I saw Nick Cave’s new band Grinderman last night and I damn near swooned despite Nick Cave’s moustache.
I can’t think of a better show I’ve seen within the last few years. The entire audience knew the words to every Grinderman and Bad Seeds song and everyone was really into it. Maybe too into it. I didn’t expect to be pushed around or dodge crowd surfers at a Nick Cave show. This is why he doesn’t come to the United States you stupid howling frat boys! Well, actually at the end of the show he said he would see us next year with the Bad Seeds. So he will return but no more jumping on my toes, bitches.
And the band looked happy, too. Happy and sometimes a little pissed off. I don’t know if the band’s crew was having a bad night or it was Metro staff but the roadies were incredibly slow helping with broken guitars and falling mic stands. Twice Nick had to abandon his instrument and go to the side of the stage to distract from the slow fixing going on behind him.
Warren Ellis shredded his bow, Nick made the most pained faces singing about his no pussy blues and everyone smiled the most while making lots of noise.
I think they played every song from the Grinderman CD then after many excuses about not having the right members or instruments, they performed 2 encores of Bad Seeds songs. It’s amazing to see the band go from roaring out No Pussy Blues to Nick sitting down to play The Lyre of Orpheus. That’s why I like Nick Cave, every album sounds different and every album is fucking great.
Oh lawd, I gots to go cool off.