Last week Stranger reader Eric Sullivan won tickets to the last Divorce show at the Crocodile by entering the contest Ari and I had via our weekly podcast, Setlist (you can listen to the latest episode here, we’re giving away more tickets). Along with getting tix to the show, we also forced asked Eric nicely to write a review of his evening.

I sorta thought I’d get a half-assed “Divorce iz gud, I like rawk” post, but Eric clearly knows how to string some words together. (Emphasis is mine, but everything else is his, including the photos.)

“On the night of Saturday June 30th at the Crocodile, the Divorce played their last show ever. It was an amazing time. The full moon, the weather, it was all perfect. Although the Divorce had already performed an all ages show in the afternoon (in which crowds of teenage girls probably cried their eyes out) the band members seemed energetic and ready for round two.

I couldn’t help but notice how bustling the Croc was, and it was more than just lots of people. There was an amazing energy all around and an interesting mix of people: tons of folks in other Seattle bands; there were plain old fans (like myself), groupies, friends, parents, and even grandparents! The Portland band Crosstide opened up and delivered its shimmering, straight-ahead melodies over guitar-driven grooves to a very receptive crowd. It was an all-around impressive set, including the part when front man Bret Vogel gave an emotive speech about how influential the Divorce has been to him. It was awesome to see one band give that kind of recognition to another. The next act, With Friends Like These, ratcheted up the energy level a bit with their well-executed, screamy rock.

Then the Divorce took the stage. Jimmy, the bassplayer, was sporting a t-shirt of the Divorce (awesome). I was struck by this, but it was only one of many obvious signs throughout their performance that they were having fun playing their music, and more importantly, playing with each other. On stage, there were plenty of moments of unashamed enjoyment and that feeling spilled over and filled the whole room. These guys know how to impress. Their set was well picked (at least 90 minutes long) and covered all the standouts as well as a would-be hit “Skeletons” (unreleased). The on-stage banter was also interesting, with Shane referencing their unreleased LP In Arms, stating: “We’re all very proud of the work we did” (as they should be), and then minutes later joking with Jimmy about the band’s demise, with Jimmy declaring: “We’re washed up!” (FYI: All the new songs are available for purchase on the band’s Myspace page).

At this point the irony set in big time. By playing this one last show, these guys were basically fulfilling the themes that run through most of their songs: defeat and broken ties (not to mention their band’s name). The situation was almost too perfect for some of these songs. For example, in their song “Save It for the Judge,” Shane sings: “It’s time I wash/Out my filthy mouth/I can’t believe those things I said/And from now on/I’ll be quiet like a mouse…Save it for the judge/No one’s listening…”

Another example of strangeness was when Shane chanted “I should have kept this thing in the basement, I should have kept it to myself” in the song “Cash Machine.” It was truly a bizarre thing, especially considering there were so many people in the crowd singing along with the words (myself included). This irony only added to the sweetness of their songs, though, which then caused me to wonder, again, why they were breaking up (they were having so much fun!). I have to say, I don’t really care to know all the reasons why this band broke up. Although it’d be interesting to find out, it’s not really all that important to me.

What’s important is that there are a lot of people who love the Divorce, and it was amazing to be in a place and time where a band that had given so much to their fans were again, and for one last time, giving all they had—and their fans were giving it right back to them. Amazing. I just want to say thank you, Jimmy, Kyle, Garrett, and Shane, and best of luck in everything you do.”