The show was held at the Verizon Wireless Theater downtown, which is a respectable joint. Safe, secure parking, which if you know me is a big plus, and right in the heart of the downtown theater district. The venue itself is set up very nicely, with plenty of floor space and ticket upper tiers for people who like to sit down at shows (people like to sit at shows?)

The Cribs supplied the support for the night; however since navigating a parking garage and the venue’s security are about as tough as smuggling a pack of mat knives onto a jetliner, we didn’t get to hear these guys.

It was my lovely girlfriend’s 23rd birthday and we both were totally stoked on seeing Death Cab. We have both been big fans since their inception in the mid-late 90’s and both thoroughly agree that Death Cab for Cutie is one of those bands that, despite the rising popularity, have never ceased to amaze. The last time I had seen the band was on Valentine’s Day in 2001, when they played with The Jealous Sound at Not Su Oh (RIP) That show is in my top 10 still I believe, however it may just be that I loved Not Su Oh so much that the venue is in my top ten, and not the show. I digress.
Death Cab opened the show with “Title and Registration”, where front man and amazing musician, Ben Gibbard, used two synth pads as well as his guitar.

Throughout the whole set, Gibbard jumped from guitar, to piano, to synth, to acoustic. One song broke into a 5 minute jam where Gibbard rocked out on a junior drum set along with the band’s drummer in harmonious duality. Every member of this band loves what they do and they all do it well. I come across numerous Ben Gibbard fan boys in my ventures, and seeing his sincere performance just made it all clear.

He is truly a man of many talents. I guess I am the fan boy now, but these guys are just that good, with songs that take you from one end of the emotional/psychological spectrum to the other in just a few simple bars its definitely something to check out. Gibbard’s other ventures include his semi-solo project The Postal Service, as well as the now defunct Kind of Like Spitting where he got his drumming cues. I was however disappointed that I didn’t get to hear a few of my favorites; “Photo Booth” and “We Laugh Indoors”, however with as many hits as these kids have, I don’t think I could have been any more satisfied. I am proud of these guys for their recent success and hope them all the best in the future, they deserve everything they get.

The European sensation of 2005, Franz Ferdinand, finished off the night. These guys sure did take their sweet time setting up, but they did have some of the craziest lighting production I have witnessed in a while, with long frequency strobing and hot lamps that made the meter on my 1D want to cry. They were already in a bad position, with me at least; as not many bands could follow the Death Cab set I had just experienced and impress me. While the sound is not something I can take everyday, these guys know how to perform. They all had smiles on their faces and were wearing clothing (with boots and cowboy hats) that couldn’t trick even the basest of minds into thinking they were from anywhere but some small, backwards Euro town. I was content with hearing that one song…you know the one that they played on the radio…their one hit…oh who knows what it’s called, but you know what I’m talking about.

One incredible/unforgettable set, one set of fun-loving euro pop-rock, one satisfied girlfriend, one hour trying to exit the damn underground theater district parking, one long ride home singing along to the songs that weren’t played, one damn good night. -Todd Spoth www.toddspoth.com

http://www.franzferdinand.co.uk
http://www.deathcabforcutie.com
http://www.thecribs.com/