Sid & Susie at Old Town School of Folk Music

Flogging Molly at the Congress

Jen and Brian took me to this show for my birthday.  They were really into Flogging Molly, who were alright, but sounded to me like a Pogues cover band that didn't do any Pogues songs.

I was really excited to see the Aggrolites open, who did not disappoint.

Dub Trio played first.  I had never heard of them, but they were great so i've since picked up a couple of their records.

The Legendary Shackshakers at the Double Door

The internet tells me Velcro Lewis Group played second, so i must have seen them but i don't remember them.

Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard fame was playing guitar for the Shackshakers.  It was awesome.  He must have a thing about being in bands with crazy lead singers...

Riot Fest at the Congress

Not Em's first show (that's this one), but this was his first real, punk-rock show (the Wacos are awesome and rockin', but that show was not exactly Punk Rock, especially as it was an afternoon matinee).

I think we saw other bands besides just the Horrorpops and Bosstones, but those were the two that left an impression (I know some punk band was playing in the lobby when we got there).

I distinctly remember Em being wide-eyed when we made it down to the Horrorpops (relatively tame, all things considered) pit.  As is my wont, we stayed by the back edge of the pit.

Two things I will always remember about the Bosstones set:

• Part way into the set, I left Em to join the pit.  Yea, he was only 9 - most everyone at most every show I've been to has been totally supportive of kids.  He had strict instructions to stay where he was, and I kept an eye on him (as did the folks standing next to him).  If I was worried at all, that was extinguished when I saw Em, head thrown back singing along at the top of his lungs to Don't Worry Desmond Dekker.  From that moment, that song reminds me of Em.  When they sing "I can hear your laughter, it stays with me after all this time," it brings to my mind the first time I heard the boy laugh: he was a little baby laying on our king-size bed.  This was before we had remodeled, so it was right outside the bathroom, which is where I was when I heard the weirdest sounds coming from him - almost like a dog barking, but unmistakably laughter.  The sheets were purple t-shirt material.
• The Bosstones covered The Impossible Dream, and unfurled a huge Obama banner behind the stage when doing so.  Still probably the most powerful political moment I have witnessed at a concert.

I rode my bike home, with Em on the trail-bike behind me.  He sang the Horrorpops song that 'quotes' Madness ("my fist, in the middle of your face" to the tune of "our house, in the middle of our street") most of the way.  I feel it should be noted that, despite the lyric, this was a happy thing (not violent or angry - I can't imagine Emmett actually hitting someone, then or now).

Waco Brothers, Championship at Schuba's

Emmett's first show.

The Championship opened.  They had kind of a mellow, 70s vibe.  I liked them.  Am i getting old?

We went near the front for the Wacos.  Ended up right in front of Deano, and next to his wife.  She seemed nice.  And she thought it was cool how into it Em was.  She pointed out Langford's kid, who had his fingers in his ears the whole show...

Austerity Program, Quatre Tete, Nonagon

The Police, Fiction Plane at Wrigley Field

OK, i didn't actually go to this show - we just listened from outside the park.  We walked over from Tiny's (and Scott's and Malcolm's) house, got some beer (did i have any? this was before i quit drinking) and found a spot to sit and listen.

For a while we watched through the outfield doors.  We could just see Andy Summers' feet for a song or two before they pulled a bus in front of the open doors.  Then we found a shady spot and just hung there.

Not a bad way to hear a show, really.

I think Fiction Plane was Sting's son's band.  We didn't bother hurrying to get there, so i doubt we heard them - certainly i don't remember hearing them.

Note:  The Police played two shows at Wrigley that week.  I think we were "at" the second show, but it's possible all of this took place on the 5th of July.

Nonagon, Triple Whip at Beat Kitchen

Headed over after the usual malts with the family.  Did we go to Superdawg?  I surely do not remember.

Robert walked up to me whilst playing at one point, perhaps all the way off the stage.  As usual, i didn't know what to do.

Nonagon's official write-up can be found here.

Joe Strummer at Tower Records

Their in-store appearance was a full set. I believe they played most of the new album and maybe a couple Clash songs? At one point Joe asked for a box to stand on because there was no stage and "Americans are so tall" (or something to that effect).

After their set they stayed to sign CDs. As it happened, the line started right in front of me, so I was one of the first to get mine signed. I think Joe misheard my name ("brink") and started to write "Frank," but he corrected it. Maybe one of his bandmates corrected him? They all seemed super nice.

Just as I was about to leave, I realized I should get a CD for Johno (who couldn't make it because he had a yard sale that evening). So I bought a 2nd CD and got back in line. There ended up being only a few people behind me, so I was one of the first AND one of the last. Joe recognized me - "weren't you here already?"... By that time, Joe's daughter (who was like 9 at the time) was there with them, so she signed both CDs too.