2035hrs. When doors are supposed to open at 2100hrs and you're the only one standing at the door waiting to get in, it's only natural that you start to wonder as to whether or not the concert is still going down. If it hadn't been for the dulcet tones of the obligatory sound check, I might have given up and gone home. I don't think I'd ever been so glad to hear off-key guitars being tuned in my life...

I guess I had figured that between the three bands on the bill and this being Denton, Hailey's was going to be packed to the rafters. Never had it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, people do romantic-type things on Valentine's day, and that may not necessarily include some of the most under-appreciated sounds in the indie universe. After I finally made my way in and bellied-up to the bar (I'm at Hailey's, which means PBR 4 LIFE!), all of 5 other people were milling about the venue, and that included the sound-engineer, the bartender and a couple of TPC members. Worry sets in. Deep, all consuming worry. Thankfully, as the clock edged closer and closer to 2200hrs, more people started to make their way through the doors, pushing attendance well into the very low double-digits. It's a good thing that I don't do this for the people-watching, because this would make for a highly uneventful evening.

The Plastic Constellations took to the stage almost exactly at 2200hrs and immediately launched into a raucous number that was energetic, frantic and very loud, playing as though they were in front of thousands of adoring fans. Bless them. TPC play a very aggressive form of post-rock, and their live-show does not disappoint. They move, they groove, and, in general, get down with their bad selves. What is it about rock bands from cold climates? Do they practice outside, thus necessitating constant movement? I'm not complaining, just curious. Most of what they dole out are cuts from the new album, Crusades, only playing a couple of tracks from the lesser known Mazatlan. I'd give you a run-down on the set list, but I'm not familiar enough with any of these bands catalogs to even pretend to know what they played and in what order...sorry. Their stage-presence was affecting, literally forcing the two dozen or so people (by that point) to enjoy themselves...some of them even started to move in a rhythmic fashion, somewhat akin to dancing. Sadly, their set clocked in at an all-too-short 35 minutes, leaving me with a absolute craving for more Minnesotan goodness. They call it a night, quickly heading off of the stage to work their merch. I had a chance to chat with a few of the guys (names escape me) and made sure to let them know that they were making me miss BvS less and less every day. I like to think that they were flattered.

Swearing at Motorists were up next, and given that they only had 35-45 minutes in their set, I was kind of worried that they'd only have time to play just 75% of their entire catalog (four albums now, all very, very short but very, very good). Dave came out by his lonesome for a few solo songs, only to be joined by 'drummer man' (Travis? Joseph? Don? I couldn't tell which) on the fourth cut. They played quick, but managed to engage the audience in conversation between a good many songs, evoking both laughs and praise alike. It seemed to me that each album was pretty well represented, but the stuff off of the new Last Night Becomes This Morning was particularly delicious. To be honest with you, I think I've got a new man-crush on Dave...there's just something about brutally honest song-writers that does it for me...maybe some day I'll find a female one that I adore to no end ( -frown- ). I can't remember the last time I had such a great time listening to a band that I didn't feel the compulsion to sing along. I was simply held captive by the starkness of the music, the depth of the lyrics and the emotions that were being laid bare. One of the best sets I've ever seen, hands down. I also had a chance to heap praise on Dave after they left stage, and he was a very congenial, very humble guy. I just wish I had liked the one shirt they were hawking, because I desperately want something that proudly proclaims my love of Swearing at Motorists.

I hated this set. A lot. I was always okay with The Hold Steady albums...just okay, though. I was very tempted to cut tail and run after the Motorists, but decided to give the Hold Steady a shot. Bad, bad, bad. I think my ears actually tried to leave my head at one point. To celebrate the badness, I bought a shirt that says “The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me”, and I don't wear it as an ironic proclamation, either. I really think my heart stopped for a while. Sorry, but I'm just trying to be straight with you here.

All in all, it wasn't a bad night. Two great bands, some good PBRs, a couple of shirts, a new sticker for the 'top, and a couple of new friends. I'd do it again, even sit through (yes, I did sit) The Hold Steady. If any of you get the chance to catch this show, do it...you won't be let down at all. Hell, the Motorists alone will be enough to tide you over for an entire year. Hand to God on that one.