December 18, 2001
Ben Folds
w/ Lucky Boys Confusion & Clem Snyde
December 5, 2001; Orpheum Theatre
When I found out that there would be two opening bands for this show, I wished I had arrived a bit later. However, I was pleasantly suprised, particularly by Clem Snyde. I don't recall if that was their actual name, but whatever it was, it was damn close to that. Comprised of a guitarist and a drummer, Clem's enjoyability was its simplicity. Not to mention that the guitarist was also a pretty funny guy.
Next up was Lucky Boys Confusion. I had heard of them, but I couldn't figure out what song of theirs they played on WMAD. I found out later that it was "Fred Astaire" or something like that. Anyway, they were a decent band, but they didn't fit in with the rest of the show. They would be better at the Barrymore or something with an area for a mosh pit. But opening for Ben Folds is not a good place for them. As a result, they weren't well liked or well-received.
But at about 9:00, Ben Folds came out. His new band rocked and they played every song of the new album except "Carrying Cathy" and "The Luckiest." They even playeda handful of Ben Folds Five songs, such as "One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces," "Evaporated," and one of their best songs ever, "Song For The Dumped." It was a very good evening, and hopefully Ben Folds will come back soon.
p.s. Interesting note of trivia: The last time Ben Folds played in Madison it was the record low temperature for its time of the year. This time, it was the record high temperature for this time of the year. Just something to think about..........
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