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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > March > 02 > Entry
Review: The Pretenders at Stubb’s
The Pretenders’ concerts remain her own best argument for the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. In her case, 57 is indeed the new 30: she looked smashing in cutaway tails with a pale pink vest, black tie, and jeans, meshing nicely with Stubb’s black-box stage and bonnet-like white overhead shell. For 95 minutes on a delightfully crisp Sunday night Hynde played hard and sang gorgeously, aided by original Pretenders drummer Martin Chambers and newer members James Walbourne on guitar, Eric Heywood on pedal steel and Nick Wilkinson on bass.
If Hynde and the boys weren’t enjoying themselves, they put on a world-class acting job. “It is a blast to be back in Austin,” the singer told the frothing crowd of young ‘uns and graying rock-war veterans. “Fantastic city! Good-looking guys with long hair, what more do you need?”
Don’t confuse the Pretenders with a nostalgia act. Even if “Break Up the Concrete” - the first studio album in six years - doesn’t measure up to the glory days when the late James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon trod the stage and established the punky-yet-accessible template, the band, now basically Chrissie and whatever other musicians she plays with at any point, never really went away. It may have been a visit from some dear old friends, but heck if it didn’t feel anything but current as a Twitter post.
The newer material tended to drag down the proceedings (save for the kicking opener, “Boots of Chinese Plastic”), but then Hynde would hang on a note in “Stop Your Sobbing” for eight bars, the band would cruise to a ska groove in “Cuban Slide,” and the likes of “Chain Gang,” “Brass in Pocket,” “Precious” and “Tattooed Love Boys” transported the crowd back to sweaty early ‘80s club nights, either in memory or just imagination. They honky-tonked their way through the intro to “Thumbelina,” then sped it up to a startling double-time climax. Just when you thought Americana would dominate, the assertive guitars and heavily miked drums would bring things back to basics. (“We promised you country, but we give you punk,” Hynde said before ripping into “Up the Neck.”) As usual, she acknowledged Honeyman-Scott and Farndon in her intro to “Kid,” saying, “Just wanted to let you know we’re on our way, so put the kettle on.”
Time the avenger, indeed. Some fall by the wayside, some rise again, some just keep plugging away for close to forever. If Chrissie Hynde defies the decades and keeps things vital, so can we all, for an hour and a half at any rate. And the veggie tamales weren’t half bad.
(Chrissie Hynde plays Sunday at Stubb’s. Photo by Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF)
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By Lynny
March 2, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
The show was a blast and that guitarist was fabulous. I was amazed at how perfect Chryssie’s voice was. I mean, just gorgeous! She was rocking that tuxedo too!
By Donna
March 2, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this
She looked phenomenal and put on a better show than when I first saw her a quarter of a century ago… The interplay between her and her bandmates was stellar. Great to hear!
By Bernard
March 2, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
The concert was awesome last night! It was probably the best Pretenders show I have seen throughout the years since they first played Austin at the Armadillo World Headquarters on April 9th, 1980. Chrissie is known to be tempermental but last night she was in a great mood & it totally came thru in the performance. Martin Chambers, the original drummer, was still as powerful as ever. A steel guitarist was added since the new cd Break Up the Concrete which came out last Fall has a country & rockabilly feel on certain songs. The new bass player & lead guitarist were really good as well, especially the lead guitarist which unleashed some lightning fast licks at times. Nashville band American Bang, described as southern-fried garage rock played an admirable opening 30 minute set. Here is the set list of the Pretenders. They were on from 849p-1026p for a total of 97 minutes. I noted the original release date of the songs as well
PA Intro ‘On The Street Where You Live’ by Andy Williams (from West Side Story) 1964 1. Boots of Chinese Plastic 2008 2. Don’t Cut Your Hair 2008 3. Talk of the Town 1980 4. Message of Love 1981 5. Don’t Lose Faith In Me 2008 6. Love’s a Mystery 2008 7. The Last Ride 2008 8. Back on the Chain Gang 1982 9. Tequila (rare 1978 version) 10. Rosalee 2008 11. Stop Your Sobbing 1979 12. Kid 1979 13. The Nothing Maker 2008 14. Don’t Get Me Wrong 1986 15. Day After Day 1981 16. Brass In Pocket 1979 17. Cuban Slide 1981 18. Thumbelina 1984 19. Break Up the Concrete 2008 1st encore 20. The Wait 1980 21. Precious 1980 2nd encore 22. Tattooed Love Boys 1980 23. Up the Neck 1980
By Gerardo
March 2, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this
What a show. The set list was great. They leaned on the first record and it made it all the worthwhile. To close with “Up The Neck” was a true nod to their hardcore fans. Hope to see them headline a show again.
By Jeff...yes that one
March 2, 2009 9:03 PM | Link to this
Hey! When I played it the first time, my instant reaction was that it was a continuation of their first LP. I says it measures up just fine.
By LOIS
March 4, 2009 2:08 AM | Link to this
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME BROUGHT BACK SOME GOOD TIME MEMORIES!