The Wrens Fly For One Last Time:Emo’s Photos
photo : valerie@fremin.net
The band that flirted with breaking the surface of comfortable success while making their way into the conscious of the critics and fans alike, The Wrens, have seemingly called it quits? The history of the band that began in the late 80′s reads like a indie rock success/horror story, with critics hailing their efforts and unfortunate label greed and ignorance holding them back from their deserved rewards. I’ll be the first to admit that I only came across these guys about three years ago on the recommendation of a friend and was floored by the live show even though I was unfamiliar with their recorded material. Even since, I rarely put on their music for a listen but the live show these guys put on as I have most recently been reminded of, is a perfect example of why I fell in love with the rock-n-roll performance to begin with. Raw, honest, heartfelt, and driven by pure emotion.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
According to the band this evening, this was the last show, and they made the decision to close it out in Austin, Tx @ Emos and I for one, am glad I was there to witness the good-bye. A lengthy set that involved a good part of the crowd armed with drumsticks on stage for several songs, felt great yet was lined with a bit of resentment and sorrow for the future. It’s sad to see these bands that you love for one reason or another that you assume will be there for years to come to entertain you over and over again call it quits, and to watch them perform the songs that they have poured their hearts and souls into, for one last time sits uneasy.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
If you didn’t ever catch these guys live, there is a documentary in the works and you can contribute to the effort if you care by going here: The Wrens Documentary. I’m sure that the documentary of the band and its struggled existence will be an eye opening experience for many of us in the music community, that will entertain us to no end as well.
So long Wrens, you’ll be missed, and your songs of relationship trials and turmoil will always ring true no matter how old we become.
Mp3►►Happy
Mp3►►This Boy is Exhausted
Mp3►►Hopeless
That show so totally rocked. Had never seen or heard them before. Only heard OF them. Was blown away. Infectious stuff.
[...] caught The Wrens most recent show here in Austin not too long ago, and posted my usual casual journalistic opinion on what was a great show, and what was believed by me to be the last show that they were going to [...]
Bummer… I loved those guys.
Meadowlands was a great album.