The Weakerthans use their Canadian charm on an open-armed Chicago

September 25, 2009, at the Bottom Lounge

By Sarah Collins
Published: September 27th, 2009 | 9:30pm

It can’t be true that people from Canada are nicer. As it is, Minnesota Nice is a myth and Southern Hospitality is a lie. Propagandhi, the first band of the Weakerthans’ frontman John K. Samson, is also from Canada and decidedly not nice. But watching opener Rock Plaza Central and the Weakerthans have a joy fest at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge, it’s hard not to believe that maybe Canadians really are nicer.

Rock Plaza Central was a surprisingly orchestral folk group. Their set was a lulling blend of harmonies, vocal and instrumental, that warmed up the crowd for the slightly higher tempo Weakerthans. The band took the slot with good cheer too, knowing it was second fiddle and embracing it with a gusto rarely seen in openers.

Beautiful though their songs were, no one can compete with the Weakerthans for the band’s understated, effortless beauty. They were doing it long before the Fleet Foxes picked up the threaded harmonies, and they do it without the hippy undertones. The Weakerthans are the odd middle man. They get the punk kids to chill out for an evening and the indie kids to raise a fist when they feel okay. The Weakerthans seem so ultimately content with their position, not as famous as they should be by half and not caring. That worry-free joy comes through, whether the songs are about suicide or kitty cats.

The joy was reflected by the packed crowd in subtle swaying and, at other times, shouting. Those that do know the Weakerthans treat them like a treasured secret, and their infrequent tour schedule makes each performance precious. Fans sang along so faithfully that Samson would stall on lyrics just to mess them up, as he reached for the microphone and backed down with a laugh. But, he let the audience have its turn to shine too. During the encore song, “Wellington’s Wednesdays,” he plucked a kid from the crowd to take over his solo. The band helped the unsuspecting newbie when he stumbled and pointed out the notes so he could have his own rock star moment. The band had already had theirs, hamming it up with orchestrated guitar dances that mocked Samson’s less-than-epic guitar talents.

The Weakerthans extended the love to the opening act and brought violin player Fiona Stewart on stage to assist with fan favorite “Left and Leaving.” The strings fleshed out the understated ballad, giving it the warmth and wholeness it has on the record. The Weakerthans know how to draw from their entire catalogue, with no compunctions about playing “Pamphleteer” and “Plea From a Cat Named Virtue.” They wanted fans to be happy, and they did everything it takes to get them there — even if it took two encores and humbling jokes. Samson’s build-up of the guitar solo in “Utilities,” and the accompanying “solo-face,” took any pomp and separation out of the set. In his mind, the fans can do it just as well. All they need is a little help from the band.

—

For more photos from this show visit Venus Zine’s Flickr page

The Weakerthans official site

The Weakerthans MySpace page