Sebadoh : Troubadour : 3/9/07

Jason Loewenstein on guitar (Lou Barlow on bass and Eric Gaffney on drums not pictured)      The original Sebadoh line-up has reunited to tour together for the first time in 14 years (Lou Barlow, Jason Loewenstein and Eric Gaffney). They past through the Troubadour in West Hollywood this weekend, an ideal setting for an intimate night with one of the best indie bands to come out of the 90’s. The show proved they haven’t missed a beat during the time apart (mainly Gaffney’s absence).
     Sebadoh‘s sound spans wide on the rock spectrum. This is further enhanced by the fact that they are like three bands in one. The show started out with Gaffney on guitar and vocals, Barlow on bass and Loewenstein on drums. A heaping handful of classics were played, a bit raw and hard to spark things at the start. The trio then switched up instruments with Barlow on guitar and vocals, Loewenstein on bass and Gaffney on drums. The Lou Barlow-led Sebadoh is a bit softer than, but just as rad as, the other configurations. “Two Years or Two Days”, “Happily Divided”, “Too Pure”, “The Freed Pig”, “Ride the Darker Wave” and “Rebound” were among those to treat the audience aurally. The third arrangement featured Loewenstein on guitar and vocals, Barlow on bass and Gaffney on drums. “Drag Down”, “Mind Reader”, got me totally pumped; I was wigglin’ and having total show moments, a sponge in a sea of music.
     Sebadoh played around 30 songs total, including a 7 or 8 song encore that featured Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'”. By that time the red wine had been free flowin’ for a while, a factor aiding Eric Gaffney’s banter with the crowd. The Troubadour‘s atmosphere combined with Sebadoh’s interaction with and appreciation for the fans gave a feel-good vibe to the lucky attendees. Hopefully we don’t have to wait 14 years for the next tour. They are one of the best live shows you can see, so catch them when they come to your n’eighbs.