Thrills and spills

Built To Spill upheld their reputation as one of alternative rock’s premier guitar rock combos, even as the members - Doug Martsch, Scott Plouf, Jim Roth, Brett Nelson and Brett Netson -leave the impression they're not 100% there on stage. The band's guitar trio looked almost morose as it unleashed waves of feedback, washes of chords and spacey leads, but the crowd was thrilled almost to the point of hysteria by mind-expanding versions of Else, Big Dipper, Time Trap and You Were Right.

Main man Doug Martsch.



On-again, off-again member guitarist Netson is once again on.



Roth has been touring with the band for a while, and is now an official member as well.



Brett Nelson on bass, Scott Plouf on drums.



Spilling action!







Some final glowing guitar from Martsch.



he kept playing as Plouf disassembled his kit.



It's always cool to finally see a band you've admired from afar put on a great show.

• Show reminder: Rivals, I Refuse, The Wishlist and Sleeping Pilot perform at Club SAW; DJ Gather, The Annoyers, Lieutenant Antlers, The Bazaar rock for vegetables at the Freegan Festival kickoff at the Montgomery Legion. The Grass release their CD at Zaphod's with The Brothers Chaffey. (And despite what you may have heard, As The Poets Affirm do not perform at The Rainbow). Smalltown DJs, Stink Mitt, J.O.T.S and Daiquiri play Babylon.
  

Jump around

Friday was the first day that I didn't have to make any decisions about which band I was going to see when: First I went to see Gogol Bordello, then I went to see Sebastien Grainger et les Montagnes, followed by Built to Spill and Metric. The only other possibility on my to-do list was Tokyo Police Club, but their slot overlapped too much with Built To Spill. There was already a healthy collection of people at the Rogers Stage when I arrived for my second Gogol Bordello show. The bass was really thundering, and the band was just as active as it was at Barrymore's. The barrier did prevent the more personal forms of audience interaction (at least while I was there), but a good time was had by all regardless.

I think Eugene Hutz should put out an exercise tape.



A few minutes before the end I went off to the River Stage to grab a good spot for Sebastien Grainger et les Montagnes. I've seen Sebastien before as part of DFA 1979. His Montagnes are a thumping rhythm section, while he's bringing the rock and various grimaces.



There was a brief wait for Built To Spill, spent photographing rainbows and flags, then it was time for Doug Martsch and his merry crew. Well, his not-very-merry crew. as stage performers go they're fairly low-key. I've been enjoying Built To Spill's work since 1993. I was actually trying to find a Treepeople album, had to settle for Ultimate Alternative Wavers and have been an on-and off admirer since. The three-guitar lineup can really rock out the tunes. I believe that's Jim Roth at right. Netson is much hairier, and has more writing on his guitar.



Last time I saw Metric was at the old Capital Music Hall opening for Broken Social Scene on June 12, 2003 (I'm not counting a previous Bluesfest performance where I only stayed for a couple of songs). I admired that show (though BSS did gull me by saying they were about to break up). The crowd was enthusiastic during Metric's set four years ago; last night they were going bananas. While I was watching Built To Spill several thousand teenagers and 20somethings sneaked up behind me (one industrious young lady actually inveigled herself between me and the barrier). The band test-ran a new song called Up In Flames on the audience and played a bunch of favourites like Dead Disco that had the fans sloshing back and forth.



The crowd up front was an incredible crush and by the end I was feeling a bit compressed.

• Show reminder: A History Of, Medium Mood and Good Night Knights perform at End Hits as part of the Yo Rodeo art show; Flow 14, Rockets Away and Machine Gun Dolly rock Zaphod Beeblebrox; The Warriors, First Blood, Too Pure To Die and Daggermouth do the same at Mavericks. The Jason Kent Band and Eric Vieweg perform at Irene's.