Mike Roe, The Choir, Kevin Max
Austin, Texas
May 29, 2015
The Swan Dive, Austin TX
The Choir are legendary. Their brand of alternative rock is unique, compelling and melodic. It’s perfect trip music and just a great sonic soundtrack to life. Their songs about life, love, loss and faith are consistently excellent. The Mike Roe of the 77s and Kevin Max are both compelling artists in their own right. To have them all on the bill this night was a wonderful feast.
Mike Roe took to the stage first, with just him and a guitar. He played some of his solo material and some hits from the 77s as he was accompanied by Steve Hindalong on drums partway through his set. “Kites Without Strings” sounded beautiful and “Nowhere Else,” which was accompanied by falsetto “Hey, nah-nah’s” from the appreciative crowd, was a real feel-good moment. He kept the mood light and the showed moved along at a relaxed pace. He invited Derry Daugherty up on stage to play the electric guitar and The Choir segment of the evening was officially underway.
They went through the classic Circle Slide album track by track, gracing our ears with a smooth and touching performance. Hindalong added some background commentary where appropriate, but it was almost like sitting down for a listen to the entire album, only there was a band on stage and lots of friends in the club.
They finished the album, Daugherty took off his hollow body guitar in favor of a Strat and then they transitioned into some new songs from their latest album, Shadow Weaver, and immediately the guitar tones changed and increased in volume. The guitars sounded way louder and fuller, which epitomizes the sonic direction they’ve gone in since those alt-rock days of the mid-90s.
Hindalong shared before a song about how many changes have taken place in their lives since Circle Slide was released 25 years ago. One of those changes they have experienced was suffering and he mentioned that “suffering gives us the ability to empathize.” True and comforting words – mostly after the fact, of course.
Kevin Max took the stage next with his own band, which included a stand-in now residing in Austin (J.J. Placencio) on cello. They performed an old staple from the dc Talk catalog, “What If I Stumble,” which sounded more subdued and somber. It had a nice vibe. Not long after they launched into a Bowie classic, called “Heroes,” where Max shared the lead vocal mic with Paul Q-Pek, who went off and wailed on the upbeat number. The band slowed things down a bit with another pair of covers – the U2 classic “40” and the Leonard Cohen tune that Jeff Buckley made a classic, “Hallelujah.”
It was a wonderful night with lots of familiar faces in the room, some nostalgia and some fiery new music. A good time was indeed had by all. If you get a chance to go see this tour, please do.
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