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Review and Photos by Matt Schwenke
In one odd stop on a co-headlining tour featuring the L.A.-based Watson Twins and N.Y.-based Tim Fite, the Watson Twins opened for M. Ward at the Pabst Theatre while Tim Fite performed for free in an afterparty show in the theatre's Cudahy Pub.
After releasing the critically acclaimed Over the Counter Culture for free in 2006, Fite is touring in support of the new, regularly-priced studio offering Fair Ain't Fair, and the intimate setting of the pub made for a striking display of the old and new material alike. The cynical consumerism sentiment found on Fite's previous album still lingers on the new in the ultimately catchy "More Clothes," while the lone wolf howl of Fite's country side rings through in "The Barber," but with an extra dose of Tom Waits-like oddity. Representing some middle ground between the two, the new "Big Mistake" was bolstered by the raucous chorus vocals of Fite and D.J. Dr. Leisure. Notables from earlier albums included the bass-heavy thumper "It's All Right Here," and the warm-hearted send off "Away From the Snakes."
While the two musicians were animated throughout-- Tim Fite often stepping out into the crowd and Dr. Leisure humping the window to attract the attention of passersby-- the added element of Tim Fite's animated stories in between songs, narrated by Fite as The Gentleman With Itchy Legs, bring a theatrical presence to a show already laden in creativity and seal the deal on a complete artist.
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