Swearing At Motorists
march 02, 2002 - chicago, il - schuba's
from slatch
I want you to take this show. Study this show. Learn this show. Love this show.
It's your standard club performance. Good sound quality, decent performance. At one point, Dave (the lead singer) gives Mark a shout out for coming all the way from Rhode Island to watch them play. I thought that was pretty cool.
But, where the show really excels... rises above the rest... the real reason to listen - is the heckling. It is brilliant. The crowd picks up on the fact that Dave is stoned out of his mind and wears him down. Heckeles him until he finally gives in.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love Swearing at Motorists. One of my favorite bands ever. Dave is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. But this really is some classic heckling. Trust me. Let's take a look at the downward heckling spiral:
- 2:15 Swearing at Motorists tells the crowd "Here's a Dayton Ohio song for you." Some meathead instantly starts chanting for Guided by Voices. GBV! GBV! GBV!
- 6:15 Dave is too messed up to finish a sentence.
- 16:00 Approaching the mid-point. Tension starts mounting. Dave asks for more vocal and less guitar. The crowd gets impatient. Some guy goes "How about you just play less?" Dave ignores them and launches into Telford to North Main.
- 19:40 Some guy asks for "More Sentridoh in the monitors! Less Sebadoh!" I don't really understand that heckle, but it's pretty funny.
- 22:20 "I'm waiting to hear what witty comment comes from over here." Dave starts losing his patience. The audience is getting to him. He asks for less guitar. Some guy in the audience asks for "More Beards! More Bass!" (they are a two piece - guitar and drums) Dave asks the audience if they are on his side. The guy in the audience just responds "More BASS!"
- 29:05 Some dude in the audience screams something. Dave freaks out. He launches into a song:
It's a real thin line between being funny at the rock show
and getting your ass kicked at the rock show.
And I'm not sure which one it's gonna be for you or me.
Are you friend or foe?
Declare it right now.
Because, if you're my friend, just chill out for a bit.
Because it's funny and witty, but a little distracting.
Because I'm getting pissed.
- 31:55 Guy in the crowd starts chanting "Less racket! More Jacket!" Dave gets pissed off again.
- 34:35 "Freebird! Freebird! Freebiiiiiird!"
listen to the show
for questions or comments contact: webmaster@swearingatmotorists.com