Everyone else is posting the shows they've seen this evening, so I might as well do the same.

Got there about 15 minutes into the set, the place (Empty Bottle, Chicago) was probably 1/2 to 3/4 full. I wore my "Scotland's for me!" Belle & Sebastian t-shirt and got a little too giddy at times. I briefly considered buying an "I Love My Arab Strap" t-shirt, but didn't feel like explaining arab straps to everyone who questioned the shirt.

The band (Arab Strap minus Aidan) is great. Like, really great. Aidan seems like a swell guy (a lot of "thank you"s to the crowd) and his voice doesn't irritate me on records, but live it was almost painful. He doesn't enunciate AT ALL. Ever.

Some of the songs they played: The Shy Retirer, Stink, There is No Ending, Don't Ask Me to Dance, While the Drunkard Muses..., and much more. I only recognized one slow song and they played a bunch of songs from Monday at the Hug & Pint (oh yeah! "Who Named the Days", too), but I'm too lazy to get the disc to find the names. I was most impressed by the fact that the songs live were very close to the recorded songs, only better. I did miss the horns, but that's the breaks. No one appreciates the horns like I do.

Malcolm Middleton... now there's an interesting cat. If you've heard his Fluoxytine 5:14 whatever album, you know that dude's nursing a serious broken heart and has some deep security issues. I was expecting a sloppy, half in the bag, hasn't shaven in weeks, fat shitbag, but no, he looked normal. Almost too normal with his polo shirt and jeans. Just a touch disappointing.

I'm finally over my fear of seeing Scottish bands. I had always avoided them because I didn't want their live shows to disappoint me and tarnish their godlike images in my brain. But Belle & Sebastian, even with the not-so-stellar set list and now Arab Strap, have convinced me that it's okay to support my boys from Scotland.

Z also attended the show because he rocks. He might be able to add a bit to my description since he's not really a fan of theirs.

I also went to a wedding today and drank three Sangrias. I don't drink anymore, so those three have made me a little goofy. And talkative (typative?).

Damn...makes me wish I had seen them here. There were a ton of bands playing the same night and I could only pick one. I hope they return to the states soon.

just time your next trip to scotland carefully...

Seriously.

in addition to what red said....i totally agree (the band was tiiight) - however i wouldnt say aidan's voice is painful.

HOWEVER
these obner cats pulled a "new york" style in going to shows.....the opening band was pretty darn good - "A Whisper in the Noise". kind of hard to describe their sound b/c they have many different styles. so if you go to see the strap get there early to see these guys.

Nah, we were at a wedding that went later than expected. I would've gotten there early to stand in the front row if I could have.

i think i am going to go on record and say that i liked the opener better then the headliner....

i wish i could give a good ryil..but i cant

however times they reminded me of sigur ros, fugazi, pink floyd.....all over the place <--- but in a good way

"A Whisper in the Noise"
http://www.myspace.com/awitn