Fred Armisen performing at Metro in Chicago on March 2, 2019
Whether performing comedy for musicians or finding the funny in songs and singers, Fred Armisen amused fans at Chicago’s Metro alternating between big bits, subtle quips and musical interludes during a hilarious over 90-minute set.
The sold-out March 2 show built on the vision of Armisen’s 2018 Netflix special Standup for Drummers as the Saturday Night Live star joked about everything from the early days of Doo-wop to his displeasure with D-chords. Impressions of nameless ranting singers and everyman concert-goers struggling with tempo and dynamics proved instantly recognizable to the packed audience, the members of which joined together in choruses of laughter.
After Armisen kicked-off the show with a bit of light analysis of the background scores of online videos, he welcomed Mary Lynn Rajskub to the stage for a short stand-up set. The comedian – who received a huge round of applause when referencing her “disgusting” character on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – joked about leaving her family behind as she enjoys #TourLife. Later, Rajskub had the venue in hysterics with a series of “You Know You’re a Nice White Woman in Your Forties” jokes as Armisen laughed along watching her routine from the comfort of his drums.
Fred Armisen performing at Metro in Chicago on March 2, 2019
Back in the spotlight where he would remain the rest of the night, Armisen alternated between roles as comedian, drummer, guitarist and storyteller. He shared the power of polyrhythm, the versatile magic of Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good” and the evolution of punk rock drumming, the latter of which he demonstrated on his small, but easy to carry, kit.
Presenting the progression of American accents by region and era with visual aids, Armisen was at his biggest and best. In a packed venue, where fans in the back had trouble seeing the stage, the broad bit effortlessly connected across the masses as minor dialect differences were enhanced by the comedian’s inflections.
Between SNL, Portlandia and Documentary Now!, Armisen has amassed quite a collection of catchy comedic hits. Chicago fans reveled in renditions of “Hey, Maggie Thatcher” (Ian Rubbish), “Fistfight in the Parking Lot” (Crisis of Conformity) and “This Is My Street” (Test Pattern), but it was a pair of tunes from The Blue Jean Committee that stole the show.
Armisen appeared genuinely impressed by the crowd’s delayed harmonies on “Gentle & Soft” while “Catalina Breeze” swept attendees away on a sonic vacation.
Fred Armisen performing at Metro in Chicago on March 2, 2019
Nostalgia was the touchstone of the performance. Armisen frequently referenced how much Metro has meant to him over the years especially when he lived down the street in his twenties. He thanked the club’s owner, Joe Shanahan, for inviting him to return to Metro to perform comedy as well as for previously hosting his band, Trenchmouth, in the early-1990s.
Much to the delight of, well, everyone, Armisen invited his former bandmates Damon Locks and Wayne Montana to join him on stage. While the trio did not play any music, they did return to their glory days via a one-act play entitled, “Band Breakfast Drama,” based on Armisen’s inability to enjoy the most important meal of the day as a member of a touring rock band.
“That’s all my reminiscing. Thanks for indulging me,” Armisen said.
Elsewhere during the night, a lengthy Q&A and a sneak peak at Armisen’s next series, Moonbase 8 – which co-stars Tim Heidecker and John C. Reilly – provided insight into the comedian’s past, present and future plans.
Armisen closed out the show with a bit that is too funny to be spoiled by this written recap, so keep an eye out for it in his next sure-to-be hilarious special or comedy/music tour.
Check out photos from Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome at Metro below and head over to Fredarmisen.com for more information on the many projects of Fred Armisen.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
