Source: morecowbell.net
It’s nearly impossible to describe how excited I was when The Dismemberment Plan announced they were going to reunite for a benefit for young Callum Robbins. The only event I’ve been able to liken it to was when I was very young, and I recall walking down the aisles of JC Penney with my grandfather on my way to pick up my NES. I vaguely remember floating, although it was probably more like skipping, the entire way.
However, it’s equally as difficult to describe the positive vibe that was surrounding every moment of the club on Saturday. While it was difficult to hear J.’s speech thanking everyone for coming out to benefit Cal, it was uplifting to know that people had given so much time and effort to put together such a great occasion (thank you Washington City Paper and Black Cat owners and staff for making this happen). This spirit only made the vibe in the room that much more positive.
As can be expected with performers like the DPlan, I wasn’t let down. While I was only able to get tickets for Saturday night’s show, I wasn’t disappointed. My wife and I stopped by a neighboring bar to grab a pre-show drink and almost ran over Eric walking inside. This obviously only added the excitement that the surreal feeling I had was finally becoming reality. After drinking a half a pint or so, I noticed that Travis walked in and was sitting with some friends. While not being star-struck, my heart jumped as I realized that the event I’d waited so long for was finally (almost) here!
After some decent sets by the openers, of which I won’t comment much, because it’s incredibly difficult to give anyone a fair shake given the anticipation that everyone in the room was feeling. Saturday night’s show had Owls & Crows (reminded me of a more metal-esque Kyuss) and The Beauty Pill (just decent rock?) opening. Both were solid sets and probably enjoyable bands in their own right, but I’ll reserve further judgment for another time.
The moment Travis Morrison took the stage, the crowd went crazy and Travis’ smile lit his face ear to ear. It was pretty clear that he was as excited to be there as we were.
I have to admit I’ve been playing setlist-maker for the last month, trying to fathom what songs I’d get to hear on this long-awaited evening. Being a long-time DPlan fan and North Dakota native, I was ecstatic to hear the opening lines of “Do the Standing Still.”
In Fargo six or seven kids watched the plan in a strip mall.
I can assure that Travis did not think we were bored out of our skulls: we were indeed having a ball (taking cheesy-lyrics-reference-gimmee now please :)).
Further into the set, when the opening chords of “Timb Bomb” began the crowd went wild, and the Plan busted out another solid live-rendition of one of their more popular songs. Following, “Pay for the Piano,” Travis described how they need one piece of equipment that allows for both keyboards to be controlled and played at once, but somehow it broke the night before, right around the time “Ice of Boston” was played…strange. So, he warned us (and Eric) that in order to play the only song that requires two keyboards, he would need to sit on Eric’s lap, and so he did; and the Plan launched into an incredibly energetic rendition of “Girl O’ Clock.”
With “Onward, Fat Girl,” closing out the first set, the energy in the room couldn’t have been more positive.
“Ice of Boston” opened the 1st encore, with rumors on the webternet saying Ben Gibbard was playing drums. Rumor has it he was at the Friday show as well, but right now, I’ll have to chaulk those up to simply rumors, unless someone out there knows more!
The show rounded out with another encore and ended encore 2 with “The Other Side” and chill send-off “Rusty.”
There are a few photos and sets rounding their way around Flickr, but the Cat is a tough place to shoot, so the quality on some is less than-desirable.
All in all, I feel incredibly lucky I was able to attend this show and obviously I’d love to see the Plan come back and tour.
Travis jokingly commented that this was much more enjoyable. He said they can come back every few years, play a benefit, and then go back to their normal live. To this a front-row fan, appropriately replied:
Unacceptable
Full set:
1. Doing the Standing Still
2. What Do You Want Me to Say
3. Following Through
4. Face of the Earth
5. Gets Rich
6. Spider in the Snow
7. Time Bomb
8. The City
9. Life of Possibilities
10. Pay for the Piano
11. Girl O’ Clock
12. Gyroscope
13. You Are Invited
14. I Love a Magician
15. Back & Forth
16. Onward, Fat Girl
Encore 1
17. Ice of Boston
18. Bra
19. Ellen & Ben
20. Ok, Joke’s Over
Encore 2
21. The Other Side
22. Rusty
