Operation Ceasefire, or , as I'm calling it, Operation Cease Eating.
This is just about the music, not about the politics.
,
Jello Biafra served as our MC for most of the day. Small portions of
Jello are exactly right - he's funny and snarky and keeps things
moving, as opposed to when he does his spoken word, when he tends to
go on and on and exhaust you.
Imagine if the New York Dolls sang protest music, and you get the
Living Things. Without the political lyrics, they'd be just another
glam rock wannabe band. But with them, it's kind of an interesting
contrast. Whoo! Bare your boy torso for peace! Yeah!
No disrespect to Joan Baez, who started with a cover of Steve Earle's
Christmas in Washington, but I don't really like the folky thing, and
didn't really hear anything else.
At the Ottobar, the Bellrays were a really mediocre bar band with a
smokin' lead singer. Here, on this great stage with this great sound
system, Lisa was a super smokin' lead singer with a not so bad bar
band backing her up. I mean that woman really brings it! They had been
promoted as playing with the MC5s Wayne Kramer, and while the guitar
sounded Kramery, the guitar player looked like a younger Thurston
Moore which didn't seem possible. When Wayne Kramer did show up,
dressed in early White Stripe, with a tight white tshirt and tight red
pants, he went from Neil Young to elder statesman to batshit crazy in
about 5 minutes,and didn't even begin to keep up LIsa's energy.
Steve Earle captures what it means to be a protest singer and mean it
in everything you do. He was fresh off the Cindy Sheehan camp in
Texas. He talks as much as he sings, but his talking is just as
entertaining. Best line - "It's amazing how much Commie shit you can
sneak in a song if you call it bluegrass."
Rap band the Coup were next, and they had a little too much funk bass
for my taste, so I left to get food. My one complaint about the day is
that there was nothing to eat on the grounds at all. I'd been
expecting some hippie carts, like a veggie stir fry or something, but
there was one small hot dog stand and nothing else . I headed into
downtown for food, but everything in that end of town was either
closed or too fancy for my clothes so this was not easy. 90 minutes
and one chile relleno later, I headed back.
I'd forgotten who was next, and I could hear a girl singer so I was
holding out hope for Le Tigre playing early, but as I rounded the
corner I quickly identified Ian Mackaye, playing with his band the
Evens. I didn't grow up in DC, so I don't hold him in the high regard
that many of you will. During the straight-edge Minor Threat years I
was, well, drunk, and during the Fugazi years, well, see above for how
I feel about funky bass. Plus, he is just so deadly deadly serious
that even at a peace rally he's the most serious guy in the room.
Mostly I'm just filled with the desire to hit him in the face with a
pie or something.
Finally, Ted Leo. Never having seen him live before, I thought he
would be more sincere indie rocker, somewhere on the Steven
Malkmus/Isaac Brock/Ben Gibbard continuum, but he was more punky
earnest, like an early Joe Jackson or Elvis Costello. He had some
technical difficulties which just added to his edgy charm. I'm really
looking forward to seeing him do a full set.
At this point in time, cold and hungry, I decided that the 3 hours,
with Thievery Corporation,belly dancers and the Bouncing Souls to get
to Le Tigre wasn't really worth it. I'd done my part, I'd seen some
good free music, and the day was starting to feel long, but
fulfilling. Everyone who worked to put this on should be proud.
posted by jamie @ 9:06 PM
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