The Lemonheads revisit It’s a Shame About Ray at First Avenue

After being relocated from the small confines of 7th Street Entry to the next door main room of First Avenue, The Lemonheads were back at it in Minneapolis.  With no explanation given, the opening act The Shining Twins did not play.  This left the anxious crowd that slowly meandered in when the doors opened at 6:30pm plenty of time drink and contemplate what the heck was going on.  It was nearing 9:00pm when The Lemonheads finally took the stage.

First Avenue was three quarters full as Evan Dando and his ever-revolving backing band started the evening by playing through their 1992 hit record, It’s a Shame About Ray.  Dando’s vocals have developed a bit of rust with the years, but it never took away from the performance and overall the band played splendidly to an attentive crowd that bounced along singing to each song.  After It’s a Shame About Ray, Dando occupied the stage alone with his Gibson Les Paul, and by strumming through songs at his own pace, his voice shined brilliantly.

Starting off with “The Outdoor Type”, then continuing through another six songs solo while taking a few requests along the way, Dando had the crowd’s complete attention.  Drummer, Brian Nolan, and the bassist (?? who was filling in for Josh Lattanzi), then took the stage again for a few more before Evan Dando declared that The Shining Twins had finally arrived to the venue.  He invited them out and petite framed Marisa Kreiss jumped around excitedly pulling the mic way down to her level jokingly saying, “Sorry we’re late!”  Dando then loosely strummed through one of their numbers before they all awkwardly left the stage.  There was no encore, there was no opening act, but I think a majority of the crowd still would agree that they got their monies worth.

Photos taken for music blog Reviler, check it out!

The Lemonheads

The Lemonheads – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN 10.22.11 Setlist:
Rockin Stroll
Confetti
It’s A Shame About Ray
Rudderless
My Drug Buddy
The Turnpike Down
Bit Part
Alison’s Starting To Happen
Hannah & Gabi
Kitchen
Ceiling Fan In My Spoon
Frank Mills
The Outdoor Type
Frying Pan (Victoria Williams)
Why Do You Do This To Yourself
It’s About Time
Being Around
Divan (Smudge)
Different Drum (Mike Nesmith/Stone Poneys)
Down About It
Hospital
No Backbone
Tenderfoot
Big Gay Heart
Into Your Arms
The Great Big No
Style
Greasy Bear (with the Shining Twins)