Great show last night. 

Peter Buck up first, singing lead, which was novel, promoting his new record, no bass player, rather two other guitarists (Kurt Bloch and Scott McCaughey). Decidedly not sounding like jangly guitar pop, but rather more garage, bluesy. He’s got a low voice. One song was about “getting out of the house” because it’s sunny out. Another song’s refrain was “I’m Alive.” Cool to see Buck up there as the front man.

Young Fresh Fellows next. McCaughey wearing SF Giants swag, including serape.  Looked kinda like Jerry Garcia. Drummer with all these ridiculous props – and bizarre style, couple times he crossed his legs while drumming, floor tom like only 1 foot of the ground, other tom spun around. Fun to watch.  They played a covered “Georgie Girl” and then of course their own material, doing their bar band, jangly pop.

Then came Robyn, doing his thang like only he can do.  Started out solo playing “Only The Stones Remain” and then “Cheese Factory” and then a new song called “Dismal City.” Then joined by Sean Nelson singing awesome harmony.  Played “Wreck of the Arthur Lee” so pretty. And then “Alright, Yeah” and “Sometimes A Blonde.”  He can really cast a spell. Switched to electric, also drums and bass, with Buck on twelve string electric and Hitchcock on the Rickenbacker, the two guitars sounding so good, McCaughey on bass, Bill Rieflin on drums, basically the Venus 3 lineup plus Nelson.   Played old songs like “Chinese Bones” and “Flesh Number One” from Globe of Frogs. Then “Element of Light” again with killer harmonies. Cool to hear these Egyptian songs with this line up. Then an old Soft Boys song, “Kingdom of Love” into “Ole Tarantula”, two songs about eggs back to back. Closed with “Goodnight Oslo” and then the requisite “Viva Seattle Tacoma” – and the space needle points to the sky. Came back out and played “Queen of Eyes” as an encore.

Seen Hitchcock a bunch over the years and this was as good as ever. Thanks guys –