AXIS|OF|LIVE

Scotland Rocks New York with Sons and Daughters & 1990s @ Bowery Ballroom

Written by Nicole Steinberg

Friday, 06 April 2007

The Scottish sure do know how to advertise. Scotland Rocks New York, a concert event during Tartan Week in NYC, rendered the Bowery Ballroom a sea of blue and white, from balloons to flags to the occasional umbrella. Outfitted with accessories galore, the Scottish tourism industry unleashed two of its best homegrown bands on our fair city, 1990s and Sons and Daughters, as well as its signature weather pattern: rainy, cloudy and cold. "Sorry," Jackie McKeown of 1990s told us with a sheepish smile. Mother Nature was definitely in the Tartan spirit.

The evening got off to a late start, with Nicole Atkins & The Sea heading out onto the stage around 8:40. Funnily enough, Nicole Atkins = not Scottish! I had visions of taking a photo of her and photoshopping a red stamp print onto it that read "NOT SCOTTISH." But that might be cruel. She was full of the Scottish spirit and her band performed an impressive set that only went on a teensy bit too long. The main problem with their set was that it was framed by rather dreary numbers (the first one seemed to be about cemeteries), with perkier, poppy songs in between. They really should have begun and ended with the poppy tunes. Good stuff, otherwise. Her band seemed incredibly earnest, especially the highly-jazzed keyboardist.

Then it was all about the great Scots, and 1990s bounded out, tiny and full of energy. These three were so adorable, and so excited to be playing New York City. 1990s consist of one former member of V-Twin and two former members of The Yummy Fur (you may know two more famous past members of the latter from a slightly famous band called Franz Ferdinand). Jackie, Jamie and Michael ripped into an awesome set of indie rock/pop, including "You Made Me Like It," "Arcade Precinct," "Jingle Bells," and "You're Supposed to Be My Friend," which I know is in some sort of car commercial here in the States. Jackie McKeown (he of the truly British teeth) acknowledged the theme of the evening, apologizing for the weather as mentioned, and explaining that the night was meant to promote tourism to Scotland. "But if I lived in New York, I'd never want to leave!" he exclaimed. "But... I'm contractually obligated, so... go to Scotland!"

Over the course of their set, they drank, shrieked, and even shared a bit of affection when Jackie kissed Michael on the head. Aww. We all wanted to put them in our pockets for gentle petting. (Heavy petting might make them giggle.) I expect big things for them. They were ever so happy when people knew their songs. Jackie spotted me singing along to their new single, "See You at the Lights," and practically lit up with glee. Glee! 1990s = glee. I'd put a "GLEE!" stamp on one of their photographs just like the "Not Scottish" one.

I must mention here that Bobby Kildea of Belle & Sebastian was DJing between sets, but for some reason, they stuck him up in the balcony where no one could see him. This was a travesty, because Bobby Kildea also = glee. And also = sexy thoughts.

The main act of the evening was Sons and Daughters, who are currently busy at work on a new album. They used their set as a test-run for a lot of their new songs, and while they were all killer, they didn't quite enliven the crowd, who were there to hear classics from their EP, Love the Cup and first LP, The Repulsion Box. I personally remember dancing a lot more when I saw them at the Mercury Lounge in 2005. I also got hit in the face that night with Adele Bethel's microphone cord, which I didn't miss this time. Girl flings that thing around like a whip. Of course, Adele was on her game as always, prowling back and forth across the stage with her signature growls, shrieks and yelps. We noticed that she had bandaids on the back of each ankle, probably because the awesome heels she was wearing hurt like a bitch. Oh, the price of fashion. David Gow and Ailidh Lennon were the quiet ones as usual, content to pound out a fantastic rhythm section without much fanfare. Another difference between this show and the Mercury Lounge show was the crackling electricity between Adele and guitarist/vocalist Scott Paterson. I don't remember so much flirtation at the last show. Makes for good watching, I can assure you.

I did like the new songs a lot, especially "Gilt Complex" (about being "sickened by celebrity") and "Girl Group," but the highlights of their relatively short set were opener and past single "Dance Me In," and the always terrific "Johnny Cash." I'm really excited for their new album, though they didn't give any hints as to a release date. I have to say that overall, even though S&D were foot-stomping and awesome as usual, 1990s was the act of the evening. They really stole the show with their good tunes and contagious enthusiasm; oh, and the glee. Can't forget the glee.

S&D setlist:

Dance Me In / Hunt / Nest / Gift / Red Receiver / Taste the Last Girl / War on Love / Rebel / Choked / Gilt Complex / Johnny Cash // Rama Lama / Girl Group

Check out some photos below. You can view the rest at my Flickr.

Nicole Atkins and The Sea