The Veils @ Empty Bottle, Chicago, 6/17/07

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY MYCHELLE PETERSON

I never thought anyone could truly sway me over to the dark side... and by dark side, I mean, the side that believes a Bruce Springsteen song is a good one. Leave it to Finn Andrews, mastermind of The Veils, to render me converted. After hearing The Veils completely bring the house down with “State Trooper,” I’m even somewhat tempted to check out the original, though I know there is no possible way it could match the intensity and magnitude of this version.

Much has been made of Andrews’ stage persona and feisty temperment, and I feel lucky to have witnessed both on a good night. It was the band’s first time in Chicago, and though the crowd was a bit smaller than I expected, the Veils made up for it in spirit. There were many hardcore fans screaming requests from the band’s 2004 debut album, The Runaway Found, as well as the Springsteen cover. Andrews himself seemed pleased and even a bit surprised that the audience was as big as it was, so maybe my expectations were a bit too high.

When the band took the stage, there was a palpable excitement, and I really didn’t know what to expect. Would there be a temper tantrum? Someone aloof and disconnected from the crowd? Would Finn be put off by the people at the bar who didn’t even know a band was playing? All of my fears were swiftly laid to rest when the opening chords of the title track of the new album, Nux Vomica, began. I heard all of the comparisons in a split second—Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley, Ian Curtis and Tom Waits. The audience seemed transfixed as Finn tore up his guitar, wildly gesticulating with his hands, his face and his body. It is definitely a sight to see watching Finn’s expressive eyes and mouth flutter and twitch, feeling every emotion within the span of a four-minute song. Either this guy is one heck of an actor, or he is truly reliving the moments that brought him to the song in the first place.

Despite being as emotional as he is, Finn is relatively quiet in between songs and doesn’t engage in too much conversation. He was polite and even asked the bar patrons’ permission to do a “very quiet song” since it was “only 3½ minutes.” Upon their consent, he softly launched into a gorgeous rendition of “Under the Folding Branches.”

Very few musicians can fuse the various genres that The Veils seem to do with ease. You can hear bits of Finn’s folk roots, thrashing guitar verging on metal, Americana and even pop. The effortless transition amongst these genres within a single song is shocking, and it is nowhere more evident than in “Jesus for the Jugular,” during which Finn’s intense vocals take center stage.

There is a lot going on in these songs, and yet they are never overdone, melodramatic or artificial. The Veils have the capacity and the charisma to blow up in the same way that Arcade Fire has won over critics, crowds and naysayers alike. So my suggestion is to run, not walk, to see them in these small intimate settings while you still can.

Finn Andrews and The Veils make their way to Los Angeles’ Spaceland on June 29. Don’t miss it!

Comments

[Andrew J. Smithson]

I was there & yes, it was absolutely scorching. The Veils are a revelation...and I second that--don't walk, run, run, run. You have to see them. Astounding, spine-tingling, spellbinding...I can't think of enough words that will do them justice.

[Kirstie]

Thanks for the link to your review...though I am not so hard on Springsteen as you are. I wish the show had been a bit longer. I feel like I have been waiting for an eternity for them to get to Chicago.

[paulag]

yes please don't stop me, im listening to the cover song on the juke box and i can only imagine how it sounded live, give me a drink bartender!! give me a cigarrette single guy who shows up with accessory girl.... !!!!

please don't stop me!!

[mychelle]

Scorching! Good word, Andrew J. Smithson! And spell-binding, for sure.

I just want more, more, more, don't you?

Oh, Paula, you and your accessory girl comment just cracks me up.

:)

[Mother]

The show blew me away. Their energy and Finn's raw emotion on stage were absolutely brilliant. I couldn't look away. Run as fast as you can to see them!

[Lane]

i agree...the intensity of this performance was much more than i ever expected but it definately fulfilled my every wish and hope when i saw them live for the first time..i waited to see them live for about two years...and it was nothing less than EVERYTHING i wanted it to be...and more...

[Andrew J. Smithson]

I drove from Nashville to see the show, so obviously I had lofty expectations...and they were met. Phenomenally.

Finn told me that they were going to come to Nashville, but I'm a bit skeptical. I'm hoping for an Atlanta show at least; that's about half the distance from me as Chicago.

[Su]

thanks for the great live review guys! I'm excited by all the comments here, keep up the good work and we'll keep on bringing the rockin bands. We're definitely working on more live dates for The Veils so stay tuned!

More on The Veils @
www.worlds-fair.net/news/

And of course catch up with them on their tour blog.myspace.com/theveils

[mychelle]

the myspace blog is great! shows a side of the band that you really wouldn't expect. i highly recommend checking it out!

[Patrick]

I was one of the guys shouting tyhe old school tunes AND State Trooper. These guys are a great band.

[Oscar]

Wow, the L.A. show last night rocked! They seriously exceeded my expectations. The show sold out also! The band was kind of shocked so many people came to see them but still rocked out. Yes, they played State Trooper and the crowd loved it. They mentioned they'll be back in August.

[maribel]

I gotta be honest - I hadn't heard of The Veils until I read about them here. I saw them last night at Spaceland and absolutely LOVED them! Great energy and stage presence. I can't wait to see them again.