By Mike Hughes
Photo & Videos by Jen Bernstein
 
After reuniting for a single show in Carrboro, NC in early 2011, Archers of Loaf kicked off a full-scale reunion tour that summer. The band unofficially broke up back in 1998, so faithful Loaf fans were overjoyed to have the band back and touring in support of Merge Records remastering and reissuing their four studio albums. 
 
Certain Archers fans were unable to attend any of the 2011 reunion tour shows due to conflicting Medical Cannabis Cups. Which explains why certain Archers fans were elated when it was announced that the band would be touring again in 2012 – and the two New York dates fell safely after the Denver Cup and before the San Fran Cup.
 
The first New York show took place at Manhattan's Bowery Ballroom on Thursday, April 26. Frontman Eric Bachmann has been touring consistently since parting ways with Archers 15 years ago – both as a solo artist and with his band Crooked Fingers. Nonetheless, his usual formidable stage presence is unparalleled when leading Archers. When the band took the stage at a little after 11pm, something familiar but nearly forgotten was in the air. It was great to have them back.
 
Much of the crowd – predictably thirty-something, white, and male – had been waiting over a decade to see the band they grew up with play a live show. And AOL did not disappoint, as they led a captivated crowd from the opening rush of “Wrong” through the closing licks of “Slow Worm” – both off 1993’s Icky Mettle (full set lists below).
 
On Thursday scalpers staked out positions near Bowery Ballroom hoping to unload tickets to the sold-out show – an unthinkable scene back in the mid-90s when you would often be one of roughly a dozen audience members in questionable venues. The fact that this show took place in front of a large, raucous crowd made the concert all the more satisfying. 
 
Sunday night’s show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg was an even tougher ticket (Archers’ indie rock roots seem to have piqued the interest of Brooklyn’s hipster population). The band again took the stage a bit after 11pm and the crowd erupted at the opening chords of “Step into the Light" - the opener from 1995's Vee Vee.
 
While the song selection for the two shows was fairly similar - primarily drawing from the band's early to mid-90s work and touching only briefly on later albums All The Nations Airports and White Trash Heroes - there was an excellent mix of quintessential Loaf and unexpected gems (i.e. "Smoking Pot in the Hot City," "Mark Price, P.I")
 
Scanning the crowd each night revealed beaming Archers fans basking in the glorious nostalgia of authentic 90s indie rock. And while Mr. Bachmann has grown as a musician and a performer since going his own way all those years ago, this reviewer couldn't have been happier to see him leave the acoustic guitar at home and hit the road with his original band, looking refreshed, polished, and ready to rock. 
 
 
Videos from 4/29 in Williamsburg courtesy of HT Managing Editor Jen Bernstein:
 
"Wrong"
[youtube|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apy61pvT2Js]
 
"Floating Friends"
[youtube|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1XkXgWiYVY]
 
 
 
Bowery Ballroom - April 26, 2012
Set:
Wrong
Plumbline
Lowest Part Is Free
Freezing Point
Revenge
You and Me
Might
Distance Comes in Droves 
Scenic Pastures
Fashion Bleeds
Worst Defense
Greatest Of All Time
Web in Front
Nostalgia
Audiowhore
Harnessed in Slums
All Hail the Black Market
 
Encore:
Dead Red Eyes
Fabricoh
Smoking Pot in the Hot City
Slow Worm
 
 
Music Hall of Williamsburg - April 29, 2012
Set:
Step Into The Light
Let the Loser Melt
Audiowhore
Harnessed in Slums
Distance Comes in Droves
Scenic Pastures
Form & File
Dead Red Eyes
Fabricoh
Greatest of All Time
Lowest Part is Free
Freezing Point
Plumbline
You And Me
Might
Web In Front
White Trash Heroes 
 
Encore:
Wrong
Mark Price, P.I.
Floating Friends
 
Check out remaining tour dates for Archers of Loaf.
 
 
Other Bachmann-related content on HT.com:
Nokia Theater, NYC - April, 2009
Webster Hall, NYC - October, 2008
Review of To The Races from the December 2006 issue of HT