In my opinion Friday, the 11th of February,
proved extremely successful for all parties
involved.  The game plan: collate three inspiring
bands, plaster the town with posters, charge a
minimal fee, and hope that crowds amass to support
the cause.  The anticipated outcome: raise enough
money to provide a facelift for the Showoff Gallery.
After all, this was a benefit show.
     I arrived at 10pm.  I'd like to apologize to 
Dolour because I completely missed their set; however,
I did hear that they proved excellent entertainment 
for the young crowd.
     Did I say crowd?  Head count reached capacity.  
Did I say young?  Well let's put it this way: taking
into account that this particular show encompased a
divergance from the usual band style witnessed at the 
showoff (i.e., this was a pop show), the attendees
comprised an uncustomary group.  The usual scruffy 
punks yelling and hollering were replaced by ruddy-
cheeked, soda-drinking individuals.  High school letter
jackets abounded.  In fact, during clean-up patrol
after the show, crews discovered water bottles, paper
coffee cups, and an empty package of gummy bears-far
from the normal fare of beer bottles and vomit.
     Eureka Farm was on stage when I arrived.  It had
been almost a year since I had seen them last play;
I've always enjoyed them, but most often they just
didn't represent high-energy live music.  They've
changed.  I was struck by their intensity.  No weak
links in Eureka Farm.  Each member, all accomplished
musicians, feeds off the others producing a very 
cohesive band, which surely is a product of so much time
and effort playing together.  The crowd appeared to
appreciate the treat, but definitely composed the most
mellow, un-excitable crowd I've ever seen at the Showoff.
     Ex-local patriots Death Cab for Cutie headlined.
Suffice it to say that I have never been remotely 
disappointed by a DCFC performance.  With a new drummer
and a new album on the way, they returned a mix of old
and new often demonstrated by evolving bands.  After all,
stagnation is the death of creativity.  Much of their new
material comprises a more calculated, slow pace and a more
technical feel rather than the loose emotionally exuberant
pop illustrated on their first release, Something About
Airplanes.  The crowd sung along with their favorites, and
stood blankly and quietly through the new stuff.  I guess
change doesn't come easily for kids.  Maybe it was past
their bedtime.  Nonetheless, we were graced with a 
substantial set, ending considerably past the designated time.
     Judging from the turnout, I would venture to guess that
the benefit was a success.  At one point toward the end of the
night I did glimpse Frankie, one of the Showoff's managerial 
residents, flash a shit-eating grin when someone asked if they
had raised sufficient funds.

-Jamie Donatuto

[Taken from What's Up! Vol.3 Issue 4 March 00]

Note: Date and venue are mistakenly printed as 1/23 3B Tavern, 
and Go-Kart Theory is omitted from the article entirely.