Also playing: Allison Moorer and The Polyphonic Spree

Inclement weather delayed the start of the show by only a few minutes, and the initially sparse crowd swelled after the first few songs. With the exception of a newer song, the setlist included the standards (in no particular order except first and last: Exhibit A, Walk You Home, TWIMTB, Blow It Out, TAMWTSTB, Mosis Ptosis, 2x2, Leave It All Behind, Me and The Skirts, Darkroom, Situation Gone Bad, and Thursday). As with the recent crop of shows, on-stage energy was high. This was exemplified best when Parrish actually stood up and bounced around to The Way It's Meant to Be. Rollum was cruelly exiled from his usual center stage throne, only to be shoved behind some equipment at stage left. His amazing presence was still felt, however.

The Polyphonic Spree seemlessly played through about a dozen or so songs, including all their hits. Their encore began with a 5 minute break in their set-closer-- giving the 23 members time to exit the stage, re-appear behind the dense crowd, and take the stage again. They ended with their first big hit "Reach for the Sun". From my perspective up front, there were very few people without huge smiles on their faces. Honestly, I was a little creeped out, but enjoyed myself nonetheless.

(Edited by carligula at 12:19 pm on Aug. 12, 2004)

this was probably my favorite show all year, even though i usually despise outdoor shows. the features were great as usual and the polyphonic spree was fantastic.

did they play 'the beginning'? i don't remember hearing it.

i'm always happy to hear 'situation gone bad', and that new one was pretty cool too.

hope everyone has fun at the boro tonight-i'm 98% sure i will not be there.

They didn't play the begining... Carl was just drinking the Polyphonic Kool-Aid to soon.

You're right. The Beginning has been stricken from the record.

Kinda by the numbers, but it's been a while so I was happy to see them again. Could someone please provide Pelham with a decent meal soon? He looks to be on the losing end of nourishment.

I sincerly apologize to anyone that I may have offended during the Spree. I was being controlled by the life-affirming vibes that dug deep into my subconscious and reminded me that I need to look up and out more than I do. Alas, I hope no one was troubled by fluffy pink confections that floated off the tip-top of my head or the rays of hot white light that shined from my fingers and teeth. If I did offend you I hope I gave you a hug after we all were lovingly placed softly back to the terra firma.

Sorry, but I thought it was pretty lackluster last night. Rollum and Pelham in particular looked like they had something more important to do. And the sound sucked, at least close to the stage. I'm still 50/50 on going to the show tonight. Fuck it, I'll probably be there.

I liked the The Features set. I like all of their shows. I didn't like the girl that much. As a T.Rex fan, she kind of offended me.

The Polyphonic Spree was the greatest show I've ever seen in all of my life. I didn't want it to end...I have never had such a good time at a concert. I was smiling and bouncing and singing and dancing along with the rest of the crowd, and the good feelings they made me feel I don't ever want to go away.

Oh, and Polyphonic Spree is the white P-Funk. I mean that in a good way.

I'm really happy the Features got to play what will most likely be the best Uptown Mix show this year. I love me some Ben Folds, but I can't imagine last night's performance being topped.

yeah, i thought the features were kind of crap last night. you couldn't hear the vocals at all in the front and the overall sound was kind of weedy, but it really didn't bother me that much until allison moorer got up there and sounded perfect, almost like listening to a well-produced record. it didn't help matters that matt seemed to be wearing his i-don't-give-a-shit mask. not that i blame him--it was probably kind of disheartening to see the weather keep the crowd so minimal, but sheesh...i was kind of underwhelmed. here's hoping tonights show will be as full-on and blistering as last night was half-arsed and dodgy.

i didn't really care for allison moorer much. her professional session-musician-looking backing band really got on my nerves, especially all the by-the-numbers guitar-wankery. i wasn't impressed, but she's talent isn't she? phew! it would've been nice if Her Hotness would've got off the stage sooner, though, leaving more time for the spree.

the polyphonic spree was, needless to say, quite brilliant. even a cynical fucker like me is easily overwhelmed with the goodwill and joy their music exudes...they could've played all night long and nothing would've kept me from dancing about and singing along. i felt young again, albeit briefly. then they stopped playing, and i was reminded of how old and unnecessary i am. so i went home. all in all, a pretty blissful evening.

I thought the Features set was overall pretty good except for the mixing. The vocals were too low and the keys tended to be too loud. I really liked the new song. Mosis Ptosis was a bit "low key" compared to other efforts. Maybe it was the venue. Roger used a bass effect on one song that reminded me of an effect commonly used by Muse. Kind of odd but I liked it. Also nice to see Parrish throwing in some different, trippy sound effects on some of the old standards.

Polyphonic Spree was great. It's what you get when the Teletubbies grow up, abduct the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, and everyone takes a healthy dose of MDMA before going onstage.

J

(Edited by somethingman at 4:49 pm on Aug. 12, 2004)

Well I'm sorry that I missed this one. Anything that could make both TLW and Andrew that happy must've been really incredible.

Thanks to whoever left me a voicemail of the Features playing. I couldn't tell who you were.

Someone liked this enough to make it their quote on the polyphonicspree.com meassageboard.

This was one of the best shows I have ever been to!! I had only heard a few songs by the polyphonic spree so I didn't know much about them. I was pretty shocked, but I loved it. I don't know if I've ever had so much fun at a show in my life!

As far as The Features set goes, it was pretty awesome. The sound was bad at the front, but oh well. It doesn't matter how bad the sound can be, it was still great to see them.

Cold, wet, the sound wasn't very good and I still had a wonderful time!!!!! This is the power of the features...and their fans!!!! I had so much fun dancing with Token and Miss9!!! Wish I could have stuck around for the entire show-I would have enjoyed the Polyphonic Spree and watching LW dance his heart out.

I saw it. That's awesome.

I thought the Polyphonic spree was just... okay. I couldn't handle lyrics like, "Hail to the sky/ we're gonna see a show/ the trees wanna grow/ Grow! GRow! Grow!"
But, I think the spree affected me in unknown ways. After the show, my cheeks started hurting from smiling too much, and my roomate and I were so hyped up that we went home, got drunk, and had our own 80's dance party till 7 in the morning.

And the french horn player was ADORABLE.

I had to go and talk to him after the show and got all smitten and stupid. I totally blew it.

yeaaahh... as much as i like the spree, i really can't stomach those lines. it sounds like a children's television show.

I stumbled upon these today:

Uptown Mix Features pics

There are also some real gems if you go to the "crowd photo gallery."

Did I read this thing right? Is Guided by Voices playing tonight?

Yep. It was a very last minute announcement. We're going and you may be able to get a ride if your interested. Just call.

that's a great picture...
joe colvert: i'm #1!
p.stanley: can i get another beer over here?
mike stiles: hmm...i think i'd look good in one them robes.

it sucks i'll be missing guided by voices--i'm going to chicago today...seeing a cubs game tomorrow...but i'll be back friday night, just in time to go directly from the airport to the exit-in to see the raveonettes.

Dont' forget Adria "Entertain Me Dammit" and Blightman's "Crap, where's my DAT?"

I think twilight golf might keep me from seeing Guided by Voices. That is so wrong. I'll make sure to get in 20 or so holes before dark.

yeah, so i had no idea BTE played last wednesday. i was totally obsessed with this band in my adolescence, did anyone actually see the show?

No, but I can tell you about how it went. They play either DitD or Uptown Mix every year without fail. I'm sure they played the hits. I'm sure they mixed in some little snippets of currently popular pop/hip-hop songs for a laugh. I'm sure they played a couple of new songs to a lukewarm reception from the audience. I'm sure Kevin imitated Dave Matthews. I'm sure they invited a fan up on stage to play guitar on "This Time of Year." I'm sure they closed with "Rosealia."

I used to love that band too, but I fear that at the rate they're going, they'll be playing frat parties soon.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 12:35 am on Aug. 26, 2004)

Cheap Trick will play any gathering or party in Oregon for 1000 dollars.

just a few things...

1. cheap trick is amazing.

2. i'm commissioning bte to play the sigma lambda house next month.

3. ceeze, i'm in love with you.


i miss the board, i'm rarely around anymore

Foldsfan and Token represent, too, to the left. Just missing- Rachel, although she may just be too short to see, or too young.

hey... you can kinda see me in this one... beard, above the right part of the keyboard. i'm in front of the guy in the black tshirt.

I also see Mike D, Keith, Rachel, Lawn Wrangler, AndrewJSmithson, SuperElk, BrotherLove, GaryGaryGary, YaDaDaDa, Token, Tom Foolery Chiren and myself (on the right edge looking towards the right at Chiren).

I see myself in that one. Well, I see my poofy sleeves. Keith looks really excited to be there.

You can also see me, Steam Grate and Brian W if you look real hard... and I know you will.

(Edited by Peace Frog at 3:34 pm on Aug. 26, 2004)

Actually, I think that's a boob. I can't believe I missed you.

My sleeve is above my boob. And you didn't talk to me at that show at all.

This is better than "Where's Waldo."

I found Parrish!

i'm pretty impressed, carl. i dont think i would have even found me.

You would have found you, because you're right next to me, and God knows you would have found me.

where is this twilight golf, and why haven't you told me about it?

Have I never mentioned it? It's at a course called Cedar Crest.

YES! i can see a tiny sliver of my face behind that guy's head.

jeez... wish i knew you what any of you all look like so i could've said hey. i briefly met carl at the cure show, but that's it.

maybe at the cd release show i can meet some of you.

I'd be more than happy to introduce you around.