Nothing will probably ever match the exhausting, seven-hour Bruise Cruise Kickoff Party at Grand Central in February. County Grind had no voice, no wits, and nothing left to sweat out after that, and yet, it would be ideal to see so many energetic bands and bodies fill that space again.
Well, indie-rock forefathers -- seriously, Lou Barlow could be your dad -- Sebadoh is aiming to lather up Miami on Wednesday, January 18, at the same venue. The date just happens to be the night before the band embarks upon the inaugural Weezer Cruise. This means that many of the folks in the rest of the cruise's bands could be there for special appearances, although canoodling with Rivers Cuomo seems unlikely.
Sebadoh's inclusion on the Weezer Cruise, although appreciated, is kind of unlikely in itself. Although the notably lo-fi adventures Barlow spearheaded after he split from Dinosaur Jr. -- another band hitting the high seas -- are fun for the All Tomorrow's Parties beard strokers, this is music that has never been blasted in a casino or on lido deck speakers. Even with a level of visibility just slightly lower than indie brethren Pavement and Guided by Voices over the years, Barlow, Jason Loewenstein, and Bob D'Amico display no less proficiency at their craft.
The band has not released an album of new material since 1999 but has enjoyed the relative luxuries of reissuing the cherished segments of its back catalog every couple of years. The most recent to be revived is 1994's Bakesale, so it's probable that attendees will get to grip this winsome classic:
And, if the pot wasn't sweet enough to begin with, there's likely to be some hero worship backstage with the three local bands of note providing support. Although the level of Sebadoh influence heard in each band's output varies, Surfer Blood, Jacuzzi Boys, and Plains all display the balance of pop songcraft and sonic creativity of their college rock predecessor.
With the Tarot Classics EP, Glazin', and Plains' self-titled debut being among South Florida's strongest local releases of 2011, it should be a high-energy night filled with sing-along choruses and ill-advised crowd-surfing. Maybe a few of these guys will even end up on the Carnival Destiny.
More on the Weezer Cruise here.
Sebadoh. With Surfer Blood, Jacuzzi Boys, and Plains. 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, at Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $15, $20 at the door. Click here.
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