September 26, 2006
Veruca Salt @ Pop's
Since someone asked me to tell them how the Veruca Salt show went, I thought I'd jot down some written notes. What with this new "information sharing" technology and all.
Arriving with Fred H. at St. Louis' best concert venue, Pop's, I noticed the entire crew of AMP heading for their cars. On-hand only to see Bitch Slap Barbie, they were booking during the set of the third opening band, a nice enough neo-new wave act of no particular impact.
With the requisite half-hour break out of the way, the Verucas tooke the stage, with homegirl Louise Post surrounded by three backing musicians supplied by central casting: the cute-as-a-button bassist and harmony vocalist, a cleaned-up version of female bass mercs like Melissa auf der Maur; a lean, lanky (but short) drummer, shirtless and tatted; and a lean, lanky (but tall) second guitarist, whose theatrics would eventually transcend all sense of proportion and venue.
Alas. Picking songs from all four VS albums - the two with Nina Gordon and the two without, including the brand-new "Veruca Salt IV" - Post and company mixed-in enough of the old hits and cult faves to keep the crowd happy, as folks were nodding along to the likes of "Seether" and "Volcano Girls," while remaining respectful to the new, less time-tested material. Post even serenaded her mom with a "happy birthday," not long after telling the crowd that "fucking St. Louis fucking rocks." Nice sentiments, on both counts.
In all, a good show, and a bargain at twice the $5 ticket price.
Should also note that the crowd veered towards the 30-up crowd, though some collegians were there, too, though they couldn't have been at the shows of yore at the Hi-Pointe and Mississippi Nights... could they? It was amusing to hear conversation after conversation of people trying to place exactly when they saw the band, since the group never embraced STL as a primary concert home. Also, we commented on the fact that business at MoKaBe's and Novak's was surely way off last night, at least until 30-minutes after the final Veruca Salt cut.