Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
by jeff barringer
club kingsnake staff
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com
The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Concert Photos
Friday, June 15th, 2007
La Zona Rosa (Austin, Texas)
Also:
Sarabeth Tucek,
The Cobbs
After days of rain left a summertime Austin hot and sticky, it was a refreshing break to partake in the air conditioning of Austin's La Zona Rosa on Friday. I had gotten approved to shoot the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on short notice and had been racing around all day trying to tie up loose ends to make the set. By the time I made it down to La Zona Rosa, I was hot and a little exasperated with the rush hour traffic, but ready for a good band and a good night of clubbing. I was expecting to see at least Jay West shooting for Insight at the show but I knew Moondog would be covering Nora Jones at the Backyard for the Chronicle and wouldn't be there. I had not seen BRMC before but had heard lots of good things about them and had been looking forward to the show all week.
Sarabeth Tucek at La Zona Rosa - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
After picking up my pass at will call I headed through the gate and straight to the bar for a coke just as New York folk rock artist Sarabeth Tucek came onstage to open the show. The crowd was sparse as it was still early, which was just as well because there was no barrier or photo pit. The few people who showed up early enough for her set heard music that was delicate and soft, but with a starkness and hardness just underneath. I look forward to seeing her perform again and I also look forward to hearing her new debut album. She just got back from a U.K. tour and is starting to attract quite a lot of buzz.
The Cobbs at La Zona Rosa - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
Next up was a band out of Philadelphia called the Cobbs, and by the time they hit the stage the club was filling rapidly. Named after band members Ryan and Paul Cobb, originally known as Ty Cobb until trounced by lawyers, and then known as Mad Action, they have re-surfaced again with the new name and a new album called
Sing The Deathcapades. These guys have been around long enough to have put a couple albums downstream and develop a strong following with their whiney harmony infused garage rock. They were a good match to open for BRMC. Wish they had used something other than red lights during their set, maybe a white spot every once in a while. All my pics of their set came out looking like they were taken through the infra-red seeker of a sidewinder missile.
Peter Hayes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
By the time Black Rebel Motorcycle Club hit the stage, the club was packed and it was all I could do to beg for space from the crowd to take a few shots. Supporting their new
Baby 81 release, BRMC returned more to its garage roots. Having built a HUGE underground following in Austin after playing lots of local showcases as well as SXSW over the years, these guys have a very polished stage show that accompanies their raw sound. With Robert Levon Been on bass doing most of the vocals and sliding over to the piano for a couple of numbers, and Peter Hayes evoking Neil Young with the acoustic and harmonica one minute, cigarette dangling from the neck of his guitar ala Page in the next, the 70s rock symbolism was rich. This band is what rock and roll is (or was) all about. It was almost like watching a young Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin with a sound geared for the current decade. They played for 3 hours, 25 songs, almost 1/3 of which was encore. They actually took requests from the audience for their encore. Incredible set.
Thanks to BRMC for allowing me to shoot the show, and for Direct Events and La Zona Rosa for all their assistance.
Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Set List - La Zona Rosa 6/15/07
1. Took Out A Loan
2. Berlin
3. Lien on Your Dreams
4. In Like the Rose
5. Ain't No Easy Way
6. Weapon of Choice
7. Whatever Happened To My Rock And 'Roll
8. Window
9. Not What You Wanted
10. 666 Conducer
11. Love Burns
12. Need Some Air
13. American X
14. Fault Line
15. Devil's Waiting
16. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
17. Shuffle Your Feet
18. Rifles
19. All You Do Is Talk
Encore
20. Red Eyes And Tears
21. High/Low
22. White Palms
23. Six Barrel Shotgun
24. Salvation
25. Heart And Soul
Peter Hayes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - more photos... - photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer
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