On the surface, a bill featuring the Psychedelic Furs and the Lemonheads makes sense. Both bands fit into the indisputably silly “alternative” genre box, having some chart success in the 1980s and ’90s respectively. Brits the Furs are perhaps best known for their single “Pretty in Pink,” made famous by the John Hughes movie of the same name. The Lemonheads, although they would hate to hear it, rocketed into mainstream homes thanks to their cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.” So it all makes sense. Kinda.O

In fact, the two bands couldn’t be more different. The Lemonheads beautifully straddle the line between Dinosaur Jr.-esque alt-rock stoner-fuzz, and pure pop. Yes, the band uses Orange amps, and frontman Evan Dando looks like he just woke up from a nap on the beach. Yes, they enjoy to employ feedback. But buried under the noise are some awesome melodies resulting in tunes that perhaps require a bit of effort but are well worth it. Dando is a kook though, and he’s clearly having fun on stage, even if he doesn’t want to play the crowd faves. When his guitarist announces that it’s time to play the much-loved “Shame About Ray,” Dando says, “I guess.” The song is actually one of the least inspiring moments of the Lemonheads set, so maybe it’s a blessed relief that they don’t play “Mrs. Robinson” at all.

Even Dando’s acoustic bit is great (a song about lying about being the outdoor type is particularly sweet), and the fact that this writer knew very few of the songs in the set didn’t make it any less enjoyable. Weird bit afterwards though – Dando was wandering around the stage as if he had lost something and, as he approached a floor fan said appliance burst into flames. It seemed almost supernatural. If anybody knows what happened there, we’d love to know.

Flames quickly extinguished the Psychedelic Furs took to the stage with “President Gas,” and never took their feet off of that aforementioned gas. A packed crowd at the Gothic lapped up every little gloriously sarcastic vogue from frontman Richard Butler, while his sidemen (including his bassist brother Tim) just looked way too cool throughout.

The great news about the Furs 2014, as Tim Butler told us during a recent interview, is that they have a sax player back in the band, Mars Williams replacing original blower Duncan Kilburn. For a few years since the reunion, the band has tried to replace those sax parts with keys and strings, but it hasn’t been the same. Now, the dynamic is wonderful; Williams is a great player and he nails some of the most iconic Furs moments.

It’s been said before but, especially with sax back in the band, the Furs are like Roxy Music fronted by Bowie. Nothing wrong with that. Tunes like “Imitation of Christ,” “Love My Way,” “Run and Run,” and of course “Pretty in Pink” sound flawless tonight and, by the end, the fact that the Furs and the Lemonheads are sonically and aesthetically very different becomes academic. In fact, we were treated to two great sets by two awesome bands.

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The Psychedelic Furs

On October 29, the Gothic Theatre will host a night of nostalgic alt-rock revelry. The Psychedelic Furs and the Lemonheads are on tour together, and that Denver show is a must see. We grabbed original Fur Tim Butler to find out what we can expect…O

The Psychedelic Furs play with the Lemonheads at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29 at the Gothic Theatre; 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood; 303-789-9206; $35

Yellow Scene: It’s been a while since you were here – what have you been up to?

Tim Butler: We’ve toured pretty regularly. I’ve been working, trying to sort out a new record. We have the song ideas, we’re just waiting for Richard [Butler, singer] to get up to speed on the lyrics.

YS: It’s been a while since the last record…

TB: Oh yeah, it’s been since 1992. Of course, we took a break. Rich and I formed Love Spit Love. Then I left that and formed my own band, which didn’t do anything. We got back together in 2000. It’s not so long. But it’s still 14 years since we got back together, so I’m starting to get a bit agitated too.

YS: In those three years, has the line-up changed at all?

TB: No, it’s pretty solid. I think this is the best line-up we’ve ever had.

YS: Do you enjoy playing Colorado?

TB: Oh yeah, and especially the Gothic Theatre. It’s one of my favorite places in America. I love the old cinema with the bottom level taken out and the second level seats. The atmosphere at those sort of places and the Gothic in particular is a favorite of the whole band.

YS: What are your plans for the set?

TB: The hits and the almost-hits, of course. You get lynched if you don’t do those. The last few outings, we’ve been doing stuff that we haven’t played for a while from the first album and the second album.

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Meet Crumpet

Not yet the tradition A Christmas Story has become, SantaLand Diaries is no slouch. The uproarious Tony-winner from David Sedaris is a regional favorite every year. It centers on Sedaris’ experiences working as an elf in Macy’s SantaLand. In fact, the piece, originally an essay read on NPR in the ’90s, catapulted Sedaris into the national consciousness. This year’s Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company production takes residence at The Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, Thursday–Saturday nights through Dec. 24. Tickets start at $15. Call 303.440.7826 for more information.

Party on Down

New Year’s Eve is typically a let down after a year of prepping and pondering how to close this particular chapter of your life. Because this is possibly the last year of our lives (unless the Mayans just ran out of numbers), expectations are higher. Enter Hotel Boulderado and its Masquerade Ball with two bands, a restaurant and two bars. You could do a lot worse than spending your last New Year’s Eve ever wearing a mask and partying here. Dec. 31. Tickets start at $50, Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St. Boulder, 303.442.4334.

Does a Body Good

There are few foods better than piping-hot oatmeal with maple and brown sugar on an icy-cold winter morning. It’s no wonder the Lafayette Quaker Oatmeal Festival is now celebrating its 14th year of combining this tasty breakfast food with its healthy living fair and a 5K fun-run. (Heads up, though, they’ll have no XL T-shirts this year. Yes, we were crushed, too). 7:30 am, 200 E. Baseline Rd., check out lafayettecolorado.com/oatmealfestival.html for more information.

Oh So Lemony

Ever go to a concert featuring your favorite band from college that never tours only to have them refuse to play any beloved hits and instead focus on material from a soon-to-be-released car commercial album? Well, that’s not this. The Lemonheads is on tour once again, and this time, Evan Dando is focusing on music from It’s a Shame About Ray, the 1992 hit Rhino Records reissued in ’08. If you’re a fan, this concert’s for you. At the Fox Theatre, Feb. 3, 8 pm, $15+. 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303.443.3399

Sure it’s New Year’s Eve. But check out all these other awesome things that happened on Dec. 31…

1) 1781: The first U.S. Bank opens, called the Bank of North America

2) 1879: Thomas Edison unveils his light bulb

3) 1923: The first time a voice is broadcast over the radio across the Atlantic

4) 1945: United Nations charter is ratified

5) 1961: The Beach Boys play their first concert

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