Every time we fire up Nux Vomica, there’s that bit of wonderment: How is this band not bigger? Clearly, we like the Veils. Tough to garner momentum with such a lag between international and US release dates (the excellent new record was out last year overseas, a few weeks ago in the States), but maybe the boulder’s rolling; they’re playing three shows in NYC this week (two last night at Merc, one at Union Hall), and have sold out two of ‘em (though Merc wasn’t near full for the sell-out early set).
As fans know well, lead singer/charmer Finn Andrews rebuilt the band from nil for Nux, and the Veils v2.0 sound amazing on record, but get that good only occasionally live. Bassist Sophia Burn brings some smoldering cool to the stage, but an out-of-tune bass (somebody else needed to tell her) and not always locking with the kick meant, well, sloppy offerings of fantastic tunes. All good, though, ’cause it’s all about Finn, anyway; hat on head, a mash of Buckley and Cave, Andrews summoned a strong-sung storm out of the bridge to “Not Yet,” brought brimstone to “Jesus For The Jugular,” and got some laughs with his shy-guy cool-kid quip about the band’s extended vacation in the States this year: “We’re staying in Oklahoma, is that OK? I’ve just heard about tornadoes … and the Flaming Lips. Sounds cool.”
Throw in a Bruce cover and a cool newbie along the lines of the lovely “Calliope!” to complete the set. Worth the ticket, yes, but before we proceed: stop what you’re doing, get Nux Vomica, listen to the first five songs, and repeat. Then, take the jump for the night’s song list and a few more pics. Oh and XTC fans, trivia: Finn is Barry Andrews’s kid. We’ve always resisted dropping that in, but that’s what slow news days do: inhibitions lowered, pranks in the office, rock-star progeny name drops, etc.
SETLIST (via Music Snobbery)
01 “Nux Vomica”
02 “A Birthday Present”
03 “Jesus For The Jugular”
04 “Calliope!”
05 (Untitled New Song)
06 “Advice For Young Mothers To Be”
07 “State Trooper” (Bruce Springsteen cover)
08 “Fearless Flyer”
09 “Under The Folding Branches”
10 “Not Yet”
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i think you did great job that you’ve already mentioned several times about them on Stereogum.
Keep Pushing these great artists, but you already know that music has shady ways on it which is hard to run on for musicians, bands…For myself, i wish good luck for The Veils, love them!
What’s up with the hate on the smoking hot bassist?
Fratster, way to stay true to your name.
I guess I must be the only one in to hot chicks. Good for me!
I’d like to add myself to the “Hot Chick Lover” list.
The bassist sounded great in the sold out late show.
What a great show it was. It’s so rare that I see a musician who’s really just fully involved emotionally onstage with his material as if he just wrote the song that day.
BRILLIANT.
Can’t wait to see them again tonight.
Finn looks like Van Gogh.
i’m having trouble waiting till the end of the month to see them in seattle.
i fucking love this band. absolute love.
Reminded me of James Hall, and that’s a great thing
Untitled new song is my favourite! Dietz is a machine!
they’re touring with the comas this month
damn sarah t, i was already lamenting not having attended and then you go throw james hall’s name in the mix. sigh.
i just saw the veils in detroit last night and they rocked. i almost thought they werent even going to come on stage because of the horrible turnout. but what else can you expect from such a nasty city (my hometown).
despite the fact that there were only 30 people, and there were maybe 3 people there who knew any of their songs, finn rocked out. the rest of the band didnt have much emotion, but Finn was playing and singing his heart out. although i felt ashamed of the D, i couldn’t have asked for anything better. one of my favorite bands, being able to walk right up to front of the stage no problem, AND getting to hang out with them after. real cool guys too