Staff Editor on June 1st, 2018

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Eels kicked off their first full tour in four years this week, keeping things interesting (and a bit grungey).

Clown-costumed Puddles Pity Party dispensed songs, tears and to open the night, getting a wild reaction, and when Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) came onstage, he took note of it: “You want the opening act to warm up the crowd, not burn the house down,” he joked. “Big mistake on my part… note to self.”

Eels’ career-spanning set touched on their new album “The Deconstruction” and added considerable bite to most everything they tackled — even Eels classic “Novocaine for the Soul” was punched up with grittier guitars. After “Prizefighter” E commented, “If this is dad rock, I’m all in.”

Setlist: Out in the Street (The Who cover), Raspberry Beret (Prince cover), Bone Dry, Flyswatter, Dog Face Boy, A Magic World, Dirty Girls, Daisies of the Galaxy, Prizefighter, Rusty Pipes, Open My Present, You Are The Shining Light, My Beloved Monster, In My Dreams, Climbing to the Moon, I Like the Way This Is Going, Little Joe (intro to new drummer “Little Joe”), Today Is the Day, Novocaine for the Soul, Souljacker Part I, I Like Birds, PS You Rock My World. Encore: When You Were Mine (Prince cover). Encore 2:
Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues, Fresh Blood, Love and Mercy / Blinking Lights (For Me) / Wonderful, Glorious.

Photo by Samantha Saturday