To the shock and surprise of many, Saddle Creek forefathers Cursive emerged for a one-off show at the Mercury Lounge. Why the shock? Well, Cursive usually don't come around very often and when they do, it’s usually in a much larger venue. The promise of seeing such an amazing band in such an intimate space brought people out in droves. The usually comfortable Mercury took on the feel of a sardine can right before Cursive hit the stage. Calling it wall-to-wall bodies would be an understatement.
The surprises didn't end with the location.
When the band hit the stage, singer/guitar player Tim Kasher revealed that the band would be playing their new, as-yet-untitled album, from start to finish, which was just completed a couple of days earlier.
Despite not getting to hear many of the old favorites, the crowd was amazingly excited and receptive over the new material. Several times in between songs the band members, especially the typically moody Kasher, could be seen sporting ear-to-ear grins at the crowd’s reaction to the new material. In many ways, this new set of tunes is a return to form for the band after the release of the lower key -- but still great -- Happy Hollow in 2006. Instead of the pain being inflicted outwardly at religion, politics and abuses of power, Kasher has returned to the pain he knows best - his own.
The deep intensity and intimacy of the band's playing was counteracted by their playful attitude in between songs. Each member of the band would comment on their favorite track, which one would be the "hit single," or thank the audience again and again for listening and being so supportive. It’s as if the rock and roll juggernaut that has inspired countless bands and nearly created the Saddle Creek music scene was back to their struggling, young and hungry days.
After they finished playing the album, the band returned to play a short set of classics: "Art Is Hard," "Some Red Handed Slight of Hand," "Dorthy at Fourty," "Bad Sects," and the fan request "Sink To The Beat," all of which the band performed with the vigor of brand new songs.
Cursive has a reputation for delivering powerful and highly emotional performances and they surely did not disappoint this night. Each song was treated as a mini-drama, with Kasher at center stage screaming at the heavens.
This show was also the first look that many fans had at new drummer Cornbread Compton, who took over for long time Cursive member Clint Schnase in 2007. Compton is an excellent fit for the band. His energetic and manic style of playing not only echoes enough of Schnase's to make the old favorites spot-on but is different enough to light a fire under the band...and the new tunes.
Cursive may be a decade old, but this one-off show at the Mercury Lounge proved that they are as inspiring, brilliant and abrasive as ever. If you haven't seen them already there is no time like the present.
--Dan Berkman [June 25, 2008]
Photo: Gabe Liberti
