Wolfmother at the Metro

Last night I saw the band Wolfmother at the Metro here in Chicago.

For those of you not familiar with Wolfmother, I suggest you acquaint yourself with them, because they’re the future of rock ‘n’ roll. Lead singer Andrew Stockdale has a voice similar to that of Jack White of the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, only better. Bass player Chris Ross thumps his instrument with a perfectly subtle intensity that matches the manic, yet flawless, drum beats laid by Myles Heskitt. Ross also plays an organ/synthesizer that helps give Wolfmother their ultra-unique, mind-melting, driving rhythm. I’m pretty sure that if you were to blast Wolfmother from your car speakers, regardless of the quality of your stereo, the sound alone would actually start every parked car you drove by.

Until last night, I wouldn’t have thought that so much noise could be produced from only a guitar, a bass, and a drum set. I mean these guys were loud. But remarkably, not distorted. I’m not kidding when I say they’re the future of rock ‘n’ roll. Their songs are melodic, but hard. They encompass elements from so many eras of music, but clearly they’re probably most often compared to bands like Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath. For whatever reason, when I look at Stockdale I see this generation’s Marc Bolan.

After the show, Stockdale actually came to the edge of the stage to talk to some girls that were there. In fact, there was one girl in particular who was flirting with him pretty hard. We later saw her still trying to get close to him as her boyfriend looked on, clearly agitated by the scene unfolding before him. But while he was still at the edge of the stage, I decided I’d had enough drinks to go and say hello. So I did. I put out my hand. He shook it. I said, “That was one of the greatest rock shows I’ve ever seen. Thanks.” He said, “Thanks, mate.” Then turned back to the girl who was trying to get in the pants of a rock star.

For the record, in case you’re keeping track at home, that’s two hands belonging to rock stars that I’ve shook.

1) Rivers Cuomo
2) Andrew Stockdale

Don’t be jealous. It’s unbecoming.

Let me just reiterate how good these guys are live: These guys are really good live! If you have the opportunity to see them any time soon, jump at it, because I’m pretty sure it won’t be long before they play exclusively stadium and arena tours. If ever there were a current band who fits into the “arena rock” category, this is it.

The other really cool thing about the show is that it was free. It was sponsored by Jack Daniels, and the only way to get tickets was to get them one way or another from the Jack Daniels people. The four of us won tickets when we went to see The Tallest play at the Abbey Pub a couple weekends ago. The Jack Daniels girls happened to be there that night giving out shots and whatnot, and they had scratch cards where Jack drinkers could win tickets to the show. As it happened, we won.

We didn’t win the acoustic guitar they were giving away though. That would’ve been awesome.

I apologize for these pictures. Obviously they’re just cell phone pictures taken by a guy who wasn’t sure if he’d be kicked out if he got caught taking pictures with his cell phone. That guy was me, by the way.

Anyway, to wrap everything up:

Wolfmother = awesome.
Free tickets = awesome.
Jack Daniels = awesome.
Cell phone pictures = crappy.
The Metro = awesome.

I think I can still taste the Jack & Cokes I had last night. So clearly it’s been a good morning.