Presidents of the U.S.A. + Joe Jack Talcum + Ludo - Paradise Rock Club (Boston, MA; Mar. 27, 2008)

On Thursday night, concert goers both young and old journeyed to the Paradise on Comm Ave for a small taste of a much simpler time: The mid-90’s. The President’s of the United States of America packed the small, sold-out venue, and banged out their hits, both old and new, further convincing all of us that they’ve still got it. And they aren’t planning on stopping anytime soon, as suggested by their new hit album, These Are the Good Times, People.

The first opening act, Ludo, performed a cover of Faith No More’s “Epic,” and it was as if it were being sung by one of the members of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” trying to act like a rock star. It was well put together, entertaining, and energetic, but I would be quite content if I never saw them perform again (they were just a little bit too full of themselves, and far too happy a group to cover Faith No More).

Next up was Joe Jack Talcum, from the Dead Milkmen. A few small subsets of the rambunctious crowd were really into his set, and I can see why. He sang a bunch of old songs from his former, satirical, early 80’s punk band and a few newer ones as well, all on acoustic guitar, complete with harmonica. He was like a punk-ass Bob Dylan (and I mean that in the best way possible), singing anthems about how life is shit, as well as love songs to alcohol. He even drank a can of PBR handed to him by a member of the crowd.

And then it was time for the Presidents to kick out the jams.

A quick update on the Presidents’ stage equipment:  Chris Ballew got himself a new tube amplifier, and it’s large, lovely, and smells like a dream. Dave Dederer wasn’t present, replaced by guitarist Andrew McKeag. I assume he’s spending time with his family, perhaps trying out his new Big Bertha driver. Jason Finn has gotten himself a new cymbal supplier (they’re pretty great; they’re Sabian). Kidding aside, it appears as if Jason Finn has dropped a few pounds since the band’s earlier years, and it looks like he’s doing great these days. All the band members do, in fact, and it’s really refreshing to see that not all guys in bands end up on shows like ‘Rock of Love 8’ (though I AM looking forward to that sordid season . . .).

The Presidents put on an amazing show. It was just what you’d expect: Good clean fun (I mean, who’s NOT going to have a good time dancing to funny songs about tiki gods, kitties, frogs, and dune buggies?). Their years of touring have molded them into a band with a very polished sense of showmanship, yet they don’t seem to be jaded, a fate which befalls so many bands after they’ve been together a decade or so (their habit of taking breaks here and there does wonders for the health of the band, it seems). They’re seasoned professionals, which helped give the night an interesting feel: It was a show with enough energy to fill a stadium, yet confined to the intimacy of a small club. Chris Ballew really loves what he’s doing, and you can tell. His sunny demeanor reminds me of Ted Leo, and I feel the two have similar souls. They’re both a bit older than your average punk band member on the road these days, which is fine, and they’re still in the game simply because they love the music, which is great.

There was a good age mix at the show. Groups of friends around 30 who were into the band back in the day, new young listeners, and even older people. It’s always nice to see middle aged people coming out to rock shows, though it’s definitely a trip to see a soccer mom wearing a Presidents of the USA t-shirt.

I was so young when I was into the Presidents that certain memories of them are burned into my brain in the same way as those cheesy songs about multiplication tables (“it doesn’t matter what you do, if you wanna rock and roll, you’ve gotta multiply two . . . .”). A few random memories for you: The Presidents playing on Nickelodeon when they played at the Big Help benefit concert. I remember a documentary clip of Chris Ballew playing drums with his son. The brief clip of him in the “Video Killed the Radio Star” video holding up the “I quit” sign. Something about a giraffe . . . .

Their show is oddly similar to those entertainers your school and parents used to make you sit through when you were kids, only for adults. While Chris is singing, he frequently uses hand gestures, the same way one would when trying to engage third graders, and the crowd loves it. He touches the little kid in all of us (not like that). The whole crowd was engaged. People shed their too-cool-for-school Boston demeanor and started waving their hands in the air and singing along.

Their set list was monstrous, hit after jumpy hit. Songs from the new album (which is great, highly recommended), and those old favorites from the first couple albums that everyone’s had stuck in their head for the past 10+ years. And then, of course, their world-wide hits, “Lump” and “Peaches,” which they are somehow still able to have fun playing after so many years.

Chris Ballew used to live in Boston. He called it his “Hometown #2” and mentioned how he wrote a few of the songs on the new album back in his younger days living in Somerville, such as “Flame is Love” and their new single, “Mixed Up S.O.B.” This is the last show on the US leg of their tour promoting their new album, These are the Good Times, People. On April 10th, they’ll recommence in Europe, but promise to return soon, and I hope they do. It’s great to have the Presidents of the United States of America back in the world.

Set List:
1. Tiki God
2. Kitty (Cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” during breakdown)
3. Riot in the Sun
4. Some Postman
5. Volcano
6. Ghosts are Everywhere (dedicated to Mark Sandman)
7. Zero Friction
8. Ladybug
9. Dune Buggy
10. Sharpen Up Those Fangs
11. Lump
12. Flame is Love
13. Porch
14. Deleter
15. Mixed Up S.O.B.
16. “Out of Tune” Improv
17. Mach 5
18. Peaches
19. Kick Out the Jams (MC5 cover)

Encore:
1. Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles cover)
2. Boll Weevil
3. Munky River
4. Bug City
5. We’re Not Gonna Make It
6. Ace of Spades (briefly) (Motorhead cover)

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