NightOfJoy Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 So, I saw the Meat Puppets at Shubas on Sunday 5/31. When I bought the tix a month ago, I somehow had the idea that this weekend was Memorial Day weekend so I went for the Sunday show, instead of Saturday which I would've normally gone for. Turns out that karma or Fortuna or whomever was watching out for me because Shubas lost power on Saturday nite and the MP's show was officially cancelled at midnight. I heard that the MPs hung out and chatted up with the crowd lined on the street the entire time. Lemonade out of lemons, etc. The plan for my bride and I was to get some dinner and revisit some old haunts on Southport before the show. Back in the 90s, we had friends who had a fantastic apartment at Addison and Southport, nicknamed "The Factory" in honor of Warhol's space. We had many many good times in that area so we walked up and down the street, revisiting old memories like Langes (a good old man bar that somehow has survived the gentrification of the area), Music Box, the Crown Lounge (a fantasic old man bar that didnt make it. It holds high honors of having one of THE most consistently disgusting bathrooms that I'd ever been in. I shant describe the horrors that small room held) which is now known as the Hye bar, etc. Southport morphed from a kinda rundown area in the 80s to yuppieville, full of cutesy boutique shops selling high priced junk that no really really needs. All these boutiques are now either closed, closing or struggling and offering huge sales in order to keep the lights on. Sorta sad but thats the way it goes. Showtime. We passed on the opening band in order to have dinner at some Cuban fusion place. Walking into Shuba's main room looking for friends, we ended up close to the stage on stage left. Turns out that Fortuna again smiled on us as that was where Curt would be playing. My wife had never seen the MPs before and was pretty excited about the whole thing. The room filled up, the boys hit the stage and away we went. For me, Curt's guitar playing is magical. I dont know how he does it but his solos and riffs hit the sweet spot in my head and bring on a beautiful high. The only other guitarist that can do that to me is my main man Jerry G. Standing 5 feet in front of him, watching him work his magic was stunning. Anyways, I dont have a set list of what they played. All I know is they played a wonderful mix of old and newer tunes, Chris played bass like a man possessed and the drummer did his thang. Oh yeah, Thax made an appearance and read "Meat Puppets #6". After the show, we hung out at the bar for a beer. The crowd thinned out and we split. Walking east on Belmont, we ran right into Chris so I shook his hand and told him "Welcome back, you guys were great" or something like that. He really seemed to genuinely appreciate that comment and said so. I hope that guy keeps it together The MPs are on tour now. Please, if you have even the slightest inkling of interest, check them out. They are playing as well as they were in the 80s/early 90s, maybe even better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I am so, so happy to hear such a rave review.The Pups were my "gateway" band -- into the world of Underground/Indie/Alternative/whatever rock back in the mid/late-80's. And yeah, Kurt is a magical player for me, too. Thanks so much for the review. I haven't seen them since '89, but hopefully I'll get the chance to catch them again. And yeah, my fingers are crossed for Chris, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 NOJ: I agree that they sound (live) as well as they did in the late 80s. Glad you and wife had a blast. I'm on the lookout for their return to Denver. They sounded so much tighter last spring compared to last year and even then they sounded decent. They still have the magic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks for the great review. I have never seen them live but they are at the top of my list for bands I really want to see. Curt is such an under rated guitar player. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Authorized, oral history of the Meat Puppets coming out soon: http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2012/05/15/too-high-to-die-meet-the-meat-puppets/ I'm sure there are soem good stories in there ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 i randomly met the current drummer for the Meat Puppets when i was in Amsterdam last month, at a falafel stand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 i randomly met the current drummer for the Meat Puppets when i was in Amsterdam last month, at a falafel stand.No joke?(Sorry ...) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 yeah, he's Doug Sahm's son. they just played some shows in Italy and he was in Amsterdam for a few days visiting friends. i was talking w/ two people who had just come from a Daniel Johnston show, and he mentioned he was a musician too. i didn't recognize him off the bat but he looked a tad familiar (i saw them play last year, doing _Up On The Sun_). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Meat Puppets touring with Watt (and at some stops Grant Hart). Meat Puppets / Mike Watt + the Jom and Terry Show — 2017 Tour Dates5/2 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO5/4 The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN5/5 Shank Hall Milwaukee, WI5/7 El Club Detroit, MI5/9 The Haunt Ithaca, NY5/10 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY*5/11 Port City Music Hall Portland, ME*5/12 Brighton Music Hall Boston, MA*5/13 The Ballroom at the Outer Space Hamden, CT5/16 Underground Arts Philadelphia, PA5/17 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale, PA5/18 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH5/22 recordBar Kansas City, MO5/23 89th Street Collective Oklahoma City, OK5/24 Club Dada Dallas, TX* – w/ Grant HartRead More: Meat Puppets, Mike Watt & Husker Du’s Grant Hart touring together | Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 No Chicago? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 SST extravaganza! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 No Chicago? Shank Hall is worth the road trip. Great venue. Saw the Blasters there. Named after the Spinal Tap reference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I'll be at the Portland ME show, and it's a Grant one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalafej Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 No Chicago? They are playing Lincoln Hall 5/19. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 They are playing Lincoln Hall 5/19. YAY!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I'll be at the first one in Denver. Sweet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 No Atlanta or SE dates. Bummer. I'd be all over that. Never seen the Puppets, and a tour with Watt would be a great way to see them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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