Travis & Remy Zero

Okay, here is it and I'm just going to be blunt: I know there is more than a few of you who have no idea who Travis is, maybe you think I'm being extra friendly with Randy Travis, or something. Actually, I have no idea what in the hell you're thinking. Travis, a Glaswegian band, is selling out arenas across Europe, and they packed The Warfield. I know there are some people wondering who they are.
First off, Travis is a moniker, taken from the old movie, Paris, France. Travis is five guys and they rock…no other way to describe it. That's all. I just wanted to familiarize you with who they are before you go any further.
Opening the evening was Remy Zero, a Southern band currently living in LA. Cinjun Tate, singer and guitarist, dominated the stage with his Michael Stipe-esque gestures and posturing, while he was backed by an incredible arrangement of musicians (guitar, bass, keys, drums), and their music commanded the audience like few opening bands can do. Their set list was perfectly balanced, gracefully moving from fast paced rock 'n' roll, anthemic numbers through acoustic songs to poignant outcries and back again. Every song was crafted perfectly, tight and solid song after song.
Lyrically, Remy Zero focuses on metaphor-laden images to get their points across. (If they don't sound too appetizing yet, they are Radiohead's new favorite band.) Cinjun led them through a beautiful order of songs, all the while never missing a beat or a chance to thank the audience for their support, or take a swig of a bottle of Möet.
The story goes like this: Remy Zero and Travis have toured together for the past three or four years, and this night was the last night of the tour. Now, this could have led a long, boring evening of half-hearted music, because they are so tired. Instead, we were allowed to catch the second option-a kick ass, energetic, interactive evening of rock 'n' roll.
They thanked Travis for the tour, calling them their "best friends," and got off the stage. Then came Travis. Travis is fronted by Fran Healy, who sports a pink mohawk despite the Brit-pop genre of the band, which was made apparent that they aren't just lazily placed in the "Brit pop" genre. They own it. They exploded on stage and opened with "Sing," the first track of their most recent release, The Invisible Band and the night was in full-swing from there. Guitarist Andy Dunlap took time out from lead guitar duties to play the banjo, bassist Douglas Payne looked more like he should be in Pulp, but kept the energy up on stage and then there's drummer Neil Primrose…he rocked out harder than Tommy Lee ever did.
From "Sing" they moved into "Pipe Dreams," really demonstrating that The Warfield was built for Travis. This was especially felt when Fran segued into his "favorite song," "Driftwood."
The classiness, grace and energy that they exhibit on stage is not a common trait. In between songs Fran would talk a bit about the songs, in a voice just like Ewan McGregor, and at one point admitting his pants were too big, he asked a roadie, please, if he could borrow his belt. Of course he said "yes." Then, Fran was talking about the world and how "Everyone should peace the fuck out." A Bono-like, socially forward message snuck in, but it was followed by "Indefinitely." "The Cage" was up next and the beautiful diatribe preceding the song was dedicated "to all the women," and proved to be the perfect movement from rock to mellow, with Fran's soaring falsetto washed over the acoustic guitar and keyboards.
The next part of the set included "Follow the Light," "Side," (oh my god!) and the most powerful version of "Flowers in the Window" that I've ever heard. Actually, each song they played sounded better than the album, because of the quirks; there were two times where Fran forgot the words, realized his shirt was on backwards, the guttural growl that happens when he got too into the song, Douglas Payne working the bass and finally, the encore. Travis invited Remy Zero out for a song, dedicated it to New York City… "Heroes" by David Bowie, which everyone has covered (The Wallflowers, even Moulin Rouge) but it's never been done like this: two vox, two bass, two drums, two keys and three guitars. Follow that up with their hit single from The Man Who, "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" and you just experienced a perfect show.
-Laney Erokan
(live photos are from travisonline.com)

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