Last night’s Tripping Daisy (1990-1999) show at Off Broadway was a truly unexpected event. No one had this on their bingo card.
The 1990s, often hailed as the golden age of alternative rock, witnessed the rise of numerous influential bands and a surge in the genre’s popularity. Tripping Daisy, the quirky, radio-friendly, MTV-rotated, innovative Island Records, Dallas-bred band, was one such group.
They had seemed on the verge of a comeback during the late 1990s, and seem to be writing a new artistic chapter, but broke up in 1999 following the overdose and tragic death of guitarist and founding member Wes Berggren. That sudden turn of events left most music fans in disbelief and grieving. The prospect of this band ever reforming or touring seemed unlikely. The band disbanded within weeks of releasing their brilliant, hard-to-find final self-titled album (Good Records/Sugar Fix) and Berggren’s death, marking the end of an era. The recent unexpected reunion of Tripping Daisy was a delightful surprise for all.
Less than a year later, from the ashes of Tripping Daisy, vocalist Tim DeLaughter and bassist Mark Pirro created a new choral, symphonic rock band that was a unique blend of Pet Sounds, Flaming Lips, and ELO —the acclaimed Polyphonic Spree. This collective, with its distinctive sound, managed to get a song placed in an Apple TV commercial, song placements in TV shows and movies, and even caught the attention of the Thin White Duke, David Bowie, who added them to shows and an upcoming tour before a heart attack sidetracked Bowie.
Polyphonic Spree’s live shows, featuring a white-robed choir, multiple brass and woodwinds, flutes, strings, timpani, bells, and even a harp, were a sight that had not been seen since the massive productions of “Godspell.” Many fans of Tripping Daisy were captivated by the Polyphonic Spree’s unique sound, but still longed for the music of their youth and the alternative explosion of the 1990s.
While Tripping Daisy may have never achieved platinum, stadium status, their music was a testament to their versatility, innovation, and magic. Their quirky alternative hits “My Umbrella” from 1992’s album Bill, or “I Got a Girl,” or, “Pirahana” from 1995’s major label breakthrough album, I Am An Elastic Fire Cracker (300,000 units sold), did receive oodles of college and alternative radio airplay, MTV videoplay, some great opening slots, and even a few appearances on major network TV show’s like Conan O’Brien.
The band was adept at writing both catchy pop-rock hits and long-form, headphone-worthy, psychedelic masterpieces reminiscent of some of Jane’s Addiction’s best moments, or even the Grateful Dead. Their shows were legendary for both their youthful energy and lead singer Tim DeLaughter’s maniacal, possessed, trancelike performances.
The all-ages audience Tuesday night, was comprised of “mature” fans who had been teens or in their twenties back in the 1990s, and during the heyday of alternative music and “grunge,” and even all ages fans with their cool parents, were primed and lined up early to both get a good place close to the stage and load up on original merch. Tripping Daisy’s charismatic Tim Delaughter maintained a well-stocked inventory of vintage stickers, CDs, cassettes, vinyl, and even some original posters, allowing fans to purchase a piece of history to add to their existing or new collections and get the band’s autographs after the show.
After an energetic performance from the Houston trio and a handpicked opener, Jumprope, the audience was buzzing with anticipation. They were ready to hear their favorite tunes in a live setting, some for the first time, and a few others, it was a chance to relive the songs of their youth. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the energy of fans eager to be transported back to the 1990s.
Two of the original members-Tim DeLaughter (lead vocals, guitars), birthday boy, bassist Mark Pirro, drummer Bryan Wakeland (1992-1995), and Phillip Karnats (1997-99), and guitarist Nick Earl and vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist Dylan Silvers helped round out the sound and faithfully recreate the richness and multi-tracked layering of Tripping Daisy’s four full-length studio albums.
The band took the stage to loud applause, cheers, and people shouting Tripping Daisy. The band launched into the opening track, “Rocketpop,” off their hit album, I Am An Elastic Firecracker, segued into “Bang,” and then, raised the temperature by playing two hits in a row–the hummable, burrowing earwig of “I Got A Girl,” an anthem which probably is the best musical adolescent account of trying to understand and satisfy a fickle member of the fairer sex, and “Piranha,” another single that describes sketchy folks trying to get a piece of you. At one point, the audience was surging and jumping up and down with so much energy, you’d have thought the New Madrid Fault had awakened.
There were so many memorable moments, but several included DeLaughter stating that he had learned never to say never. He said he never thought they’d reform or tour, but he has learned that saying ‘never’ is no longer an option. He thanked the audience for their warm welcome and energy in St. Louis.
Later in the show, birthday shots were consumed in honor of bassist Mark Pirro’s 55th birthday, and even better, a candle-heavy birthday cake was brought out for Pirro to blow out. He joked about his age, and the band got back to business.
After finishing the twelfth and final track, “High,” the closer from I Am An Elastic Firecracker, the band played a rarely-heard track, “Community Mantra,” from their final self-titled album. This track highlights the sad, psychedelic, dreamy, layered direction Tripping Daisy took on their brilliant, yet nearly forgotten, 1998 album, Jesus Hits Like An Atom Bomb, and extended in the creation of their final self-titled release. This album hinted at the direction DeLaughter would take with The Polyphonic Spree. Think of it as a psychedelic Pet Sounds mixed with the Flaming Lips’ Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, and Jane’s Addiction’s song “Three Days.”
They also unearthed an oddity, the rarely heard tune, “Wiggle, Wiggle,” and “Waited” from Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb. Then they closed with two anthems: “My Umbrella” and closed their 19-song performance and nearly ninety-minute show, with the danceable, infectious selection, “One, Through Four” from Bill.
The band took their final bow, and the fans’ applause was thunderous. Minutes later, a sweaty, drained, yet smiling Tim DeLaughter posed with fans and signed autographs. Pirro and Wakeland also joined him to sign autographs. The merchandise booth did a brisk business, and people were talking about the show they had just witnessed, sharing their early memories of seeing Tripping Daisy for the first time (including a few Dallas natives). The patient Off Broadway staff was finally ready to usher all of us out. New friends were made, a great time was had, and it was another chance to experience a great band one more time.
