Dropkick Murphys, Naked Raygun at the Congress

I had forgotten all about this show until Ingrid reminded me that we all went and she actually drove us.

Memory now jogged, i do remember driving around looking for parking, Raygun (especially Pezzati) seeming a bit stiff to start the show, and i think this was the show i saw the Murphys cover the Clash (Guns of Brixton).  I liked it; it left Johno a little cold.

The internet tells me that the Parkington Sisters joined the Dropkick Murphys, and that does sound familiar.

[EDIT - oh yeah - this is the show that Emmett was supposed to come with, but was too sick.  I seem to remember him not being that sick, but Amy does.  At any rate, him not being there really saddened me.]

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.

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).