So last night i went to check him out at a local bar.

First off, the opening band, "Crystal Skulls" was very good. Not the greatest band name, but they sounded GREAT. If i was to describe what they sound like i would say a cross between duncan sheik, spoon, and minus the bear. I have not heard their recorded stuff yet, but I will soon.

Vanderslice and his band were amazing - FLATOUT. I highly suggest seeing this guy/and his band live. Pretty kick ass dude to boot. He hung out and drank beer with us after the show. It was a damn good time + I am so glad i went.

Anyone else catch him on this tour?

I've seen John before and wasn't that impressed. D'ya think his onstage style has improved in the past couple of years?

I am seeing Crystal Skulls open ...shoot, can't remember who...soon and wanna check them out. Thanks for the description.

i really do.......performance-wise reminded me of ted leo. his band was really good.

i think the biggest shocker for the night was the crystal skulls. i was not expecting to see 2 great bands last night.

For those that havent heard vanderslice's latest album - here is a tune from it

08 continuation.mp3

vanderslice is a really good performance, totally reminds me of ted leo live. unfortunately, that also includes the constant banter. (can't these guys just play two songs in a row?) and he's never been the best band of the night when i've seen him. first time, he opened for beulah. second time, sufjan stevens had people dragging their jaws on the floor.

one of my co-workers saw him in chicago over the weekend and said it was really good. i'll need to check him out the next time.

I've never seen Beulah live, but I thought JV and band were far more entertaining than Sufjan, especially with his previous drummer.

Like Timis said, he's also extremely personable, during, before and after his shows. I wish more artists were like him.

Really? Is that common for Ted Leo, because I don't remember him talking much.

ayah, help me out here. Maybe my memory is not so good.

last time i saw JV they had a grab bag of stuff they collected on the tour and started passing it out to the audience. i think they gave out a pair of panties.

he's playing in boston on the 24th but i already got a ticket for jamie lidell so i'm gonna have to miss him this time around.

he's always talked a fair amount, but the last time i saw him, he talked and/or tuned after every song. and he replied to every single person who yelled something out. it was kinda ridiculous.

I saw him play with Okkervil River a little over two years ago. I got there super early and was able to converse with both he and Will Sheff, I even helped them get to a local sub shop for dinner. I thought Okkervil River had the better show, but Vanderslice did an awesome job of hosting a hip hop dance party after the show.

I don't think he talked after every song at our show. I'm sure there was probably more banter than I remember, though.

Vanderslice always seems to play with great bands, whether as an opener or a closer...

crackerjack show but, depending on the night, he can get overshadowed once in a while...

Speaking of Mr. 'slice, he's playing here on the 26th.

ayah, date?

Vanderslice is playing Norman/OKC on 5/4 which is a Thursday. I'm trying to talk the Mrs into it and taking friday off.

I know we have a few people in OKC and in the region on the board... Anyone going? and let's have some beers.

I think I see ayah.

Let's see if she clicks into this thread.

don't remember.
i was too busy gazing into your big brown...er, hazel... umm brown eyes.

vanderslice on april 26th. next wednesday?
can't do wednesdays--kids.
too bad it's not tonight. no kids until friday night.
sonny's doing an outward bound thing with school and daughter's at crazy gramma's house.

I am magical like that.

Damn. Maybe if I go to the Iron Horse alone again I'll run into those two boys I met last time. And get whacked in the head by their awesome air drumming.

upcoming shows look sucky but here's news for all of my male lesbian friends here on the board*: ani defranco in july.

*sketch, lumpy (you bastard), frosted?

he did some solo stuff when I saw him with Mountain Goats. pretty good, but not enoughb to form an opinion, really.

he actually did talk quite a bit and i remember being frustrated because the sound was not very good that night and i couldn't understand anything he said except that he carried on about not performing since u were gone. whatever.
i did enjoy the show.

I almost drove up to Chicago a few days early to catch Vanderslice, but a stupid Easter get together had to ruin everything.

That was the Apollo Sunshine night. It's coming back to me now.