Music Monday was skipped this week, mostly because I was only listening to Garbage on repeat in order to prep for their live show yesterday, March 20, at the Wellmont Theater. It was my fourth Garbage outing and needless to say, it was pretty fucking amazing. So I skipped the post Monday, only to inevitably write about them mere days later. Because they are fantastic. And they’re alive and kicking. And you should love them.

Garbage has withstood the test of time. They survived the grunge period of the mid-90’s and added their own semi-electronic, hyperactive spin to it. They powered through the late 90’s/early 00’s, when music was being dominated by shitty boy bands and lip-synching Britneys. After a hiatus in 2005, the band has returned stronger than ever with their fifth full-length album, Not Your Kind of People, my #3 pick for 2012 (though it probably should’ve been 1 or 2).

The show at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, N.J. might’ve been my favorite set of the four I’ve seen. The band is exuding a happiness and confidence lately, and it’s contagious as hell. Every time they play, you feel connected to them, rather than just their paycheck, a tiny cog in their machine. They’re dark, dismal, enraged, heavy, and filled with attitude and it makes their live show a delight to catch. And they’re sincere and gracious as fuck, and I love that about them too.

Here are a couple photos and videos from the night, including a duet jam with Marisa Paternoster, from Screaming Females. (It’s a cover of Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” that they recorded together for a Record Store Day release). At the very bottom, the full setlist from the show.

Garbage hits NYC Friday with a sold out Terminal 5 show, and then are off to Philly and Boston, which I don’t care so much about because I’m sad I can’t go to all of them. See their show if you can. You won’t regret it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, all of these photos and videos were recorded on an iPhone 4. Professional, these are not.

The Setlist:

Supervixen
Queer
Blood for Poppies
Push It
Metal Heart
Control
Why Do You Love Me
#1 Crush
I Think I’m Paranoid
Special
Milk
When I Grow Up
(Fan Shannon on stage)
The Trick is to Keep Breathing
Cherry Lips
Vow
You Look So fine
Only Happy When It Rains
———–
Because the Night (Patti Smith cover) w/Marissa Patternoster
Stupid Girl
Beloved Freak

If Shannon is somewhere out there – I have pics of you on stage! Leave me a comment or tweet me!