BREEDERS
KXLU Benefit
Los Angeles, CA
April 14, 2001
The Breeders are back. The band that captured the zeitgeist of the mid nineties with anthems such as "Cannonball" have returned to the fray with new material and a new line up that burned down the house Saturday night at the KXLU benefit. The sold out show for the flagship L.A. college station featured Wayne Kramer, Whiskey Biscuit and others.
After releasing a few memorial albums in the nineties with the Breeders and the Amps, the Deal sisters had seemed to drift into oblivion with rumors of excess leading to the band's demise. However the reformed Breeders have been playing unannounced shows around town and the KXLU show was highly anticipated since it would be the first opportunity for the lucky few to see if the band was still up to the occasion.
The new line-up which included Jose Medeles on drums and Rich Presley and Mondo Lopez from punk rock lifers Fear on guitar and bass, hit the stage with Kim Deal to test out new material and to see if they could breathe new life into the oldies.
Displaying some courage by opening up with a few new tunes, Kim proved immediately that she still has one of the most distinctive and original voices in rock. The songs had the trademark Breeders searing guitars exploding out of Marshals and clever melodies that over time will become embedded permanently into listeners consciousness. Medeles provided enough swing and finesse that gave the songs a nice funky feel without ever losing their edginess.
The band made sure to please the faithful by playing songs like "No Aloha" and " Saints" from the Last Splash album and Amp songs such as " Pacer" and "Tip City." Toward the end of the set the band let loose with another new gem titled "Too Alive." Backed by a hypnotic groove that then breaks out into controlled chaos Kim Deal's voice seemed almost transcendent in its beauty and serenity. When she doesn't have to yell over the din, her voice emotes naturally with such confidence that one feels like their witnessing an artist hitting their prime. Unfortunately because of time constraints the band eschewed playing their signature hit which left some disappointed but was really a small price to pay for witnessing one of the finer band of the nineties return with a vengeance.
Look for the band to return to the studio in May with Steve Albini to record their new album. If they are able to catch the magic of their new songs on tape then get ready for a Breeders Renaissance.
--Pete Finestone
