Friday, February 24, 2006
And... Scene!
Wednesday, 430-ism pm I start on the road to a concert. It is a three hour road and I am deeply rooted in my pre-event pessimism. It is like pre-florida, only less scared and more cynical. Tickets? probably sold out. Venue? Rat-infested and changed. Band? Weasels with spoons and rubberbands.
Fortunately the ride was smooth (For those of you worried for my passengers, know that I was kicked out of the driver's seat about halfway there.) and the companions amicable. My cds were strange and heavily mocked. I had anticipated the weird reaction since most of my "normal" cds have been kidnapped to my sisters' school - however I didn't realize how misplaced "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" (Fiddler on the Roof) or "Que sera sera" (Doris Day) or even "Do you hear the people sing" (Les Miserables) would be. Actually, I never noticed how many musicals I seem to listen to.
The radio was confiscated from my influence as well.
We made bad-to-decent time heading up there (My time being bad, Paul's time being decent, and it all even-ing out to generally not great) and only got mildly displaced when we got to the "city".
Thanks to Dane's previous familiarity and Paul's oddly ghetto spider-senses we made it to the Cat's Cradle. We bought tickets, listened to sound check, and generally froze while waiting outside. We arrived at 8pm, later than we'd hoped, but managed the front of the line. Doors opened sometime after 9 or so. Heather and Paul defended territory at the front and center of the stage while Dane and I did laps to-and-from the car picking up and dropping off various accessories.
Voyager One opened and were marvelous. (Bassist pictured above) On the internet they are described as Space-rock, and I don't really have any ideas for elaboration. They were also quite nice guys, and I am sorry that we didn't get to see their projection effects (their projectionist couldn't make the tour). Elefant was next and they were alright. The lead was a bit melodramatic, and I was afraid of being hit by sweaty droplets. For some reason I tend to sound critical describing them, but their bassist? other guiratist? I can't remember what he was playing. Anyway he looked like Peewee Herman. Honestly.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club was up next, and I will never ever be comfortable just saying "BRMC", because acronyms are awkward. Of course Black Rebel Motorcycle Club doesn't exactly trip off the tongue either. Either way, they came on and played for two hours. It was great. The lyrics were often intelligible, since we were right up resting on the amps/speakers/stageyfeltedthings, but the guitars were lovely. It was all the rockingness that I'd hoped and none of the wonky special effects that I'd feared. There is really a bit more to be said, but I'm tired. To sum up I shall say it was fun all round, and I didn't have to drive home- which made me happy. Dane took the wheel home and we didn't even die once.
Ah, something that made me inordinately pleased and has to be said: While Heather and I were at the stage taking crazy amounts of pictures, some strange, probably drunken, rather whorey girl shoved her way up and was making sexed-up faces at the lead. He ignored her and her gesticulations, though she didn't seem much put out. However space was tight, and Heather turned to her and said, "Excuse me, sweetie- could you move back over? I'm with the newspaper." Bada bing, bada boom. Chickie is gone. If Heather hadn't already scored points with a spiffing ensamble then that certainly would have put her in my good graces.
Suddenly I'm thinking of more things that should be said... We also all got picks. And Voyager One gave most of us stickers. And we met the bands. I'm odd about faces and recognizing people, so I'm not sure if we met anyone from the second band or not, though I think we did. We definately met the others though. Good people.
That's the end for real this time. I've got an early morning tomorrow and I'm still not all the way recovered from my midweek soiree. -- G 'Bye, Sonya -- . ( 24.2.06 ) .
Wednesday, 430-ism pm I start on the road to a concert. It is a three hour road and I am deeply rooted in my pre-event pessimism. It is like pre-florida, only less scared and more cynical. Tickets? probably sold out. Venue? Rat-infested and changed. Band? Weasels with spoons and rubberbands.Fortunately the ride was smooth (For those of you worried for my passengers, know that I was kicked out of the driver's seat about halfway there.) and the companions amicable. My cds were strange and heavily mocked. I had anticipated the weird reaction since most of my "normal" cds have been kidnapped to my sisters' school - however I didn't realize how misplaced "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" (Fiddler on the Roof) or "Que sera sera" (Doris Day) or even "Do you hear the people sing" (Les Miserables) would be. Actually, I never noticed how many musicals I seem to listen to.
The radio was confiscated from my influence as well.
We made bad-to-decent time heading up there (My time being bad, Paul's time being decent, and it all even-ing out to generally not great) and only got mildly displaced when we got to the "city".
::sidenote:: I detest North Carolina's road system. If there was any way to make a trip more confusing or scary or dangerous I don't know what it would be. The streets are too narrow, the curbs are nonexistant. Roads open into five-point intersections with no clear instructions as to which street is which or what way is straight. If you are able to tell which light is yours, then you are already ahead of the class. Add into this the inconsiderate light-running lane-swerving inbred hamsters that drive all the other cars on the road and a fun time is had by all. Really.
Thanks to Dane's previous familiarity and Paul's oddly ghetto spider-senses we made it to the Cat's Cradle. We bought tickets, listened to sound check, and generally froze while waiting outside. We arrived at 8pm, later than we'd hoped, but managed the front of the line. Doors opened sometime after 9 or so. Heather and Paul defended territory at the front and center of the stage while Dane and I did laps to-and-from the car picking up and dropping off various accessories.
Voyager One opened and were marvelous. (Bassist pictured above) On the internet they are described as Space-rock, and I don't really have any ideas for elaboration. They were also quite nice guys, and I am sorry that we didn't get to see their projection effects (their projectionist couldn't make the tour). Elefant was next and they were alright. The lead was a bit melodramatic, and I was afraid of being hit by sweaty droplets. For some reason I tend to sound critical describing them, but their bassist? other guiratist? I can't remember what he was playing. Anyway he looked like Peewee Herman. Honestly.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club was up next, and I will never ever be comfortable just saying "BRMC", because acronyms are awkward. Of course Black Rebel Motorcycle Club doesn't exactly trip off the tongue either. Either way, they came on and played for two hours. It was great. The lyrics were often intelligible, since we were right up resting on the amps/speakers/stageyfeltedthings, but the guitars were lovely. It was all the rockingness that I'd hoped and none of the wonky special effects that I'd feared. There is really a bit more to be said, but I'm tired. To sum up I shall say it was fun all round, and I didn't have to drive home- which made me happy. Dane took the wheel home and we didn't even die once.
Ah, something that made me inordinately pleased and has to be said: While Heather and I were at the stage taking crazy amounts of pictures, some strange, probably drunken, rather whorey girl shoved her way up and was making sexed-up faces at the lead. He ignored her and her gesticulations, though she didn't seem much put out. However space was tight, and Heather turned to her and said, "Excuse me, sweetie- could you move back over? I'm with the newspaper." Bada bing, bada boom. Chickie is gone. If Heather hadn't already scored points with a spiffing ensamble then that certainly would have put her in my good graces.
Suddenly I'm thinking of more things that should be said... We also all got picks. And Voyager One gave most of us stickers. And we met the bands. I'm odd about faces and recognizing people, so I'm not sure if we met anyone from the second band or not, though I think we did. We definately met the others though. Good people.
That's the end for real this time. I've got an early morning tomorrow and I'm still not all the way recovered from my midweek soiree. -- G 'Bye, Sonya -- . ( 24.2.06 ) .