Ep 5. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
- November 1, 2014
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds bring their unique blend of alternative rock and punk to Austin City Limits in a thrilling performance that showcases the band's raw energy and lyrical depth. This is the Australian band's second appearance on the long-running music series, and they don't disappoint.
From the opening notes of "We No Who U R," Cave's commanding presence and the Bad Seeds' intense musicianship are on full display. The band is tight and muscular, with drummer Thomas Wydler and bassist Martyn P. Casey providing a rock-solid foundation for Cave's passionate vocals and Warren Ellis' searing guitar work.
The setlist spans the Bad Seeds' career, from early classics like "Red Right Hand" and "From Her to Eternity" to newer tracks like "Mermaids" and "Jubilee Street." Throughout, Cave's lyrics are poetic, haunting, and often confrontational, exploring the dark corners of the human psyche with a visceral intensity that is both unsettling and mesmerizing.
Highlights include a blistering rendition of "Stagger Lee," with Cave channeling the legendary outlaw in a performance that is both menacing and hilarious, and a haunting rendition of "Push the Sky Away," the title track from the band's 2013 album. The latter showcases Cave's gift for evocative storytelling, painting a vivid portrait of a world on the brink of apocalypse.
Also notable is the Bad Seeds' cover of Johnny Cash's "The Singer," a stripped-down ballad that allows Cave's voice to shine. The performance is a fitting tribute to Cash, who was a longtime fan of Cave and often covered his songs.
Throughout the set, Cave interacts with the audience with a mix of wit and gruff charm, at one point introducing the band as "The Bad Seeds, your friendly neighborhood psycho-killers." The banter adds a humanizing touch to a performance that is often confrontational and intense.
In the end, the Austin City Limits episode is a testament to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' enduring power as one of the most innovative and uncompromising bands of their generation. Their music may be challenging and often bleak, but it is also deeply soulful and meaningful, a testament to the power of art to confront and transform the darkness within us all.
Fans of alternative rock, punk, and post-punk will find much to love in this electrifying performance, which captures the energy and passion of one of the most important bands of our time. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the Bad Seeds' world, this is a performance you won't want to miss.
