KROQ Celebrated X-mas Almost Acoustically
This past weekend, for the 18th consecutive year, the modern rock purveyors at Los Angeles's KROQ rang in the holiday season with their Almost Acoustic X-mas show, featuring a lineup pulled from their playlists ... meaning one night of mall-punk (Angels & Airwaves, Paramore), and a second night a little closer to home: Feist, Spoon, Modest Mouse, the Shins, Silversun Pickups, etc. But, according to Variety and the LA Times, the show-stealers on "indie night" weren't even previously announced -- and, actually, weren't even indie. The Killers turned up for a surprise four-song set, including a live retelling of their comma-averse holiday jam "Don't Shoot Me Santa," complete with the video's gun-toting bad Santa on hand to ham and harass. And, since the still mustachioed B. Flow and St. Tricky Nick's performance was such a hit with the kids, we won't get Scrooge-y about sharing it with you. Happy X-Mas, kids.
For such a seasonally minded show, we'll freely admit -- that was awfully cute! (I.e. somewhere between awful and cute, but hey our kid sisters would've loved it, and maybe Dad would dig on the Boss-aping). For those left unimpressed (grinches!), take the jump for live clips of other performers. Almost acoustic! Except that they're not at all acoustic.
Feist - "Sea Lion Woman"
Feist - "My Moon My Man"
Feist - "1234"
Spoon - "Don't Make Me A Target"
Spoon - "Black Like Me"
Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye"
Silversun Pickups - "Well Thought Out Twinkles"
Posted at 7:01 PM in Video
Tags: Feist | Silversun Pickups | Spoon | The Killers
Wow, Les Savy Fav onstage with the Killers. I knew it was bound to happen.
Score = 0
this is some great stuff.
http://paidandpopular.blogspot.com
Score = 0
Was that Zach Galafanakis? Brilliant. and Kudos to Sterogum for posting a Killers related story without going on a page long tirade on how they are heartless and are killing the industry! It's truely a christmas Miracle.
Score = 0
buzznet pays them to be nice to the killers.
no christmas miracle here.
Score = 0
@ dave
So true. But I spent it all on guyliner?
Score = 0
kroq has become a horrible, horrible radio station that tries to be cool while only playing orange county mall cheesy punk rock. they still play sublime enough as if it were something new and it's just as bad now as it was when it came out. between incubus and angels and airwaves and blink and all the other horrible skate punk bands the station still tries to play itself off as cool and into the 'new' music, but they don't have a clue and attending this concert painfully reminded me with how out of touch they are (at least with my tastes ;-)
how on earth does spoon get scheduled to OPEN the night before silversun pickups, shins, and jimmy eat world? it is SPOON FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!!! and, how is jimmy eat world the penultimate (that's second to last) band?!?!?!?! really?! you're going to subject us to an hour of jimmy eat world?
muse completely rocked as expected.
Score = 0
@ hater:
I went to that show specifically to see Spoon and the majority of people there didn't have clue who the fuck they were (I never usually say stuff like this, but Spoon was WAY too good for that particular crowd).
Jimmy Eat World's "performance" was the longest 40 minutes of my life (probably 'cause all their songs sound EXACTLY FUCKING ALIKE). Every other act was solid save for a disappointing Modest Mouse set that was significantly truncated due to The Killers unannounced appearance.
You're right about KROQ though... they've become painfully out of touch.
Muse consistently add class to fist-pumping arena rock. That shit killed.
Score = 0
Why do bands other than Spoon even bother to exist? This is not a rhetorical question. I am genuinely curious.
Score = 0
The Killer's don't lack commas; that's just a piratized version of "Don't Shoot My Santa."
Score = 0
Say what you will about the Killers, their live show in Boston last year was awesome, and actually boosted my opinion of Sam's Town.
If you were surprised to be disappointed by Modest Mouse live, you haven't read up much about them at all - their live shows are notoriously hit-or-miss.
And why are you complaining about Spoon going first? You didn't have to wait to see your favorite band! You could've left an hour into the show!
Also, I'm probably going to get crucified for saying this, but when I saw Spoon open for the Stooges at SXSW, they did not blow my socks off. I'll admit I'm not very familiar with their discography, but Andrew's parenthetical comment on Jimmy Eat World rang true: "all their songs sound EXACTLY FUCKING ALIKE"
Ok, there goes all my cred.
Score = 0
@historyman68
You're right... most of Spoon's tunes DO sound similar. But unlike the abnormally shitty Jimmy Eat World, I like their sound. I like Jim's drumming and Britt's vocals. The bass playing is interesting and purposeful. Plus, Spoon are as much about the notes they DON'T play as the ones they do. Jimmy Eat World just hammer the same chords wall to wall on every one of their "songs." Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I like a little air in my music.
As for Modest Mouse, I was unaware that they have a reputation for underwhelming live performances. I'd be lying if I said I knew much about them (obviously), but I do have a healthy appreciation for "The Moon and Antarctica."
Also, I agree wholeheartedly about The Killers. I'd never seen them before and was surprised at how well their songs translate live. Flowers is still a bit of a douche in my book, but his charisma and ability to own a stage is undeniable. They really did, if you'll excuse the pun, kill.
Score = 0
Stop your bitching. That gig is so much better than anything any of the fm UK radio stations could organise.
Score = 0
Best post ever! Thanks for all the videos
Score = 0