Butch Walker: Guest on LFDH and Rock Star at The Double Door in Chicago

As my vast, devoted following knows, Bibi LOVES Episode 54 of Live From Daryl's House, her introduction to the great, the wonderful, the truly under-recognized, Butch Walker.  After Daryl gives a short, intriguing lead-in for Butch, we meet Butch, who introduces himself, giving us an idea what he's about. 

I remember thinking:  hmmm, this guy seems nice enough, a bit self-effacing, pretty low-key, laid back.  Wonder how he'll do up against  Daryl's band?  He proceeded to rock it with Bodegas and Blood first on the set list--on mandolin, no less--having a ball, singing back and forth with Daryl and the guys, confidence and performance full out.  Aaaahhh, the beginning for me with Butch. 

And then he did Sweethearts!  Oh, dear! 

Butch singing Bibi's favorite: Sweethearts

Maybe I knew then that a new world had opened for Bibi or maybe I didn't realize it until a few hours later when I was still watching YouTube videos of Butch, taking in as much as possible about this fantastic performer.

Thing is, now, having seen Butch live, I'm amazed at the different sides of Butch--the sweet, almost diffident singer on LFDH--and the rock star on glorious display at the Double Door on December 30. 

Butch Walker: You're SUCH a pretty melody!

I suppose many performers have multi-faceted personalities that they reveal at different times.  Let's take Angus Young as an example.  Apparently, he's quite shy in regular life, unassuming, sitting around drinking cups of tea and smoking Benson & Hedges cigarettes.  Onstage, though, OMG--total fucking wild man on guitar!  Running all over the stage, killing it for two solid hours, driving the audience insane with those riffs, so familiar and such an intense rush of unbelievable energy, excitement, intensity.  Sigh. 

Focus, Bibi...Butch Walker, Butch Walker, you were writing about Butch Walker.  Right.  For Butch, these differences manifest themselves so dramatically, really cool that these two disparate views of him both appeal to Bibi.  You HAVE to see Butch live, really!  His records are fantastic and if you haven't watched episode 54 of Live from Daryl's House, what have you been doing?  GREAT showcase for Butch and then, take any opportunity you can, get out of the house, get yourself downtown and shake it all out at a Butch Walker show.  INTENSE!

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker Mixtape V.2

Although Bibi still has a few copies of the BWM II and/or II.2 and IV.3, the BWDDC (Butch Walker at the  Double Door in Chicago) cd is now available.  Late this week, introduced Butch's music to a new possibility, M.  She seemed open to listening and let her know there were Butch Walker cds, BTW II.2 and IV.3, versions with or without the f and the s words.  If Bibi were in a more reflective mood, she'd riff off George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, John Lennon, etc., about the power of some words....Luckily for the faithful It's been such a good week, I won't make them suffer through such a jejeune, and ultimately pointless exercise.  (but what about making the readers suffer through the use of words like jejeune?)  However, the conversation with M did guide Bibi to the realization that from a marketing standpoint, a new "meet Butch Walker" in a cd kind of way was needed.  Here it is:

Butch Walker Mixtape V.2

Maybe It's Just Me  
Mixtape                   
Don't Move         
Race Cars and Goth Rock
Bethamphetamine (Pretty Pretty)
The Weight of Her
Here Comes the…
Ponce de Leon Ave.
Ships in a Bottle
Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car
Sweethearts
Synthesizers
The Closest Thing to You
Pretty Melody

Some of the thought process behind the setlist:  so impressed with the Chicago Double Door show, I now love Pretty Melody--always liked the video--so had to include it with these other faves.  

I got some words you need to hear

I'm coming around to ATL, Closer to the Truth and Further From the Sky, and The 3 Kids in Brooklyn but not there yet, so didn't include them.  This version doesn't rock as much as Bibi would prefer, but as a sampler, really like it.  Plus, that s and f word thing--this selection doesn't have that element.  Have started giving it out; waiting to hear feedback.

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker: Post-Show Blues

Every day's a Monday now that the show has come and gone, right?  Bibi's been really busy at work and suffering from a diagnosis-proof toothache, living on Advil, and a lack of Butch Walker shows.  Guess, toothache or not, had to unfold this way for the fans lucky enough to see Butch in Chicago.  Like Tom Petty says:  waiting is the hardest part--until the new album hits and the supporting tour.  The BWAE (Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect) has been put to the test all week, helping Bibi through the pain, but really!  Just want it to go away and never come back!

Confession:  haven't been upholding my duties as a fan.  Want to make a new mixtape cd--the songs that Butch sang on December 30 at the Double Door, sans the new ones, of course--and have run out of the Butch cards I give out to those whom I want to become familiar with Butch's work.  Did get more card stock today and think/hope I'll be up to putting together the setlist for the new batch of cds later today.  There's a new indie-looking eatery next to the library and wanted to offer them the BWM II.2 (without the s and f words), but need to make a few more of those, as well.  Geez, really behind in carrying out the fan oath of purpose and obligations!  Did I even remember to pay dues recently? Priorities, Bibi!  lol

Did talk up (through the mist-inducing pain) Butch, the recent show, his talent, his persona on stage to two new people at work--that's when I realized I was out of cards and BWM II.2.  Bibi loves Butch's work and understands about the use of the s/f words--they fit in the flow, meaning of the songs, are not hate-inspired, mongering--but the idea is to introduce Butch to simpatico listeners, not give them the opportunity to get hung up on details. 

My competency with the phone camera at the show was really challenged.  Show pics would make very effective ppt-like effects while I'm talking about Butch.  But, have been able to let folks see photos other people took; some are quite good.  Very appreciative of those.  LOVE this pic someone took on NYE while Butch was singing....you know the song lyrics this gesture fits....tick, tock, tick, tock....ok, Race Cars and Goth Rock. 

Thinking that next time I see Butch, will try to get closer to the front, just for the sake of pictures.  Given different factors, Bibi's strategy had been to leave the struggle, time consumption of being at the front, difficulty of going to the bathroom or getting drinks to others, but re-thinking that.  Not something that ever bothered Bibi at AC/DC concerts--and have the pictures to prove it (ha, ha)--but with Butch playing such small venues, seems absurd not to have great pictures of him performing.  Plus, the camera LOVES Butch and the Internet needs more pictures of him looking totally fab.

Who could argue with that need?

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker and Revenue Generation, one at a time

Woo hoo!  Was talking to one of the people at the office, D (mentioned him before), who asked me about seeing Butch on December 30.  Giving him a quick rundown on how UNBELIEVABLY FANTASTIC Butch was, trying to express Butch's allure, singing, songwriting, guitar talent, and especially his ability to enthrall the crowd.  If you've seen Butch live, you know what I'm saying.  Anyway, he asked me my favorite album--what a decision!--and I went with The Spade.  It rocks, it rocks, it rocks AND it has Sweethearts and The Closest Thing to You I'm Gonna Find.  While we were on the phone, heard some music from his side and then, D said:  OK, bought the album from ITunes.  SO COOL!  D subscribes to the concept that artists who are really good--Bibi had effectively talked Butch up--deserve to make money from their art.  Bibi feels like a revenue-generating fan (R-GF).  It's a good feeling!

[Whoa, just saw a teaser for a new NBC show and A Man Like That is the music playing over the action!  Hope this means something good for Butch.]

Bibi is still processing the fab, fab time in Chicago.

Well, okay, mostly reviewing the show at the Double Door, especially now that such great pictures and videos have been posted by some of the other fans.  Check out Synthesizers here:

Synthesizers/Eileen

Butch knows how to get the crowd jumping, singing, and, of course, an all out performance from him.

Butch rules!

Butch Walker in Chicago Set List, redux

Bibi is still processing the kick-ass show last night!

As you can see, feeling kind of shell-shocked by the whole incredible experience.  Butch did wow me--and the entire crowd!  Feeling a bit blue, thinking that now Bibi will have to wait for the tour Butch alluded to, maybe beginning in February of the new year.  At least, that will be when the album will come out.  Bibi has a tough time with waiting patiently for anything and now that she's realized the dream of seeing Butch live, well really, it will feel like an interminable sit in the bus station before she sees Butch again. 

Working on the set list; here's most of it:

ATL
Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car
Going Back Going Home
Pretty Melody
Dublin Crow
The Closest Thing
The Weight of Her
She Likes Hairbands
Race Cars and Goth Rock
Synthesizers (YES--he played mandolin!!!)
Summer of '89
3 Kids in Brooklyn
Sucker Punch

It was all Bibi could do to write halfway legibly--the paws, the paws--in the dark, too, jumping around, the drinks, singing, etc.  So will continue to work on this.  Amazingly, for Bibi, my opinion of some of the cuts increased dramatically upon hearing the selections live.  He also included a couple of new songs, sounded promising for the whole album.  (I know I left a couple of songs out--didn't get to write them down, but will get back to y'all with those.)  Butch is such a story teller.  A good amount of the joy engendered during the show IS Butch telling the back stories on the songs--such an endearing quality he has!  Funny, funny, funny, too!

Will say that Butch talked up his guitar ability, which is outstanding.  Will discuss this aspect of his presentation later/again.  He was truly impressive.  Hope to hear/enjoy this aspect of his talents even more on the upcoming tour.

BTW--although I tell everyone that Butch is NOT just another pretty face, DAMN, he was hot!  Not just Bibi--a huge number of us were swooning.  Couldn't get enough of looking at him.  And, of course, listening to him.

Love you, Butch!  Thanks again for bringing Bibi to Chicago!

Butch Walker ROCKS Chicago

He came, he sang, he conquered! 

Butch fucking Walker RULES!

Bibi is really tired--all that pent up emotion is out now--Bibi feels a bit like a deflated plush toy.  Don't know where that description came from, don't read too much into it.  A lot of that now-lacking energy Bibi had before the show at the Red Door was expended while jumping up and down, singing at full throttle, screaming on command (yeah, Butch can make his audience do anything), totally immersed in the talent, the beautiful, fabulous, glorious voice, and rockin' guitar work  Butch brought to his adoring fans tonight.  Part of Bibi's fatigue is probably due to finally taking a breath after a whirlwind visit to a greatly interesting and varied, beautiful city, as well.   But, clearly, most of this energy crash is due to finally getting to see Butch live, up close, in person.  Too sleepy now to rave on and on, in detail, WITH pictures, but Bibi promises, as soon as she gets settled back home, she will reveal all.

THANKS, Butch!  You were FANTASTIC!