A couple of weeks ago former Death From Above 1979 singer/drummer Sebastien Grainger played Beat Kitchen with his supporting band The Mountains (or if you're French-Canadian Les Montagnes). Grainger is touring in support of his debut solo effort (s/t) which was released October 21st on Nebraska's Saddle Creek Records. Grainger wrote and performed nearly all the parts on the record with the exception of a few songs that were recorded as a full band.
Download: Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains - "Love Can Be So Mean"
Needless to say, I am always interested but often cautious of musicians who go on solo after the success of previous bands. In fact I hadn't even heard any of Grainger's solo efforts at all before the show. I went in tabula rasa, sort of hoping that my DFA1979 expectations would fall by the wayside and I would be able to enjoy the show as objectively as possible. I was not disappointed in the least.
The 18 and over crowd cautiously approached the stage as the set began after standing no less than 10 feet away for the other two bands. Grainger's set was high energy and we eagerly shimmied and shook in response. Grainger, a tower of a fella, owned the stage as he stood with his legs in a v, mimicking the neck of his shirt, strumming his guitar furiously for the chorus of "Love Can Be So Mean." Grainger's voice borders on crooning, but a little less polished. Grainger, however, has put together a pop-rock album which contains elements of dance rock style but also forges his way as a musician alone, shedding the rough and edgy sounds of his previous efforts.
All in all I went away that night with one funjoyable album and tired legs.
View the complete photoset here
Support the Chicago music scene by checking out Breakers Broken!
They put on a fantastic live show, and they’ve got one at the Logan Square Auditorium on December 20th!
Check them out: http://www.myspace.com/breakersbroken
Posted by: Emily | Monday, December 08, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Beautiful girl, beautiful voice, beautiful music…
Check out Chicago’s own Janelle Kroll
http://www.myspace.com/janellekroll
Posted by: Becky | Monday, December 08, 2008 at 12:26 PM