Although rumors persist of a FEELIES reunion, this night’s show at the North Star Bar was, for fans of the seminal New Jersey band, as close as one could get. It was special not only because GLENN MERCER headlined, but because Feelies offshoot WILD CARNATION was also on the bill. Merder even found some old shirts from the last Feelies tour (for their 1991 album Time for a Witness) and sold them on this evening, thus adding to the slightly nostalgic feel of the evening. It’s not that this was an oldies show, however. Glenn has a new album to support and he showcased many of its songs during the course of his set.
Glenn and his band (including former Feelies VINNY DENUNZIO and DAVE WECKERMAN) played a solid set similar to their performance at the spring 2006 Hoboken Arts and Music Festival. Like that performance, the set consisted of a lot of new songs (since released on his first ever solo album Wheels in Motion) interspersed with Feelies classics like “It’s Only Life” and “Higher Ground” (from 1989’s Only Life) as well as the title track of their 1980 debut Crazy Rhythms. Although Glenn was notably upset that there were so few people in the audience, the small crowd that was there got what they paid for and then some when he came back out and did TELEVISION’s “Glory” (from their overlooked 1978 album Adventure) and THE VELVET UNDERGROUND’s “What Goes On” (which The Feelies also recorded for Only Life). The set seemed tighter than the show I caught last year as it’s obvious that the band has been playing out more and playing the songs better as a result.
THE SUCCESSFUL FAILURES ostensibly sounded good, playing hard-edged power pop with a slight commercial sheen that wasn’t a million miles from THE SMITHEREENS or MATERIAL ISSUE. However, there was something about them that prevented me from really liking them and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it was the drummer’s baseball hat or more likely, the slight commercial sheen I mentioned earlier. If they had less of that, I think they would be more up my alley.As I mentioned before, this wasn’t just a Glenn Mercer show but a Feelies-themed evening. Wild Carnation is fronted by former Feelies bassist BRENDA SAUTER, who sings and plays bass. Although they’ve only released 2 records in the last 12 years (including this year’s excellent Superbus), they are an excellent band who really should be a lot more popular given how catchy and accessible their songs are. In addition to Sauter’s reserved vocals and some great lyrics (none more so than “Saab Story”), the band is augmented by guitarist RICHARD BARNES, drummer CHRIS O’DONOVAN and keyboardist ANNE HOPKINS. Sounding very little like Sauter’s former band, they are instead more akin to STEREOLAB or ELECTRALANE, though I would argue more melodic than either. As such, they are well worth seeing.
