disclaimer: this is a very long loveletter to a perfect night. Feel free to skim it or skip it

Wow.

I did it. I survived. I had been fighting a stomach virus for days but got my act together enough last night to head down to First Ave for the Interpol show.

It was a loooong great night of Interpol.

Walking into coat check, the night started out right- a productive stop at the merchandise table. These punks keep touring and each time I've seen them in the past year they have new stuff. So, sucker for merchandise that I am, I fell for it again. As I type this, I'm sitting all cozy in my ultra soft, super cute Interpol HOODIE.

Anywho, back to the night. It was an early evening show and the club was packing quickly. We headed upstairs to get a warm-up beverage and adjust to the crowd. I nursed a beer and then a 7up coctail, trying to ignore my headache and the sommersaults of my stomach.

Since it was filling up quickly, we did a strange thing and went down to the floor during the opener. Q and not U was the band. I knew nothing of them going in. They were an odd but fun band. They played a quirky mix of electronica with an almost punk rawk sound. They were a strange outfit to see open for Interpol as they had not one drop of style in the whole band. But it didn't matter. They had enough energy to actually engage a huge crowd which had little knowledge of them before the night.

Once the opener ended, the floor did the standard shuffle as people went off to get their drinks and whatnots before Interpol took stage. This allowed me and my crew to get in perfect position in front of the stage- just off center to the right as you face the stage. We were maybe 2 "rows" back by the start of the show. I was having hot flashes and jumpy-tummy and a little shaky. Drinking was now making me a bit spacy, so I decided to keep goin for it

So finally it was time. Interpol took the stage.



The set began with the welcoming strains of Next Exit. By the end of the first song, they had managed to beat my sickness. I was pulled in. I'm not good with recalling set lists, so I won't do a song by song list. Suffice it to say that they played nearly all of Antics and a handfull of songs from the 1st album (Obstacle 1, PDA, Stella..., Leif Erickson).

Once again, they blew me away. This was my 5th Interpol show and I was a bit worried about a bit of overkill setting in. It didn't happen. Once again I was absolutely blown away by the tightness of the band. Non-stop touring has clearly paid off as they just kick it out onstage.

Never one to disappoint, Paul's vocals were big and brooding and as powerful live as they are on CD. Daniel continued to work out the guitar. For big portions of the show, he held my attention completely. As the show progressed, he allowed himself to drop some of the coolness that Interpol is all about, show off his talent and enjoy the night.

Of course, there's one member left who I must discuss. Carlos D.





I love this man. I had strategically located myself so I'd be directly in front of his seXXXy self. Now, he has coolness down to an art. Just kicking out the bass all night without ever messing up his hair or breaking a smile. He's just the epitome of a rockstar. Too cool for school. But, he pulls it off. YUMMMMM

Okay, a few highlights:
"Slow Hands" was played VERY early in the set which I loved. I like when newer bands have the balls to kick out their 'big hit' early on and move on with the show.

"Not Even Jail" began with a wall of fighting feedback. It put in me in a trance. By the time they they slammed into the beat of the song, the whole crowd went mad.

"Evil" has been my favorite song since Antics came out. They did the song justice once again. However...

"Take You On A Cruise" stole the show for me. The lights went crazy at all the perfect moments. The crowd was into it and I just lost my self.

Now, the show itself would've been enough for a great night, but the night was LONG from over. Carlos D (my Interpol boyfriend) has a passion for DJing as well. My hope came true as they announced that he would be spinning a set in VIP room later that night.

He got on the tables around midnight and spun his records untill 2:30. It was TOO damn fun. He occasionally dropped in some newer electro stuff but his set was heavy on old goth/industrial/new wave sounds. From the Cure to Siouxie to Nitzer Ebb to Ministry to New Order the songs just kept coming. He has rather eclectic taste as he also threw on Heart's Barracuda at one point. As is common with rock-star/DJ's he had GREAT taste in songs, but his transitions were frequently trainwrecks. But whatevs, I'm not complaining. It was his party and it was a fun party.

I just lost my head. The VIP room is a very intimate space. The DJ is right on the floor, level with everyone. We danced our way front and center of Carlos and stayed there. While he was going to town, the rest of the band was just milling about the bar enjoying the party. TOO MUCH FUN. I got a handshake when he was done with his set and I believe I began floating at that point.

We finally left the Ave around 3 AM. I think I must have killed my illness with liquor and/or sweated it all out cos today I feel surprisingly good. Of course, I'm wrapped in my new sweatshirt still blissed out by the perfection of last night.

All I know, is if Interpol keeps this up they may become a very big thing. The show was completely sold-out, they had the crowd in their hand all night. I hope they pull it off.

Thanks for listening

YAY!!!!!

Glad you had SUCH a good time and I'm sorry I missed it. Even if I'd gotten a ticket I'd have had to give it up last night with as sick as I am.

To top such a show off with dancing to such a great list in the VIP would have been phenomonal!!

Knowing how much you like Interpol, I'm glad you had such a great time and that you're able to remember it all I've yet to sample their ware. I'll seek it out soon.

I want the night back!I want to say more to Paul! After shaking Carlos' hand - and a firm handshake it was ..we continued to dance & hang out almost until close. Darin pointed out that a couple of Interpols were in the VIP room at the bar...man I had to say something. I went up & put my hands on each of their backs, one wearing a hoodie w/ the hood up, and the other being quite non-incognito. When they turned around, I realized that it was the lead-s Paul in the hoodie I then proceeded to thank them for the music as they've heard it all. Paul then compliments me on my t-shirt...a Peaches T that says "Fuck the Pain Away". Then I said "thanks!" and walked away. Oh I am a star-struck girly! I went online early this a.m. to see if there was a way to contact them. But I got distracted by the need to go to bed. Anyway, it was an awesome show with an awesome night & ending. Defly one to call home about

i was wondering if you had felt up to makin it to the show last night--good that you pulled through and had a ball, man!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Totally off topic, but it's a picture of Deja in Deja's avatar! Cute.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

THANKS!

FYI- the "remodel" of the VIP room apparently just involved a fresh coat of black paint on the wall. 'cept for that it looked exactly the same...

endorphin74 said:

ehh, i figured they weren't gonna do much with it...but man, they made it sound like they were actually gonna do somethin with it.

Hooray for D! I listened to Antics for the first time fully today and liked it quite a bit. "Narc" is my favorite song of theirs. I'd say they have a chance to crack my top 10 albums of 2004.

Moonbeam said:

yooooou!!!!!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

OhmyGodit'sDansa!

Moonbeam said:

ohmygodit'smoonbeamhow'veyoubeenimissyou!!!!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

LifehasbeenincrediblyhecticbutI'mmanagingokIsupposehow'veyoubeen?!

Moonbeam said:

KITTY!!!!!

That's so great Darin.

I'm jealous though. I actually had tickets for their show in October, but circumstances prevented me from going. And they're not coming to Detroit this time around, which is a big bummer. Wish I could've been there with you. I think I'm one of the very few who actually likes 'Antics' more than their debut.

GangstaFam said:

Sorry kitty

at least we all got to enjoy them in Chicago!

And I am with you. Antics was a much stronger album, IMO.

ps- I got home to a new Spin in my mailbox and guess what? Yup, Interpol's on the cover my obsession can continue

endorphin74 said:

Awesome. Did you get the Filter from last year with them on the cover too? There's another one out with Carlos on the cover with a heading something like, "The Cult of Carlos D." Can't remember which mag though.

I think their first album is really impressive, striking and majestic. But their new one is just so tight. I find it much more listenable.

GangstaFam said:

I haven't seen that Filter. But I do have the mag with Carlos D. It's "Urb" and the interview with him is verrrrry nice.

endorphin74 said:

Is it online?

GangstaFam said:

Barely...there's a sample of it at:

http://www.urb.com/cover/carlosd.shtml

it doesn't look like they have full text (or pics) online though