Woods performed last night at the Echo in Los Angeles in support of their latest album, Bend Beyond. This was my very first time seeing the folksy-krautrockers and I was excited after having devoured their albums over the past few weeks thanks to @DogGoneBlog. Brooklyn-based Woods are made up of Jeremy Earl (vocals, guitar) Jarvis Taveniere (guitar) and bassist Kevin Morbyand. They’ve just recently been joined by drummer Aaron Neveu, so Taveniere can focus on guitar-shredding. The Woods vast catalog was on display at the Echo with the jam vehicle “Bend Beyond” and the pop tune, “Cali in a Cup” showing the balance the band has achieved over the years. Read on for my thoughts, photos and a quick jam clip from last night.
The one-hour set was indeed short by jam standards, but they aren’t exactly playing to the hippies of the world. The closest they get to that scene is an event called the Woodsist Festival in Big Sur, California. After experiencing Woods live last night, I’ve marked my calendar for next year’s event.
Here’s a short clip from the show:
https://twitter.com/scottyberger/status/259178395022270464
Three of my friends were also first timers to Woods (@WOODSIST) and each one came away with a new appreciation — one buddy even hit up the merch stand to buy the Bend Beyond vinyl.
After the show we went over the bands @Woodsist reminded us of. Built to Spill’s vocals mixed with Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s psychedelia, and the influence of Television’s double guitars, with the punk sensibilities of Pavement were all mentioned. The music was dished out mainly as kraut-rock but the yearning falsetto of Earl kept things firmly rooted in folk. Some may get turned off by Earl’s vocals but stick with it because it matches up the more you listen.
@phortin @scottyberger I know you guys were as impressed by @WOODSIST last night as I, those guys know how to shred. Great sound.
— Jonny (@jonnyonthespots) October 19, 2012
The band certainly needs to play a few jam-type festivals in the future. They are not to be missed and I fear they haven’t really found a niche of an audience outside of Pitchfork readers unfortunately. The catalog Woods have, and the psychedelic yet confined jams that develop are begging and pleading for a two-setter in the mountains somewhere. Speak of the devil…Hey @HighSierraMusic Festival, book these guys for a late night in the Funk N’ Jamhouse for 2013!
The band next plays San Diego, CA on Saturday night.
Woods Fall Tour Dates
Sat-Oct-20 San Diego, CA The Loft @ UCSD $
Sun-Oct-21 Pioneertown, CA Pappy and Harriets
Wed-Oct-24 Austin, TX Red 7 %
Thu-Oct-25 Dallas, TX Club Dada %
Fri-Oct-26 Memphis, TN Hi Tone %
Sat-Oct-30 Asheville, NC Grey Eagle
Wed-Oct-31 Durham, NC Duke Coffeehouse %
Thu-Nov-01 Richmond, VA Strange Matter %
Fri-Nov-02 Washington, DC Red Palace %
Sat-Nov-03 New York, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg %
* = with The Walkmen
% = with Widowspeak
$ = with White Fence
[OFFICIAL WOODS SITE] [@WOODSIST]
