Valentiger collectively smoked during the first live performance of the newer “Here It Comes;” it was just that kind of night. At the end of the song, with cigarette still smoking from the head of his guitar, Shirey hammed, “Here it comes, the smoking ban is coming. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!” And what was indeed a smoky bar was also filled with both old and new faces, enjoying a night of good tunes. People listened to Big House Red’s melodies, studied Valentiger’s new tracks and felt Bangups guitar riffs and thumping beats. Maybe the excitement of Kehoe’s graduation or the last legal night to smoke in the bar was in the air. Was it because the show was free or just because the bill was good? I’m just not sure, but it was all there and I especially enjoyed Valentiger’s set. The old tunes had flair and the new ones had energy. I understand the tentatively titled numbers below were played, dispersed somewhat in that order among other cuts:

Oh, To Know
Oh My God! This Weekend
Love To Forgive
Goodday/Goodnight
Another Cool Move
Here It Comes

I hadn’t seen the band produce that much energy in a few shows and I think it was due to the new material. Shirey stated, “Sweat was stinging my eyes near the end,” along with Kehoe, “It just felt really good to yell tonight.” And the two definitely did shred a few vocal chords during the infrequent Pavement cover of “Summer Babe.” Rider explained, “The show usually has to have pretty good momentum for [Summer Babe] to come out. Tonight was a lot of fun for many reasons and it was warranted.”

Obviously, a huge thanks goes to everyone who made the night a blast. The superfluous smoking was appreciated! Valentiger plays Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo this Thursday for their first smoke-free bar show. From there, they are headed off on tour the following week; Comes see them off!