what I did yesterday
Why yes, it was epically awesome.
Check out the full flickr set of the Jonathan Coulton & Paul and Storm concert here.
Why yes, it was epically awesome.
Check out the full flickr set of the Jonathan Coulton & Paul and Storm concert here.
I’m glad you enjoyed his show. I went with some friends to see him at Ramshead last year, knowing nothing more about him than the fact that he wrote the funny closing song to Portal. A group called Paul and Storm fronted and they put on a much funnier and livelier show than Coulton, whose line-up was 70% sad songs about nice guy nerds who were in love with women who didn’t love them back due to their being with an asshole/not knowing the guy even liked them/not being interested, 20% songs about mad scientists, and 10% the closing song to Portal. These songs kinda put a damper on the night as they overwhelmingly reminded me just how much I dislike nice guy nerds who wear baggy tshirts, could use a few interests not directly related to nerdery, need a shave and a haircut, and most of all, need to grow a goddamn pair. Paul and Storm, on the other hand, were pretty witty and had excellent stage banter.
@Anathelen
I’m a huge Coulton fan, have been for a few years now. The thing I love about Coulton is his use of epically nerdy themes in the soulful male singer/songwriter mold with a healthy dose of fandom filking thrown in. Songs like “Code Monkey,” “I Crush Everything” and “Skullcrusher Mountain” do partake heavily of the overly sensitive male ethos, but that’s not their main appeal. Their main appeal is that they’re about software programming, a GIANT SQUID and an incompetent mad scientist (though the best part of Skullcrusher is the half-pony-half-monkey-monster). Throw in a few songs about zombies (“Re: Your Brains” anyone?) and I am one happy femme-nerd.
And, I’m not ashamed to admit it, I plan to have my first dance at my theoretical future wedding be to “I’m Your Moon,” which is about Pluto.
Paul and Storm are amazing showmen, and were even when they were half of DaVinci’s Notebook (a hilarious acapella comedy act). Their half of the show Saturday was much more audience-participatory and high-energy. People loved interacting with them, whereas people loved *listening* and often singing along with Jonathan Coulton. Jonathan’s banter wasn’t as sparkling perhaps as Paul and Storm’s, but then again it didn’t have to be. Ｗｅ didn’t come to see him banter, we came to hear his songs, because we’re fans. Paul and Storm were an awesome and epic surprise (I expected nothing less, having seen them before), but I didn’t come for them (frankly).