Fastball and Spacehog

Fastball has been steadily touring for their entire career, riding on the seemingly endless high from 1998 when 'All the Pain Money Can Buy' went platinum. They've played venues large and small and seem to have finally hit their middle ground in the last several years. I had the chance to catch Tony Scalzo and the band a few years ago at a hole in the wall venue in St. Louis called Two Cents Plain (now The Crack Fox). I wasn't sure what to expect from the show, and was only moderately familiar with a few of their pop-charts songs like 'The Way' and 'Fire Escape.'

I was blown away with the professionalism and quality these guys continue to put out in their live sets. The crowd was full, but not uncomfortable, and there was a definite feel of nostalgia in the air for the guys that had, arguably, one of the biggest hits of the late 90's with 'The Way.' The band was really upbeat, and you can tell in the way they perform and interact with the crowd that they still love what they do, and haven't lost any of the passion that got them to the big time.

This is a fantastic, laid-back show for anyone who wants to knock back a couple of beers and hear some good alternative-rock, and get taken back to the hey-day of the alternative/pop scene.

Most people just know Spacehog from their hit “In the Meantime” What they are missing however is so many other good songs, and tonight they played them all it was so so good. Royston and Antony are such a good pair, probably because they’re brothers but they mesh together so well. Their cover of Queen’s “In the Lap of the Gods” was so good, definitely showing their British Roots an influences there. Beautiful Girl and I want to Live to open the show with Never Coming Down Again part II to close it out, such an amazing night. The crowd was mellow at first then worked up to the climax of In the Meantime. The band completely crushed it and the crowd went crazy, one of the best shows I’ve seen in years. That song in particular works out well in outdoor venues like this, it is basically a rock anthem at this point and when they turn it up I’m sure it can be heard for miles. They seemed to, despite being older now still have the same pep and energy that they did 20 years ago when the song hit it big. If you get a chance to see Spacehog, go do it, you won’t regret it.