Lagwagon
- Live in a Dive
By Kevin Wierzbicki
“They’re old and fat, they’re washed-up
and ugly, they’re wanna-be has-beens; they suck!!!” Okay, so maybe some
people have that opinion of Lagwagon. But those words actually came from
band bassist Jesse Buglione as part of the self-deprecating dialog in the
comic book that accompanies this latest release in Fat’s Live in a Dive
series. A sense of humor is essential to fully enjoy the ’Wagon and
singer Joey Cape teases the sold out House of Blues audience right off
the bat by welcoming them to his “acoustic set,” a reference to his side
gig with Tony Sly of No Use for a Name. But then the tunes fly hot and
heavy from “Alien 8” to “Violins” and a cruise to the “Island of Shame.”
“Give it Back” is a perfect demonstration of what fifteen years of experience
have done for the band’s skate-punk sound---Buglione lays done a jazzy
bass line while guitarists Chris “Flip” Flippin and Chris “Leon” Rest singe
everything within earshot, nary a note out of place. Maybe they’re not
perfectionists, but they’re certainly not sloppy, and this album will surprise
anyone who has only had a casual listen to Lagwagon. And par for the course
with “live” or “hits” records, there are two new songs on Live in a
Dive. Cape introduces “Mr. Bap” as being “Not very good” but then changes
his mind and says it’s the best song the band has ever written. The song
turns out to be an extremely abbreviated riff with a quick vocal shout
by Jesse. So the only actual new song is “The Chemist;” a typical Lagwagon
pummeling that lulls you into a false sense of laid-backness with a reggae
intro. Of course “Beer Goggles” is here; so are “Burn,” “Coffee and Cigarettes”
and “Stokin’ the Neighbors.” If you throw this enhanced CD into your computer
you will be treated to a video of “Mr. Coffee” and an interview segment
conducted while the band takes a sauna. Okay, maybe that last part is not
exactly a treat. But this is a well put together package, and considering
that Lagwagon tend to go about five years between releases these days,
Live in a Dive makes a tasty tide-me-over.
CD Info
Lagwagon
- Live in a Dive
Label: Fat
Wreck Chords
Release Date:
2-8-05
Rating: 
Tracks:
Alien 8
Violins
Messengers
Never Stops
Sick
Island of Shame
Give it Back
Making Friends
After You My Friend
Razor Burn
Falling Apart
Sleep
Mister Bap
Beer Goggles
The Chemist
Coconut
May 16th
Bombs Away
Back One Out
Burn
Coffee and Cigarettes
Stokin’ the Neighbors
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