I think a lot of fans profess to love the song because they think they’re supposed to. I feel like it’s fun the first time you see it and then it’s just sort of a rinse/repeat exercise. There isn’t the same charm.
Thought the specifics might be vague, I recall the first time I heard Mariners Revenge Song was in 2008 perhaps on the Bridesmaid Revisited tour. They said they brought it back for the first time then. Unless it was a later tour in Ithaca somewhere in the mid 2010s.
Dangling from unknown ropes and playing Roblox to his hearts content.. Good to know if I was a famous rocker my 11 year old would be doing exactly the same thing!
I brought my girlfriend to this show, her first time seeing you guys, and told her I would put money on Mariner’s Revenge. I love this glimpse into how the band thinks and I would have lost my $5. (And if there were a Decemberists-show betting pool, the mob would get involved, and start pressuring the band to play certain songs, and then Colin would write a song about being under the mob’s thumb…)
Speaking of Rush, just bought a Rush Premium pinball machine. I highly recommend it in lieu of the elusive Decemberists-themed machine. C'mon, you know that would be awesome.
I must throw down my glove and proclaim: bundaberg is a fine ginger beer but not the greatest in the world! If you want to accept the duel, I’ll be on the lawn tonight at Edgefield, good luck finding me!
Missoula was beyond what I could have fathomed...mind obliterated by the scenery and the kindness of others. I was elated to be there on your first night and the energy was more than contagious. I'm not sorry you didn't do Mariner's. Honestly felt that the whole set was refreshing and showcased how much you've evolved as a band.
Thank you for making the start of my 48th year a time I'll reflect on until my mind fails me....
People were SO kind at that show. Also love what you said about how they evolved as a band. I have a hard time describing them in one sentence… we were at a saloon in Northern Montana and started just describing all their albums and got to IBYG and mentioned synth and the bartender , she says “I love synth” and we realized we’d failed yet again. This set was such a great showcase as you say!
I met a few nice folks at this show but was shocked by rudeness as well. I was quite snubbed by 2 different people and was shocked by it. Didn’t let it ruin my experience but I wonder why. We’re all human, folks. Well…most of us.
Thank you for this. So fun to hear all these little details that come with being on the road. Sleeping on a plane is hard enough - don’t know how you manage it in a vehicle.
Not requesting it, but, of note, when my now-ex boyfriend told me (oh, so many years ago) about a band that had an 8-minute pirate-y song about a man who exacts revenge in the stomach of a whale, I was hooked for life.
“Montana audiences are always so kind and appreciative, each of them in their uniform: baseball cap, shorts, sunglasses, Tevas, and a shirt with some version of the silhouette of the state of Montana on it.”
Some wear Chacos. But... this might be the most accurate description of our people.
Fun to read this account! The Bonner show was so completely different from every Decemberists show I’ve seen. I’m probably at about 10 Montana shows by now I suppose. Top Hat and all. I was only somewhat surprised by Mariner’s absence. But expected Engine Driver for sure. And no Dracula’s Daughter. You’re not our jukebox so I’m good with whatever you want to rock us with. But it’s good you know you’ll never get away without playing Apology Song in Missoula. And we’re all glad of it.
Skip California one tonight. No one in Oregon wants a song about California. Let’s hear Rusalka in honor of Carson’s poster. I really hope I can get one.
Have you read Dean Wareham’s memoir, Black Postcards? I recall him sharing that his Dad urged him to keep tour diaries and he did, and boy could he go into details in his memoir!
Which is more extreme - the band's dislike or the fan's love of Mariner's Revenge?
I think a lot of fans profess to love the song because they think they’re supposed to. I feel like it’s fun the first time you see it and then it’s just sort of a rinse/repeat exercise. There isn’t the same charm.
That sums it up nicely.
Thought the specifics might be vague, I recall the first time I heard Mariners Revenge Song was in 2008 perhaps on the Bridesmaid Revisited tour. They said they brought it back for the first time then. Unless it was a later tour in Ithaca somewhere in the mid 2010s.
Dangling from unknown ropes and playing Roblox to his hearts content.. Good to know if I was a famous rocker my 11 year old would be doing exactly the same thing!
I brought my girlfriend to this show, her first time seeing you guys, and told her I would put money on Mariner’s Revenge. I love this glimpse into how the band thinks and I would have lost my $5. (And if there were a Decemberists-show betting pool, the mob would get involved, and start pressuring the band to play certain songs, and then Colin would write a song about being under the mob’s thumb…)
The retooled Severed really rocks. It seems more raw and menacing.
The next tour should just be the “We Won’t Play Mariner’s Revenge Song On This Tour” tour. At least that way no-one’s disappointed!
What a lovely read! Read in a corner of Powell’s with book-laden arms. Can’t wait for the show tonight.
(Harboring a hope that somehow the day of rest has brought a spectacular change of heart in the band & Mariner’s might be on the books for tonight)
Speaking of Rush, just bought a Rush Premium pinball machine. I highly recommend it in lieu of the elusive Decemberists-themed machine. C'mon, you know that would be awesome.
I must throw down my glove and proclaim: bundaberg is a fine ginger beer but not the greatest in the world! If you want to accept the duel, I’ll be on the lawn tonight at Edgefield, good luck finding me!
Missoula was beyond what I could have fathomed...mind obliterated by the scenery and the kindness of others. I was elated to be there on your first night and the energy was more than contagious. I'm not sorry you didn't do Mariner's. Honestly felt that the whole set was refreshing and showcased how much you've evolved as a band.
Thank you for making the start of my 48th year a time I'll reflect on until my mind fails me....
People were SO kind at that show. Also love what you said about how they evolved as a band. I have a hard time describing them in one sentence… we were at a saloon in Northern Montana and started just describing all their albums and got to IBYG and mentioned synth and the bartender , she says “I love synth” and we realized we’d failed yet again. This set was such a great showcase as you say!
You simply can't sum up their work, right? That's what I love. Being a fan for so long and being a part of that ebb and flow feels like a gift.
I met a few nice folks at this show but was shocked by rudeness as well. I was quite snubbed by 2 different people and was shocked by it. Didn’t let it ruin my experience but I wonder why. We’re all human, folks. Well…most of us.
In other news, Franny- I dig your profile name reference.
Thank you for this. So fun to hear all these little details that come with being on the road. Sleeping on a plane is hard enough - don’t know how you manage it in a vehicle.
Not requesting it, but, of note, when my now-ex boyfriend told me (oh, so many years ago) about a band that had an 8-minute pirate-y song about a man who exacts revenge in the stomach of a whale, I was hooked for life.
“Montana audiences are always so kind and appreciative, each of them in their uniform: baseball cap, shorts, sunglasses, Tevas, and a shirt with some version of the silhouette of the state of Montana on it.”
Some wear Chacos. But... this might be the most accurate description of our people.
I was merely *visiting* Montana for the show and looked like this.
I love this! I hope you’re able to document the whole tour this way so we can see the behind the scenes of it all!
Love this story.
Fun to read this account! The Bonner show was so completely different from every Decemberists show I’ve seen. I’m probably at about 10 Montana shows by now I suppose. Top Hat and all. I was only somewhat surprised by Mariner’s absence. But expected Engine Driver for sure. And no Dracula’s Daughter. You’re not our jukebox so I’m good with whatever you want to rock us with. But it’s good you know you’ll never get away without playing Apology Song in Missoula. And we’re all glad of it.
Skip California one tonight. No one in Oregon wants a song about California. Let’s hear Rusalka in honor of Carson’s poster. I really hope I can get one.
That poster, damn (hope you get one)! And I always hope to hear Rusalka, especially under a night sky.
Got one!
Woooooo!!!!
Have you read Dean Wareham’s memoir, Black Postcards? I recall him sharing that his Dad urged him to keep tour diaries and he did, and boy could he go into details in his memoir!