Social Distortion at Salt Shed

 Lovecrimes opened, but I don't think we saw them.

We ran into Drew and Mia (apparently Drew is a big Bad Religion fan?), but didn't talk to them much - it was loud.

Stiff Little Fingers at Metro

Ricky Warwick opened. Apparently he's the singer for Thin Lizzy now. Anyway, he played a solo acoustic set. Bill described him as an Irish Billy Bragg. Which was pretty accurate, but he wasn't nearly that political (if at all). He closed with Ace of Spades, so that was cool.

Stiff Little Fingers killed it. Were they old? Yes. Did they play loud and fast? Yes and yes. Opener Suspect Device set the tone. I think they played their songs faster live (which seems normal for young bands - but this was no young band).

I had stabbing pains in the abdomen which finally overcame me halfway through Barbed Wire Love (which opened the encore). I heard that and closer Alternative Ulster gripping the railing trying to remain upright by the bathroom downstairs. It sounded good anyway. Was it just brutal gas? Kidney Stones? Something more nefarious? Only time will tell.

I eschewed the lakefront ride, and biked straight home. The sky opened up five minutes after I got in, so I guess I made the right call.

Hold Steady at Salt Shed

 Our first time at the Salt Shed, and the start of Amy's love affair with both it and the Mountain Goats.

Ize's Saturday Morning Funtime Band at Chez Ize

They played a bunch of tv theme songs from their youths. So, my well-into-adulthood.

Nonagon, Knife the Symphony at Burlington

Plus: didn't have to drive all the way to Detroit to see these two bands together Minus: no vegan hot dogs Hung out after the show with both bands at Johno's and didn't get home till nearly 4am. This seems to be a pattern...

Archers of Loaf, Weird Nightmare at Bottom Lounge

Totally forgot I bought tickets to this show. Luckily Johno happened to ask if I was going, so I did. We drove down together and promptly ran into Dixie and DJ. Jay showed up a bit later (it wasn't a surprise he was there - Johno was his +1). It was good to talk to those folks, but it was really good to catch up with Johno. 

Weird Nightmare was more fun than I was expecting - I added their record to my bandcamp wishlist. Archers were great - I bought all 4 of the records they were selling.

Johno and I ended up hanging at his house till like 4am. I miss that.

And Matt, the bass player, was wearing a Nonagon tshirt!

Nonagon et al at IBW (South)

Smashed Plastic Live at Workshop 4200

There were records for sale and lots of bands and DJs. I got there just before Tar, and left just after. Mark G from down the block saw me and said hello. I confess, I knew that I knew him, but couldn't place him till he told me. I am awful.

Riot Fest at Douglass Park