My thoughts and concert recap of
VINTAGE TROUBLE and THE PARLOTONES Atlanta Ga. 10-14-2011
Well, first of all, I want to thank NoAngel, or was it SusieFierce, for tweeting the YT of "Stars Fall Down" by the Parlotones. They had me at "trace my face while it's a happy face". This group just makes me happy. If I had to label them with one word, it would be "lovely".
Although their songs kinda have a "sameness" to them, (I'm normally bored with too much of the same), I find myself loving most of the Parlotones' tunes. The group seems tight knit...very cohesive and talented...but I find I only notice Kahn Morbee, the lead siinger, most of the time. There's a sweetness about him and I love the tone of his vocals, especially on the slower songs (my favs are the bleeding heart love songs). I also love the silly lyrics, "Umbrellas and trampolines" "money schmoney", " billions of blue, blistering barnicles", etc. And, of course, I find their So. African accents just adorable...."desire...inspire...dance...chance". Also, I've noticed a favorite lyric/image used quite extensively is "taste". Whether its "honey, we have forever to taste...tickle and taste...honey you're delicious..do we taste the same....as chocolate melts on your hot, hot lips/skin, and lots more. Since I'm an official AFL "team tongue" member, maybe I'm just more into that imagery. LOL. Anyway, on to last nite's concert(s).
Husband, son and I headed to Atlanta...arrived at Smith's Old Bar in Midtown @ 6pm. We had dinner (fairly good bar food) and just hung out until the first opening act at 9PM. It was almost 1AM ET before the Parlotones finished. Vintage Trouble played for about 45 minutes and then another not-so-good group for another 45 minutes and The Parlotones for about an hour or so.
While we were waiting beforehand in the bar, I noticed Ty Taylor out front of Smith's Bar takiing pics of the front. I went outside and talked to him for a while. He was really sweet...seemed thrilled that I knew who he was. He asked how I knew about the band and I told him because of Adam. He grinned from ear to ear. I, of course, went on and on about how wonderful it is that Adam is so supportive of other musicians, etc. He asked me how well I knew Adam, LOL, and I told him I was a "big time" fan...talked about GNT...told him about flying out for ClubNokia show...showed him my tattoo, etc. I had mentioned that I was from Alabama and had driven over 200 miles...and he thanked me several times for coming so far (he assumed I had come just to see VT)
Although I had seen some YTubes, I really didn't know much about VT, except for the AFL connection...so I didn't know their songs. I liked their stuff, but didn't love it. Ty worked the stage well....got so sweaty that the back of his tan suit coat was soaked through. There were only about 8-10 peeps standing in front of the band (only got l dark pic in photobucket link below) and maybe 20 more seated.....I kinda felt sorry for them, but outside of 2 fans from LA (who were also AFL fans) no one there knew who they were. He reached down and squeezed my hand during one song...I thought that was really sweet. I tried doing my part, but the audience love was minimal.
After their set ended, I watched him (still in that soaked coat) lugging his equipt. off stage. I thought about how hard groups like this work.....some make it big, and some struggle on and on. I couldn't help but think of our Adam, and how wonderful his life is now....Thank You God!
After a second opening act (don't remember their name) the Parlotones began around midnite. By this time, there were probably 100 people there. I had no problem walking up and claiming front row center (Thank goodness there were some tables and chairs or hubby and son wouldn't have made it) The venue was basically a bar. A small stage and GA area.
I felt really special being so close up. (most of the pics hubby took were awful, but I picked out a few below), but also felt a little sad that there weren't more people there. I stood next to 2 lovely 20 somethings from So. Africa who were in Atlanta for business. They were so proud of The Parlotones. There were maybe a hand full more fans who knew the words and sang along. They sang probably 10-12 songs....most of the best ones, including...Overexpose, Stars fall Down, Push Me To the Floor, Only Human, Life Design, Remember When, Baby Be Mine, Giant Mistake, I'll Be There and I'm forgetting one or two. They didn't sing "Beautiful", but did an encore of a new not yet released slow song and Elvis' "Hunk of Burning Love". lol. About a dozen of us up front yelled loud enough that they did an encore.
Kahn is just so cute. He's kinda small. Sings a lot with his eyes closed...really seems to be feeling the music. He also dances around and is just precious. Hubby and son said they liked Stars Fall Down and Push Me To The Floor best....thought the sound was really good about 25 feet back where they were. They both agreed that The Parlotones sounded better than Adam Lambert!!! Off with their heads!!! They really try, but don't enjoy listening to AFL....his music is just not their cuppa.
Anyway, sorry to be so rambling. But I had a really good time...enjoyed myself.. and because of the low attendance,felt like I almost had my own personal concert. And another highlight of the evening was the opportunity to tell all the Parlotone fans about AFL and how I found VT and The Parlotones thru my associations with AFL and AFL fans. It's all good.
Anyone not familiar with The Parlotones check out their fantastic, very prof. vids on YouTube....very impressive. I wish them well.
s1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff405/runegm/?start=all