I saw Fiction Plane last night in Ventura, CA. They opened for Lifehouse (Hanging by a Moment). Apparently Lifehouse is a Christian-ish band. FP also recently opened for a Christian band called Switchfoot. Some Christian folks in the crowd apparently haven't been thrilled that FP aren't Christian, too.
What is with FP being linked with Christian bands? I don't quite get that.
I saw ONE person in the crowd with a beer. It could also have been that most of the crowd seemed under 21.
Anyway, the band was great. Much more energy, enthusiasm and professionalism than when I saw them in London a year ago (with Abe L. guesting on drums, a tiny stage and an impending name change).
They played (in no particular order) - Listen to my Babe, Everything will never be OK, Cigarette, Hate, I wish I would die, Real. Wise and a new (?) song I think is called 4 a.m. Joe plays bass on that one.
Joe had some funny little chatter like, "This song, is the next song." There was a Synchronicity 1-ish interlude during "I wish I would die." The music sounded similar. I can't explain it. I'm sure it wasn't intentional. It's just because I was listening for Sting-ish/Police-ish moments.
I know nothing about drumming, so I don't know what's good, bad or otherwise, but their new drummer Pete sure is fun to watch. He throws himself into every song with tons of energy.
Joe had lots of energy too, and lots of "Sting jumps," as one of my friends calls them. I think Joe's voice has gotten deeper (certainly more than it was on Swings) and it's only the high notes now where he sounds like Dad. Still, some of the facial expressions are nearly identical. Like the "psycho/intense face" where they both tilt their head up a little and the tendons in their necks are taut and stick out. It's almost like a grimace. Carbon copy. It wouldn't be noticeable to someone who hasn't watched Sting for the last 20 years, but it's there. Damn DNA.
I talked to the guys a little bit afterward. They were nice, as usual.
Despite some people in the crowd hoping for a Christian band, I think FP won some new fans. Joe and Dan were selling CDs in the crowd after their set and it looked like they were selling well.
There were several people there to only see FP. A guy who has seen them 3 times in the last six days, a couple of girls who have seen them several times and drove 6 hours to be there. It was nice to talk to people who like the band and appreciated their set. I'm sure there were more, but those were the ones I chatted with.
More FP dates seem to be added on a regular basis. If you haven't had a chance to see them, check them out. They are a great band in their own right, aside from the Sting connection that may have gotten some of us to buy or listen to the CD in the first place.
Maggie
