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Jarvis Cocker and Honeycut
The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
April 28, 2007
I made the minor error of admitting to Veronica that i wasn't all that excited about the impending performance by (former?) Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker. I then compounded that mistake by asking if he was even relevant anymore. In my defense, i liked Different Class but it didn't change my life, i was a bit disappointed by This Is Hardcore, and by the time We Love Life came out i was unaware Jarvo was still making music. I therefore went to the Fillmore on Saturday night with decidedly low expectations. Perhaps that was a good thing. We came in during the latter phases of openers Honeycut's set, and ran into old friend Sean Cavanaugh who informed me the openers were fronted by former Loved One Bart Davenport. Whereas two seconds earlier i'd been disinterested, i suddenly took a shine to their organ-driven blues rock. We then parted ways so V and i could maneuver to within twenty feet of the stage, dead center. Despite our fears, the expected crowd surge forward upon Mr. Cocker's entry didn't happen and we were able to watch the consummate performer work without distraction. The band, featuring Pulp bass player Steve Mackey, launched into "Fat Children" from Jarvis's recent solo debut. The track is a bit of a departure from Pulp, sharing Jarvo's witty lyrics but draped over a decidedly indie rock soundtrack. After the close of the song, we were treated to the first of many monologues from Mr. Cocker, expounding on topics from spirituality to the history of the San Francisco counterculture to sailing. The set was drawn entirely from Jarvis's solo record, which was just as well as Pulp songs probably would've seemed distinctly out of place. After a highly entertaining hour, Jarvis departed briefly only to return for a two song encore. The first was the album's hidden track, the cynical and delightful call to arms "Cunts Are Still Running the World". The second was a cover that despite an extended introduction from Jarvis discussing how it was intended as a tribute to the Fillmore and San Francisco, still remained anonymous for Veronica and i. On our way out of the venue V and i discussed the notable lack of interest in this show by the current Popscene generation. It's very unusual, considering that without this man the club they know and love would be very different. Perhaps it's yet another indication of my age ... doting on influences and history is the job of the aged, not the kids living for the moment.
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