Gosh. Where do I start? Greatest show (for me) ever? Well, it’s true. The fact that I was fortunate to sit in on the sound check did probably tip the scales.
This is my third Sloan show, and I really think, the best. Played hit after hit, were in great voice, they were smiling and laughing and I was having the time of my life. Here’s the set list:
Penpals
Losing California
All I Am
Witch’s Wand
Fading into Obscurity
Something’s Wrong
911
HFXNSHC
Blackout
Before I Do
Cheap Champagne
Reach Out
Ready for You
Believe in Me
Take Good Care of the Poor Boy
I’m Not a Kid Any More
The Dogs
People of the Sky
Down in the Basement
Everything You’ve Done Wrong
Who Taught You to Live Like That
The Other Man
Money City Maniacs
(and I never wrote down the three songs in the encore)
One song I’d wanted to hear, and was so appropriate for San Francisco is “Losing California”. However, before the show, I asked Patrick if he could include it, and as you can see, it was the second song of the show. As much as I wanted to hear the song, I wanted to see Andrew tear into the drums.
But as much as I truly enjoy watching and listening to the guys of Sloan, meeting and talking to them is even better. Of course, Chris and Jay work the crowds, but I had the chance to talk to Andrew and Patrick, too. Mike Nelson was his usual affable self. Glad to see that Greg was still providing the keyboard work, too.
The opening act, The Golden Dogs, were quite entertaining, and a great opening act. Jessica Grassia-Azzolini, the keyboardist is one of the most energetic band members I’ve ever seen! Plus, they showed up in their Dodge Ram van with Ontario plates less than an hour before the show! Got caught up in the Bay Area traffic.
Every time I see Sloan, I appreciate them more and more. Thanks for the terrific show, guys!
Lee Hower
Sacramento, California
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Yeah, I agree with Mr. Smith. I did go, but I discovered the show by fluke. I was randomly looking around on ticketmaster and saw that Sloan was coming. I actually had a little talk with Chris Murphy a little while before the show and explained how bad Louis' did advertising. I don't even want to lay all the blame on Louis'. Rawlco's Rock 102 station has been playing 'Believe In Me' constantly and didn't mention the show at all, which pissed me off.
In conclusion, I would like to say that I don't want Sloan to think they don't have any fans in Saskatoon. Sloan has many fans. When they came the time before this, they played at the Odeon and it was nearly a full house. Oh, and Chris: thanks for the chat. Come again.
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When I say this was my 37th Sloan show, I mean it's my 38th. Wow. Very rocky tonight. It's funny to see folks who are more familiar with the new than the old. A funny nice. Goddamn Andrew pounds those drums.
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Great gig. The opening band, 'The Golden Dogs', set a nice table for the feast that is SLOAN. The lads played very well.... Andrew was particularly on fire tonight; what a great frick'n drummer! I had a little chat with Jay afterwards too.... what an amazingly nice guy. I love Canadians. :-)
Highlights of the show included 'Penpals', 'Take Good Care of the Poor Boy', 'Who Taught You To Live Like That?', 'Witches Wand', 'I'm Not a Kid Anymore', 'Fading Into Obscurity', and Patrick's hilariously over-the-top guitar solos. I'm pretty surprised they didn't kick things into overdrive with 'If It Feels Good Do It' or 'Sensory Deprivation', but oh well.... they are still amazingly tight, punchy, catchy, and FUN.
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Great show in Portland at a small club called Dante's. A terrific mix of older and new songs. Highlights were Patrick apologizing for not being able to see the dots on the neck of his guitar and doing a less than worthy solo during "Believe in Me." Chris was hilarious throughout the evening, especially when he did the Mick Jagger walk during the encore. Andrew played guitar and sang several songs, which was fun. Jay looked bored all night. About 150 rabid fans showed up. I can't believie these guys aren't playing huge arenas in the USA. The only negative was the sound man's apparent belief that the band WAS playing in a large venue. Dante's is an old brick building; sound bounces off brick. I have no idea why he would want Sloan to sound distorted for the entire evening. I would have to assume his hearing has been the victim of his own sound mixing. Many people had their hands over their bleeding ears. Apparently the sound man, who was 4 feet away, didn't notie this either. I had earplugs, thank God. Turn it down, dumbass, we'd like to be able to actually hear the music.......other than that, a perfect evening. What a great band!!!
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Sloan @ Chop Suey - 9/28/08 - All I Am Is All You're NotThis is my favourite new song from the new album, it's called "All I Am Is All You're Not". The drumming and the riffage are awesome. Way to go, guys!
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Dear Sloan, please don't go to Louis' at the U of S campus any more - they don't publicize their shows! I didn't know about the show until I walked past Louis' on September 18, 2008 at about 7PM and it was the first I'd heard of the show - there was no way I could have changed my plans to go!
Come back to Saskatoon again soon!
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Great show!
Here are some of the songs played (not in the right order):
Pen Pals
Witches Wand
Emergency 911
Losing California
Snowsuit Sound
C'mon, C'mon
All I am is all your not
I'm not a kid anymore
Burn for it
Believe in Me
Push Pins (with Will Currie and the Country French)
Who Taught you to Live Like That?
Somethings Wrong
HXNSHC
The Dogs
The Other Man
Money City Maniacs
If it Feels Good Do it
People of the Sky
G Turns to D
The Good in Everyone
Everything You've Done Wrong
Ready for You
Long live Sloan.
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Thanks very much for coming back to Lethbridge guys. I saw you in 2003 at the roadhouse and it was one of the most fun times I've had at a concert in this city. Your comeback might I add was well worth the wait.
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