speed of dark

Last year at this time, I saw Death Cab for Cutie in concert at the Wiltern, all by myself. I'd never attended a show alone before, and I'm not sure it will be something that I'll do again. alt-gramma used to attend shows by herself all the time when I was in high school, and she wasn't going to see any classical or jazz fests either. She went to see punk hardcore bands and early alternative rock bands. She was/is awesome.



I first heard "405" off of someone's music blog, and at the time, I thought it referred to the 405 freeway that runs through Los Angeles. I found out later that it refers to the 405 that runs through Seattle (is the same freeway?). I went out immediately to the local Tower Records (goodbye Tower!), where I knew I could find their back catalogue, and bought we have the facts and we're voting yes, the photo album, and something about airplanes. I later picked up you can play these songs with chords at Amoeba Records in Berkeley. Sad, really, that most people remember where they were when incredible, life-changing events happened? I remember when and where I bought CDs. But I digress...

I immediately became obsessed with them shortly before the release of transatlanticism and alt-gramma and I saw them play at Coachella, where they wore coveralls and set up their own equipment in 110+ degree heat, and put on an outstanding show.

But then I saw them at the Wiltern last year (has it really been a whole year since then?), I was disappointed by their lack of enthusiasm, the robotic way in which they performed, and the relatively short set, not to mention their latest album, which I bought because I love them, and some tracks are decent, but not as good as what came before. Maybe Ben wasn't feeling well, as some speculated. But I went home sad, not only because I had to go to the show alone.

Enjoy some early Ben Gibbard and some earlier DCfC, before all of the tweens saw them on the OC and embraced them.

all-time quarterback: why i cry from all-time quarterback

ben gibbard: the saddest story ever told from live in 2002

ben gibbard and andrew kenny: you remind me of home from home volume 5

death cab for cutie: 405 [acoustic] from forbidden love EP

death cab for cutie: this temporary life from future soundtrack for america

death cab for cutie: this charming man [smiths cover] from you can play these songs with chords