Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Mustard Plug, Crombies at House of Blues

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

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).

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Bad Religion at Metro

The only thing i remember about this show was watching Bad Religion from the balcony.  It's one of the only shows i've seen from there, maybe the only one.  I'm sure i went down front and center for the bosstones.

Murphy's Law, Mighty Mighty Bosstones at Medusa's

Went alone.

Chants of 'skinhead' during the Murphys' set (i had dreads at the time).  Some girl (friend of the band?) danced on stage for much of their set.  She mostly took off her sparkly silver dress, but managed to keep the show PG-13 with strategic hand placement.

I believe the Bosstones rocked.

I think the only other time i was at Medusa's, a bunch of us walked over from Patreeecia's house on some new years' eve.  I remember throwing up the glass of champagne i drank walking there.  I didn't even break stride, of course.  Gumby didn't even notice i did it...