Shirey’s Focus Wagon housed Valentiger for a trip to Lansing, playing on MSU’s IMPACT, 88.9 FM. This performance was actually the reschedule for an earlier date canceled due to ever-classic lake effect snow. At any rate, the gentlemen arrived at the station around 8PM and were rolling on the air by shortly after 9. After “Bosses In Their Offices” was spun from Power Lines and some conversation about Doug, the animated television series, Valentiger dove in to “Leaving Town.” From there Rider played his bell-set solo on “Courses” and “Man On Fire” once again took “Best Song of the Night” award - in the opinion of the band. Overall, it was quite a playful interview and I think everyone involved may have been confused with which statements were factual. Rider made sure to include his secret phrase, “goodnight wolfie,” which will earn someone free swag eventually. A special thanks goes out to The Basement for hosting the band. Audio and video was taken, so make sure to look for these trinkets in the near future.
Bells Brewery - February 20, 2010
February 21st, 2010
Valentiger made the trip down to Kalamazoo to make their first appearance at Bells Brewery, maker of Oberon. The Eccentric Cafe, where bands perform, is a rather small, woody bar but inviting and warm. Arriving early to load in their equipment, the band had a bit of time to enjoy some food, talk with patrons and gossip in the van. But, before long, Valentiger was on stage, beginning the first of three sets.
The first installment of songs was stuck in some alternate world of rock and acoustic folk, but sounded good until Shirey’s botching of “Heart of Gold.” It was at that point the band decided to go either the acoustic route or to risk pissing people off with rock and roll. And so starting the second set with “The Girl That Everyone Forgot” brought loud(er) Valentiger to Kalamazoo around the time friends began showing up to cheer the boys on. This worked for the 45-minute run, but the band then found themselves at square one in set three. They then decided not much mattered at this hour, and dove into almost exclusively new material debuting “Oh, to Know,” “Love to Forgive,” “Oh My God this Weekend” and many others. Kehoe stated, “We just wanted to make it fun for ourselves at that point in the night. We couldn’t stand playing The Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb” again.” And the response to the new, virtually unrehearsed material was validating for the band. “Sometimes those three-hour nights can be long for us,” says Shirey. “We’re just not a cover band and we try to make that apparent from the beginning of the engagement. Sure, we do play covers, but you’re probably not going to get a Seger out of us. Maybe a CCR tune if people are ready to dance. But to hear some of the best responses from our newest songs was great. I think it’s possible for the audience to tell when we’re excited.” And the band looks forward to having some of those newer songs polished upon their next return to Bells - stay posted.
→ No CommentsPosted by B.F. Pierce
WYCE Jammies - February 16, 2010
February 21st, 2010
Valentiger was invited to perform based on their nominations for “Best Contemporary Album,” “Best Song,” and “Best New Artist.” All of this acknowledgment centered around their 2009 release Power Lines To Electric Times featuring the single “Leaving Town.” The gang was invited to perform on the front stage, and with Kehoe unable to attend the event, Shirey and Rider suited up for an acoustic duo performance. Equipped with a concert size guitar, harmonica and a drum set made mostly of two floor toms, the duo banged out “Leaving Town, “Courses” and “Lament,” all from the nominated album. Though a short performance, a lot of things were packed into the three songs. Shirey gives a bit of insight, “When you’ve been playing with a person as long as I have with Scott, performance takes you into a sort of catatonic state. It really isn’t about the audience anymore or about the mistakes you might make or even the words. It just becomes about the song and conveying it as equally as you feel. Tonight was one of those rare moments where, when we got done, it was almost like it never happened - but I felt like I had gotten something out of me.” Valentiger did not win any of the categories in which they were nominated. But it’s not what the Jammies are about for them. “The Jammies are a good thing in the way they bring the local music scene together. You put names to faces and form a sense of community. Where else can you see, hear and become familiar with a good majority of Grand Rapids acts in one night - for free?”
→ No CommentsPosted by B.F. Pierce
Sazerac Lounge - February 13, 2010
February 21st, 2010
Valentiger usually shies away from “holiday shows,” but somehow landed on the bill for a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball. At any rate, they played pretty early (9PM) and avoided a mass of drunks for the better or worse. I WILL say this was an awkward set for the band, as they struggled with such an audience on the fence. Two tables loved it, two tables hated it and the other two were indifferent. Nevertheless, this spun Valentiger into a phase of goofiness, citing progressive dinner jokes and dedicating the whole set to Google Buzz. All in all, the music was in prime form and the crowd was now ready for the antics of Dr. Jones. This long-standing rock band, featuring a bit of brass, made their way through several Beatles covers and even a rendition of Ben Folds Five’s “Kate,” to which Rider and Kehoe thoroughly danced. They played for quite a while, riling the crowd into a dance-ready frenzy. This was also making Valentiger’s job easier, for they had been hired to DJ for the remainder of the night. Shirey and Rider’s days of disc jockeying have rendered them jaded but the fresh Kehoe took right to the job, spinning classic cuts for the sea of arms. Kehoe stated, “It made my night,” but does he know the joy he delivered to THEIR night? His high was not sustained, as he was later shafted by Taco Bell.
→ No CommentsPosted by B.F. Pierce
Founders Brewery - February 4, 2010
February 21st, 2010
Valentiger returned to Founders with Dean Wiers-Windemuller for the now-free Thursday night music series at the brewery. As Dean and his band, Open Land, crooned their way through jazzy, wispy tunes, the extremely large room was beginning to pack. Kehoe was quoted earlier in the night saying, “I am ready to rock Founders tonight. It’s been a while since the band has really been able to let loose.” And Valentiger did just that, opening up with “The Girl That Everyone Forgot” and never looking back. Things only really slowed for the always-pretty “Courses” and “Man On Fire,” but it was right back into the grind after that. “This band really thrives on energy from the crowd,” explains Shirey. “I haven’t quite seen a night like this in a long time. There is just so much dancing! Sweat was rolling into my eyes during ‘Leaving Town.’” He also thought the band’s second set would be a bit more mellow, but the ball just kept rolling right through last call. The cover-heavy set included David Bowie’s “Suffragette City,” followed by what was apparently Valentiger’s last performance of Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” Pavement’s “Summer Babe” was a beautiful mess and Bill Kahler (formerly of Duffy) was invited (or forced?) on stage in some strange tradition to close the night with CCR’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” Thanks to Founders and Dean Wiers-Windemuller for another great night at Michigan’s best brewery.
Do you prefer another over Founders? Let’s hear about it…
→ No CommentsPosted by B.F. Pierce
RSS