This has been a 90’s-centric week of indie-rock nostalgia with Helmet on Saturday at New Vintage and Sebadoh on Wednesday at Zanzabar.
Sebadoh exploded as a side-project from the brain of Dinosaur Jr. - bassist Lou Barlow. Formed at a time when his tenuous relationship with Dinosaur front man J. Mascis was most challenging. But in the three decades that have passed, Sebadoh has become equally as loved by fans of Dinorsaur Jr.
Seeing the band on-stage at Zanzabar, Barlow sounded refreshingly good. hHs voice a bit more gravel from age – but on the whole kept the feel of classic Seabadoh.
The largest chunk of the 24 song set focused on the band’s new album "Defend Yourself." The band knocking around songs like “Defend Yr Self,” “Beat,” “Final Days,” “I Will,” “Inquiries,” “Love You Here,” and “State of Mine.” They played the old tunes with the same vigor as they did when they were written, but as players the members have only become better, so the newer songs had more complex arrangements than the early records. That being said, the new material quakes nicely with the same rage when played alongside the band’s back catalog of garage grit anthems.
The band filled in holes around the new album with songs from the past thirty years, with tracks played from "Bakesale," "The Sebadoh," "Harmacy," and "Secret EP." Peculiarly, the band played new songs from their underground opus Bubble & Scrape.
The sound was fantastic; something I have come to expect at Zanzabar. Even the openers Octagrape, put on a high energy show for their weird brand of neuvo brand nerd-psychedlia. Their harmonies were on-point and they never appeared to be asleep at the mic. Strangely, they were a perfect pairing with Sebadoh to open the show.
(Photo courtesy of Domino Recording Company)
