Last Thursday was the night I finally saw
Alexisonfire play a full-length show. Sadly, I don’t think I can quite count the snippet of their set that I caught at Taste of Chaos in 2006 (damn being late). Alexis are definitely “up there” in my top 10 bands and I have already expressed how much I love the man that is Dallas Green
on the blog.
To look at, Alexisonfire are incredibly diverse – George (vocals), Dallas (guitar, vocals), Wade (guitar, vocals), Chris (bass) and Jordan (drums) all look radically different from one another, a sight that is refreshing when you become used to watching cut copy bands that style themselves the same and flaunt their talent in similar ways.
And damn, do they put on a hell of a show. An 18 song strong set was delivered by the fantastic fivesome as they opened with
‘Young Cardinals’; an iconic and haunting song from their last full length studio album
‘Old Crows / Young Cardinals’ and immediately the crowd were putty in their hands.
George’s stark raspy shouting vocal contrasted with the deep and melodic sound of Dallas’ voice in each song was like pure aural heaven live. Not to mention the backing lyrics delivered by Wade making it the ultimate vocal package. The entire show was a wonderful mix of Alexisonfire’s most loved offerings from the past framed with songs from their present. If I hadn’t known better I would have thought we were at a staging of their greatest hits album. We even got a quick taste of their newest EP
‘Dog’s Blood’ when they performed the song by the same name which sounded cutback and delicious.
George had a strong ability to command the stage as he bounded from one side to another and, from what has become expected from an Alexis live show, whipped his t-shirt off to reveal his masculine man-fur and perspiration halfway through the set. A sight that was unexpectedly attractive.
Before you had time to catch your breath, the bulk of the set had come to a close with
‘This Could Be Anywhere In The World’, a favourite amongst the masses, played as a classic finale with each and every voice in the room singing out in a warped kind of choral climax. The crowd barely had time to process their departure before they were back on stage for a generous 4-song encore starting us off with
‘The Northern’ (much to the loud Welsh man beside me’s delight).
‘The Northern’ encouraged one of the most beautiful moments of the night with Dallas Green leading a soft and haunting chant of “hallelujah” during the mellowing of the song.
’44. Calibre love letter’ satisfied the old-timers’ lust before we hurtled into
‘Accidents’ with George’s precluding speech:
“we went to see Burke and Hare at the movies last night and it was shit. The Shaun of the Dead guy [censored spoiler]. Do you know what I love more than ruining the endings for people of movies I hate? Playing Accidents!”
God, I love that man.
I’d like to take this opportunity to praise Chris Steele’s ‘tache efforts. He’s taking part in
‘Movember’ – a moustache growing movement set-up in aid of raising money for charities benefiting those who suffer with prostate cancer. The challenge is how well men can grow their facial fluff without shaving at all for the whole course of November. But Chris needn’t worry since he had a huge twirly-style moustache on the go looking truly magnificent.
What I love about Alexisonfire is that they have the key elements that point towards them being a rock band visually – tattoos smothering their skin and stubble spattering their faces - but their personalities shine across as lovable blokes completely void of rock star personas. George smiles more than he grimaces and Dallas looks like someone you might see in the library (okay, taking the glasses stereotype to the extreme). Yet despite their non-typical rock star presence they hold the stage and the crowd with full force and their sound and energy is both hard-hitting and unbelievably addictive to listen to and watch. I would have stood and watched them all night if I could. Quite aptly, they closed the show with
'Happiness by the Kilowatt' - I think it's safe to say each fan was feeling that tenfold.
Setlist for the night:
Young Cardinals
Mailbox Arson
Boiled Frogs
Heading For The Sun
Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints
We Are The Sound
Old Crows
Rough Hands
Sons of Privilege
Charlie Sheen Vs Henry Rollins
Keep It On Wax
Accept Crime
Dog’s Blood
This Could Be Anywhere In The World
ENCORE
The Northern
44. Calibre Love Letter
Accidents
Happiness By The Kilowatt
