Everclear - Bring out all the hits!!!

***3/4

A 'World of Noise'!!!

Everclear ***3/4 have so many great songs, I remember putting on the 'Sparkle and Fade' and 'So much for the Afterglow' records so much. But it was their 'World of Noise' record that was the first one I really got into, I can't believe this record is thirty years old. They are on this UK tour with Soul Asylum, making this show the hottest ticket in town... and one I wouldn't miss for the World. I really can't believe it has been a massive ten years since I last saw the band on their 'Wonderful' tour at the London, Islington o2 Academy, on a night that was quite special.

We have all seen the film 'Loser', which Jason Biggs from 'American Pie' fame starred in. When he goes to the Everclear concert, and they open up with 'So much for the Afterglow'. Well for me you want every Everclear set to start in this way, it's just such a great opening number so it's nice that they start with this one. It's a track that is really hard hitting and fast, and perfect for the live stage. But so are so many Everclear songs, like the catchy single 'Everything to Everyone' which has a riff that is catch and different but at the same time resembles something else. And of course live favourite 'Heroin Girl', a song I must have played about a million times. You can't tell me you have not jumped around the sitting room, singing the lyrics to this track.

The thing about Everclear is that all their songs are so well written, the lyrical content is brilliant. And the fact they have so many songs that could take you back to a moment in your life, and you would think when I was down... this song helped me to get through the day. Take the beautifully crafted 'Wonderful' and the incredibly well written 'I will buy you a new Life', both of which have hidden depths. Bass player Freddy Herrera gives life to the faster numbers like 'Amphetamine', and the jumpy up and down number 'AM Radio'. Which both get the crowd moving, and singing even louder. Yes! everyone in the crowd seems to know every word to every song, and that shows how good Art's song writing is.

I knew there was something not quite right with singer Art Alexakis with his movements and the way he was, I had seen the band on the 'So much for the Afterglow' and 'Wonderful' tours. Where I spent a bit of time with him, so I knew he didn't really seem like himself. He announced on stage that he has MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and he just wants to play a little guitar. I know for suffering with a broken shoulder, and having a girlfriend with ME... how hard at times it is to do things. And the fact Art is up on stage with MS a condition much worse, I think he is amazing. And I am so impressed by this, and look at Art as an inspiration to us all for still touring and playing his amazing songs live.

I still remember the day I went to the shops and bought 'Heartspark Dollarsign' on CD single, which had an acoustic version of 'Heroin Girl' on it. It was a time when bands always had great B-Sides to their singles, and with a lot of singles being digital now... I really miss this. The new generation would not realise the impact of going on a monday morning to the local record store, and buying the new single by your favourite bands. Hearing new songs in the wait for the next album, that didn't appear on the album you already own. These also included new versions of songs, covers and remixes, and new artwork on the cover.

They end the set with a great versions of 'Nervous and Werid', one of the first Everclear songs I heard and 'Santa Monica' a song about a place I want to live one day. When I hear this song, I imagine being there and going to an Everclear show. Even though I really enjoyed the set, I feel that some of sound didn't do them justice. The vocals where not clear and loud enough, and the guitars seemed to be way too low in the mix. So the band didn't sound as big as they should have, which was a real shame. Especially when the UK waited ten years to see them, I hope they got this sorted on the rest of the tour.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour - Except main Photo by Dezadie

Everclear - Setlist
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So much for the Afterglow
Everything to Everyone
Heroin Girl
Heartspark Dollarsign
Father of Mine
Summerland
Amphetamine
Wonderful
Song from an American Movie (Part 1)
Strawberry
AM Radio
I will buy you a new Life
Nervous and Weird
Santa Monica

Check Out! the Video for 'Santa Monica' Below...