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Cake, Gomez rock at college stop |
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Written by NED O'REILLY, photos by BARRY BRECHEISEN
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Friday, 15 April 2005 |
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About five songs into his band’s headlining set, Cake frontman John McCrae announced that they had just that day decided to leave their label (Columbia). He then made critical remarks about the nature of the music industry, encouraging folks to sign the band’s mailing list because we “might not hear from them again” otherwise.
This put an odd spin on a fun and sometimes riveting night of rock and roll. Cake had the No. 1 slot on the bill and were up to their usual antics, but before them, Gomez played an invigorating hour-long set of modern prog rock, coming off as more of a co-headliner. | | |
Virgin College Mega Tour with Cake and Gomez |
 Entertainment (Cake)
 Art (Cake)
Entertainment (Gomez)
Art (Gomez)
Gentile Center, Loyola University
Chicago, Ill.
April 14, 2005 |
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While the audience had a great time, there was a sense that a significant portion of it was not familiar with Cake’s music. A loyal crowd in the center of the gym floor sang, danced, and cheered along with the tunes, but the gym’s high ceiling and the lack of alcohol sales kept the thousands more subdued than at many rock shows. The expansive space also diminished the impact of the supporting band of Vincent di Fiore (keyboards, percussion, harmony vocals, and trumpet), Xan McCurdy (guitar), Gabriel Nelson (bass), and Todd Roper (drums).
Unlike at their October gig at the Riviera, Cake played its biggest hits in a fairly standard concert order, saving the biggest for last. A political animal, vocalist McCrae likes to talk to his audiences, encouraging participation and particular responses, so “Sheep Go To Heaven,” “Satan Is My Motor,” “No Phone,” and the final encore “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” became extended singalongs. I’m a recent convert to the band, so I’m probably biased toward the newest stuff, but I loved first encore “Carbon Monoxide,” which featured audience shouts and chants. “No Phone”s singalong section went on too long, but it’s a terrific song regardless, featuring a creepy ‘80s techno drive not found anywhere else in the set.
As the middle act on the bill, England’s versatile Gomez took just the right tack. First, they wowed us with an intense opening tune that featured Ben Ottewell wailing like Eddie Vedder with better pitch control. The most intriguing of three singers, Ottewell then picked up his lead guitar and his harmony chops, not singing lead again for a while. Ian Ball, who looks and sounds more like your standard 20-something rocker – shoulder length hair, midrange vocals, strong rhythm guitar lines, regular raising of a hand with the index and pinky fingers up – seemed to be the front man. However, Tom Gray added yet another dimension from stage left where he beamed his winning grin from under a shaggy mop of hair and large black-rimmed glasses. Gray is Gomez’s cheerleader, but he also lends additional parts to most of the songs, usually with an acoustic guitar and harmony vocals (occasional lead). Gomez has a penchant for tempo, volume, and dynamic changes – hence the prog rock reference, and their longest jam of the night, led by their impeccable 3-part harmonies and featuring Ottewell’s most blistering lead guitar, would stand up to any art or hard rock outfit.
The Virgin Mega Tour also featured opening act Robbers On High Street out of New York. All four members are short of stature and could pass as high school freshmen, but these kids know how to rock. Their two-guitar, bass, drum (occasional keyboard) driving sound promises big things. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
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