Praise be to Gaby and Terrence

be very afraid

So late last night I talked Gaby and Terrence into taking my ticket and escorting the 15-year-olds to Megadeth. (I almost threw in beer money.) I think I could’ve handled Megadeth, but there were two ominously named opening acts that I just didn’t think I could make it through.

They got fabulous Concert Camper service — I dropped them off at the door, headed for the office, and am waiting to pick them up when it’s over.

happy concert campers

new bff Terrence

Gaby

Update They had an absolute blast. Max came home with a guitar pick. The big boys (Gaby and Terrence) had even more fun than the 15-year-olds, I think. Warren keeps telling me I would have liked it, but I think after a few chortles (yes, Allison, chortles!) I would have been done with it.

BDay’s Concert Calendar for February

Feb. 7: Warren‘s Honor Band Concert

Feb. 12: Galactic at Variety.
No idea who this is, but Davey Doke says it’s a must, so we’re there.

Unfortunately, this means I will miss the Squirrelheads very close-to-home Mardi Gras party.

Feb. 13: Flogging Molly at Tabernacle.
I will not be there. I hate it, but I can’t risk missing the Brooks’ Hallmark Day party and ending up on the B list next year.

Feb. 19: That 1 Guy at the Five Spot.
Hey, it’ll be my 3rd time to see That 1 Guy!

Feb. 20: Hackensaw Boys at Smith’s Olde Bar

Feb. 27: Suburban Angst at Spudz Tavern
Pal Randy Agnew gets his groove on.

March 5&6: They Might Be Giants at Variety
This is a definite maybe. Never seen them before, not a big fan, but why not, since the Schroeders are doing it?

March 9
Clapton and Daltrey. If I’m not mistaken, this at that big barn in Gwinnett County.
I’m not going, but everyone else I know is, including Max, who’s taking Warren.

April 30
Mother’s Finest at Sidelines (The Local) again.
It’ll probably sell out next week. If not, I just might be there again.

Funk in a tux, reggae with sidelocks

I could get used to this business of letting the 14-year-olds dictate my live music lineup. 

I had heard them talking about Les Claypool — bass guitar god! — over the past year, so when Lorene and Paul’s Facebook alerted me he was coming to Tabernacle, they jumped at the chance to go. But who’s this guy playing with him? Matisyahu? A Jewish rapper? Absolutely I’m in for that!

So the night before the show I decide I’d better get a preview of what I’m in for and YouTubed my first Primus videos.  Hmmmm . . .

To say I was pleasantly surprised by the performance would be a gross understatement. This was a really great show, fun music, an amazing display of musicianship.

Claypool is indeed a bass guitar god, but he certainly didn’t mind being upstaged by the rest of his band. A cello played sometimes  like a screaming guitar, sometimes like a horn section. A jazz drummer with stamina like I’ve never seen. And some sort of electronic xylophone, whose master played percussion as well. All of them, I might add, wearing grinning half-masks and tuxes. (Does anyone know who the members of this band are?)

Unfortunately, I don’t have any good photos or videos. Because either my new camera really sucks, or I need to spend some quality time with the instruction manual.

Here are two brief videos if you want a taste of what the Claypool show was like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DaCsttLb-I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2kv_mBFUxU

Matisyahu “co-headlined” and played first. This was reggae with sidelocks rather than dreadlocks. And rapping. And beatboxing. Marley reincarnated with a prayer shawl. And a young (like under 17), well-scrubbed white crowd.

Beautiful music for the most part, sort of dub jam. Some of it very pop reggae sounding, like the anthem “One Day.”  I, of course, am no judge of rapping, but the guy seemed pretty talented in this department as well.

 

When I’m old(er) and gray(er), and can’t drive myself anymore, these boys are going to have to cart me to the 50th anniversary of the B-52s or something.

A new purpose in life

I once knew a girl whose life goal was to play the accordion. I hope Marguerite achieved that. I may change my own musical aspiration from wanting to grow up to be Michael Lachowski to wanting to play the accordion. Mexican polka, klezmer, European polkas, cowboy tunes, Brave combo, more polkas  .  .  . What could be more satisfying than being able to play that one-(wo)man instrument?

I’ll tell you what: playing it in an Irish slampunk band with a banjo and tin whistle. Transcendent. Iridescent! as Shane McGowan called Spider Stacey’s whistle tonight at the Pogues show at the Tabernacle.  (I believe the direct quote was “all iridescent-like.” Or was it “incandescent”?) Anyway, that combination and their poetry is truly some of my favorite music on the planet.

Thanks to Kyle for this link to great AJC.com photos.  Here’s someone else’s video from the show: 

Steamy hot, like August in a Baptist church, except with a bunch of white 40-year-olds reliving their drunk past. It was like a big, bouncy Irish sing-along. There was a bit of rowdiness for old-times sake, from the crowd (some guy bounced up on the stage and dived back into the crowd) and from the stage (tossing of mic stands and banging of heads). Really my only complaint was that it was so packed I couldn’t get far enough down into the crowd and there wasn’t quite enough room to dance. You need a lot of room to dance to the Pogues.

They were clearly enjoying making this fabulous music again, especially Stacey.  It wasn’t a particularly long show. McGowan is alive, apparently with new teeth, but he moves like a 75-year old man, whether because of his current state of wastedness or the wear and tear of all those years of it. Still, there was nothing they didn’t play that I missed terribly. Second encore was Fiesta! baby. All (and more than) I could hope for.

Who’s in?

After a long dry spell comes a flood of shows I hate to miss. Who wants to join me?

Flogging Molly
March 4, Tabernacle
I may skip this one, but I could be persuaded . . . 

Modest Mouse
March 7, Tabernacle  
Saw them open for R.E.M. last summer and would be glad to see them again. 

The Pogues
March 9, Tabernacle
Mr. Fuss has spoken for my extra ticket. Get your own if you want to come with. 

Victor Wooten
March 20, Variety
Doke introduced the 14-year-olds to this and, after only one beer, I promised to take them. I think Bruce Springsteen said he’s in, too.

Neko Case
April 2, Variety
Wouldn’t miss this for all the world. I just hope the Sadies are with her.  She has a new album in a few weeks.

That 1 Guy
April 3, 5 Spot
Too fun. Must go again. You won’t regret it if you come along. 

Afro Cuban All-Stars
April 4, Variety 
Doke and the Martinez Boyz say they’re in.

Robyn Hitchcock
April 7, Variety
I guess this is a bit much for one week. I probably won’t make this one.