Friday, December 26th, Two Gallants headlined the Fillmore in San Francisco. This marked the first time I had seen the band since SXSW 2006, when I had the opportunity to interview Adam and Tyson. Also, as a new resident of the Bay Area, this was my introductory visit to the Fillmore.
The Fillmore is a great place to see a live show. After you climb the entrance staircase, there are free apples to enjoy. The bar areas are decorated with classic Fillmore posters from 40 years of live shows. Granted Live Nation now runs it, but you really feel that you are in a legendary venue. I had been to the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver shortly after it opened in 1999 and I completely understand what they are aspiring to.
Friday’s Two Gallants show came with the benefit of solid opening acts. First to take the stage was The Tallest Man on Earth. Glad in a black western shirt and black jeans, the Swedish folk singer strode onstage with an acoustic guitar that he played through a small amplifier. Kristian Matsson has deservedly garnered a lot of comparisons to early ’60 Bob Dylan, but he reminded me most of what Adams Stephens would sound like as a solo performer. With his raspy voice, John Fahey style finger picking, and specific lyrics, The Tallest Man on Earth was an ideal opening act for Two Gallants. As a solo artist in a venue that can hold 1,250 people, Matsson did a fantastic job keeping the audience engaged. “King of Spain” was the standout song from his set.
Following The Tallest Man on Earth was Crystal Antlers. From their first notes, the six-piece band pounded into a cacophony of garage punk with hints of shoegazer influence. The band mixed psychedelic guitar riffs and bombastic noise with fast tempos. In between each song, someone – 1 of 2 guitars, keyboard, bass, percussion, or a mixture there of – noodled with some melodic noise. Crystal Antlers were loud, aggressive, and constantly kept the energy moving throughout their set.
This fall was the first autumn season in 5 years that Two Gallants have not toured. They appeared rested and in stellar form for this show.
A lot of the focus of Two Gallants often falls on Adam Stephens, and rightly so. As the lead singer, his convictions come across in both his evocative lyrics and poignant delivery. But drummer Tyson Vogel forces the songs to be dynamic and powerful. He has the precise, selective, and improvisational skill of a jazz drummer, but with the intensity of an unleashed punk. This sets the foundation for Stephens’ breakneck guitar picking and headlong vocals to come across with fervor.
The main floor of The Fillmore was packed for the Two Gallants’ set. The crowd warmly welcomed the local band and Stephens even commented on the enthusiastic reception. The band played songs from each of their three full length albums, but the strongest responses were given to songs from 2006’s What the Toll Tells, such as “Las Cruces Jail,” the controversial “Long Summer Day,” and “Steady Rollin’” – with the line “But i shot my wife today, dropped her body in the Frisco Bay.”
www.twogallants.com
www.myspace.com/crystalantlers
www.thetallestmanonearth.se
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