The Breeders at the Metro, 5/31/08

In the interest of full disclosure, I'll open this review by stating that the Pixies are one of my all-time favorite bands, and have been since junior high. I firmly believe that Kim Deal is one of the patron saints of the music scene today (with a particular impact on female musicians), and short of reinventing herself as Shania Twain or something equally horrid, she can do no wrong in my eyes.

That being said, however, the history of the Breeders has been rocky at best, and fraught with dissension and uncertainty. Constant lineup changes, not to mention Kelley Deal's well-publicized drug bust in 1995, have forced Kim to practically reinvent the band on every record. (And with The Amps in the mid 90s, she did.) Furthermore, I've seen bad Breeders shows: shows where Kim and Kelley seem snippy with each other, where the audience doesn't connect with the new backing band, where Kelly doesn't seem confident in her playing, where Kim's already cigarette-husky voice is shot, where the tempos just never seem to click.

Last Saturday's show at the Metro, I'm happy to say, was none of those things. In fact, I'd venture to say that it was the tightest Breeders show I've ever seen. Kim was laughing and joking with the audience, Kelley's guitar playing was rock solid, and they had the entire Metro (sold-out, packed to the gills, and hot as hell) singing along and bouncing to the beat. (And if you know Chicago, and Chicago's aging hipsters, it's next to impossible to get 'em to dance.) Songs came from all over the Breeders' catalogue, and fans were pleased to not only hear new songs from Mountain Battles, but a number of old favorites from Pod, Last Splash, Title TK, The Amps' album Pacer, and even a couple rarities from the Safari and Head to Toe EPs.

The Deal twins were joined on the new album and tour by TK vets Mando Lopez (ex Fear) on bass and Jose Medeles on drums. Special guest stars included the dreadlocked Cheryl-from-Florida on guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals, and Ms. Heather Winna (from Chicago) playing marching cymbals on "Walk it Off." (Winna's musical stylings were also featured on the record... which only makes sense, as her long-time partner Steve Albini recorded Mountain Battles in town at his Electrical Audio studios.)

And without further ado, dear readers, I kept track of the setlist for you.

Tipp City
Huffer
Bang On
Shocker in Gloomtown
Divine Hammer
Night of Joy
No Aloha
Pacer
We're Gonna Rise
It's the Love
Walk it Off
New Year
Cannonball
I Just Wanna Get Along
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Iris
Safari
German Studies
Empty Glasses

first encore:
Overglazed
Fortunately Gone
Here No More
Saints

second encore:
Full on Idle

(psst... the Deal sisters celebrate their birthday on June 10th. Tune into the show to find out when we'll be dedicating an entire show to their music. It's a little something we like to call "Red Hot Deal Days.")