w/ Rainer Maria

[review]

(from rainermaria.com)

Rainer Maria
w/ Rilo Kiley @ Bad Earl | Atlanta, GA

November 9, 2002

review written by Richie Bearden

Rainer Maria and fellow tour mates Rilo Kiley made it into Atlanta, GA this Saturday and played at the Earl (a 21+ bar in the heart of East Atlanta). I was not planning on attending this show simply because of the fact that I'm 17, but alas, I made it in. My friends Jennifer and Pugsly and myself drove to Columbia on Friday to see the show assuming that we wouldn't see them in our hometown of Atlanta. 3 1/2 hours well worth it! Met Kyle, Bill, and Caithlin, also met Rilo Kiley (but this was my 2nd time seeing them live). We told them our story and Jennifer got Bill's cell phone number so he could do some fandangling and get us in to the show the following night.

After the amazing performance of both bands and the dance party in the crowd, it was another 3 1/2 hour trek back to Atlanta. Later Saturday, Jennifer met up with the band and went to dinner while I worked. I got off, and quickly made my way to the Earl. Bill came out to the back door, took me to the van, handed me a box of cd's and on we went into the club. A band from Richmond, VA was playing but I couldn't pay much attention because I was still awestruck from the fact that I made it in and I got to look damn cool hanging out with the two bands.

Rilo Kiley came on and rocked the house, but, being that the Atlanta scene is too indie to be indie, the crowd didn't get into it as much as the party animals in Columbia. Of the two nights, I'd say that Rilo Kiley did better in Columbia because I think they honestly had much more fun.

Towards the end of their set, I found myself talking with Bobby and working Rilo Kiley's merch table...selling cd's and making sure every passer by signed the mailing list. When Bobby decided he needed a break, Jennifer was there to man the Rainer Maria merch. The night, well, the weekend for that matter was turning out to be one of the most amazing ever.

This night, RM played a couple more songs off of A Better Version of Me than in Columbia and played a good amount of new songs which I think the crowd enjoyed very well. Kyle had hurt himself skateboarding in Columbia, so his stage antics seemed a little more calm, but Cait made up for it with karate kicks and just rocking out. And, Bill, you don't even have to say how cool he is. He's is definitely one of the nicest guys I've ever met that's involved with the indie rock music business. (On the top of my list with Bob Nanna from Braid/Hey Mercedes.)

They finished up with an encore this time. I forget the name of the song but I know it's off the first album and Bill hits the sticks together in one part and the crowd should start clapping [Tinfoil I presume- J] but they didn't seem to want to. So, Bobby recruited Jennifer to enter into the crowd and get the clapping revolution started...I'd say she was semi-successful. But, the band was definitely successful in bringing entertainment and bringing some rock and roll. Of the two nights, I believe that RM played a lot tighter and rocked a bit harder in Atlanta.

After packing up and everything, wishing the band the best of luck on the rest of the tour, we met up with Rilo Kiley at a vegan restaurant just down the street. Plenty of good conversation, good food, but then, the night took a terrible turn. When I walked Jennifer to her car, we noticed that the back window had been smashed out. Her purse, cd player, and various other things had been stolen. They even attempted to hot wire it. They completely demolished her drive shaft, so it was impossible to start the car and get it anywhere. I took her home, we filed a police report and it was another long night or early morning rather. Things are looking up, though. But, the weekend could not have come to a worse end...well, one of us could've died, but whatever.