Crooked Fingers - New Record, Fall Tour

It's been three years since Crooked Fingers last delivered a record to the world, so we were delighted when we got the news that a new one was on the way.  Breaks In The Armor marks Eric Bachmann's first post-Archers-reunion output, as well as his return to Merge Records, and we have to say:  the time away certainly hasn't done his songwriting any harm.

From the first notes of "Typoon", it is clear that with this latest record, Bachmann is at the top of his game.  The starkness and folky vibe that has defined Crooked Fingers from the get-go is still firmly in tact, but with a renewed edge and vigor.  More importantly, the beat-centric arrangments that have always been a Bachmann hallmark are all over the record:  songs are defined by their percussives as much as they are by their melody.

And then there's the melody:  this is where it gets really good.  We don't know if it's a result of the Archers' reunion, or simply the result of time away from music, but the result is palatably different from the last few Crooked Fingers discs.  The experimental Eric Bachmann has reemerged, and there is a fierce variation of vocal and guitar styles all over the record.  Which isn't to say there isn't a "classic" Crooked Fingers vibe as well: "The Counterfeiter" throws back to the band's more familiar material.  And yet, the combination of all of these parts serve to underscore the urgency and immediacy of these new recordings.

A good studio record is all well and good, but what really makes it really great is a solid live show; at least that's the way we roll around here.  That's why we were so excited to learn that Crooked Fingers is on tour this fall, and will hit just about every part of the country you can imagine.  From past experience, we can already tell you their live show is killer, and with this new material, well, we're very excited.

Crooked Fingers plays Maxwell's tonight, and Mercury Lounge tomorrow.


mp3: Crooked Fingers - Bad Blood


Crooked Fingers Tour, Fall 2010
Thurs, Nov 3--Hoboken, NJ--Maxwell's
Fri, Nov 4--New York, NY--Mercury Lounge
Sat, Nov 5--Brooklyn, NY--Cameo Gallery
Sun, Nov 6--Cambridge, MA--TT the Bear's
Mon, Nov 7--Montreal, QC--Casa Del Popolo
Tues, Nov 8--Toronto, ON--The Drake Hotel
Wed, Nov 9--Detroit, MI--Magic Stick
Thurs, Nov 10--Cincinnati, OH--MOTR Pub
Fri, Nov 11--Chicago, IL--Schuba's
Sat, Nov 12--Milwaukee, WI--Cactus Club
Sun, Nov 13--Minneapolis, MN--Triple Rock Social Club
Mon, Nov 14--Omaha, NE--Waiting Room
Tues, Nov 15--Denver, CO--Larimer Lounge
Sat, Nov 19--Portland, OR--Mississippi Studios
Sun, Nov 20--Seattle, WA--The Crocodile
Tues, Nov 22--Santa Cruz, CA--The Crepe Place
Wed, Nov 23--San Francisco, CA--Bottom of the Hill
Fri, Nov 25--Los Angeles, CA--The Echo
Sat, Nov 26--San Diego, CA--Casbah
Mon, Nov 28--Tempe, AZ--Club Red
Thurs, Dec 1--Austin, TX--Mohawk
Fri, Dec 2--Houston, TX--Fitzgerald's
Sat, Dec 3--New Orleans, LA--One Eyed Jacks
Sun, Dec 4--Atlanta, GA--The Earl

Crooked Fingers Coming To Brooklyn, Archers Of Loaf Reunited (Video)

Crooked Fingers at Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

Eric Bachmann must be looking for a steady fix of NYC these days: after visiting Mercury Lounge in December, Crooked Fingers will be returning in February. This time the band will be playing Brooklyn, at the always-lovely Bell House. The show is on the 19th, and we certainly encourage you to make an appearance - we have yet to see a Crooked Fingers show that we didn't love. What's more, the band's web site has news of them wrapping up recording on a new record, so we're guessing this will be your first chance for a taste of the new material. Tickets are on sale now.

If that's not enough Bachmann-centric news for you, we'll do you one better: last week in North Carolina, Bachmann's old band Archers of Loaf entered into a spontaneous reunion, much to the joy of all present. Some kind soul was kind enough to grab some video from the front row, and so we have for you the fantastic takes on "Wrong" and "Web In Front". For even more video awesomeness, head to mumblepop's YouTube page.

mp3: Crooked Fingers - I Am Not Willing (Moby Grape Cover)

Crooked Fingers Coming To Mercury Lounge

Crooked Fingers at Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

It's no secret that we love Crooked Fingers, so when we discovered that Mr. Bachmann will be making his way up the coast in December with a series of small shows, we were understandably psyched. Crooked Fingers unquestionably deliver live, and seeing them in rooms this size will be more than a treat. In New York, that means a show at Mercury Lounge; tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

Really, that's all we should need to say: be there.

Crooked Fingers December Mini-Tour
Dec. 8-Chapel Hill, NC-Local 506
Dec. 9-Arlington, VA-Iota Bar
Dec. 10-Philadelphia, PA-Johnny Brenda's
Dec. 11-New York, NY-Mercury Lounge
Dec. 12-Boston, MA-TT the Bear's

mp3: Crooked Fingers - Call To Love

Crooked Fingers And Port O'Brien Played Great American - Pics, Review

Last night at the Great American, we caught what must be the definition of a co-headlining bill: two awesome bands, playing two awesome sets, to a room full of folks who were stoked to be there the entire time. Port O'Brien and Crooked Fingers put out about an hour of music each, and in both cases left the room at the Great American energized and ready for more.

Port O'Brien opened their set with the more acoustic, chilled out side of their repertoire. This was a solid move, as it allowed for an emphasis on the band's lyrics and quieter elements. Not only was there the standard acoustic guitar and banjo, but the band also brought in a cellist for the show, and swiped Crooked Fingers' violinist for a few numbers to boot.

The second half of the band's set layed on the electric guitars, and upped the rock and roll vibe significantly. It seems that this is the band's new direction, and to be frank we really, really like it. With their (admittedly well written) more folky vibe, the band was in dangerous territory of becoming another run of the mill folk-rock act. By contrast, their full-on rock sound is pushing a lot more boundries both compositionally and musically.

The band wrapped up their set (as they are apt to do) with a rousing, crowd-involved, full on hollering version of "I Woke Up Today". We have to admit, we're torn on this one: on the one hand, it's great to see a crowd get on stage hollering, playing pots and pans, and generally enjoying themselves. On the other hand, it's a little weird to have a seemingly spontaneous act happening at every single show. That being said, we'd guess this bit will fall into the background once the band has another record, so we just sat back and enjoyed it while it lasted.

Similar to Port O'Brien, Crooked Fingers also took the chill-out approach to the first half of their set. Eric Bachmann open the show completely solo on acoustic guitar, and even once the full band had come on stage, the first few numbers were definitely on the more downtempo side.

The band, which included a violinist in addition to the usual drums-guitar-bass combo, played a wide selection of Crooked Fingers catalog, ranging from material from the band's first record, to Eric Bachmann's solo jaunt, to the band's most recent effort Forfeit/Fortune. While most of the material sounded similar to its recorded cousins, the new record's material did take on a slightly different bent. The absence of keyboards, layered strings, and horns gave way to a notably pared down sounf more the new tunes.

For us, the biggest surprise of the night came when Bachmann spontaneously led the band through a number of Archers Of Loaf tunes towards the end of the set. Starting with "Web In Front", then to "White Trash Heroes", and winding up with "Harnessed In Slums". We have no idea if this has become a staple of Crooked Fingers' set, but it was great to hear these Archers classics, and from the looks of things, the crowd felt the same way.

Update: I Pick My Nose was also there.

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Crooked Fingers And Port O'Brien Are At Great American Tonight

Just a reminder for all you music-lovin' kids out there that tonight marks a double bill at the Great American featuring two awesome bands: Crooked Fingers and Port O'Brien. Eric Bachmann's genre-hopping troupe is touring hot on the heels of their latest release, Forfeit/Fortune, while Port O'Brien is wrapping up their year of touring for their album All We Could Do Was Sing. Both of these records are pretty killer deliveries from bands that can really hold their own in the live setting. So, what can we say? Highly recommended, that's what. See you there.

Crooked Fingers: New Album, Coming to GAMH; Port O'Brien Opening

Sorry to go all nudie on you, but it's art, folks. Look alive!

Crooked Fingers will be playing The Great American on November 11th, and local faves Port O'Brien will be there to open for them. For those not familiar, Crooked Fingers is the band created by Eric Bachman following the breakup of Archers Of Loaf. Initially it seemed to be his solo alias, but he's since released solo records as well. Crooked Fingers, on the other hand, has transformed into a "real" band. On a personal note, the first time we saw Spoon was as an opener for Crooked Fingers in 2002. We thinks this bodes well for Port O'Brien.

Crooked Fingers have a new record, Forfeit/Fortune,out October 7th on Constant Artists Inc. Records. This is a departure from Merge Records, where Bachmann had released the last few Crooked Fingers discs. Typically, the band's sound is distinctly simpler and more folky than his Archers output. Yet from the sound of things, this go around will feature arrangements with a bit more kick. Bachmann's gritty, low key vocals are in tact, but the instrumentation and pace seem to be headed in a new direction. Check it out for yourself below.

Tickets are on-sale now.

Stream: Crooked Fingers - Phony Revolutions