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Far
Too Jones
(last show ever) with Runaway Cab at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC
3/9/02
Ive
had enough. Im tired of
reviewing last ever shows for great regional bands that are breaking up.
Earlier this year, I had to do it for Richmond, VAs Agents of Good
Roots, and sadly, now again for Raleigh, NCs power-pop gems, Far Too Jones.
Its just not right. The
music industry is simply broken, not that it was ever fixed. Earlier this year, the band
announced that prior to breaking up, it would tour the North Carolina circuit
one last time, but no further, much like it had for most of the bands eight
years. Like any loyal fan, I made
plans to travel to the bands hometown of Raleigh for its final show at the
citys Lincoln Theatre. Let
me just say here that the trip to Raleigh from Virginia Beach was a big part of
this concert experience. Observing the way people in Raleigh support local music was
nothing short of inspiring. This
particular show had sold out of the roughly 550-person capacity venue, days in
advance, and Far Too Jones is not widely known outside North Carolina, mind you.
The turnout for this final show was absolutely stunning.
I couldnt help but think to myself how nice it would be if my hometown
were the same way. Not since the
days of the Waxing Poetics has a Hampton Roads band garnered any sort of loyal,
local following. Of course, these
bands from the Triangle enjoy the benefits of local exposure via a handful of
area college radio stations. Far
Too Jones isnt the only area band with a strong local following.
Runaway Cab opened this show, and the bands reputation preceded it.
I had heard so many good things about this Chapel Hill group,
particularly from FTJ fans. So many
in fact, that I was just a bit disappointed by their performance.
As they took the stage, I noticed the drummer wearing an ACDC shirt, and
I thought that was funny, but apparently its no joke.
Runaway Cab is very much an 80s throwback band.
As they played their opening song, I kept thinking it would go perfectly
on the soundtrack to one of those 80s teen movies.
Nevertheless, the band played upbeat, feel-good music that straddled the
line between power-pop and Bon Jovi. The
lead singer was charismatic and in constant motion which helped put the crowd in
the right mood. As Runaway Cab was
playing, there were plenty in the crowd who were happily singing along, but
truth be told, the crowd was there to see Far Too Jones, one last time. Far
Too Jones appeared onstage to a cheering crowd.
Every second of their performance showed why this band has persisted for
eight years despite repeatedly getting the raw deal from the music industry.
Simply put, these guys love playing together, and it shines through
tenfold. They opened the show with
a slower version of Put Me On Your Mix Tape, a rocking track from their
latest effort, Shame & Her Sister.
The band played a diverse and thorough set that included many of the
tracks from its two full-lengths including
Nervous, As Good As You, Trip Through You,
Julianna, and (crowd favorite) Close To You.
Out of the so-called newer songs, the only tune I really missed was
The One. FTJ performed a
stirring Stoned and Reeling, and a slower, groovier Best of Me.
The crowd really responded to the bands danceable Blown Away. What
got me hooked the first time I saw Far Too Jones was the power and emotion these
guys can emit from the stage, all the while managing to avoid overkill despite 3
guitars players. Their amazing performance of Aint Got Time is the
best example. This is an incredibly
powerful song in every aspect. The
lyrics touch on an attempt to overcome class division, and the guitar parts are
not wasted, each contributing to the songs thick texture and powerful story.
The last time I saw FTJ, they didnt come close to playing this song
with the same fire as they did on this final night.
The
band responded to two calls for encores, both times with the crowd stomping and
chanting Far Too Jones. When they returned to the stage, FTJ dug deeper into the
archives and played some older material including Sabrina, Anna O,
and Spruills favorite, Shine On. During
one of the encores, Spruill told the story of how as a kid, he claimed he was
going to grow up to be a rock star. Then,
he jokingly mentioned that he still says that.
The crowd was amused but saddened; every fan in the theatre knew the
potential of this band and could sense the members wistful sorrow about the
ending of it all. The
entire night had a bittersweet tone. Far
Too Jones played a few covers in their encores, including their stunning
rendition of Leaving on a Jetplane. As
Spruill sang out, I hate to go, the crowd could sense that he truly meant
it. We hate for you to go too guys.
Thanks for eight great years, Far Too Jones.
You can purchase music by
Far Too Jones from Amazon,
Insound
& CDUniverse
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