Jane's Addiction at Mabel's

This show was amazing.  I remember they closed with Chip Away played on pickle buckets.  When Johno and i left the show, we were literally steaming because of how hot and sweaty we were (and it was cold out).  I think we went to a party afterwards.

Volcano Suns, Poster Children at Trito's Uptown

I remember being at this show, but honestly don't remember much about it.  I'm not even sure who i went with.  Johno? Gumby?  Both seem likely due to the time period and venue, but i really don't recall.

The only thing that sticks in my head after all these years is the drummer's hair waving crazily about.  Which is odd, since in every picture the internet turned up the drummer has short hair.  Oh well.

They Might Be Giants at Mabel's

The second time seeing They Might be Giants at Mabels.  The second time being flogged by Frank's hair.  You'd think i'd find a better place to stand.

Fishbone at the Metro

We drove up from Champaign.  I can't remember who all "we" was.

Schooly D opened.  He likes his women middle-aged - between 11 and 13.  This is a lot less funny now that i'm not 19 years old and have teenage children of my own.

Fishbone was, of course, amazing.  I stage dove for the first and only time.  I was not caught.

fIREHOSE, Screaming Trees, Poster Children at Mabel's

I hadn't heard any of these bands at the time.  Well, i don't remember Poster Children playing the show, but maybe i had heard of them (?).  My boss, Mike Lit, highly recommended the show, and we went together.  Can't say i remember much about the show, except liking it.

My brain seems to be conflating this show with this one.

INXS at Poplar Creek

I did not go to this show with Bonnie.  We had gone to Depeche Mode together the previous month, and she said she wanted to go with her other friends to this show.  I'm still not entirely sure what that was all about, but we weren't officially dating and it still depressed me.

I think I ended up going with Greg Brown, but I really don't remember.  I do remember we were all the way in the back at the top of the hill that the lawn formed.  So when INXS dedicated "(Kiss the Dirt) Falling Down the Mountain" to the folks at the top of the hill, it was in fact dedicated to me.

Also, this was my sister Chris' birthday.  I don't remember it from then, but maybe she went with Bonnie.  That would explain some things, as we didn't really get along back then...

Depeche Mode at Poplar Creek

Naked Raygun, The Slugs, Sixteen Tons at Friends & Co.

This was my first real Punk Rock show.  Johno drove Robbie's car down.  This was well before Lisa and i dated; it's possible this is where we first met and it's also possible that she didn't remember that.  This seems to be a recurring theme... perhaps i am more nondescript than i suspected.

The show was great.  It was in a small venue with a concrete floor.  I spent much of the time keeping bigger folks from slamming into smaller folks.  At one point my nose was bloodied, so i beat a hasty retreat to the bathroom.  I think i only missed one song, if that.

And Roller Queen is still stuck in my head.

The thumbtack hole at the top left of the ticket is from where i tacked it to the doorframe in my room up in Zion.  This was before i officially moved out of my folks' house.  Also before i had far too many ticket stubs to tack them to just one doorframe.

The lollipop says NAKED RAYGUN on the stick (it's a bit hard to read now).  I'm pretty sure it's from this show, but i did collect a lot of 'free shit' from various Raygun shows - but i remember this one being tacked to that same doorframe.  Also, is it wrong for me to want to eat a nearly 30 year old lollipop?

They Might Be Giants at Mabel's

They Might be Giants are great.  Standing behind Tripping Frank and his wildly swinging long hair, not so much.

Judging by the date, i went to this show with a bunch of new friends.  Could this be the first show i went to with Johno?  i think it might be...

American Music Club, Lonely Trailer at Trito's Uptown

Another show i remember little about.  Definitely went with Mike Lit, as he was a fan of AMC.

I thought this show was at Mabel's, but this flyer says otherwise.  Huh - my brain seems to be conflating this show with this one.

Sting at Dane County Coliseum

I would have sworn that this show happened much later, but i guess it did not.  Did i miss school to see it?  Certainly i missed an awful lot of school, but going to a mid-week show in Madison seems a lot more premeditated than i ever remember being.  Oh well, i know i went up to see Sting with Chris, and the internet tells me that this is when he played there (Sting, not Chris), so who am i to argue with the mighty internet?

Anayway, i don't remember the show at all.  I know i bought a t-shirt...

I do remember getting more than a little tipsy with Chris, eating Cool Ranch Doritos and playing Elevator Action in the lobby of his dorm.  Chris nearly pulled the game over on himself, but i managed to catch it and SAVE HIS LIFE.  Chris didn't eat Cool Ranch Doritos for years after that.  I don't believe his Elevator Action play-time was affected.