

    1. Larry and His Flask - August 10, Backstage at the San Diego Warped Tour
    The people running Warped Tour took care of the bands. They gave us beer, dance parties and even delicious ice cream! But the best thing they ever gave us was Larry and his Flask. The guys set up after the show by the tour buses; 6 dudes, no PA system, no amps, no mics. Nothing but the real thing. Unbelievable! They did it again in Pomona and someone filmed it:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7nXJkmK_BU The video is alright but you need to see it live to really get it.
    You got a top five? Share with us here or at     facebook.com/amtaxi
    8:51 PM

  • November 2010 - Notes from the Road (Part Three)

    Saturday, November 13
    Boston, MA
    TT the Bear's Place

    3:45 PM at a hotel, lucky to have good friends...

    We've set up camp here for the next few days. Two shows in Boston and the first is sold out already.  The people here are into Lawrence Arms. Good start.

    We played Manchester, NH last night. It was alright, but felt small after Philadelphia and the two Brooklyn shows. The folks there are great. Although, they warned us not to go outside. We threw darts with White Wives and got a little over served at the bar.   

    Talked to Toby and Brendan from the Lawrence Arms gang for a bit about the Television smash hit series "Golden Girls". 

    "This is the first time you've come out of your shell in three days... and it took "Golden Girls" to do it?" - Brendan.

    Time to clean up a bit and head to the gig.

    Boston Night one set:

    Dead Street
    Woodpecker
    Paper Covers Rock
    Charissa
    Stepping Stone
    Shake/Aint too Proud to Beg
    Fed Up
    Mistake



    Sunday, November 14
    Boston, MA
    TT the Bear's Place

    11:30 AM at the same hotel as yesterday...

    This place is something else. Last night was the first of two shows here in Boston at TT's. It was an early show but it was sold out and I think the entire place was smashed by 8 PM. Played some pool with White Wives and found some great vintage looking postcards and magazines from a shop across the street. Chris thought he was a breakdancer and John thought he was British. 

    I also found out that French toast and soup at the Middle East is a great way to start your day if your day starts at 4.

    I had more fun playing last night than I've had in a long, long time. Really comfortable. I have a feeling tonight wont be as good. It's the same club and the same crew, but it's Sunday and people tend to hold back.


    Monday, November 15
    Baltimore, MD
    The Sidebar

    7 PM in the Van...

    We got up to leave around 9 this morning to find out some creep got into our van and jacked Phil's GPS. This sort of thing seems to happen to us all the time.  They didn't take the radio, John's computer or the Boom Box though ... Just the GPS ... and a hat ...  and some gloves.  So if you see somebody who has gloves, a fedora and really good sense of direction,  that's our guy.

    I was wrong when I said the Sunday show would be the slower of the two in Boston. It turned out to be just packed and although the web page fucked up the set times, we had a few people singing along. We made some great friends and met up with our pals that play/played in Far From Finished, a band we spent the summer with on Warped.

    Check out the Two Nights in Boston Video!!  www.youtube.com/amtaxi

    We had to say "adios" to the Lawrence Arms. It's just us and White Wives for the last two shows. That means smaller rooms and smaller turn out.

    Gotta go. Happy hour at the Sidebar.




    Thursday, November 18
     
    Back home...

    The last two shows were us, White Wives and locals. In Baltimore, we played for the smallest bunch ever but it was the most fun. Just drag the mic stand off the stage and hang out with 'em. Why not?

    The opener was Head Home. Local. Check them out. One of our coolest friends in Baltimore turned up with a replacement GPS for the van and smokes. Hallelujah! She knows the way to our hearts!

    The three person staff were polite but they had just about enough of us by the end of the night.

    Last stop; Lemoyne, PA! The Champion Ship, or Champs, is a cool all ages DIY kinda joint.  Another small crowd but they knew the words, most of 'em. We should get back around there soon.

    Gonna miss White Wives. Can't wait for everyone to get to hear them.


    Sunday, November 21
    Subterranean
    Chicago, IL

    Back home...

    Nothing beats the hometown show, especially if your home is Chicago. The club was sold out, over sold really. We picked the line up; The Frantic, The Scissors and The Run Around and we blasted records from bands like The Clash and Richard Hell between sets.
     
    I don't know if we sounded any good, but we had a fun time and everyone sang along. I thought the balcony would collapse. Never seen so many people up there. Can't wait to do it again on New Year's Eve.

    Set:
    Shake
    Woodpecker
    Dead Street
    Tanner
    Paper Covers Rock
    Charissa
    White Man in Hammersmith Palais
    Reckless Ways
    Stepping Stone
    Maydays
    Fed Up
    The Mistake

    We got called back out, so we did Champagne Toast and Paint it Black


    10:00 PM

  • November 2010 - Notes from the Road (Part Two)

    Thursday, November 12, 2010
    Brooklyn, NY
    The Knitting Factory

    In the van, before the gig...

    The guys have gone off to find food, things are quiet in here for a change. Good times last night in Philadelphia, indeed! The Lawrence Arms are hilarious and they seem to like to drink, so I think we'll get along just fine. They are tight and have a super devoted following. White Wives were fantastic as always. I can't wait for everyone else to get to hear them.

    After the show, we hung around with some local music fans and eventually made it out to another part of town. We went to my favorite place in Philadelphia: Ray's Happy Birthday Bar. Some of the other guys went to duke it out between Geno's and Pats. I think Geno's won this time.

    We have two shows tonight here in Brooklyn. Both are sold out. This should be interesting!

    Early Set:

    Mistake
    Peckerwood
    Paper Covers Rock
    Shake
    Dead Street
    Charissa
    Fed Up
    Paint it Black

    Late Set:

    Dead Street
    Peckerwood
    Shake
    Paper Covers Rock
    Charissa
    White Man in Hammersmith Palais
    Fed Up
    Mistake



    Friday, November 12
    Manchester, NH
    Rocko's

    In the van, on the way to the gig...

    Subway really hit the spot. Not feeling as hungover as I should right now. Things were on fire in Brooklyn last night! Two sold out shows last night with White Wives and The Lawrence Arms headlining.

    I was surprised to find the attendees enthusiastic and interested. You don't always get that in "too cool" town. We were slightly intoxicated by the second set, but it loosened us up in a good way.

    As expected, nobody from Virgin/EMI showed their faces...nobody except for good old Alex and the company credit card! Solid guy. Also ran into Kevin from back home, Tim from Ludo, folks from Warped and a few old friends. Miami Tony was there and after a few drinks, decided he should buy one of every item at the restaurant across the street.

    Lost my phone, found my phone, Rocko's in 60 miles...peace.�

















    5:42 PM

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