February 5, 2008

Shudder To Think, Paul Rudd, David Wain, Michael Showalter & Michael Ian Black Perform For Barack Obama & Super Tuesday: The Video Set

Well polls are closing in a few hours, hope you weren't too burned-out from that Dead show to vote. While we wait for Chris Matthews and Tim Russert to begin orgasming over the election results, a little recap of last night's excellence on the LES. Yeah it'd be understandable if your personal political preference kept you from trying to hit the GetUpAndVote.com Barack Rock show at Bowery Ballroom last night -- but if so, you missed a pretty special hour there, when iconic D.C. rock outfit Shudder To Think dipped another toe into the full-on reunion pool with a super stellar set, bookended by super Stella sets. We're gonna help with what you missed: First up, Craig Wedren, Nathan Larson, and band soar through "Lies About The Sky":

Before we continue with the Shudder, some comic relief: Here's Stella (Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, David Wain) joined by Carolyn Kennedy (aka Paul Rudd):

More music, more Funeral At The Movies: Here's "Red House":

The Shudder set got stronger as it went, but "Hit Liquor" (along with the rest of the Pony Express stuff) was straight devastating. We'll update with "Liquor" video soon, along with more Stella bits. For now we'll leave you off with Showalter, joined by Wedren, on the harrowing tale of "The Mountain":

Showalter MP3 action here. Now in addition to what you've seen, there was Nina Persson in person (on Shudder's "Day Ditty," "Appalachian Lullaby" with Wedren), the trio Birds (featuring Nina, Amy Miles, and Jack White's wife Karen Elson -- Jack was in the building, alas he was not the billed "special guest"), Alberta Cross and Joan As Policewman (both before we arrived) and OK Go (after we left). Here's the setlist that matters...

SHUDDER TO THINK SETLIST
01 "Call Of The Playground"
02 "Red House"
03 "9 Fingers"
04 "No Rm. 9, Kentucky"
05 "Lies About The Sky"
06 "Hit Liquor"
07 "X-French Tee Shirt"
08 "Day Ditty"
09 "Appalachian Lullaby"

More vid soon. Obviously we're sensational football handicappers, but this politics stuff, not so much. We won't stand in the way of your play-by-play punditry, though.