I took this picture. I was there. Third Man Records Front 1 by Kristian H via Flickr
That’s right I’m using homonyms up in my titles. You love it.

The Dead Weather, to put it bluntly and succinctly, beat ass yesterday. I could stop there, but I won’t.

Jack White’s own Paisley Park, Third Man Records, opened up earlier this year in Nashville, acting as Jack’s label, studio, and outlet to sell goods to the masses. The Dead Weather, along with everything else Jack White (and even other bands Jack isn’t in), are now selling vinyl albums, t-shirts, posters, and whatever-else-you-can-think-of via the lone Tennessee location.

Aware of the fact that Tennessee is, well, nowhere near lots of America, Jack & friends opened up a temporary TMR location in New York a few months ago for only a weekend… and starting yesterday, the feat is being repeated here in Los Angeles, only through the end of the day Friday.

And to properly celebrate, the Dead Weather performed a free 5-song set at the location of the store, the Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

The Regent is falling apart. Paint is peeling, wood beams are exposed through the crackling dry wall and plaster, and the venue doesn’t even have a PA. There was no scaffolding, no spotlights, no seats, no drinks, and no food. This was necessary to make room for all of the rock ‘n roll that they brought. Had they done this in a well-kept building, it would just have been destroyed anyway. Had they done this in a well-kept building, it would just have been destroyed anyway.

The energy from the band was just insane… it was like a high school auditorium gig, except the band and it’s audience had just hung the principal, taken the teachers hostage, and had successfully overthrown the campus, now celebrating their rebellious triumph…

Naturally, a 5-song set is just a bit too short, but for a free show, who can complain? They managed to throw in “Hang You From The Heavens”, “Treat Me Like Your Mother”, and “Cut Like A Buffalo”, all the “hits”, as it were, with an opening song I didn’t recognize (anyone out there know?), and the lone respite of up-tempo destruction, “So Far From Your Weapon”. Dead Weather Live At The Regent 4 by Kristian H via Flickr

Immediately after the set, the doors flew open on the adjacent temporary store, selling 45s, vinyls, posters, and all sorts of other goodies, available to anyone with cash on hand (no credit cards good here). It’s likely for the better, as I probably would’ve screwed up my finances pretty hard otherwise.

Granted, it takes an already successful entrepreneur like Jack to pull off an event like this, but I do sincerely hope other bands, artists, and labels, of all sizes, are taking note. Give to the people and they will give back… because although the show was free, I didn’t see anybody leave without any goodies from the shop. The theater may not have been full to capacity, but those who were there will continue to thank Mr. White and the band for years to come in the form of ongoing fandom and patronage, just as I’m sure Jack will do the same by continuing to be a prolific and killer purveyor of fine rock and roll.

Enjoy the opening song from the show in the video below…

UPDATE: I got a clip of “So Far From Your Weapon” up on Vimeo now that the week has ended and my 500MB limit has refreshed… Enjoy!