The Poison Control Center @ Schubas (2/13)

Have you ever been to a show, or listened to a song on the radio in the car, and known ten seconds in that you love it? I had something like that happen last night when Patrick Fleming-Tape played the first little bit of the song “Terminal” off of Poison Control Center’s forthcoming LP. It’s a sweet, sad song about being on the road and wanting to come home (I think. It could also be about death). If I can talk him into it I’ll try to feature it here at some point.

The last time I got that feeling was the night we saw Josh Ritter at Vaudeville Mews and he played “The Curse” about a year before the songs official release. Before that it was probably “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” so it doesn’t happen very often.

“Terminal” was the only slow moment of the night for this band of energy-filled indie rockers. The rest of the set was a blistering display of musicianship and physicality.
I’m not quite sure what percentage of the show was spent playing in a headstand pose, or down in the crowd playing guitar solos, but it was a good chunk. Poison Control Center doesn’t seem to take a live show lightly, and they won’t let the audience take it lightly, either.

The songs went back and forth between old and new stuff. For every crowdpleaser like “Magic Circle Symphony,” there was a new one of equal quality.

It’s a bit funny to see someone you know, albeit not terribly well, turn on the performing switch and go ballistic for an hour or so. The Patrick Tape-Fleming I know is a very mild-mannered gentleman who is as polite and kind as they come. On stage the man turns into an animal.

The same goes for the rest of the band. From our interview I would say that they have similar personalities to Patrick, and they’re all crazy on stage.

Highlights from the show for me included: the crazy dance party for people not in college, “Magic Circle Symphony,” and the song mentioned above, “Terminal.”

Not fair to pick out highlights from this band, though. The whole show is a highlight reel. Imagine a show where your favorite band plays all your favorite songs, makes a lot of great banter with the audience, and then says thank you a hundred times. Now you’re getting close to a Poison Control Center concert.

They may be from Des Moines, but they’re honorary Chicagoans in my book. Check them out next time they come through. I’m guessing it won’t be too long.