Depending who you ask, five years is either a long time or nothing at all. For the past two nights, recently resurrected great band LCD Soundsystem performed discography-spanning sets to some very, very excited hometown fans. We chatted with a few who were lingering outside Webster Hall on Monday about how things have changed since the band's sweaty heyday—in New York City, and in their lives. A true thing I'll gladly confirm: the lyrics to "All My Friends" take on a different meaning when you're not in high school anymore.
Tricia, 26
Hometown: Houston, Texas
What’s your earliest LCD Soundsystem memory?
I saw them open for Arcade Fire. I hadn’t heard them before.
What’s changed in your life since then?
I was in high school, and now I’m not. I managed to get out of that.
How has New York changed?
It’s always shifting. I don’t know how much LCD Soundsystem even fits into New York music now. They’re like their own entity.
How did you feel when you heard they were reuniting?
I just laughed, because it’s so perfect and horrible of them to make the biggest deal out of retiring and then be like, “Just kidding we’re back.” Of course you did that, James Murphy.
Prince Terrence, age “undetermined”
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
What’s your earliest LCD Soundsystem memory?
I moved to New York when that whole dance-punk movement was happening—you know, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Rapture. It was what was happening. LCD Soundsystem stuck with me, because they’re like a cult.
What’s changed in your life since then?
I DJ every night, and I still play LCD Soundsystem songs, no matter what crowd I’m playing to.
How has New York changed?
The people that I wouldn’t have associated with back then are now listening to cooler music than they would have. The same people that listen to LCD Soundsystem now probably weren’t listening to them 10 years ago. You don’t really see guitars anymore.
How did you feel when you heard they were reuniting?
I’m not the jumpy, happy-excited fan necessarily. But if LCD Soundsystem is playing, I’m there. If I can get in.
Mark, 27, and Bruce, 25
Hometown: Westfield, New Jersey
What’s your earliest LCD Soundsystem memory?
BRUCE: They were buzzing really hard my freshman year of college at the University of Vermont. MARK:I’m a lame dude that heard about them from their breakup show.
What’s changed in your life since then?
BRUCE: Drugs ain't the same, man. [laughs]. I now own a drum machine.
MARK: Yeah, now we have drum machines.
What’s changed in New York since then?
MARK: That’s a loaded question, man. How much time do you got?
BRUCE: You should ask someone 50 years older than us.
How did you feel when you heard they were reuniting?
MARK: I felt good. There’s a running joke that we’ve had that’s like, “Shut Up And Play Coachella.” I felt like that until I found out I could get into this show.
Kate, 26
Hometown: Howelll, New Jersey
What’s your earliest memory of LCD Soundsystem?
I heard them in high school, but then I went and saw Shut Up and Play the Hits in an indie movie theater, like, four years ago in Nashville. Everyone was dancing their asses off and having the best time. After that I was hooked.
What’s changed in your life since then?
A lot. I graduated from school, I work in the music industry. I moved to New York six months ago. Shit’s good.
How did you feel when you heard they were reuniting?
I screamed and jumped up and down and I emailed all the people I knew to see if they could get me tickets. I don’t care if they were gone for six months and came back; it’d be cool either way.
Nathan, 43
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
What’s your earliest memory of LCD Soundsystem?
The “Movement” music video.
What’s changed in New York since they went away?
Everything. I don’t need to elaborate—everybody knows.
What was your reaction when you heard they were reuniting?
To get tickets as soon as possible. They haven’t played in five years, but they haven’t missed a step.
Tammie, 34, and Elion, 37
Hometowns: El Dorado, Arkansas and New York City
What’s your favorite LCD Soundsystem memory?
TAMMIE: We used to work an overnight retail job from 9:00 at night to 8:00 in the morning. We could play whatever we wanted, so we would play LCD Soundsystem throughout the night. I somehow got a recording of one of the farewell tours, and I would play the whole four hour set.
What’s changed in your life since then?
TAMMIE: That’d be a really long interview. We don't work at night anymore. We actually don’t work together anymore, but we’re still friends.
What’s changed in New York?
TAMMIE: We’re still waiting for the 2nd Avenue Subway.
ELION: I can’t go into Times Square anymore because of the cartoon people. There’s a lot more and they’re aggressive.
How did you feel when you heard they were reuniting?
TAMMIE: I was partly happy, and partly like, Ah—but I worked so hard to get to the last Madison Square Garden tour!
ELION: I mean, I didn’t want them to stop in the first place.
