Beach Slang pour their hearts out at Black Cat on Nov. 28, 2017. (Photo by David LaMason)
It goes without saying that Beach Slang have been having a difficult year. There was the well-publicized changes in band members in 2016, immediately followed by the first of two thefts where all of their gear was stolen. The second coming this past month in Seattle where their tour van was stolen. But it’s a testament to the spirit of Beach Slang that they not merely continue on or go through the motions, but they consistently play some of the best heart-on-your-sleeve-seat-of-your-pants rock ‘n’ roll every night. And at Black Cat, James Alex and Company poured out those hearts on Tuesday.
They started the evening with “Wasted Daze of Youth” from last year’s A Loud Bash of Feelings. And as they played it seemed as if James, dressed in his trademark velvet blazer and frilled shirt, was attempting to exercise some of those demons from his red Epiphone Casino as he jumped, windmilled, and threw himself into each note. After catching his breath he told the audience, “I hope you feel as good as you look ’cause you look beautiful. We’re Beach Slang, and we’re here to punch you in your big, beautiful hearts, Washington, DC,” before launching into the Replacements-tinged “Hard Luck Kid.”
In between songs, the rest of the band — which includes Ed McNulty (bass), Aurore Ounjian (guitar), and Cully Symington on drums — teased a bit of Santana and, after a bit of light-hearted ribbing requests from a guy in the audience for Everclear, the band played a great cover of Jawbreaker’s “Boxcar.”
Throughout the set list (see below) there were all sorts of goodies, from that surprise cover of Jawbreaker’s “Boxcar” and an encore that included “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure, “Bastards of Young” and “Skyway” by The Replacements, and a solo rendition of Big Star’s “Thirteen.” There was even a very special “Nothing Can Change” by Tommy Keene, who passed away recently. A brilliant display of pure rock and sweat and an unforgettable evening!
The setlist included:
Wasted Daze of Youth
Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas
Hard Luck Kid
Porno Love
Ride the Wild Haze
Punks in a Disco Bar
Dirty Lights
Kids
Noisy Heaven
Young Hearts
Spin the Dial
American Girls and French Kisses
Boxcar – Jawbreaker cover
Filthy Luck
Future Mixtape for the Art Kids
Punk or Lust
ENCORE:
Too Late to Die Young (solo)
Nothing Can Change You – Tommy Keene cover (solo)
Skyway – Replacements cover (solo)
Thirteen – Big Star cover (solo)
Where Is My Mind – Pixies cover
Just Like Heaven – Cure cover
Throwaways
Bastards of Young – Replacements cover
Atom Bomb
If you have the chance, definitely check them out. They are currently wrapping up their tour, and dates can be found here. Here are some pictures of Beach Slang performing at Black Cat on Nov. 28, 2017. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
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