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Icing on the Cake

Cake / Gomez
Orpheum Theatre
Madison, WI
Apr. 27, 2005
Cake
Cake
Cake
Cake
Gomez
Gomez

Review and Photos by Matt Schwenke

While Cake and Gomez have blazed two very different trails on their way to becoming creative forces amongst the dribble of pop and rock that has come and gone, the Orpheum Theatre was host to an evening featuring these two bands who continue to produce interesting sounds and who continue to deliver stellar live performances.
Gomez Gomez, who dabble in heavier sounds more than Cake, opened the night with their mix of British pop and rock that is more rock than any sort of pop-- much of this can be attributed to the powerful drumming of Olly Peacock. Though Gomez were more animated than usual and extending their songs, the crowd remained lethargic for most of the opening set-- much to the chagrin of multi-instrumentalist Tom Gray who took it upon himself to remind the crowd they were at a rock concert. With the majority of the crowd sitting, it took a little pleading from Gray and a prodding from the whole band in the form of "Here Comes The Breeze," and "Whippin' Piccadilly" to get the sleepy crowd up on their feet. By the set's end, Gomez had made their mark and left the stage to much applause.
With a buzz still in the crowd, it was Cake's turn to give Madison their dose of the uncommon. With a dramatic and often cynical flare, frontman Mike McCrea was commanding in "Wheels" and "Comfort Eagle." In the only sing along of the night, McCrea directed the men and women, and later the floor and balcony, in singing "No Phone." McCrea later remarked, "That was a really good balcony, as far as balconies go." Though the rest of the band was strong throughout the night, the shining moment of the show for the whole band came in "Mexico"-- a subtly beautiful tune in 3/4 timing that trumpeter Vincent di Fiore floated over the top with a toneful solo. With the guitars and rhythm taking over in "You're Never There," the crowd roared when McCrea announced the last song of the set to be "The Distance," adding that the song is actually a sad song and it's always sad for them to leave Madison.
Expecting an encore, the crowd went crazy with boos when the house lights came back on. Maybe it was a mistake or a joke, but about fifteen seconds later the lights went back out. Taking the stage again shortly thereafter, McCrea apologized about the sound and complained about the speakers. Hinting that the sound problems were a result from someone other than the band, the band seemed reluctant to be back on stage. This time; however, it was the crowd that amped up the band and Cake found their way into a lively encore of "Short Skirt, Long Jacket" and both sides seemed satisfied again.

Cake
Cake
Cake
Cake
Cake
Cake
Gomez
Gomez

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