Retro dispatch series!

Dispatch 40

Joy Subtraction calls for own encore!

In a move equally audacious and tactless, Joy Subtraction called for its own encore at their record release show at the Hi-Dive last Saturday night. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Joe King of The Fray, who attended the show incognito. “I was embarrassed for them. And disgusted.” As the band’s set came to what would ordinarily be a close, lead guitarist / vocalist Abe Brennan said to the dwindling crowd: “Don’t worry, we’re not done yet! Here’s the encore!”

     “Not worried,” yelled an audience member on his way out of the club.

     “We were just giving the people what we thought they should have wanted,” said bassist Dave Lamothe. “Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, especially when you want something to happen, but then it looks like that thing’s really not going to happen—what are you supposed to do? Go gentle into that good night? I don’t think so.”

     The band apparently kept playing after all audience members had left, and after the soundman had killed the PA, and after the bartender doused the lights, prompting the doorman to make his way to the basement with a flashlight to throw the main breaker.