I love the Dead Trees. I rave about them all the time to anyone who will listen because they kick ass, and they're better than so many of the opening bands that start things off at MHOW with either 56 people on stage with tambourines and kazoos or a gaggle of boys in too tight pants and ridiculous hairstyles. The Dead Trees can actually play their instruments and sound a little bit country, a little bit Pavement, and a lot a bit rock and roll. They've really only gotten better and better since the first time I saw them open for AHJ 2 summers ago.
The Dead Trees also never tire out, apparently, because they noted last night that this was their 43rd show opening for Little Joy, and guess what: guitarist Matt Borg and bassist Todd Dahlhoff play with Little Joy too. Double-setters, gotta love em. Stamina. Jack Dishel of Only Son also played w/ LJ.
She's hot!
Little Joy: Rodrigo Amarante has more happy charisma than anyone ever, and his live voice sounds just as great as his voice on record. Binki Shapiro's cute as a button, and all the girls want to be her and all the guys are in love with her. I haven't ever been to a concert where everyone in the crowd smiled the entire time, and I've never been at a show where the house lights were up the majority of the performance.
Matt Romano, maraca man.
Best part of the night was the final song "Brand New Start." Fabulous Moretti (recording with the Strokes NOW-- yessssssssss) came on stage with Regina Spektor and Mike and Noah from DT and 2 of the guys from The Teenage Prayers (and don't forget everyone's favorite Matt Romano has been playing drums the whole time). So imagine everyone singing, crowd included, and just absolutely happy to be there. Little Joy = the perfect name for this band, but they could get away with an upgrade to LOTTA JOY if they wanted.
Yeahhhhh Fab! RECORD RECORD RECORD.
Keeping up with these positive vibes: Dr. Dog on Saturday @ Prospect Park. Free, people, you have NO excuse not to go, AND this girl scored tix for Arctic Monkeys yesterday.