Shellac at Lounge Ax

The second to last show at Lounge Ax.  Long live Lounge Ax.

The poster i have says the Traitors played, but i have a strong suspicion i was late and didn't see them as i have no memory whatsoever of that band.

I know i've seen Scrawl (at Lounge Ax, i believe), but i also suspect i may have missed them that night.

I definitely actually saw the Thinking Fellers, and they were good.  Never got any of their records, which i probably should.

Shellac put on their usual great show.  Actually, i remember liking this show better than most.  Less math, more rock.  Mr. Albini made some crack about the embarrassing ska wave of a few years prior.  I was horribly offended.

I don't know that i hung out much with jay, but i definitely bought a poster from him.

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros at Summerfest

Amy and i drove up to see Strummer the day after i had caught him at the Metro.  She was 7 months pregnant with Emmett at the time (who we were calling "Lump").  How's that for love?

Strummer was good.  Not as good as the night before, but that might have been the venue (outdoors, etc.).  I did notice that he did, in fact, change the ad libbed parts of the songs to reflect the fact that we were in Wisconsin and not Chicago.

Joe Strummer at Metro

I had been carrying around a big Strummer obsession for quite some time.  I finally got to see him here.  He opened with Diggin' the New (fittingly), but there was Clash stuff pretty generously strewn throughout.  The timpani (or whatever passed for them) were insane for Tony Adams.  A. Maz. Ing.

Jon Langford opened (with the Skull Orchard band/album).  This is where THAT obsession began.

Warped Tour in the United Center parking lot

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Greenhouse at House of Blues

I read a review that described the Cherry Poppin Daddies as appalling.  I think that reviewer was too kind.  I spent most of their set fantasizing about beating the lead singer with his mic stand.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs were great.  I remember the singer had a sorta nonchalant / disinterested style (I think he sang with his hands in his pockets for multiple songs).  I don't know why, but this was more endearing than off-putting.  And the band was fun.

Ani Difranco at the Congress

I think this is the correct show. I know I saw Ani Difranco at the Congress with Amy. It seems likely Beth and Susan were there.

I fell asleep in my chair. I'm not sure if this damns Ani, chairs at concerts or my ability to stay awake...

Pietasters, Checkered Cabs at Wetlands, NYC

Amy and i went to this show on our honeymoon.  We loved the Pietasters - on a lark, i sent them a letter (this was before email) seeing if for some reason they'd be able to play our wedding.  They could not, as their lead singer was getting married the same day (and, ya know, they live in Washington DC).

The show was great.  Though i don't remember seeing chris murray or the miggedys, the internet tells me they did, in fact, play.

The Soulskats in Santa Fe

Happened across a ska band playing in some park on our way to dinner in Santa Fe (on our honeymoon).  Don't remember much about it, only that it was a happy coincidence.  Here's what I wrote at the time (actually, 2 1/2 weeks later):

"We went out to get a nice dinner (Rich made some suggestions) + on the way we came across a ska band playing in a park!  Quite a scene - skaters + tattooed freaks!  The band was alright (Soulskats, I think), but it sure was an amazing coincidence!"

That sure was a lot of exclamation marks.  I must have been more excitable back then.  Also, I wrote this in the margin:

"BIG MAN WALKING A TEENY-WEENY DOG."

Jumpknuckle at Metro

If i remember correctly, Metro used to have a bunch of 'local' bands for cheap on Wednesdays.  This was one of those shows.  Jumpknuckle played with Hushtower, Superhero Forehead and Tiny (not this Tiny).  I don't know if i saw any of those other bands - i know i did hangout backstage with the Jumpknuckles before watching their set from the floor.

I seem to recall subway down the block beforehand as well.