Sloan

Hey there,

I went to see Sloan and Collective Soul for a free show and it was really kickass. Before the show i got to meet the guys, they were just walking around and they were cool. I think they were looking for someone who was stuck at the border...who was important??? lol Anyway the show started off late cuz technical problems and was cut short, but other than that it they were great. Also dissapointed that they didnt play a couple more songs..but i was one of the few proud canadians in the crowd...and we let everyone know it too! Great performance....Thanks guys

Great show. It was my first time seeing Sloan live since my discovery of fellow fans in the beginning of this year. I started listening to Sloan about...what is it now three years ago? When I heard Money City Maniacs on my local radio station. The people i went with were seasoned Sloan show veterans and made it a great time. The band made it an even better time. I took some pictures, then some security dude was all "no." then Chris was all "im cool, so you can take pictures" so i did. Very big props to him for that one. Its things like that, which made this show so enjoyable. Sloan's showmanship is incredible. I encourage anyone and everyone who has heard Sloan, whether you liked it or not, to go to a show. Guaranteed your jaw will drop. My friend, and fellow attendee Phillip commented that every band should follow Sloan's stage example. I couldn't agree more, they put on a great show, and give a great display of their wonderful music. Thanks again for the photo ops.

~Andrew

Yikes. The most Action Pact parts of the night was when Chris continuously reminded the crowd that "Here's another song you won't hear because the album is not going to be released here." At least three times us terrible, war mongering yankees were reminded of this fact. It was also made to mention how terrible the border cross was on the way in. They only played for 45 minutes while it took the roadies about 50 mins to set their equipment up. I've been to many a Sloan show in my day and this was, without a doubt, the most disappointing. It very overwhelmingly felt like they just didn't want to be here. It's too bad, too. There's a huge fan base for Sloan in Detroit. Although Detroit is stigmatized as the murder capital of the world and an all-around terrible place, it is a place that epitomizes the grittiness of rock 'n' roll and, as such, a lot of good acts have started here. Kiss made it big here, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, MC 5, (depending on your current tastes of good and bad) Eminem, Kid Rock and the White Stripes all hail from south of the 8 Mile divide. I really felt that MurderRecords' bad boys would tear it up again properly in Motown like they have in the past. Nope. I guess nothing does last forever.

Canadian Sloan fans: Please know that some of us hateful yankees DO in fact own Pretty Together and Between the Bridges and could properly sing with Patrick on It's in Your Eyes. However, the band is done with us and that's that. Maybe I'll have to catch 'em next time I'm in Sarnia. Until then, enjoy the new album.

Thanks, guys, for braving the border crossing and coming to Pontiac! Great show, but too short, of course!!! I hope you will come back and play a good long time at a different sort of venue!

I really thought I was going to be able to avoid driving to Barrie next weekend for the show but a 45 minute set? PLEASE. It was good to see the boys, as usual but too short and Sloan will always be better in indoor venues. Period. Thanks for coming out. And it really is not our faluts that we cannot get teh record here. We love Slaon in Detroit like we love Labbats and there is no need to rub it in.

I started listening to Sloan a few years ago. At about the age of...13? 14? Something like that. Anywho, when I saw that they would be playing less than an hour away from my house i actually squealed with excitement (not a moment i'm proud of, albeit). So, me and my friends piled in the car and drove down to the Tiac to enjoy what was a FABULOUS first Sloan show.
Me and my boyfriend (he was the 6ft 5 giant with the black hair...it's hard to not notice him :)) actually managed to get about 10 feet from the stage.

Very VERY enjoyable. A few of my friends are fans now! We hope to catch you guys again in Canada (where everything is better)

I can't understand why anyone would complain about a free show. Overall, it was good. It would have been nice if they could have played a few more tunes, including an encore. I do put some blame on their crew for taking so long to get them set up to play, but it's not the band's fault. They opened with "Underwhelmed", which sounded a little weak. But after that, the show really picked up steam. Chris mentioned that the CD wasn't available, except possibly as an import. I had to laugh, because I had been going around all week looking for it and I ended up finding it the day of the show at a Detroit area indie record store...as an import. So, I got to become familiar with the new songs before going to see them that evening. I thought the new songs sounded fantastic. I'm sure the crowd liked them too, judging from their reactions. Sure, it would have been nice to hear some more older songs, but the ones we did hear all rocked! I felt sorry for Jay because there seemed to be a slight problem with his mic when he was singing lead vocals. But, that's how it goes sometimes. I think it was really nice of the guys to show their appreciation for the large crowd that gathered to see them after Collective Soul played. I'm willing to bet that a lot of people were exposed to Sloan who wouldn't normally go to one of their shows. Perhaps the band will gain some new fans as a result.

Steve

I know it was a free show, but......... I'm a huge Sloan fan and I've lost track of how many times I've seen them perform in both the US and Canada and it was obvious to me that Murphy was pissed off about something. He was so not into it. I've noticed that he often has a chip on his shoulder when performing in the states. He has made it known that he resents the fact that they aren't popular in the states, but don't take it out on the Americans at your shows, they are obviously there because they like you. He made some comments that made him look like a real ass. This is not the way to expand your fan base but a great way to shrink it. I saw them live in Niagara Falls about a month ago and it was the best show I've ever seen. I left that show feeling happy and uplifted. I left this show feeling empty and embarrassed. (I'm Canadian)

Total Professionals :)

I have mixed feelings about the Sloan show in Pontiac. It's the 5th Sloan show i've been to in the last two years. When I logged on to view the reviews for the show I was suprised to see all the criticism of Sloan for the what some felt were their anti-american sentiments. The resentment for the lack of record sales in the US, the comments about the border problems and that none of us have heard the new CD. I guess I didnt really think that these comments by Sloan were meant all that seriously but the other reviewers did bring up a good point. How does Sloan feel about their American fans? I always thought the feeling was positive but maybe thats not entirely true, who knows. How about it Sloan boys, any answers? Personally I bought the CD online early as I did with Pretty Together when it came out in Canada first. As far as the actual show itself goes I thought it was pretty good considering. I was very dissapointed in the length but what was played sounded good. Sloan's charisma and stage presence always make for an excellent show. It does seem though like their effort and level of caring and intensity differs from show to show. The best Sloan show i've seen was at what looked like an abandoned racetrack somewhere around London in Ontario in 2001. It may have been edgefest. I was dissapointed because Sloan usually gets horrible placement when playing with other bands (ie: really new and talentless bands play after them like at the 89X B-day bash 2002) but in this case they were headliners. I expected a more enthused show. Well, enough rambling. Although I could go on all day I dont think anyone really cares enough to read forever. We all know Sloan is one of the best bands ever, supremely talented and underappreciated. Dont let the lack of sales in the US get you down Chris, Patrick, Jay, and Andrew. Maybe it has made you better as a band. Popularity can make a band conceited and complacent. A little struggle and anquish is what fuels an artist to realize their potential. How different would Sloan be if they were popular? Me, i'd rather have quality over popularity. Keep up the good work boys, and give us Americans a break eh?

P.S. Will you ever play Out To Lunch live? -Andrew

I was very excited when I saw Sloan would be performing at this festival. I'm not usually one for these festival sorts of shows, but that's a different story.
It took a long time for the roadies to set Sloan up after Collective Soul finished (I didn't realize Collective Soul was still popular). The show, for what ever reason was cut short. That was a little disappointing, but as I've said before, some Sloan is better than no Sloan.

This was my first time hearing tracks off of the new album. I'm an American so I haven't been able to purchase it yet.

The Lines you Amend has to be one of my favourite songs, so I was very happy to hear that one done. I was a little surprised that Andrew didn't sing anything though.

All in all, a very good Sloan show. It really makes me look forward to future tour dates. Hopefully some that aren't too far from the Metro Detroit Area.

Cheers Guys.

that's it - i'm packing my bag, sewing on a canadian flag, and heading north! oh, canada!

of course, i'll need a job that pays under the table, no doubt sloan's looking for a new road crew! haha! rawkon! -mike!

At last, I got to see and meet Sloan. Five years since I first heard them on the good 'ol radio and I have to say they are every bit as good as I thought they'd be. Got there late but the band had not yet started so that was good (for me). Am glad they played lots of new songs for the crowd that night as well as a few more older numbers (opening with underwhelmed). I also took them up on their offer to stop and chat after the show. Mr. Murphy was very friendly and had lots of stories to keep the mood lite. Mr. Pentland had lots to say as well and I'd like to say thank you for giving me so much of your time and I look forward to speaking with you again.As for Jay and Andrew, I'm sorry I didn't get to speak with either of you but thanks for the autographs. In case the band may read this I am the guy that has the KISS tattoo on my left arm (how can you forget that?). I will be at the next michigan show, you guys are great live and I can't wait to see a full show.

I am one of those older fans who have seen many Sloan shows beginning with the Repeat the Beat show[3/93], through the most excellent show cut short when crowd dancers swamped the stage and someone stepped on a plug[Capitol/Windsor], through the Duet with Jennifer-JALE on the real
Pheonix stage, through countless visits back here
that I have forgotten. I have missed too many, including a legendary show at the 7th house that
was a tough ticket, and I stood outside in the cold.
I can't believe that folks are tweaked about the comments made on stage. I think that the band was expressing their frustration with not being able
to reach us, here in Detroit-especially-since we have such a great fan base. Some people just don't understand irony/satire: it's funny if you look at it
exactly the opposite. But, don't give up on Sloan. I happened to look like a fool to a yuppie couple my age standing behind me whom had never seen Sloan before. My assessment was that Sloan was the best band since the Beatles[Don't hate me Canadian Fans, I follow The Hip, too]. And when Sloan came on it was a bit loud and the instruments
were uncoordinated. My new friends looked at me
funny and left. Well, they missed out. Because, out
of the grungy rock [As If] we North of the Border
Americans were shocked with: I Was Wrong.....
I woke up with that tune ressonating in my brain the following morning. Whatever you think, Sloan is not a Football team[or a hockey team]. They are just playing music. If you are looking for Sloan
to repeat that "Best Show Ever" that you saw in a
myriad of other places, you miss out on what they are doing today. Sloan? If you guys read these things: Great job on the new album, it's fresh. My friends in Boston and Chicago are big fans, so don't give up. Rothrock: Needs more cowbell, baby.
PLAY MORE SHOWS DOWN HERE!!!!!!!

I was excited to see the preformance and it was a great show. Come back to Michigan soon!!! Grand Rapids would love to see you!

The words "Sloan" and "disappointed" in no way belong in the same sentence. I was at the Pontiac show, heard the comments from Chris...whatever. They had no impact on my enjoyment of the show (which, as someone else mentioned, was FREE and even at 45 minutes, how can you beat that?). I have seen Sloan several times and always have a blast!

Detroiters should feel so blessed that we can get the new album fairly easily. The day after it was released in Canada, my friend and I drove over the bridge to Windsor just to get a copy. My friends living in South Carolina and Louisiana are having a harder time and I've driven back to Canada to pick them up copies so they don't have to pay import prices.

Come back to Detroit any time, guys! We love you!

I know you guys were eager to hit the road and try to forget the show...

The show: I know the sound guy got stuck at the border, he was left behind either gambling in Windsor or drinking in Sarnia (depending upon your point of entry). So we know he was alright... don't feel like bad bosses because you dind't have all the paperwork; stuff like that happens. Anyway, let's focus on the show. If it didn't sound right, it was only your monitor blend. From the stage you can never tell how it sounds, you just have to go with your instinct on how the crowd responds. Please take my word for it, I've heard you sound much better and much worse. It doesn't matter if you play well; and you did.

The Crowd: I'd say 3 to 1 ratio. Three new fans to every old Sloan Drone. That makes it hard to guage sound quality if your only feedback is based on a largely newcomer crowd. (Too mesmerized to show enthusiasm) Good for new ears.

The Sound: Perfect for the venue. Whomever stepped in did a damn good job. He dropped the ball on Jay's vox, but the veterans in attendance helped boulster the words from the audience.

The Takeaway: New album is extremely well made. The new songs transfer perfectly to the live show. The creative direction of the band has never been tighter (We miss Andrew's songs, but just listen to the end of "Reach Out" for some hot kit work. We're with you buddy). Sloan is the next big thing... always has been, always will be. That's right where I want them. Close to the fans, closer to our hearts.
Thanks,
CJ

Quick note: Thank you Patrick for taking some time to meet my new girlfriend after the show. It was her first show and I knew she'd dig it. I didn't think it would turn her into an all-out fan though.

i too was sad that the set was so short, but not every show can be awesome. I must say though that i did catc the "i don't want to be here playing this show" vibe most of the set. Not to mention the fact that the first song seemed to start off insanely slow.
it was a downer to hear repeatedly that all the new songs were off the new album that we would never get because uh... Hello..there is a thing called the internet and i had gotten mine just days prior. It was nice to see the boys again, it had been far too long, i hope that the next show is better however.