Stephen Makmus & the Jicks: 139 - 2014

139
20140228, Black cat, Washington DC
Jenny and the ess-dog
Rumble at the rainbo
Chartjunk
No one is (as I are be)
Tigers
The janitor revealed
Shibboleth
Senator
Cinnamon & Lesbians
J Smoov
Lariat
Animal midnight
Asking price
Stick figures in love
Independence street
Baby C'mon
Houston Hades
Beginning to see the light (VU)
Oh well (Fleetwood Mac)
Lions (Linden)
From now on

There are no surprises in the main set at the Black Cat in Washington – 'where it all began', though exactly what began there isn't clear to me. Could be I've heard too many versions of this setlist in a row, and this recording happens to be a little more distant, a little less enjoyable than the other dates. It sounds like a tired set. Sure, they don't let the audience down exactly, they give it enough of a shot to meet expectations at least. And respect for that, but more just wasn't in the cards that night. It happens.

The encore – I have to say it – is a real shambles. 'Beginning to see the light' is just tired, no match for the 2013 Crystal Ballroom version. 'Oh well' is a mess, band members stumbling without coördination ('I thought we were going in to the solo now.'). 'Lions (Linden)' is only marginally better. A ho-hum ending. Not the best night.