the Bluetones performance was FUCKING incredible!


I've loved them for years, but I'd never seen them before (since they're never in the 
states), but this was at a tiny, very sold-out venue, and I had the biggest smile slapped
 on my face for the entire concert. I met up with a whole lot of the Blue Army before the
 concert, and they were all very lovely people, and hopefully I'll get to meet them again.
 I did *just* miss getting into the soundcheck though (I was getting my dinner right across
 the street when they invited people in! grrr.), but apparently Mark said that the first
 single should be out in January, with a new album and tour in March or so.

The Lazybirds opened, they were okay, I wasn't too impressed. Not great, but certainly
 not bad. Just not memorable.

Then the Bluetones came on, and excuse my girlish gushing, but Mark was positively 
gorgeous. I'm so glad he gave up on the indie-hippie route and got a shirt and tie and
 nice short haircut instead. He was lovely. As far as the set went, they played all their
 singles (except Marblehead JOhnson), Pretty Ballerina, and a whole slew of new songs: 
Zorro, Keep the Homefires Burning, One Speed Gearbox, BloodBubble, Autophilia (which was
 VERY clever and had incredibly good, dirty connotations between the love of a car and 
his woman!), and a cute one with only Eds, Richard, and Scott (singing!).

I got to meet Mark afterwards, and even though he was in a rush, he insisted on shaking 
my hand and getting my name and asking me about America (oh, and profusely thanking me 
for coming so far!). And I met Richard and his adorable little daughter, who was decked
 out in a very tiny Bluetones teeshirt. ;)

sorry the review isn't better, but it's been almost a week, and even though I've forgotten
 some details, I can still hum the choruses to about 3 of the new songs, which is really 
impressive as far as staying power goes for new songs. Even coming from a big fan, the new
 songs are some of the best they've ever done. I can't wait for January.