Duke Shin

At the first of two sold-out shows at the Empty Bottle, the crowd listens gamely to the closing number from openers Au Revoir Simone--three keyboard-wielding Brooklynite girls, with a thrift-retro style to match their vintage electronics. Applause. Roadies rush the stage, setting up what has to be the easiest stage show.

The equipment is emblazoned with big signs: "Peter Bjorn & John Guitar Amp," "Peter Bjorn & John Bass Amp" and "Peter Bjorn & John Bass Drum." A roadie's brave and torn Spicoli edition Vans cling for dear life as their owner continues with setup. "Check one, check, check, check...Check two, check, check, check..."

WXRT newcomer Jason Thomas emerges to introduce the band. "He's pretty cute for a radio guy," yells one girl into the ear of another. The band takes the stage to rapturous applause, as the sitar version of "Young Folks" plays on in the background. "I love IKEA!" someone bellows from the crowd--apparently offering his support for PB&J's home country of Sweden. Sartorially smart, in pressed pants, or vest, or jacket, the trio looks sharp as they launch into "Let's Call It Off."

But who is who? "Hi, I'm Bjorn," announces the bass player. "Yah..." Guitarist and vocalist Peter alternates between wiping his face pensively like Michael Stipe and wailing like Elvis Costello (when not scissor kicking like Pete Townsend). Drummer John chips in, harmonizing with Bjorn and Peter from time-to-time (and sometimes whistling, too). "It's like they're powered by cute!" gushes another female fan. During an a capella segment of "Amsterdam," the overly enthusiastic gyrations of a seemingly blasted woman in the front shakes Bjorn's concentration, as he tries his best to stifle his giggles--like Jimmy Fallon in a hopeless sketch.

Composing himself, Bjorn sings on. "...And I got to go away, to a place of my own." Heather D'Angelo from Au Revoir Simone joins PB&J onstage for that eponymous duet-whistle-track "Young Folks." Like Susanna Hoffs in a thrift-store moment, the willowy brunette sways ever so slightly while gazing slowly, deliberately, around the room, then back at Peter. "We could stick it out and see this night through..." "Peter Bjorn John & Heather!" suggests the IKEA-yelling guy. The band leaves, and then returns for a short encore, including a raucous cover of the Undertone's classic "Teenage Kicks." The crowd shimmies, shakes and dances along before being belched out into the spring air and sidewalk of Western Avenue, as another crowd lines up for the second show.

(2007-05-14)

Also by Duke Shin

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