Live music review: Parquet Courts showcased new record at Stubb’s Friday
New York City’s Parquet Courts hit Stubb’s BBQ Friday amid a ton of anticipation from fans eager to see the garage rockers’ return to Austin. Perhaps lost in that fervor was the fact their new record, Sympathy for Life featured a cache of songs unlike much of the band’s previous material. Some of which is fantastic, albeit, downtempo material perhaps not anticipated by excited fans ready to rock it out. It was sonic bliss to the significant crowd of music nerds in attendance.
That played out as the set list was heavy with songs from their latest record. The group hit the stage to a nearly full house at Stubb’s despite the chilly, windy weather Austin was hosting. After stellar live versions of “Marathon Anger” and “Plant Life” (see video) from the new album, Parquet Courts tossed in a cover of a Silver Apples (a beloved Brooklyn act) song.”
Brothers Andrew and Max Savage along with Austin Brown and Sean Yeaton comprise the members of Parquet Courts. A Savage (as he goes by as a solo act) and Brown met while students at the University of North Texas. The band was fully formed in New York. They continue to operate a classically DIY enterprise while deliberately ignoring 21st Century marketing activity such as social media. If they don’t need it, why bother is Savage’s reasoning. From our point-of-view the mostly sold-out crowd validated those comments in a way.
In fact, A Savage mentioned the band was from New York when they finally got around to acknowledging the audience after turning their work into what felt like a glorious, extended, progressive rock jam session. The band played like the show was nearing the end of their tour segment. The band is on point like a seasoned jazz combo that knows how to rock out or blow your mind or both.
The show is co-led by Yeaton who looks like a possessed bass-madman when the songs get fast and A Savage who couldn’t look more different with his starched button-down and close-cropped hair-style. Both are virtuosos in their musical ability. Therein lies the delta with the duo at the core of an incredibly talented bunch.
Parquet Courts will next take a swing through the deep South on their way to what looks to be an intense, multi-city Spring tour across the United States and Europe next year.
Photos Michael Maly and Drew Doggett
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