(all photos courtesy of Keith Klenowski)
It’s been over four years since David Bazan played with a full band, back when he was known as Pedro the Lion.  Since that final show in his hometown of Seattle, he signed to Barsuk Records, started playing sober and released an EP and a full-length LP, Curse Your Branches. The album may be his most articulate and most confrontational as Bazan questions his relationship with God – or lackthereof – which “has changed pretty dramatically in the last few years”, he said in an interview in the Chicago Reader.

During his most recent stop in Cincinnati with Headlights, the Southgate House promoted the show as “David Bazan (Ex-Pedro the Lion).”    While its true that Pedro the Lion is technically gone for good, Monday’s show assured fans that Bazan’s solo work is more of a diversion from Pedro the Lion than a departure.   In fact, about half of Bazan’s set consisted of Pedro the Lion songs, though in all honesty, it was difficult to differentiate between the two.

Fans were pleased to hear songs from Achilles Heel, Control and Headphones. “Bands with Managers” was just as raw as the first time I heard it, while “I Never Wanted You” felt so intimate I was almost brought to tears.  Still, while the Pedro the Lion songs received the biggest reactions, the songs off Curse Your Branches were just as beautifully fleshed out.  “Harmless Sparks” was stripped down to heavy drums and swelling harmonies, while “Please Baby Please” turned out to be one of his most upbeat songs in the set.

As typical at a Bazan show, between songs he asked the audience if they had any questions.  The audience was more than happy to oblige, asking questions like, What is your spirit animal? (A: “I would say a bear but that has particular connotations”) and what’s your favorite building in the United States? (A: “The St. Louis arch is pretty sexy”, followed by debate whether the arch is actually a building).

Throughout the night, Bazan alluded that it was harder to fill venues now that he’s gone solo.  Though Bazan may have turned some fans off with his clearly voiced struggle with Christianity, plenty of fans still turned out to see the singer-songwriter for what turned out to be a genuine, emotionally charged performance.