2008 Woodie Awards
Death Cab for Cutie live!
Ashley Partin
Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: Entertainment
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The popularity of the main band was evident, as every last ticket was sold and the club was packed to maximum capacity. Filled to the brim with stereotypical emo-lovers (clad in black-rimmed glasses, Chuck Taylors, tight jeans and band shirts, as if the love of the music requires a uniform), the club was over-heated and over-crowded, yet very ambient. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, fans cheered as the first act took the stage.
Pretty Girls Make Graves kept the audience attentive and bouncing. Together since 2001, PGMG hail from Seattle and throw together a fun, sometimes hard, sound that is definitely rocker-friendly. It has released two full-length albums and two EPs and is gaining hordes of new fans with each new performance. The band is an explosive live act worth checking out, playing everything from crowd favorites to fresh, new material. This band actually sounds better live than on its albums. PGMG possess a rare gem in the indie world: a female lead singer, Andrea Zollo. She has an amazing stage presence and a flair for performing, backed by a powerfully energetic band. The band's newest release, The New Romance, has become a must-have over the course of the past year. The music industry can be sure it'll hear more from PGMG in the years to come.
As good as the opening act was, the fans were, without a doubt, there to see Death Cab for Cutie. Despite the stifling heat, kids waited patiently as the crew performed a sloppy sound check. Finally, the band graced the stage. The musicians were cheered on wildly as they started the show with a new classic, "The New Year."
Producing a clean, melodic, frankly gorgeous sound, the guys had the crowd dancing and bobbing their heads in no time. Vocalist Ben Gibbard is known for penning songs that are ridiculously catchy and deep. The originality of his lyrics have been pleasing fans for seven years, and it was evident as the kids sang along with every ditty.
The music was so serene and comforting, almost floating off the stage during the slow song, but the bass rumbled and rocked through the crowd during the faster hits. The band threw in a few surprises, namely when Gibbard put down his guitar and headed to the drum set, switching places with Michael Schorr.
Bassist Nicolas Harmer also doubled his act, often jumping behind the keyboard during the piano-friendly songs. About half of the set was songs from the band's most recent (and best-selling) album, Trans atlanticism. The guys knew what the crowd wanted to hear and delivered every crowd-pleaser with enthusiasm and grace. They even noted how hot it was, and Gibbard stopped during the middle of a song to say, "Can we turn on the fans? It's hot as hell, the kids are gonna pass out. And throw them some water." The crew then passed out water bottles and turned on the ceiling fans.
The night was packed with joy and excitement. Fans left with smiles on their sweaty faces. Any music lover would appreciate such a well-played show by two monumental, underground bands.