Review: Big Head Todd, BoDeans

One of the BoDeans' earliest shows in Kansas City was in the mid-1980s at Parody Hall, the one in the River Market. The band was  about to release "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams," its debut album, on Slash/Warner Records.

Someone in the band or with the band was celebrating a birthday, and so few  people attended the show that there was plenty of cake left over, even after a few hangers-on had helped themselves to seconds.

That was 24 years ago, and at that point the BoDeans' prospects of a long music career seemed far-fetched and pie-in-the-sky.

Friday night, the BoDeans -- who have become Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas and whomever is backing them -- opened for Big Head Todd & the Monsters at Crossroads KC, the outdoor venue behind Grinders and Grinders West. It was an apt pairing. Big Head Todd has been around about as long as the BoDeans (Todd Park Mohr started the band in 1986), and on this exquisite late-summer evening  a crowd of more than 1,200 showed up -- no small feat for two bands who have been essentially independent for more than a decade. Loyalty isn't dead, afterall; it's just harder to come by these days.

The BoDeans' set included "Hey Pretty Girl" and the ebullient "Texas Ride Song," which felt like some Irish/Tex-Mex jig, thanks to the heavy accordion and the guitar picking. They sang "Fade Away," from that dandy "Love & Sex" album, "Naked," "Good Things" and "Closer to Free," which qualifies as their big hit.

Llanas and Neumann have been performing together so long that their voices blend in harmony like siblings', the Everlys included. As a band, they can still muster a decent Tom Petty/Heartbreakers vibe. The place wasn't its fullest as the BoDeans ended  their set, but it was close, and the response was loud and friendly.

Big Head Todd's two-hour set was one for those who have been with the band from the outset, going back to his "Midnight Radio" album. His biggest hit, "Bittersweet," came early -- three songs in. That song still works as a great single. This evening it sounded even more soulful (it made me think of Paul Carrack singing "How Long?")

BHT's second-biggest hit, "Broken Hearted Savior," came later and right after a cover of the Stones' "Beast of Burden" that was a little too smooth and adult-alternatiive for my ears.

If Mohr lies awake wondering why he's not nearly as famous as John Meyer, he has a right to wonder. BHT is a mix of 1990s alternative rock and straight-up hard-rock/blues with a little bit of soul, and Mohr executes the game plan effortlessly but on-point, both as a vocalist and lead guitarist.

He could use a little more of Mayer's wise-cracking personae; as a front man he shows more manners than levity. He and his band, which has stayed the same since its founding, are all workmen-like. Thus the mood was primarily easy and breezy through most of the set, especially toward the back of the venue.

One of the few big outbursts came late, when they did their scuzz-blues version of "Boom Boom" -- a cover that worked -- and "Circle," two more mainstream rock hits.

Three encores later, they were done. Mohr thanked the appreciative crowd (again) and said they'd be back. Of course both bands will; it's their purpose. What's to loathe about the lifestyle? Even after two decades, most of the time it's got to feel like having your cake and eating it, too.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

 

 

 

Comments

[Mark]

Tim, as usual, spot on review. I was there to see the Bodeans and had not seen BHT in ten plus years. BHT was a terrific surprise. Their years on the road really showed how far they have come as musicians in terms of technical skills as well as a continued passion for their music. Also, thought their classic blues covers, like Boom-boom and more recent,Beast of Burdern were nice tributes to their own song writing roots.

Love to see Grinders upgrade those porta-potties to the Sandstone trailers with at least some running water.

[Craig]

Great show on a superb evening at one of KC's bext live music venues. The Bodeans harmony and guitar work is always a pleasure to witness. BHT seemed a little bit of a letdown by comparison. Perhaps next time the who opens for who is reconsidered. Our dinner at Grinders west was outstanding as well, wonderful evening!

[Geordan]

I saw the Bodeans twice at Parody Hall in the mid-80's (don't remember the cake, though), plus saw them open for The Smithereens in '86 or so. They were such a solid live band, but I was disappointed that they, in my opinion, never improved upon their excellent debut album, "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams" and I just lost track of them. I remember being underwhelmed by their sophomore album.

When I found out that annoying theme song for the TV Show "Party Of Five" was them, I kinda felt sorry for the band. It's cool that they are still around and all, but they are one band that although still competent, could have been so much more. I listened to the debut album (I still have my dusty vinyl copy) after reading this review and it still sounds like the work of a hungry, ambitious band.

[Mike Webber]

In addition to those Parody Hall shows, I think they also did a $1.02 (KY102) type show at the Uptown not long after they opened for U2 at Kemper on the Joshua Tree tour. After that Uptown show, I drove them over to the Grand Emporium to catch Barrence Whitfield & the Savages.

[pellboy]

This weekend's shows brought back lots of memories of the Parody Hall...Escovedo, who I caught down there with Rank & File and of course the as mentioned Bo Deans. Wow and even a reference to Barrence Whitfield! I carried that little fat man on my shoulders at the GE but that's another story.

Sadly missed this show due the free Gin Blossoms gig (flame away!)up the street and while I regularly catch Big Head, kind of disappointed to hear them trot out the same old set. Maybe they think they can make it some sort of signature song and while it's a nice version, how many times can they play 'Boom Boom'? They've played that song at least the last 5-6 times thru the area. I wish I could initiate a rock & roll concert rule that you can only play a particular cover version for ONE tour.

[Kurt]

I've seen the Bodeans before. They and Material Issue were openers for INXS at Sandstone in '94. It was a low cost show and was tour in support of '93 'Full Moon Dirty Hearts' and '92 'Welcome to Whenever You Are' albums.

[Kurt]

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