When my favorite bands break up, I feel a small pang, quickly followed by the thought “but that’s it?” as if they’ve somehow slighted me by not consulting with me first on the matter. Fifteen minutes ago I learned that The Walkmen essentially broke up (“extended hiatus”) on November 29, 2013. Learning of this band’s breakup was different from the previous times I can remember hearing this type of news. If it weren’t for the fact that the band’s lead singer, Hamilton Leithauser, had recently released a much-worthy follow-up to the band’s last three absolutely amazing albums, I might actually have felt that pang, that sense of longing. Instead, I can move on, happy in the thought that we’ll still get to hear great music led by this great crooner.
Leithauser came through town with the current iteration of his backing band this past Tuesday night, playing what would prove to be the perfect venue for his sound: The Triple Door. This man was built for dinner theater. Tilting the mic this way and that, evoking thoughts of Elvis as he swayed with his guitar, and belting the shit out of the songs in his unmistakably Hamilton Leithauser way. He is a tall, closely-shaved, clean cut and sharp-suited man, producing a slightly gravel-filled voice that can go very nicely low and high at whim.
Joining Leithauser on stage were a couple of Fleet Foxes: Skyler Skjelset on bass and Morgan Henderson on percussion. This was in addition to Paul Maroon (also of The Walkmen) on guitar, and Richard Swift (I think? I couldn’t find 100% confirmation on this one point) on drums. Together, the five men played an impassioned set of songs, all from Leithauser’s fantastic solo debut, Black Hours. The set started out with the high-energy “I Don’t Need Anyone” — a paean to breaking up that could easily be about The Walkmen as much as it’s about a girlfriend. “I’m the last man running,” belted a few times throughout the chorus, is Leithauser’s call to his former band — he’ll keep moving forward without them.
The momentum kept up, with “11 O’Clock Friday Night” and then the album’s first single, “Alexandra,” a rock and roll anthem about love and longing. Seven songs in, the set calmed down, with most of the band exiting the stage, leaving Leithauser and Maroon on piano, for a few quieter songs that are found only on the Deluxe version of Black Hours. The band came back out for a couple more rocking songs, along with a brief 2-song encore to wrap up the evening. It was a near-perfect set of music.
Tuesday night’s performance felt very much like a full Walkmen show. Leithauser, always the showman, commands attention with the charisma of a standing US President. Add in a stellar backing band he can do no wrong. Maybe the fame that I always expected The Walkmen to have will come around to Leithauser. Part of me selfishly hopes not, wanting Leithauser to continue playing these smaller venues. Just so long as he doesn’t stop singing, I’ll be happy. I’m anxious to see where he goes running next.