Review + Setlist: Old 97's at the Pageant, Friday, February 18

By Katie Moulton Sat., Feb. 19 2011 at 12:26 PM

Jon Gitchoff

Rhett Miller of Old 97's

Rhett Miller packs more boyish charm into one pick-clutching pinkie finger than the entire Justin Bieber empire. And don't get me started on his hair. Apologies for invoking the Bieb, but last night at the Pageant, Miller and the Old 97's delivered an energetic, generous set of uptempo alt-country that was enough to make grown women squeal. If only they would have.

View a slideshow of photos from Old 97's/Those Darlins at the Pageant

The crowd was expectedly placid during first opener, the Whiskey Folk Ramblers, who hail from Fort Worth, Texas. The all-male, heavily-hatted sextet opened the early, nine-song set with an atmospheric intro that sounded like the soundtrack of a Tarantino Western. This instrumental, featuring trumpet, accordion, upright bass, acoustic and electric guitar, shuffling drums, and impressive whistling by frontman Tyler Rougeux, led into a version of Hank Williams' "Ramblin' Man." The latter morphed into an even darker gypsy dirge, thanks to Rougeux's low voice. This set the tone for the band's performance: a full, old-timey sound which carries inherent theatricality when played by straight-faced twentysomethings.

Next up was a trio of decidedly not straight-faced (or straightlaced) twentysomethings: Those Darlins, a Tennessee band known around town for its raucous, often unpredictable shows. The band is now officially a quartet -- drummer Linwood Regensburg contributed songwriting to the band's new album, Screws Get Loose, which is due March 29 (as Jessi Darlin reminded us). This was my first time seeing Those Darlins, but everyone seemed on good behavior: The band skipped raunchy stage banter and mainlined at least eight new songs to the audience.

Jon Gitchoff

The girls kicked off with single "Be Your Bro," a girl-group garage rock tune on which pixie-haired Jessi chimed in with the almost-signature line, "I just wanna run and play in the dirt with you/ You just wanna stick it in." Nikki, Kelley and Jessi Darlin swapped duties on lead vocals as well as guitar and bass throughout the thirteen-song set. The configuration hinted at the band's sonic future: It brought the "punk" and left the "cow" in Tennessee. Even the hit "Red Light Love," which usually sounds like a rockabilly take on Carter Family-style harmonies, was more of a surf-rock tumble. Though the band didn't play "Wild One" or the country-fried "The Whole Damn Thing," its drunken finger-licking days may not be over yet: After Regensburg apologized to his grandparent in the audience, Those Darlins ripped through a balls-out version of "Fun Stix Party."

Tags:

katie moulton, old 97s, pageant, review, rhett miller, those darlins, whiskey folk ramblers

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Mark Ramsey

Pretty spot-on review. I was with a group of 6, and I was the only one who walked away from the show noticably impressed. The crowd was tepid throughout, though it seemed the Pageant's lower level was nearing capacity. In full disclosure, I was the biggest Old 97's fan in the group, and this was my first time getting to see them (received a copy of Fight Songs about a year ago, and then immediately latched on to that album, Drag it Up, and Grand Theatre). Being a fan of the new album undoubtedly made the show much better for me than some of the roots fans, since they played heavily from it. Was really disappointed that they left off "Won't be Home," but overall thought the show was great as you can't really complain too much when a band plays 27 songs.

Kory

Great review Katie, there is no doubt that as usual they didn't mail in their performance, and they were full of the energy that traditionally characterizes an Old '97's show. Being in the crowd, I can somewhat sympathize with the lackluster reception though. I'm usually one who wants to hear more of the new stuff as opposed to the same ol' old stuff, but I thought the setlist was pretty bad. There are at least 15 songs I would have rather heard off of Wreck Your Life, Too Far to Care, Fight Songs, and Satellite Rides than what they went with. Maybe it's my lack of enthusiasm for the last 2 albums, but they sound more like B-Sides compilations than anything. As you stated in your review, I think Please Hold on While the Train is Moving and Champaign, Illinois were the only newer songs that resinated. They've been around for a long time, and I've seen them since they were playing to crowds of 20 in Columbia, Missouri, so I understand they probably get tired of playing the same older songs. My other gripe is How Rhett these days seem to have to yell though every song. He has an amazing voice and the show would be much more versatile if he would let the songs breathe and not have to vocal-punch the hell out of them, even the quieter ones like Question. I think this is why Valentine was so awesome, because Rhett stuck to the harmonies instead of force-feeding us.