Tuesday, April 19, 2011 marked the beginning of one of the most monumental music pilgrimages I’ve taken thus far in my life: Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
As early as 1927, this historic building has been an influential hub of the dancing and music scene. Its roots took hold in the midst of the oil boom and the post-prohibition era, sprouted into the days of swing, grew on into the beginnings of rock and roll, and is still growing ever stronger into the present. The sounds of Blues, Country, Jazz, Rag, Western Swing, and Rock and Roll have filled the walls of this social house in a way that no other venue in the Midwest can claim. But above all else, Cain’s-- to this day-- is still known for the musicians it hosts.
Popularly known as “The Home of Bob Wills,” the nostalgia of the venue begins outside where-- on the sidewalk-- there are stars for such familiar names as Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, Jr. The inside of the venue filled me with overwhelming awe as I laid my eyes upon the walls. They were covered with old concert fliers of acts ranging from country to new wave to metal to punk; and portraits of performers who’ve graced the Cain's stage through its history, like Spade Cooley. I could just feel the history running through the veins of this place, and when I closed my eyes I could easily imagine all of the dancehall junkies and greaser-gangs who used to fill the venue in days of old. And one important factor that I shall never forget about Cain’s is that, during the Sex Pistols’ only American Tour, Cain’s booked them in 1978!
My pilgrimage to Cain’s Ballroom was primarily to check out The National on 04/19/2011. But I also stayed an extra night at The Mayo (a historic boutique hotel in downtown Tulsa) and checked out another one of my favorite acts, Interpol, at Cain’s on 04/20/2011. Opening for The National on 04/19/2011 was Other Lives (who could’ve been caught at SXSW Festival this year, and whose tunes have been popularized on TV shows such as One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy). Below is a picture of myself with Josh Onstott of Other Lives. The National played a magnificent 16-song set, plus an additional 4 encore songs. They played some of their most beloved and emotionally moving songs such as “Mistaken for Strangers,” “Apartment Story” (Boxer, 2007), “Sorrow,” “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” and subsequently closed this riveting set with “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” (High Violet, 2010). Matt Berninger-- lead singer of The National-- even walked all the way out into the crowd while singing in his velvety, distinct, baritone voice. He embraced the crowd and the crowd embraced the band back. After the show, I had the opportunity of meeting, hugging (groupie-style), and paying homage to some of the members of The National, and personally thanked them for the beautiful music they make.
Me and Josh Onstott from Other Lives
Cain’s Ballroom has changed hands through the years, but since circa 2002, Doc Roc Productions has been the booking talent/production team behind the Cain’s name. On the night of 04/20/2011 (during the Interpol show), it was my pleasure to be able to have a few moments to share a drink and have words with a talented young man-- Hunter Rodgers of Doc Roc. Hunter is one of the individuals responsible for much of the operations and much of the talent that’s passed through Cain’s as of late; acts like Bassnectar, Ghostland Observatory, Girltalk and Ween. The Interpol show was a fabulous way to experience Cain’s Ballroom for one last night, celebrate 4/20, meet one of the men behind the current magic of Cain’s Ballroom, and also bid a farewell toast to Gerard Smith of TV on the Radio (who sadly passed away that morning). Interpol played-- in their hypnotizing style-- an expectedly satisfying 18-song set for the phenomenal price of roughly $30.00, which is chump change in comparison to their ticket prices elsewhere in the country and the world!
Myself, overlooking The National's performance at Cain's Ballroom
Great value, great venue, great staff, great city... To say the least, Cain’s Ballroom lived up to its rich and vibrant history and reputation. The two nights I spent there seeing The National, Other Lives, Interpol and School of Seven Bells will not easily be forgotten, nor will I try. If you’re in the Tulsa area, or you just want to see some of the best indie, hip-hop, rock (and even some pop) acts in a venue with more soul in it than even the trademark bounce in its dancefloor, make it a point to check out Cain’s. You can even catch Social Distortion there on 04/29/2011 if you hurry. THANKS CAIN’S!!
~Meow~
Pennies
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