Tracksuits, sunglasses and facial hair is not an image
choice for any bands, normally. But Californian Alternative 5 piece, The Eels
are far from your average alternative rock band.
As Mark “E” Everett takes his raised platform at the front
of the stage with smoke and wind billowing through his now decidedly shorter
than usual beard, there is a distinct glow of happiness emanating from the
crowd, a overflowing feeling of warmth and excitement and the deep held belief
that everyone here will be smiling for the next 2 hours.
After launching into “Flyswatter”, a stream of hits, condensing a large back catalogue of work, are reeled off, much to the delight of the crowd, and it seems, “E” himself especially enjoyed “Kinda Fuzzy”, declaring “Did you hear that bass playing? Gimme a hug!” before embracing bassist Al in the middle of the stage and declaring that drummer Knuckles “played the s**t outta that” and once more indulging in an on stage hug.
Interspersed with various band members shouting “YES!” Everett makes introductions, which may be partly down to the constant line up changes that have occurred since the release of Beautiful Freak in 1996. This being the Eels though, this was never going to be a simple affair. Newest addition P-boo, on guitar, was treated to a rendition of “Who Are Ya” by The Who, a sing along of “let it be” (or let it E as it turned out) was performed in dedication to Everett and a song written for drummer Knuckles with shouts of “Go Kunckles!” with some truly impressive triplet drumming was performed to close the introductions.
After announcing that, although he would love to play two songs, there was only time for one more. This news was greeted by a chorus of boos, increasing when the “management” walked on stage with one finger held aloft. Declaring that he can make it work, the band kick into a Mash-Up of My beloved monster and me and Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues, followed of course by a band group hug.
The band sneak back on stage for an encore of Fresh Blood, with enough strobe lighting to satisfy a mid 90s rave before leaving and returning once more to perform “Go Eels” to close the night to tremendous applause
