Neil Shah - Pianist/Vocalist/Composer


This blog is no longer current and has not been updated since 2007. It is still available for archival purposes and for those searching for topics pertaining to NYC music clubs, concerts, and other miscellaneous information. For current information about Neil Shah, please visit neilshah.com

Death Cab and Franz Ferdinand in NYC

Death Cab for Cutie and Franz Ferdinand are currently touring together and I caught them this past Friday night at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

The two band have been taking turns closing the show and Franz Ferdinand closed this show. Franz has a ton of energy live—every song driven by a four-to-floor dance beat. They were very entertaining, but the emphasis was definetely on the show as opposed to the music—which is to be expected since the chorus to their biggest hit goes I say don’t you know | You say you don’t know | I say… take me out | I say you don’t show | Don’t move time is slow | I say… take me out.

Franz Ferdinand at Hammerstein Ballroom on 04/14/2006Franz Ferdinand at Hammerstein | photo by Roboppy

I really went to see the Death Cab portion of the show. They played a cross section of songs from each their six albums. Unlike many major bands today, they played eveything live, which was awesome to see—no pre-recorded tracks with synth pads and all that stuff that is becoming so commonplace. They played their new stuff pretty much how it sounds on the album, but would change things subtley here and there. Ben Gibbards crystal clear west coast vocals sounded great, and drummer Jason McGerr let loose some insane fills that he’d never play on an album. Rockin rockin rockin.

Death Cab for Cutie at Hammerstein Ballroom on 04/14/2006Death Cab at Hammerstein | photo by Roboppy

4 Responses to “Death Cab and Franz Ferdinand in NYC”

  1. (the book of) Cool » Blog Archive » Death Cab and Franz Ferdinand in NYC by neil Says:

    […] From www.neilshah.com: […]

  2. Jpnut Says:

    I have to agree that both bands rocked, but Franz was the highlight for me! Even if the high school chicks in front of us sat stone cold as Franz played their hearts out- and the stoners behind us didn’t really know who the Scottish foursome were, it was a great show!

  3. neil Says:

    Don’t forget the one guy who was there for the Cribs. I think he left out the fact that he was the lead singer’s brother.

  4. Samit Says:

    pnut? I always thought of it as “peanut”.