We think that this letter from Dennis (sent to Bob at thebigfoist@gmail.com) speaks for itself. However, we all did have a lot of fun playing the show in question. And we all smiled a lot.
Date: Nov 23, 2007 1:08 PM
Subject: Your Show in Berlin
To: thebigfoist@gmail.com
Dear Fiery Furnaces,
yesterday I attended one of the greatest concerts in my whole life. A very unconventional band was playing. The mere presence of the extraordinary and somewhat geeky characters in the band was exciting to witness. The musical performance of each single member and all of them together was exceptional. The singer stunned the crowd with her close-to-magic voice control. The drummer and the keyboarder played the most challenging parts like it was the easiest thing on earth. The bass player let everyone forget there was no electric guitar and made me smile for his awesome basslines and patterns. That band was you!
However, there were two things that left me with a strange feeling, and the feeling is still there now. First, you did not seem to have any fun, which I believe is a consequence of misinterpretations. Germans often speak English quite well but are far worse with understanding. When the band got introduced it was hard for me to get it when Eleanor was introduced. People had the deepest and most honest respect for you Eleanor and I for my part was also a bit paralyzed by your performance. It seemed like you were seeking feedback you did not get and at times I was confused about the crowd’s reactions too.
Feel free to be in a bad mood, but it seemed like none of you were enjoying the show a lot.
@Eleanor: you are awesome and I liked your appearance, even though I think your style of clothing and hair, though original, do not support your beauty as it should. The combination of such great charisma and voice even exceeds Khaela’s of The Blow. I could not believe what I heard when you changed key without even breathing in between, during one transition of songs.
@Matthew: you are obviously one of the most talented musicians of our time and there is little to add. Sometimes your playing seemed just a little bit too perfect. And please, smile!
@Jason (name correct?): Awesome bass play. You’re probably a guitar player. Stay as u r.
@Bob: you play the drums like you *are* the drums. I bet your parents are both drummers. You seemed really really straight and I would’ve enjoyed your drum play even more if it had been a little less perfect.
@Mixer (name?): I used to be a sound engineer myself. The sound was perfect.
Please come back to Berlin soon. In my eyes, your music is the most original and you’re on top of my list. That’s also why I wrote this email, cos I really care. So I’d be happy if you let me know what you thought about that show.
All the best, and HAVE FUN!!
Dennis Kuehn
Berlin, Germany
7 responses so far ↓
1 phillip // Nov 26, 2007 at 10:53 am
ditto the show last night in copenhagen! fantastic to witness. I think we were all a bit blown away at times as well. a song would end and we would be standing there with our mouths open, jaws on the floor, and matt would start clapping as a way to bring us all back to reality. wow! let’s do it again real soon.
2 EFK // Nov 26, 2007 at 6:16 pm
endearing letter indeed and judging from Bob’s email address it’s a comfort to know that he, as do i, likes The Minutemen.
3 Bruce // Nov 28, 2007 at 2:46 pm
i had a lot of fun at the band’s gig at Whelan’s in Dublin. i’d missed them last year (had tix for Waiting for Godot) and was glad to catch them. the band seemed to enjoy themselves despite or perhaps because of the mischievous antics of the crowd directly in front of the stage. the somewhat mysterious lyrics left one feeling as if they had stumbled into the middle of a very interesting story but couldn’t quite catch the drift. the drummer is amazing. Bruce
4 Margaret // Dec 1, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I noticed they didn’t smile or talk alot when I saw them at the black cat in DC. But I think thats just because, to use a corny expression, they all get very “in the zone” when they’re are playing. And I personally kind of like that, it really goes with their style. Just almost continuous music. Once the show was over though they were all smiles and seemed quite happy. Even stayed on stage for a bit to give out set-lists and sign stuff for the fans in the front.
5 splishy van splashy // Dec 3, 2007 at 1:46 am
i agree with the german guy. i want to see eleanor sporting a beehive.
6 quilty // Dec 4, 2007 at 9:03 am
ahh, i’m still giddy with laughter. i love the sincerity of broken (slightly) english. so upfront, no sarcasm. refreshing. “@Eleanor: you are awesome and I liked your appearance, even though I think your style of clothing and hair, though original, do not support your beauty as it should.” ha! i do like e’s hair though.
7 ben. // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Ok, I’m rather late to throw my hat in for this one, but here it is:
Back on that European tour, I dragged a couple of friends half way across England to go and see the band in Birmingham. (Should you remember they were the two chaps from South Shields, Matt).
I really seriously got into the band after hearing some of the live performances dotted around the net. It was my love of the way the songs constantly evolve from tour to tour that had me wanting to go for it.
It was, if I may say so something of a svelte turnout for the venue, but all the same the performance was pretty tip-top.
If I was being harsh, I think I’d agree with that sense of the band not being stoked to play the gig.
Ealanor kind of whispered through the set, which was a slight dissapointment, because she’s got one of the best feminine rawk howls I can ever think of hearing.
Hatt (typo stands) Looked a but glum, but I’m kind of thinking that might just be his face. He was genuinely ace though. Again, he’s one of those indecently talented musicians, kind of puts me in mind of David Brewis from Field Music / School Of Language.
Jason had a ball anyway, and between his massive grin and the crazy effects pedal he uses with that bass, was on top form.
Bobby’s drumming, I’m still working into my understanding of the band, because it firmly nudges the sound towards hard rock over the earlier Andy Knowles sound. He’s a really good, solid rock drumer though. Reminded me a lot of Roxy Music’s Paul Thompson (random pop fact: Paul is a friend of my dad’s, and used to practice drums in his garage before going to London to the Roxy auditions).
Loved the RMC medley in the middle of the set. The Philladelphia Grand Jury is a great balance of the heavy and light sounds.
It’s just a bit of a kicker that the’re so seldom in the UK. The North East more specifically.
Look to the skies!
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