[Photo by acidjack. The photos are bad, but the recording is great.]
The band Trans Am reintroduced themselves in a big way with their seminal 1999 album, Futureworld nine years into their career. For the first time, the post-rock band introduced vocoder-enhanced vocals to their rock/krautrock hybrid. In many ways, this record, with its Atari graphics cover, augured the chiptunes genre, with its propulsive, fast-paced rock attack and robotic vocals. It also showcased a little bit of the band’s sense of humor, which you can get a dose of on their band page at Thrill Jockey. As is all the rage these days for classic bands, Trans Am did a two-night stand at one of my favorite venues, Union Pool, to close out their tour celebrating this classic record by playing it straight through.
With the smoke still clearing from The Psychic Paramount’s thunderous opening set, Trans Am kicked off the opening track “1999” to roars of approval from the crowd. By the time they hit the title track, “Futureworld,” the crowd was singing along to the vocoder-enhanced vocals, dancing, and sweating like hell – the show was completely sold out, and the room was packed. The band tore through the record with virtuosity and aggression; I can’t imagine this show being better in ’99 than it was today. The band even gave us an unexpected dose of (slightly) newer flavor when they ended the set with “I Want It All” and “Play in the Summer”, both from their 2000 record Red Line. Expect a followup to the band’s 2010 record, Thing, soon, and go see them live for an unforgettable experience.
I recorded this set from the balcony with the DPA microphones split wide, and an excellent soundboard feed. The quality is excellent. Enjoy!
Stream “Futureworld”
[audio:http://www.nyctaper.com/T0018TransAm2011/03 Futureworld.mp3]
Stream “Play In the Summer”
[audio:http://www.nyctaper.com/T0018TransAm2011/13 Play in the Summer.mp3]
Direct download of MP3 files [HERE] | Direct Download of the FLAC files [HERE]
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Trans Am
2011-10-08
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY USA
An acidjack master recording
Recorded and produced by acidjack for nyctaper.com
Soundboard + DPA 4021 (slightly LOC, ORTF)>Naiant littlebox>>Edirol R-44 [Oade Concert Mod] (24/48)>Audition (mixdown)>Audacity (set fades, tracking, EQ, amplify and balance)>FLAC Level 8
Tracks
Futureworld
01 1999
02 Television Eyes
03 Futureworld
04 City in Flames
05 Am Rhein
06 Cocaine Computer
07 Runners Standing Still>Futureworld II
08 Positron
09 Sad and Young
Additional Songs from Red Line
10 [banter]
11 I Want It All
12 [encore break]
13 Play in the Summer
If you enjoyed this recording, PLEASE SUPPORT Trans Am, visit their website, and purchase their official releases directly from Thrill Jockey.
Thank you SO MUCH for recording this show and sharing it with us. It was an incredible night! Trans Am rules.
Do you have a recording of the second night? They played Tesco with the saxaphonist..
Nope, I only went the first night.
Thanks for posting this. I haven’t downloaded it yet but can’t wait. This is the only live show I’ve found of them. Do you have any others? When are they going to tour in the US again. I’ve been listening to them for like 10 years but haven’t seen a show. I live in Denver but would travel if they came anywhere in the US. Thanks again for posting.
Later – Jesse
There are others out there here and there, though none of mine. I know my buddy recorded them in Carrboro, NC back in the 90s, though I have no idea if that recording is available anywhere these days. Good luck and glad you liked mine!