Evan Dando: Not A Sour Note
Feb. 2 2010, Published 5:10 a.m. ET
Jumping up on stage at New York’s Joe’s Pub on a chilly Saturday night in a puffy North Face down jacket and dark blue Levi’s, Head Lemon Evan Dando was only armed with his guitar — no backing band or tricks up his sleeve. Without a greeting of any sort, Evan went right into a perfect rendition of “Confetti”, the beautiful little ditty about unrequited love from the Lemonheads’ magnus opus, 1992’s It’s a Shame About Ray.
Evan, of course, is the only recognizable member of the Lemonheads, a band that has always been known for its constant revolving door; in fact, he is the Lemonheads. And seeing what he can do with just a guitar and his voice — still surprisingly sonorous despite a life roughly lived — churning out a memorable 22-song set in just an hour and 15 minutes, it’s clear that he’s always been a one-man show. Musicians Gibby Haynes and Joseph Arthur came out to support Evan, and half way through the set, he was joined on stage by guitarist Chris Brokaw, with whom he harmonized beautifully.
Fans will be pleased with the set list for this bare-bones 35-date tour, being that Evan gave us a nice mix of outtakes from his different albums, along with a few of his favored covers. From Ray he also played “Rudderless”, “Drug Buddy”, and “The Turnpike Down”; from 1993’s Come on Feel the Lemonheads he did “Down About It”, “Favorite T”, “The Great Big No” and “Style”; and from 1996’s Car Button Cloth he gave us “If I Could Talk”, “The Outdoor Type” and “Hospital.” There were other favorites like the B-side “Being Around,” and both “Hard Drive” and “All My Life” from his 2003 solo album, Baby I’m Bored. And from the Lemonheads’ 2009 covers album, Varhsons, Evan performed “Mexico” by Fuckemos and “Layin’ Up With Linda” by GG Allin. Noticeably absent were the Lemonheads’ two biggest radio hits, “It’s A Shame About Ray” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.”
Barely speaking between songs, save for the occasional thank you, and hiding behind his signature scrappy hair, Evan delivered a moving, no-gimmick set that couldn’t help but remind you that despite all the glitz and glam and sensationalism in much of the current music scene, at the end of the day it’s really all about raw talent.
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Evan Dando’s U.S. tour dates:
Wed 02/03/10
Allston, MA
Great Scott
Thu 02/04/10
Northampton, MA
Iron Horse Music Hall
Fri 02/05/10
Philadelphia, PA
The M Room
Sat 02/06/10
Arlington, VA
IOTA Club & Cafe
Tue 02/09/10
Charlotte, NC
Tremont Music Hall
Wed 02/10/10
Athens, GA
40 Watt Club
Thu 02/11/10
Gainesville, FL
Common Grounds
Fri 02/12/10
Tampa, FL
The Crowbar
Sat 02/13/10
Orlando, FL
Back Booth
Tue 02/16/10
St. Louis, MO
Old Rock House
Wed 02/17/10
Indianapolis, IN
Radio Radio
Thu 02/18/10
Detroit, MI
The Majestic
Fri 02/19/10
Chicago, IL
Double Door
Sat 02/20/10
Minneapolis, MN
The 400 Bar
Sun 02/21/10
Omaha, NE
The Waiting Room
Tue 02/23/10
Dallas, TX
The Prophet Bar
Wed 02/24/10
Austin, TX
Emo's Indoor Stage
Fri 02/26/10
Tucson, AZ
Plush
Sat 02/27/10
Hollywood, CA
Hotel Cafe
Sun 02/28/10
San Francisco, CA
Cafe Du Nord
Tue 03/02/10
Portland, OR
Doug Fir Lounge
Wed 03/03/10
Seattle, WA
Tractor Tavern
Sat 03/06/10
New York, NY
Mercury Lounge