Backstage Pass

By Doug Levy
Catalyst

Send comments to:
catalyst@wildcat.arizona.edu

So, what did you do with your summer? Work? Go to the beach? Sail around the world?

Whatever the answer, hopefully there was a soundtrack to accompany your sunny days.

For those returning from a sonic void, though, here's a brief overview of what you may or may not have missed.

I spent my summer in close proximity to New York City, which amounts in musical terms to being blessed. (This is the exact opposite of the common term applied to the Tucson area, "cursed.")

Shirley Manson of Garbage

I immediately took advantage of the many exciting doors opened to me in NYC, including those that lead into the widely known Roseland Ballroom, where Garbage played to a sold out crowd in support of its new album, Version 2.0.

Garbage has matured as a band since its self-titled debut in 1995. On 2.0, Butch Vig, Shirley Manson and company show a talent for consistent songwriting with a depth of feeling and a diversity of sound that comes across live, as in recording.

On stage, the band has come a long way since the early days as well. Manson displayed a more confident persona than ever, able to nearly dominate the crowd with her presence, where in the past she seemed to struggle to maintain her composure.

Overall, Garbage is now well worth the price, in concert or on disc. Plus, it was fun just to get to hear ticket scalpers walking around asking, "Anyone selling Garbage?"

Then there was the equally renowned Hammerstein Ballroom, which you might recognize from some of MTV's "Live At The 10 Spot" broadcasts. An excellent venue, the club has a capacity of about 5,000, and has been drawing some of the hottest bills to come through town. I found myself at the Hammerstein three times to see Prodigy, Tricky, and the most anticipated show of the summer (subjectively speaking), The Verve.

Prodigy wasn't supporting anything new in their tour, but they sold out two shows anyway. It was a bit like the circus coming to town. Especially with "Firestarter" Keith Flint prancing about and screaming like a clown on PCP.

Clad in a long leather coat, done up in haunting voodoo style, Maxim proclaimed "Welcome to my world," and there was a real feeling that the crowd had indeed been transported into a darker realm, where the man with the gravely voice and the nearly demonic stare was king.

Tricky

Speaking of gravely voices and apparent demonic possession, Tricky also sold out his show at the Hammerstein, determined to show the world that while you can credit him with the creation of trip-hop, he's not going to make music that can be easily labeled.

With his new album, Angels With Dirty Faces, the man from Bristol has released one of his most complex, but also least accessible works. Stepping strongly away from mainstream sensibilities, Tricky has instilled his songs with stronger roots in hip-hop, including wailing sirens, funky beats and the occasional touch of gospel.

Vocally, it's more offbeat than ever, rife with the mutters, growls and whispers of the man himself, as well as cohort Martina Topley Bird, perhaps, regrettably, for the last time.

Martina did not tour with Tricky, and rumor has it that she's out of the act for good. There were two other women on stage to fill in on vocal duties, but neither one could adequately fill the shoes of the soulfully gifted chanteuse.

Working with PJ Harvey on "Broken Homes," the first single from the album, has gained Tricky some extra attention, but so has the fact that he and one of his bodyguards decided to beat up a journalist at the Glastonbury Festival in England this summer, because the Trickster didn't like something he wrote.

The Verve

The Verve tour, in support of last year's brilliant Urban Hymns, almost didn't happen. By the time the band played its two sold out shows in New York, it had lost its opening act, had to cancel some shows and reschedule some others. Then they experienced the final blow - guitarist Nick McCabe bowed out of the tour, and possibly the band, for good.

Massive Attack, originally scheduled to open, backed out because of their upcoming tour for Mezzanine. The Massives departure left the Verve uncertain of the venues they had booked for the tour, including New York's Madison Square Garden.

When McCabe, considered by many to be the backbone of The Verve, decided to call it quits, it seemed unlikely there would be any shows at all. However, Richard Ashcroft pushed ahead, bringing his band into the Hammerstein to prove that the members could rock just as well without him, and they've continued on to a string of sold out shows across the country.

Tori Amos

Madison Square Garden did end up playing host to a great show when Tori Amos whirled into town on tour for her new album, from the choirgirl hotel, putting on an excellent performance despite the fact that she wasn't feeling very well. (Tori is probably the only person who can make a point of using a nasal spray on stage and making it look cute.)

Tori will be playing in Phoenix next month, with a full band accompanying her for the first time on tour.

Also on the road for their new release are the Beastie Boys, who will also hit Phoenix September 7. Don't expect good tickets to be easy to come by - Hello Nasty has been topping the charts since its release.

The only bad news associated with the Beasties tour is that Tribe Called Quest, the originally scheduled openers are no longer on the bill, having recently split up in the wake of what could prove to be the release of its final album.

Also out is The Good Will Out an impressive album from rising British rockers Embrace.

Hopefully they'll be hitting our shores sometime soon to support this release, which is full of orchestral sweeps, lilting vocals and melodies which you can sing along to while you dance till dawn.

So what's next? Most importantly, the release of the first album from UNKLE, the side project from DJ Shadow and Mo' Wax founder James Lavelle, featuring vocals from Thom Yorke of Radiohead, the inimitable Richard Ashcroft, and even Mike D.

I've heard this one already, and let me tell you, it's all that and more.

Hope your summer was too.