... a great, great show... it far exceeded my expectations which were, after a couple years of progressively less exciting solo performances, somewhat dampened. Pauly was focused and serious for his first concert appearance with a band since 1996. Early on he mentioned that some local "buttfucks" were already using the "Painkillers" moniker so they were trying to come up with a new one. On stage suggestions included "Kevin Bowe Works Blue" and, my fave, "Paul Westerberg and His Only Friends." Surprisingly, Paul played a lot of the leads as Kevin Bowe, Jim Boquist and Michael Bland ripped thru 100 minutes of highlights -some predictable, some quite surprising - from the PW / Mats catalog. BTW, Bowe is a longtime Mpls singer/songwriter/guitarist who, with his long-forgotten Mpls band The Dads, played with the 'Mats at one of their very first gigs, according to PW. Nothing resembling a low spot and the time seemed to go by in a flash. The boys seem to be very well rehearsed (definitely not one of Paul's strong suits in recent years) and looked to be having a blast. Anyone who didn't crack a smile watching Boquist strut and stromp around is probably a Republican.
Highlights for me: a powerful, emotional "My Dad," "Let the Bad Times Roll," "What a Day For a Night," "As Far As I Know," virtually all of the 'Mats songs. Even the Partridge Family song seemed to fit in (it was, FWIW, a "straight" rendition - no goofing around). There were so many great songs that weren't played that tonite and Sunday have the potential for even more excitement. A few weeks ago, I was worried that two nights might be one too many. Now I'm very much looking forward to going to all 3.
Paul Westerberg and the Painkillers *
5 November 2004
Pantages Theater - Minneapolis, MN
* = Kevin Bowe (guitars, vocals), Jim Boquist (bass, vocals), Michael Bland (drums)
Waiting For Somebody
Final Hurrah
Kiss Me On The Bus
My Dad
AAA
Achin' To Be
Mr Rabbit (Kevin Bowe on mandolin)
Making Me Go
Let The Bad Times Roll
As Far As I Know
Little Mascara
Valentine
High Time
new song ?? (solo electric)
Sadly Beautiful (solo acoustic 12 string)
Crackle & Drag (solo acoustic 12 string)
If Only You Were Lonely (solo acoustic 12 string)
Lookin' Up In Heaven (acoustic w/ band)
What A Day (For A Night) (acoustic w/ band)
Love Untold (PW on electric 12 string)
I Will Dare (PW on electric 12 string)
I Think I Love You (Partridge Family cover)
Alex Chilton
Left Of The Dial
ENCORE
MPLS (PW on blues harp)
I'll Be You
Folk Star / Jingle
Only A Hobo (Dylan cover)
Can't Hardly Wait
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