Metric (Not the System)

The place: 9:30 Club

The Band: Metric

The Date: 06/18/09

One word: Infuckingcredible.

There are very few things your editrixes love more in life than a live concert. Since we were wee little lasses, we've hauled our asses over to Washington DC to partake in nights filled with deafening music and overpriced tickets. In the olden days when your editrixes were "rebellious" teenagers, we'd come into school the next day from a show with our eyeliner smudged and our band shirts we purchased from the night before on. Sleeping four-hours and looking like crap was a source of pride.

Anyways, I'm rambling like my Goldwater-conservative grandfather, so on to Metric! As hardcore fans, we've been fortunate enough to have seen Metric before in September of 2007. Crystal Castles opened on that tour, and we somehow managed to exit the show uninjured, despite being situated next to a rowdy pair of coked-out hipsters. The last show was stellar, but it was clear that Metric upped the ante for this round.

Naturally, darling Allie and myself were in the front row, towering over the mass of 5’0 tall girls. After jetting from work, I was stuck in 3-inch heels for the whole night. Standing for 5 hours in spike heels is a pain, but god, did I look good. Allie rocked some Frye motorcycle boots, which were extremely useful when maneuvering through the sea of drunk blonde girls, one of whom kept on grabbing my ass. I'm still wondering if that was intentional or not…

While the doors opened at 7:00, the first band, Smile Smile, didn't come on until 8:00. Comprised of a guitar-yielding lead singer who resembles Buddy Holly and a Zooey Deschanel-esque piano player, Smile Smile were basically the cutest thing ever. Their music wasn't super high energy, but definitely was pleasant. Near the end of their set, some asshole whooped and screamed nasty comments when they said they were leaving soon. The lead singer scowled and lambasted him. You'd think said asshole would of realized that you don't mess with anyone from Texas…

After Smile Smile wrapped it up, Sebastian Grainger came on. Although I was familiar with SG's work from Death from Above 1979 and his former band-mate's stuff with MSTRKRFT, I wasn't well acquainted with his solo material. I had difficulty hearing SG's vocals throughout the set, but that man is damn fine and holds his guitar like an axe. I'm pretty sure I fell in love for a few moments.

SG finished. The audience got restless, and 20 minutes later, METRIC came out. It was blissful.

If you were one of the FOOLISH and incredible NAIVE persons who neglected to purchase a ticket to the show, fear not. NPR has posted a live recording of the show on Itunes and on their website. You can download it for free, but it’s only an audio recording. Check out their photos as well– Our well-manicured heads are quite visible.

Go here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105478436

If you’re desperate, make your way over to youtube and type in “Metric 9:30” and you can catch the whole show. T

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaQ69uPnVHA

In the meantime, czech out these fantastic photos I snapped.

On one last note, during a sing-a-long to "Live It Out", which is Metric's ultimate campfire song, Ms. Haines grabbed my hand. Joshua and Joules ran up front too, and grabbed our hands. Jimmy was near the right, so no luck there, but he made constant eye contact through the set.

Now go buy "Fantasies".

-Auntie A
P.S. Here's the set list for you super fans

Twilight

Help I'm Alive

Satellite Mind

Handshakes

Gold Gun Girls

Gimme Sympathy

Sick Muse

Empty

Front Row

Dead Disco

Stadium Love

ENCORE

Monster Hospital

Live It Out