In a recent interview with Mojo magazine (June 2011), The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney described the band’s 2006 album Magic Potion as their worst. This may have just as much to do with the music as it did the grueling world tour accompanying it; at no other time was fatigue so visually apparent. Almost every photo of the band from this era shows Dan and Pat sporting greasy hair and dark, sagging bags under their eyes. Dan became unkempt, growing a thick feral beard and seemingly wearing the same railroad jacket to nearly every gig.
One thing is certain; Magic Potion is a raw, fuzzed frenzy to high hell. It’s their simplest, most riff driven album, and while it may not lend itself well to everyone in its studio album format, these qualities are what make it arguably their best live album. This fact only adds to the enigma -- there is NO professionally-shot footage from this era, other than a handful of songs from a small gig they did at Grimeys record store in Nashville. It’s as if their displeasure with this album, along with the stench of Dan’s railroad jacket, had manifested into a curse, barring anyone from witnessing the sins that went down during a live Magic Potion set. There were whispers of a legendary third live DVD that was lost to time. Turns out that the myth was true! Archaeologists have unearthed this DVD from the ancient ruins of fabchannel, and it is now available for all to witness the glory of the Magic Potion tour live.
Live at Melkweg is not actually a DVD but its quality is on par with Live at the Crystal Ballroom and Live in Sydney. It was actually a web stream hosted by fabchannel, a website which archived live concerts. Fabchannel met its demise due to financial reasons, and it was thought that this footage went with it. Thankfully it’s been resurrected by Fan Lounge forum member Rumboon, who downloaded it from the site before it was taken down.
Live at Melkweg is filled with rare treats. Modern Times is a billowing sermon of scorn -- Dan’s voice sounds like it’s about to crack the whole way through, though it never falters. Unlike the way it’s played as a medley now, Stack Shot Billy ends before starting into Busted. Strange Desire/The Flame is a haunting medley, mixing the malevolence of the former with the grief and slow burning yearn of the latter. Even the staple songs have their own unique quirks; during the breakdown to Busted, there’s a tremolo drenched outburst from Dan’s guitar that sounds nothing like the version we are used to hearing. There’s also that trademark white Ibanez Lawsuit SG, the guitar that typified Dan’s sound at this point in time. And, of course, Pat slams the shit of out his drums with the ruthless swag we’ve grown accustomed too. His playing was rushed in spots, and his kit sounded a bit thin, but only when compared to the beast of a set up he’s got goin’ on now; it’s nothing but a testament to how much he has improved over time.
Live at Melkweg is a must-see for any fan of the band.
Set list
1. Thickfreakness
2. Girl is on my Mind
3. Just Got To be
4. Modern Times
5. The Breaks
6. Stack Shot Billy
7. Busted
8. You’re the One
9. Set You Free
10. 10 AM Automatic
11. Strange Desire
12. The Flame
13. The Elevator
14. Have Love, Will Travel
15. Your Touch
16. Grown so Ugly
17. Till I Get My Way
Related posts:
- Vote To Return The Strange Desire/The Flame Medley To The Black Keys’ Setlist
- Strange Times Live Video
- Chris Johnson’s Live Video Archive of The Black Keys
- Video: The Black Keys Live In Austin
- MP3: The Black Keys’ Radio Recordings 2007-2008
Want to discuss The Black Keys with other fans? Check out The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum here
im watching the footafe right now, lovely, also could you guys put on the mojo article for those who dont have acces to that source
cheers mate
Whoa. Thanks for this. How badass do you gotta be if you consider this stuff you’re worst.
Where can I get a copy of this?
um, it’s on youtube? just watch it there. it wasn’t released as a stand alone dvd. as per the post it was a livestream.