This rollicking performance from Les Savy Fav was captured on March 1, 2009 at San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival. The quintet played the Mezzanine on the last night of Noise Pop. Lead by the infectious energy of the group's notorious lead vocalist Tim Harrington, the art-punkers blasted through an exhaustive 13-song set that features numbers from all four of their major studio LPs.
Known for his rambunctious vocals and bombastic stage presence, Tim Harrington's frenetic style is on full display, as his pointed, manic yowls punctuate his bandmates' angular riffage. Though Harrington…entire summary
Tim Harrington - vocals
Seth Jabour - guitar
Syd Butler - bass
Andrew Reutland - guitar
Harrison Haynes - drums
This rollicking performance from Les Savy Fav was captured on March 1, 2009 at San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival. The quintet played the Mezzanine on the last night of Noise Pop. Lead by the infectious energy of the group's notorious lead vocalist Tim Harrington, the art-punkers blasted through an exhaustive 13-song set that features numbers from all four of their major studio LPs.
Known for his rambunctious vocals and bombastic stage presence, Tim Harrington's frenetic style is on full display, as his pointed, manic yowls punctuate his bandmates' angular riffage. Though Harrington may grab the headlines, guitarists Seth Jabour and Andrew Reuland are the real architects of the group's punchy sound. On "Patty Lee" their first single off their most recent LP Let's Stay Friends, the guitarists show off their metal, as their jangling, unorthodox stabs set off the unpredictable melodic shifts that make LSF so exciting. If Reuland and Jarbour provide the spice, bassist Syd Butler—founder of tremendously influential independent label Frenchkiss Records—and drummer Harrison Haynes are the meat of the dish, providing the solid, driving backbone necessary for the songs to stay on track.
This recording demonstrates how Les Savy Fav built its reputation for being one of the best live bands on the planet. The quintet's performances can be a harrowing experience (run a Google Images search for Tim Harrington), and this recording allows listeners to get a taste of the group's chaotic brilliance without leaving the house. Les Savy Fav was formed in 1995 by students at Providence's Rhode Island School of Design. The original line-up consisted of Tim Harrington (vocals), Gibb Slide (guitar), Patrick Mahoney (drums), Syd Butler (bass), and Seth Thorn Jabour (guitar). They released their debut LP in 1997. 3/5 was popular with critics, and it featured a raw, art-punk sound. It was produced by LCD Soundsystem mainman James Murphy. From there, the group released three more LPs and one EP.
Though the group began leaning to a more polished, radio-friendly sound in the later albums, critics and fans stayed on their side. Their most recent LP, 2007's Let's Stay Friends, featured on "Best Of" lists for many publications, including NME (No. 5) and Rolling Stone (No. 16).
While their chaotic, passionate art-punk has drawn comparisons to groups like Fugazi and At The Drive-In, they sport a sound that is all their own, and the group continues to make new music and light up clubs all over the planet.
The Noise Pop Festival has been an important part of the San Francisco independent music scene for over ten years. Beginning in 1993 with a one-night show at the Kennel Club, the event has since grown to a week-long, multi-venue festival. Some of the biggest names in alternative music have performed, such as the White Stripes, Flaming Lips, Cat Power, and Death Cab for Cutie. This concert was captured at Noise Pop 2009, which featured Antony and The Johnsons, Stephen Malkmus, Ra Ra Riot, and No Age, among many others.
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