Fucked Up At Le Poisson Rouge, Monday, November 14th, 2011

I never ever said Damian Abraham wasn't a great frontman. Quite the opposite, he is so good he is irreplaceable. And if this performance of David Comes Alive is to be his last, he was substantial better than the show I saw earlier this year at Webster Hall. He went a long way towards redeeming himself in my eyes and that's the truth.

I SAID David Comes Alive was a B+ album and watching it live (or at least the hour I saw, I left around 1130pm), I think maybe I underestimated it a touch -maybe an A-. But whatever it is, it is psuedo-Who with a a hardcore screaming in tune Damian on top.

Fucked Up were in top form and the Calder (String) quarter played a lovely instrumental opening "Let Her Rest" and then returned for separate interludes during the performance.

As proven by the opera playing before their set, Fucked Up were serious… man, this room was sold out and it was tough to see anything. Or it would be if Pink Eye didn't jump off the stage, on the bar, tear around the room, glad handing like a politician on election eve, hugging people, sweet talking. Really sharing stuff.

For instance, don't expect him to live in nyc because, while it is a great walking city, it is lousy if you have a kid in a stroller that you have to carry up and down the millions of stairs in the city. Damian claimed a main reason for him stopping touring is because he doesn't wanna leave his family at home.

And so, as he warms early on, plan to have your heartbroken.

In the end, this was the set i wanted at Webster Hall. Patrick Stickles might exaggerate when he claims they are the greatest punk band in the world but then you think… who is better?

Grade: A-