October 15th 2004
In the first line of the California quintet's opening number, their singer asked "Will this night fulfil all the promises''. Loyal fans of the band would have pondered the same question, and their wishes were granted.
Shy, and prone to self-destructive boozing, singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel has been an awkward frontman, threatening either destructive rages or awkward rambling. This time, though, he let the songs do the talking as he and his band tore through a crowd-pleasing set. Not that Eitzel's performance was entirely comfortable. He contorted his body over and around the mike stand as he strove to reach the most searing notes that captured palpable pain and despair.
At least this reunion was nothing to do with topping up pension plans. American Music Club had fizzled out 10 years ago, having failed to follow up on the promise of their 1991 classic Everclear. By combining beautiful songwriting with roots influences and punk sensibilities they had laid the template for what became alt.country. During the band's absence, the likes of Calexico and Lambchop paid homage on an album of covers of the band's songs.
Another fan was REM's Peter Buck, who produced some of Eitzel's ensuing solo output, but the writer's work lacked the bite of an AMC record. Earlier this year, new album Love Songs For Patriots was deemed a worthy return. Eitzel was as sharp as ever, with most of his old band around to provide an eclectic, sympathetic backing. Yet it was a somewhat dour record, as if the band were still gingerly stepping around each other.
At this culmination of a European tour, though, the new songs came emphatically alive, thanks to a stellar all-round performance. While Tim Mooney beat out
precise military tattoos, bassist Dan Pearson delivered urgent bass pulses, with thrilling distortion on the album's opener 'Ladies And Gentlemen'. Guitarist Vudi, a gangly, laconic figure in a fedora, caressed his guitar with the
insouciance of a blues veteran for both country twangs and vicious post-punk spikes.
While the current album's title suggested concern with America's place in the world, most of the paranoia and disenfranchisement in Eitzel's words only served to deepen the darkness around his two main concerns: relationships on the verge of collapse and the drinking that ensued once they have ended, usually in bars you would never choose to go in.
So new numbers sat comfortably with buffed-up oldies, from the yearning opening number, "Why Won't You Stay", to any of the dust-blown drinking songs such as "Outside This Bar".
As Friday's gig progressed, Eitzel loosened up. He introduced the romantic "Only Love Can Save You" in defiant fashion: "This is a cliché, but it's my life". Long-winded anecdotes, though, were cut short by his bandmates. We may never know what Van Morrison was doing in London's rock'n'roll haven, the Columbia Hotel, with a bottle of whisky, but at least Eitzel proved he could provide better company.
Review by Chris Mugan for The Independent October 21st 2004
The American Music Club appeared for one night only in the UK at the Islington Academy to promote their first album in ten years, Love Songs for Patriots.
The cold rain outside was an apt backdrop for a band that has never broken out of its cult status in the UK and North America. Worshipped by their fans, they give every sign of being as embarrassed by their own presence on stage as the audience felt about attending.
Mark Eitzel the lyricist and front man shuffled on stage with the original line up as if they were about to apologise for what was about to take place. But appearances were never more deceptive as the AMC broke out of their shell with the first thundering chord of the evening and instantly took the audience with them.
It was 75 minutes of awe inspiring music for people who believe that rock music can still say something genuine and not merely to regurgitate a musical marketing plan.
They played the classics from the archive such as Nightwatchman, Johnny Mathis, Why Won’t You Stay and most notably Blue and Grey shirt, an ode to a friend who succumbed to aids. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Mark Eitzel’s lyrics and his endlessly supportive band, write about moments of emotional intensity that take place in all our lives or that we wish would. Certainly most of us do not have the ability to articulate it, but thankfully we can at least recognise a band that can.
Perhaps a bit too humourless for the general UK audience who look to Morrissey as a benchmark with his music hall sensitivity, but nobody seemed to mind as Eitzel’s voice wrestled with his own music to produce a powerful delivery that it is as rare today as his own music unfortunately is to be heard on UK radio.
The majority of the set were songs from the extraordinary new album Love Songs for Patriots. Ladies and Gentleman kicked off the new material, driving the band to even greater levels of energy. Patriot's heart, which quickly followed, was the nearest we had to an anthem all evening.
Only Mark Eitzel could rhapsodise about a sleazy bar where lost souls seek temporary solace in booze, drugs and professional sex that would have made Ziggy Stardust blush. Buy the album and feel good about yourself.
Review by Richard Bentley for The Telegraph October 19th 2004
Return to homepage here