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Le Fun

Unlike the Golden Falcons' show Friday night, I didn't have to worry about putting a strain in my neck to watch the Theater Fire/Happy Bullets/Tah Dahs show last night. Everyone's height was manageable from my point of view, but like the Golden Falcons' show, last night's show was as good.

I honestly don't know how many times I've seen the Happy Bullets and the Tah Dahs play in the last year and a half, but I wouldn't see surprised if the number was around twenty. Though I need a break with seeing them play every few months, I think it's always good to come back to them.

I think it's really interesting how just a matter of a sound mix can improve or hamper a live show. Given all the times that I've seen these bands play (from the big room in Sons of Herman Hall to the bar/restaurant, the Meridian Room to Tower Records), I give kudos to the soundman at the Double Wide for allowing us listeners to hear separation in sound. A lot of times I hear really muddy mixes live and can't really hear certain things. I think last night's show was the first time I've ever heard Kris Youmans' cello during the songs he played with the Happy Bullets.

The mix also really helped out during the Theater Fire's set. With seven members and instruments like keyboard, acoustic guitar, mandolin, various percussion, violin and accordion in addition to bass and drums, hearing all of them was crucial. The Theater Fire's material is really subtle, but really beautiful at the same time, but it doesn't come across if everything's sounding muddy. I look forward to hearing their forthcoming record.

Given the fact that I've seen the Tah Dahs a number of times, I rarely get tired of their frantic, spastic rock. I think it's because the songs are also really melodic and the spastic nature makes them rather unique. I couldn't call it straight punk rock or straight post-hardcore, but it could be lumped somewhere in between there. Plus, Roy always has something funny and random to say between songs. One of the best quotes from last night was, "This isn't a show-it's a party. This is a song about suicide. It's called 'Jumping on the Bed.'" Where he gets these ideas, I don't know-but I like to watch.

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