Hot Chip/Grand National/The Presets @ Bowery Ballroom 3/11/06
Watching four perfectly average, somewhat awkward white boys sidle up to a buffet of vintage synthesizers, I questioned coming to a place like Bowery for a band like Hot Chip. Though a devotee of the Brits' laptop squirgle pop, I feared a set of lifeless sample pad triggering and repertoire regurgitation. Despite the best efforts of their equipment (and with a little help from an oft-compared band), Hot Chip overcame a night fraught with complication and left its audience screaming for more.
More Blue Man Group than Kraftwerk, Hot Chip's stage appeal is predicated on perfect proportions of crooked-toothed grins, somber intensity, and convulsive maraca shaking. With an unspoken, easy rapport, each Chip's presence completed the picture of a true "band" beyond the bleeps. Clapping hands, stripping shirts, flailing arms ... Hot Chip brought genuine spirit to its cheeky bedroom electro funk.
The set wasn't without problems: the band contended with the severe illness of drummer Felix Martin and an incessantly malfunctioning rig. LCD Soundsystem to the rescue. Filling in on songs he learned two hours earlier, Soundsystem ace Pat Mahoney pulverized drum samples and elicited stage wide smiles. If you're wondering who to call when your sound guy can't navigate your rig's morass of cords, take a cue from Hot Chip and call out James Murphy. He rectified the situation right quick.
Rebounding from a series of momentum-sucking, mid-set sound checks, the band ramped up the room's gyration factor with the beefy trance of "And I Was A Boy From School" and "Over and Over" from the forthcoming sophomore release The Warning. Both are destined to be staples at indie rock after-parties all year. Perhaps taking a page from Gibbard & Meloy, Chip's set peaked with an unexpected Fleetwood Mac cover. "Everywhere" got an audience-approved synth-laced makeover. When the Ballroom is that unified in its adoration and enjoyment, I can't think of a place I'd rather be.
The evening got underway an hour late due to the tardiness of the Presets, and if they weren't so good, I would have held it against them. Oh My Rockness has given the Aussies' live sets much love, dubbing them "club music for people who hate club music." Dark loops and samples battle with Kim Moyes' live drums and Julian Hamilton's expressive vocals and synth lines. Slinky, sinister, and deliciously danceable, The Presets will resonate with fans of The Faint and NIN alike. You can see 'em tonight in NYC and then at SXSW.
Opener Grand National didn't fair quite as well with the dance-happy Bowery crowd. Listening to Kicking The National Habit's subtle bass grooves and octavized vocals on tracks like "Peanut Dreams" and "Litter Bin," the billing seemed ideal; Grand National live, however, proved conventional and reverent to their Police-tribute band roots. Though sporadically engaging, they lost my attention as quickly as they gained it. A cover of "Walking On The Moon" began promisingly with La Rudd's uncanny Sting impersonation then lost its way. GN's set had its moments. Its record has more.
Back to our headliners: as Bowery's house lights pulsed to the extended, rhythmic chant for an encore, a shirtless Chip emerged to decline the request, explaining the evening's difficulties and expressing the band's concern over Felix's illness. Saturday night was a tempered taste of Hot Chip live. A full dose could prove lethal.
Hot Chip - "Over And Over (Justus Kohncke Mix)" (MP3)
HOT CHIP SETLIST
"Careful"
"The Beach Party" ???
"No Fit State"
"Boy From School"
"Shake A Fist"
"Everywhere" / "Crap Kraft Dinner"
"Down With Prince"
"Over And Over"
GRAND NATIONAL SETLIST
"Talk Amongst Yourselves"
"Coming"
"Daylight"
"Peanut"
"Drink To Moving On"
"Boner"
"Back"
"Cherry Tree"
"North Sound Off"
"Walking On The Moon"
"Litter Bin"
"Playing In The Distance"
Posted at 8:27 AM in Concert
Tags: Grand National | Hot Chip | The Presets
this band is a flash in the pan.
but have you seen the live Can video of "Paperhouse" on youtube?
holy ballzz.
Score = 0
they were goddamned brilliant.
a little annoyed at how long they took to decide NOT to do an encore before the house lights came up.
Score = 0
"LCD Soundsystem to the rescue."
That'd make a great TV show. William Shatner could host. "Rescue: LCD."
Score = 0
Thanks for this post. I was seriously debating on seeing the show in Chicago next Monday. Still might. After all, it's only $10.
Score = 0
they've got some mad energy. it's cool that pat stepped in to save the day.
Score = 0
I can't believe that the super douche-chill moment of the night was left out: Grand National buthering "When Doves Cry."
Hot Chip was great.
Score = 0
butchering***
Score = 0
I've liked your reviews here, but I'm starting to wonder if you can be anything less than effusive about a band you like. Reminds me of Homer's initial stint as a restaurant reviewer for The Springfield Shopper. You're going to get everyone fat.
Score = 0
Also, I think you mean, "sidle up" rather than "saddle up" in the first sentence.
Score = 0
fixed. thanks!
Score = 0
Why would the guy go to a show if he didn't like the band? It's not like Stereogum's paying him for these reviews.
Score = 0
Fat is good if the diet is high in fiber...
I'm going to be in Chicago next Monday's show for sure.
Hey just found a cool little site with some great UK stuff for the taking www.visitbritain.ca very nice indeed.
Score = 0
everytime i listen to the hot chip album i think of taco's "putting on the ritz". which isn't necessarily bad, but it's...something.
Score = 0
Where is your review of The Grates?
Score = 0
I couldn't make it! I tried, but 8 pm was just too early on Monday night. We'll get them at SXSW for ya.
Score = 0
i think we really need to hammer the point home about how ghastly Grand National was. they are essentially an older version of the killers on an indie label. suck suck suck
Score = 0
As a fan of Grand National's record, it sucks to hear that they weren't very good live. Older version of the Killers? I don't think so. Why would anyone even think that?
Score = 0
Not bands that I'm feeling but a nice review... a little less flowery than some past ones. Also, the way you caught the lighting in pic 3 is tight.
Score = 0
Thanks for posting about the show. I was there. About the setlist, you are right that they played "The Beach Party" and your questions mark on the fifth song correspond to "No Fit State" from The Warning.
Score = 0
Ehhh I misread. What you missed was "Shake a Fist". Sorry.
Score = 0
Last night at SXSW I dined on Field Music, Voxtrot, Serena Maneesh, Rumble Strips, The Presets and Mogwai. Why comment to this post?
Because The Presets BROUGHT IT.
Score = 0
Hot chip rock my pop sox
Score = 0
bad video but fine times at sxsw
http://lets-do-this.blogspot.com/
Score = 0
I'm a bit late to this post, but I grabbed those two Presets songs and now I'm hooked on them. I love that fuzzy bass beat and the way his voice kinda breaks at the end of a phrase. Why, I think HE'S the one.
Score = 0
blackjack ballroom blackjack ballroom
Score = 0
To see photos of The Presets rocking out in NYC go here:
http://www.nickydigital.com/index.php?/gallery/album/C309/P192/
Score = 0
I saw Grand National in Bristol. They sucked, the whole crowd was mouthing "they're really boring" to each other. Luckily they were supporting electric six who were amazing. I assume even grand national themselves knew they weren't very good as the singer ran through the bar in a strop followed by his mum and dad who were saying "it was good, really good" The best thing Grand National could have done was to stop patting themselves on the back and drowning they 4 girls who actually cared they were there with champagne, turn around and watch a band who knows how to play live.
Score = -1
Hi folks...
i only saw grand national on the tele ... jamming with manu katche on arte tv... since this time I love everything I heard from them. their first record is a masterpiece, the last one a classic right now. went into my shelf right between TALK TALK, THE THE, NEW ORDER, THE POLICE and THE CHARLATANS.... so when they will come over her to lovely germany?????? HAMBURG, Reeperbahn... I want proof!!!!!!!!! They cna´t be that bad --- their jamming on arte tv was hilarious.
Orrrrr do i have to come overrrrr therrrrre??!!
Score = 1