* All photos copyright Alex Myers 2004-2005
This was also the same night that Britt Daniel (of Spoon) played upstairs at the Swedish American Hall. Click here to see those photos. Like so many of John's shows here in San Francisco, this was either a coming or a going, and truly on easy terms. Sorry, bad pun. What do you mean you don't own "Cellar Door" yet? Brilliant records aside, this show was indeed a homecoming, one last rally before collapsing and then working on the new mountain goats record and then on the Vanderslice record and then running off to sxsw and then ...
John tours like a fiend. Seriously, go support him and his amazing band if they come anywhere near where you live. The old songs constantly evolve and the new ones will stun you. On with the pictures!
John played a few songs on his acoustic guitar. Very nice.
Joining him on tour are Dave Douglas on drums and Carson McWhirter on bass.
I love this picture of Scott Solter, seated at the Wurlitzer, guitar at the ready.
You can't quite see it here, but Carson is sporting the ultimate touring musician accessory -- your own tour t-shirt, by Joe Williams!
So good live.
Getting sweaty ...
So many of the new songs feel heavy and dark, but what will they become?
Lookit Dave!
Carson laughs at something John said between songs.
Such a nice sound from that guitar. Very unusual.
Ah yes. John's fanclub jumps onstage during a final song. Actually, I think it's Tomer Danan, the drummer from Robbers on High Street.
Anyone who jumps on Scott is okay in my book.
So dirty!
After all that, John pretty much just fucking rocked the crowd.
More information about John Vanderslice can be found at the painfully honest and gorgeous http://johnvanderslice.com