Some things are timeless and remain important and significant throuhout generations. Things like leather jackets, blue jeans, red roses and Bob Mould.
Yes, you read that right. The 64-year-old underground rock icon is as vital as he was back in his Husker Du days. And he proved that much during his blazing 90-minute set of songs that spanned his career at the Neptune Monday night.
Backed by bassist Jason Narducy and drummer Jon Wurster, he delivered 26 songs of pure rock ‘n’ roll bliss to an adoring, near-capacity crowd. Throughout the show Mould and his band played non-stop only briefly pausing for an almost encore near the end of the set. But instead of leaving the stage and returning, the band remained present, soaked up the applause and cheers from the crowd for a few minutes then proceeded to rip into three more songs, including two Husker Du numbers.
Mould’s stamina and energy are impressive and are the perfect match for his blistering brand of rock. While the years say he’s 64, he played with the vigor of a twenty-something. Highlights from the set included the title track off his latest album, “Here We Go Crazy,” as well as “When Your Heart Is Broken” off the same record and the six Husker Du songs that made it onto the setlist.
Opener Craig Finn, frontman of The Hold Steady, played a 45-minute set of songs from his various solo albums with five songs from his latest solo record, the excellent “Always Been,” making the set list. Finn played an acoustic guitar and was accompanied by a saxophonist who also played flute. The instrumentation was unexpected, but the sax added depth and body to Finn’s stripped-down arrangements.
