Ionrock Dot Org

The other day we played a show with The Unicorns, Arcade Fire and Fiery Furnaces at Walter's on Washington. The show was really fun and there were a ton of people there (it sold out!). The strangest aspect of the show was the crowd. We knew the show would attract a younger audience which in itself is a little depressing since we still consider ourselves youth culture. After getting to the club for load in we immediately noticed the kids waiting in line to get in the show. By the time the doors were open a rather hefty line strung around the building and it was obvious the show would sell out. Once the doors did open kids were immediately at the front of the stage in order to get a good spot for all the bands. I am pretty sure they were there for Arcade Fire and The Unicorns as they seemed to get the best response. They held out the whole nite at the front and everyone had a really great time.

It reminded me of when I was a youngster going to shows and how important it was to see all the bands. I hated getting rides from friends because some were a little cooler than I and didn' t mind making it a little late to the show. It also reminded me of how much opening bands suck sometimes because I felt like we were that band. The response we received was pretty positive by the end and I have to admit I tried as hard as I could to put on a good show for these kids, so I hope they liked it. At the very least my impression was that we did not bore them, so for me, my goals were met.

What I liked the best about that show was the crowd. I can't put a finger on why exactly, but it was really the best thing about it. It is really inspiring to see young kids making it to your show and moving around a bit. Given, we were not the band they came to see, but it just didn't matter. Some kids came up to us after the show to give us the traditional "nice show" while others just appeared timid whenever someone in a band walked by. As the show went on we were able to watch the kids mingle and just have a fun time being "at the show." When the show was over some even talked about how they were sad it was over. It was just such an event to everyone it made me remember how much music and sub-culture means to people.

My parents never understood this (which is alright really). They never knew how important it was that I skateboard or go see some band I liked. I think they would have understood when they were younger of course. When you get older you start to consider things like paying bills, having kids, working, etc. and you forget that life is not about paying a bill. I am glad I play music with Lauren because it forces us to consistantly remember that there are more important things than paying bills and working. Now that I think about it maybe my parents understood things after all. They always said to me that they never were going to let me or my sister lose out an opportunity because of money and that was really how things were. We never had a ton-o-money or anything but we were never turned down for financial reasons. It is so important that we make an effor to experience as much as we can and I am fortunate enough to be married to a woman who makes sure that happens. Enough rambling...