The Figgs ~ 2007 September 14 ~ T.T. the Bear's, Cambridge, MA
Band Personnel: Mike Gent (guitar, lead and backing vocals); Pete Hayes (drums); Pete Donnelly (bass, tambourine, lead and backing vocals)
Setlist (from the Figgs Yahoo discussion group)
Back To Being - Metal Detector - Let Me Hold You - Regional Hits - Jumping Again - Follow Jean Through The Sea - I Won't Go To Miami - Can He Stand? - Some Desperate Measure - Something's Wrong - The Daylight Strong - Miss Velvet - Please Hold On - Kill Me Now - If That's What You Want ... encore ... Simon Simone - Cherry Blow Pop
Review
For the first time I saw the Figgs as a headliner without their being Graham Parker's backup band. They played a one-hour set sandwiched in between some other local bands at T.T. the Bear's in Cambridge, MA. I've seen Mike solo a few times opening for Graham Parker, and I saw the Figgs with an extra guitarist (Brett Rosenberg, the Figg du Jour) open for GP a couple of times two years ago, but this was my first experience of the Figgs as a trio.
As a trio these guys are an organic whole. There is a seamlessness to their playing together. They had fun and played off each other's energies. The show was fabulous! Mike Gent is not only a great singer, songwriter, and guitar player, but he has an entirely fresh and unique stage presence. He doesn't make the typical "guitar player faces" but he sure has fun with the instrument on stage, slinging it around like a hatchet and pointing it in all sorts of directions a guitar doesn't normally point. Pete plays bass as if it were a lead guitar, being just as forward with his instrument as Mike, sometimes adding in some tambourine, and frequently sharing a mike with Mike for vocals (think Paul and George). I have noticed that Mike Gent and Graham Parker make a perfect vocal duo, but Mike Gent and Pete Donnelly do, too. They sing flawless harmonies -- not so easy to do at 110 mph! Pete Hayes is a truly talented rock 'n' roll drummer and would be an invaluable asset to any band that would have him. He has a style and flair all his own. He had a cup holder in his drum kit where he stowed a beer, and brought it out and showed it to the audience. He borrowed a pen from an audience member (me) and wrote "Mr." in front of the logo "Rogers" on his bass drum. He stood up on his drum stool a couple of times. The energy level (and sound level -- earplugs were a must!) of this show were simply off the scale.
After an opening set from local band Cheater Pint, the Figgs came on just at their scheduled time of 10:45 and ripped through a high-energy set of 15 songs, including four from their recent record Follow Jean Through the Sea and a bevy of Figgnuts from their past. Off stage briefly the three handsome boys responded to the audience's spontaneous "More Figgs!" chant and returned for a two-song encore. I skipped out before the headliner, Gravel Pit, had a chance to erase any of my great Figgs vibes.
More Figgs
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