Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

I biked over after school, hoping to catch the last half of the Hold Steady's set. Shockingly, I did. I still love them and I got to hear Constructive Summer (Joe Strummer reference #1).

I caught a minute or two of Rico Nasty from afar - I think I liked her.

Then it was on to see the Didjits. They came out to Zeppelin's Rock and Roll. Which made sense musically and lyrically (it had been a long time since they rock and rolled). Also, the whole song played and then they came out, which was also very on brand. Despite being Rick and two dudes standing in for the actual Didjits, they were great. Not enough dancing from the old crowd, but otherwise it was like 1989 all over again for me. I don't think Peter was impressed; he went to see Rilo Kiley (which I totally should have gone for the end of)...

Stiff Little Fingers were their usual awesome selves. They played Strummerville (Joe Strummer reference #2), but didn't mention anything about the current political mess. Which I found unusual - were they coached not to make waves? That would seem strange at "Riot" Fest...

Met back up with Peter for the Pogues. Well, 3 of the Pogues and an assortment of other players - who were really good (REALLY good) - but was this really the Pogues? This Ship of Theseus question will keep coming up at this year's Riot Fest (and, I suspect, more and more as the years go on). Anyway, they didn't even make a passing reference to their one-time producer and fill-in frontman (no Joe Strummer reference #3).

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Riot Fest at Douglass Park

Emmett:  Eagles of Death Metal seem waaayyy over the top

Johno:  That's the point though, right?  Aren't they like 75% schtick

Me: 110%

Riot Fest in Humboldt Park

I believe this is the riot fest that i sent johno a bunch of funny texts as if i were 'live tweeting' the concert.  They're gone from my phone, but i assure you they were hilarious, and totally not a waste of everyone's time.

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).