Archers of Loaf/Gravity Jet Propulsion: Live VZD OKC, OK

I arrive early at VZD located on Western right down the street from the Oklahoma City University campus to see my current fave band Archers of Loaf. I am accompanied by my wife and much to my chagrin find out the doors don't open until 9:00 PM...which sucks because it is 7:45. So much to my wife's chagrin I force her to listen to the recently released White Trash Heroes bought only one day prior to this show while waiting for the doors to crack and for my friends from Norman to arrive.

Once the doors open we immediately secure the front table next to the floor to await the opening band, a local duo made up of a bass/vocalist and a one-month drummer called Gravity Jet Propulsion. At this same time we are joined by one of Mike's friends who is a friend of the opening act. As I sit and listen to the indecipherable noise coming from GJP's set, I am reminded of why it is so important to write structured songs with a melody and hooks and also why it is important to learn your instrument before performing in front of strangers...your friends will lie to you. Aside from the drummer's lack of playing experience, the songs are basic Ramones rip-offs played as though Martin from Killing Joke is drumming, the only difference is, Martin can play. The rhythm is not constant and basically it just sounds like a brick thrown into the fan of a Chevy 350. And what makes it worse, I am on the wagon and sober. I comment to Mike my true feelings of GJP and his friend over hears and is not pleased, but if I like I praise, if I don't I'll hammer ya'. Oh well.

Now to the Archers....which by the way, have camped out at the table next to mine prior to performing, but at that time I was too chicken.
AOL starts off with a crystal clear, slightly lagging version of Audiowhore off of Vs. the Greates of All Time. By this time I have retreated to the four foot counter stretching along the north wall of the club, sitting on it for a better view. The fans near the stage erupt in a manic frenzy as Eric B.'s Carolina twang spits "audiowhore, sucking on sound...sucking my voice....dragging me down". The Archers then explode into Harnessed in Slums and shortly after bassist Matt Gentling decides to describe AOL's sound by insisting their sound comes from the "Chapel Hill" effects pedal...an amusing part of the show. The Archers continue their set with a smorgasbord of jams, pulling hits from each album which include Dead Red Eyes, White Trash Heroes, and Perfect Time from the new disc; Form and File, Rental Sting, Vocal Shrapnel, and Scenic Pastures from All the Nation's Airports; A half-time version of Web In Front and You and Me from Icky Mettle; Greatest of All Time from VeeVee; and Lowest Part is Free/Freezing Point from Vs. the Greatest of All Time. To this point the Archers had played a riveting, energy draining set for a little over an hour.

The boys took a break to cool off and urinate I guess and returned to the stage for an encore. This marked the third time I had seen AOL and the previous two they had opened their encore with the same song, so I thought "why should this be any different?". As I expected the entrancing guitar riff of Plumb Line from Icky Mettle started it's jangle and the crowd of roughly 250 soared unitl the very last "mean a thing". I had hoped for a longer encore, but the band's last song would be it's next...the energetic grunge anthem Nostalgia from VeeVee. All in all it was the most "on" I had seen the band and I give the performance an A. It would have a plus, but the length of the show was my only demerit. As many know the Archer's broke up after this tour to pursue solo projects, take care of family business, etc. etc. I actually could not resist after the show however and made my way through the crowd to ask the boys about their future. They, of course, denied the rumors of seperation but were kind enough to sign my copy of White Trash Heroes which was really cool. Incidentally, Brian Case from a local Chapel Hill band and AOL roadie, was filling in for Eric Johnson on the other guitar spot who had job related obligations in NC which Eric B. explained to me is why the set was so short to accomodate the songs Brian knew.