[4ziggy]

I haven't seen too many recs in this category lately, so I would like to take this minute to talk about a rudimentary (forever) garage band that has seen the face of grunge, jazzy rock, indie, a little country and plain ole punk. This band is also not far from my hometown and I had the opportunity of seeing many shows in my last year of high school.

The beginning years
Westing is a collection of their various works, including their earlier recordings and punk songs. Great collection of songs that evolved into their first studio album "Slanted and Enchanted".

Crooked Rain was their popular album played on many college campuses...selling out small shows from Boston to LA. Not my favorite album.

a great album is 'Wowee Zowee' where they have a mixture of styles. My second favorite is Westing which is a compillation of their old punk style.

One of my favorite shows of the nearly 100 I've seen was a small set they played on the second stage of the early lollapalooza festivals (however you spell that :-) Hole was playing main stage, so Pavement played unexpectedly on the second stage. They broke into their old punk songs that I hadn't seen for a few years. I am not sure of Stephen Malkmus did it on purpose, but in the middle of 'Killing Me', he broke into 'Expressway to your Skull' by Sonic youth. Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore from Sonic youth feet away from where we were. The band (on the fly) just switched to the song without missing a beat. The drummer got so enthralled that the rest of the band quit playing and just watched him. He played for nearly 5 minutes with all eyes on him before he realized that he was the only one playing.

PAVEMENT is not your serious band. They are people who know how to pull their audience into their musical experience by NEVER doing the same set twice and being skilled artists. They are truly a band that reads the audience and likes to have fun. Now a days you may not get the opportunity to see them live, but Stephen Malkmus (leader) has his own successful college rock projects currently.

Enjoy.

~Zig