interpol-try-it-on.mp3
Interpol – Try it On [MP3]
To catch an Interpol gig is like no other. There is a complete sense of fulfillment. Not one song sticks out. Sure, I held my breath on the beautiful Untitled, lost my mind on Not Even Jail when Daniel Kessler (guitar master, dancer, always dressed so alarmingly dapper) is right in front of you with his body moving in time with his wicked playing on the Epiphone Casino or the Gibson ES-335. Always swaying his head as his tech is helping switch guitars, Kessler has a distinct sound and deserves much more guitar praise. Frontman Paul Banks’ haunting voice is more projected this time around and takes full command of your being. Sam Fogarino (drums) slaps those skins and keeps everything together.
It almost sounds like I’m a fan. I’m a major one, so this “review” is just a tad biased. I’ve been following Interpol since a 2003 LA show called KROQ’s Inland Invasion and caught four California shows this month, so it was a little hard to go to a gig with an objective mind. I already knew I would be blown away. I just didn’t realize I was going to be taken to the next level time and time again.
The departure of Carlos D has been talked and written about enough, so it’s time to move on. Sure, it was odd at first not to see his amazing presence up there, but David Pajo who is on bass now and Brandon Curtis (keyboardist/backing vocals) make sure Interpol’s sound is the way it should be. They can hold their own. In fact, it’s unfortunate that they are not able to showcase their talent more. But no denying, the brotherhood that is Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler and Sam Forgarino is untouchable.
Fans in Southern California are hardcore for Interpol and line up very early. Now back with Matador, the smart marketing of having their website in a Spanish version has given many more the opportunity to participate. Many drove up to Oakland for the first stop. The ornate Oakland Fox Theatre gave us Rest My Chemistry and Leif Eriksen which were pleasant surprises. Lights from their latest Interpol is even better live. When Fogarino comes in strong at the buildup, you are taken on a journey and it feels dark and lovely.
The show in Pomona the very next night gave us NYC (I teared up) and there was even a marriage proposal that Paul announced. Hands Away was an extra gift and well-received. The roar from the crowd when they came back on for the encore was deafening.
The smaller Soma in San Diego which had a dingy warehouse feel couldn’t have been better unless they played longer. Obstacle 1 was played and I’m surprised the roof didn’t blow off. PDA is a constant on the setlist and a favorite to dance to.
Apparently, Paul Banks has hit Morrissey status in So. Cal. The mostly hispanic following of Moz, Depeche Mode and The Cure have now taken to Interpol. So it was really no surprise when 3 guys jumped on stage at the Greek Theatre. One planted a kiss on Paul’s cheek, one was tackled immediately and one took down Paul’s mic., along with his picks. Unfortunately, one song was interrupted and because of this behavior, I doubt anyone will be that close in the future.
And like most LA shows, it wouldn’t be complete without celebs (I’m not naming names, but they were big).
Opener White Rabbits (Stephen Patterson, Gregory Roberts, Alex Even, Brian Betancourt, Matt Clark and
Jamie Levinson) is a great indie band that is definitely not an opener you have to suffer through for the main act. Driven heavily by percussion, their hits Percussion Gun and Rudie Fails were tight and their energy was well-received.
The mystic, smoothness and class of Interpol are all still there for the shows, but the wall between the band and the audience is down a little. The band is a bit more engaging, but still keeping that aura which goes with their music so well.
All four shows gave us a perfect blend of their albums. Quite a bit was played from Turn on the Bright Lights, which made the flow with tunes from Interpol work, including Try It On and Memory Serves. Success is a perfect opener, with the tempo slowly rising and getting the energy started. Tunes from Antics like Narc, Take You on a Cruise and C’Mere are ingredients that should never be taken out of their secret recipe.
Interpol’s songs aren’t cookie-cutter stories with beginning and ends. They are moments – deep moments that are smartly written and played hard. You can escape and not really know where you will end up because they don’t lay it out for you. You decide where to go.
