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. 

Mekons, Puerto Muerto, Fred Armisen at Double Door

Fred did a kind of standup bit as a conga player.  Maybe Wayne accompanied him?  As Wayne told me before the show "I guess Fred's a comedian now."  This show was late enough that I wouldn't have been hanging out with Wayne at work anymore...maybe I ran into him there?  Who knows now!

I also don't remember who I went with: Johno? Yogi? Who knows now!

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.