The Damned have been on my concert bucket list since high school and that's a long ass time. I first heard of them from a punk rock mixtape and the song was "Smash It Up." It was everything a teenager embodied. Actually, their music is just that. Pure fucking energy, angst, fun and just real musicianship. I think that is the reason why I love them the most. You just hear their catalog and it is simple. You cannot put them in a category. They have no rules and they do what they want. They are not a simple punk band, nor a gimmick. When I heard that they were coming to Indianapolis I just had to go. Who knows what the future holds and this may be the last time I get a chance to see them. I don't even know if they ever played Indianapolis in their career, but I'm glad they decided to this tour. They're celebrating the 40th anniversary of their classic album Damned Damned Damned, which ironically came out the same year I was born. So we were both celebrating 40 years of greatness! ha ha We took to the road and of course my curse with concerts came back; it's raining. No, not raining, there's a fucking tornado watch and thunderstorms. Of course I am on my way to see The Damned, so I guess the weather is appropriate. I was hoping to get into town earlier because I had heard about Captain Sensible roaming about town before gigs, but my schedule was not in cooperation. I also was unable to score VIP tickets because the ticket site didn't even give you details about the tickets. I only found out about them after purchase on Facebook. I was still hoping that I'd possibly run into them after the show though. I was really holding onto to that. We beat the storm and finally arrive at the venue. We caught the opening bands and I was trying to patiently wait for The Damned to appear on stage. It' such a hard wait because you want to be courteous to the opening bands, but you just want to see your band take the stage. Finally they appear on stage with roars and whistles from the crowd. I was just inches away from Captain Sensible and the excitement was running through my body. The teenager was back to takeover just for the night. This was it, this is what I have been waiting for since I was 15. This moment right here. I put this moment up there with meeting Johnny Marr & Peter Hook. True class. True legends. They took to the stage and still brought the angst and the energy. Although the stage presence was still there, Captain was nursing a sore back, but it didn't affect his guitar playing whatsoever. In my opinion, he is one of the most underrated guitarist. He's up there with all the greats. These weren't guys hanging about the stage like curtains. They gave you a show and they gave you their comedic banter between songs, which was fantastic. I love that because you can tell they love what they do and they're still having fun playing together. Captain having trouble with his guitar asked the crowd if he was out of tune and if there were any guitar players in the crowd. He played a few chords and asked again if he was out of tune. This is what I love. They don't care, they have been there and done that. There is no ego. They lay it all out there. I love when musicians can be real and are down to Earth and can have fun. They don't take themselves too serious. At one point Captain looking in my direction said "Hello!" and Dave did the same thing. Now I know the fan girl in me is thinking "Is he saying this to me? Did they see my tweets or comments on Facebook about seeing them and wanting to meet them?" I'm sure they were saying it to someone else, but I'll keep it in my fantasy land mind that they said it to me. Of course, the Captain has my Mom's maiden name so maybe somewhere along the family line we're related, eh? That would be pretty funny really. They played all their popular songs and really I don't think anyone could be too mad about them not playing certain songs. I guess I'm pulling from the Morrissey fan base that always has something to say about his set list with moans and groans. I would have liked to have heard their version of "White Rabbit" or "Life Goes On", but like I said I can't complain. After their set they came back shortly after an did an encore. They played a few songs and thanked everyone for coming and I thought it was all done, but moments later they come back to the stage! We are going on almost two hours of being on stage giving everything they have. I know we were in amazement. I've seen some twenty year old musicians leave the stage after an hour. The honorable Captain just celebrated his 63rd birthday the other day! When you think about bands that have been around for decades many think they should just hang it up. Yes, they aren't bashing up drum sets and aren't flying about stage, but they put on one hell of a show and you won't be disappointed. They finally had their fill for the night and said goodnight to Indianapolis. Captain presented his guitar to the front of the crowd to touch and fawn over. It was close to midnight and it was time to unfortunately call it a night. I wanted to stick around to see if I could possibly meet Dave and the Captain, but it was not in my cards. Thank you to The Damned for coming to Indianapolis and fulfilling all of my expectations and more.
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It's been awhile since I wrote anything, 2014 to be exact. Life is funny sometimes with all of it's ups and downs and crazy detours. Two jobs put away, a baby in tow, and my life has went in reverse to eleven years ago when I had my first son. Even though life has taken a detour, I still love music and going to shows. My last show was in July 2015 seeing Morrisey in Bloomington, IL. I was six months pregnant and for the first time I wasn't worried about getting an autograph or fuming with adrenaline. Maybe it was the hormones, maybe it was the fact that I felt like a beached whale; but it was a good show regardless. It's now April of 2016 and I've already put one show under my belt, which is saying something when you have a baby and an eleven year old! Last night I went to see Kurt Vile & the Violators in Bloomington, IN. I must admit I'm not a long time fan of Mr. Vile or have every album he's ever made. I don't even remember how I came across him, but after discovering him I couldn't stop listening. The best thing was that my baby loves his music too and it calms him down. Of course, my son already had great taste in music in utero. He loved listening to the Talking Heads and got to hear Morrissey perform live from the womb. Kurt's music sounds effortless even though you know there's monumental effort behind each effect and chord played. He reminds me of that long haired stoner dude who would shuffle into class right before the bell rang. He just seems like a guy that everyone knows and I have to say he is. We went to Bloomington early just to thumb through records and enjoy some tasty Soma coffee. After our coffee stop, record shopping, and a bit to eat we headed up to the Bluebird where Kurt's performing. His tour bus was already parked and I started to get a little glee with anticipation of the night to come. We had about two hours to kill before doors opened so we found a sweet parking spot by the bar and just listened to crappy radio in my jeep. No seriously, the midwest has to have the shittest radio stations. Absolutely dreadful. We were bored from channel surfing so we headed over to the Bluebird to see if a line had formed or to just walk around in hopes of time passing us by faster. I usually have a record sleeve and a sharpie in my arsenal, but I was just going to wait till after the show because I've never ran into any band beforehand. This was a mistake and I'm kicking myself. The line was short, but I just wanted to stay put there. Walking aimlessly around Bloomington didn't appeal to me anymore. I was ready for the night before it was ready to reveal itself to me. While waiting in line a few guys descended from the tour bus and as they were coming closer I realized one of these shadowy figures was Kurt Vile. I believe I said, "Holy balls it's him!" He kept coming closer and I stared like an idiot. Like I was in the desert and saw a mirage. I didn't utter a word or grab my phone..nothing. I did absolutely nothing and I'm still pissed at myself. While passing me by he's whistling and just going about the town. No one in line said a thing to him. No autographs. No photos. Nothing. I don't think anyone batted an eyelash. After he passed us, we just looked at each other in amazement and realized we missed our opportunity. Of course trying to play it off cool, I said I didn't want to bother him cos he's probably going to get some food. Wow I'm so nice and cool. Yeah right..I'm a dumbass. You would think after completing one act of dumbassery I would be prepared for the next time if it presented itself, right? No, strike two for Angela. After getting a shirt from the march table and a beer he passed us once again going backstage. Fuck! Yet again I did nothing. This man that I wanted to get an autograph from and possibly a photo just walked by yet again. I didn't even say something cool like, "Have a good show man." I thought to myself okay just wait till after the show you'll see him. You will get your record signed and probably a crappy photo of you sweaty and him looking awesome. I guess I'm just use to seeing these legendary untouchable performers. I mean, you'd never see Mick Jagger or Morrissey walking down the street for a bite before a gig. I understand why because they'd be mobbed, but it was refreshing to see and a shock all the same. He was surprised that no one said anything to Kurt while walking by because he has witnessed the massive obsessive culture of fandom that is Morrissey last year for the first time. I had to clarify that a Morrissey fan is a different breed and you will never understand that kind of following if you yourself are not a huge fan. That's another level and I just don't think there's that fan base banging on Mr. Vile's door. I'm perfectly happy with that. After the opening acts his crew started rolling out all of their gear. His pedalboard is something else and if you're into that kind of thing go YouTube his rig rundown. By the time Kurt hits the stage it's been a long day for us. We drove over an hour to Bloomington, spent about three hours shopping and eating, an hour in line outside, an hour sitting in the bar, and two hours of the opening acts. Let's just saw we were beyond ready for it all to go down. Let's face it, I'm not young and I have a baby. 10 at night to me is the wind down time before I pass out from exhaustion. You realize how old you are when you go to a show or a bar. Your generation is the old people. It's a cycle and some of us are fairing well while others didn't make it out alive. As Kurt and the band stepped on stage the crowd whistled and roared with excitement. He started things off with one of my favorites of his, "Dust Bunnies" from his current album. He followed it up with "Outlaw" and "Pretty Pimpin" also from his current album. The band was tight and he flowed effortlessly through each song with his humorous facial expressions. We were amazed by his guitar, bass, saxophone player Jesse Trbovich. Is there an instrument this guy can't fucking play? Transitioning from new to a few older songs of his, he played "Jesus Fever" and "On Tour". The crowd was full of drunken sweaty happiness and loving his set. The house was full that night, which was awesome to see. You always kind of wonder if there will be a crowd on a Sunday night. He kept things going with one more track from his new album with "Wheelhouse". He slowly starts into his song "Goldtone", which has this 70's heavy riff that leaves you hanging and takes a left to a slower trippy vibe. It sounds rougher live than on his record. Sounds like some Deep Purple shit live. He played a little on his Martin guitar before deciding he didn't like what he heard. He played it off as a little intro to another song with a different Martin guitar from his collection. The bar smelled and felt like a sweaty rave. My leather jacket finally made it off my body after sweating through the Fender shirt I was wearing. I still would like to know if Kurt uses anything in his hair to make it not into a giant ball of frizz ball while playing places like this. I'm sure his lovely wife may have introduced him to some sort of wonderful concoction. Kurt remarked how hot everyone was referring to the sweaty mess we had all become. A female fan yelled, "Not as hot as you!" Which Kurt shyly awkwardly replied, "I mean physically." Oh female fans I know he has locks that make you envious and he's that cool talented badass guitar player, but he's been married for over a decade and has kids. If you've read any of his interviews you realize he's not the typical rockstar. He's not whoring it up, boozing it up, or shooting it up. Or at least that's the vibe he's putting out, but I think he's the real deal. I admire him even more for being that guy. He's like Johnny Marr in that respect. Johnny's been married to the same woman for years and has kids, but he's not living that rockstar life either. He's humble and just out doing what he loves. Kurt, thanks for being one of the good guys in rock and I hope all the touring gets easier one day. Kurt played "Wakin' On A Pretty Daze" and "KV Crimes" to much acclaim and finished off with "Freak Train" and "Wild Imagination". They all took a much needed breather while the crowd chanted for more. They shuffled back on stage after a few minutes to play an encore. "Peeping Tomboy", "Hunchback", and "All In A Daze Work". He thanked the crowd and disappeared into the back. What a show and how lucky we were to be right up front to witness it all. The usual plan after a show is to go directly to where the tour bus is and stand helplessly waiting for the band to pass by in hopes of a signed record or a photo op. Unfortunately we had a long drive home and a baby waiting on us. We had no time for being on some rockstar's nuts. I call it being a fangirl, but whatever floats your rowboat. I was hoping to hear "Life Like This" and "A Girl Named Alex", but maybe they change up the set list, which is good if you see them for more than one night on tour. Maybe I'll see him again in Indianapolis in July, it would be a nice birthday present for myself. The next time I will say something if I see him pass me by! imagesThey say never meet your idols because you'll be disappointed, but this wasn't the case when meeting Johnny Marr in November 2013. After standing in the pouring rain before the show, we stood outside in the snow for probably a half hour more waiting for Johnny to come outside. For some reason I had this feeling we would meet him, if we were patient. My friend wanted to leave because let's face it..it was freaking cold..snowing..and any minute our feet and hands would turn into frozen fish sticks. I just kept telling my friend "Five more minutes..just five more minutes..I know we're going to meet him!" He came out of his tour bus and instructed us to go back into the venue to get autographs. This is not a normal "rock star" thing. Most go to the bus and that's it. We stood in line patiently and eagerly waiting for our moment. I was freaking out because I looked like crap. My hair was ruined due to the snow..it looked like I had been at a rave all night. Then my phone died..NO! I mean..seriously..doesn't that seem like it should be in a movie or something? Just before you meet your idol your phone says..Goodbye loser! Thankfully my friend had his wits about him and didn't use his phone during the show. The guy in front of us had the Rank album for Johnny to sign and was chatting him up for a bit. I just wanted to press the fast forward button on that scene. Finally, he is done..it is now our turn! Johnny talked to my friend and got his picture with him. I couldn't help but grin like an idiot and trying to stop from peeing myself. I just couldn't believe he was standing inches from me in the flesh. How did this happen? How did I get here? Is this real? It felt like an out of body experience truthfully. It was then my turn and I was trying to think of what to say. Something clever..or cool..or everything I ever wanted to say to him...but all I could do was just look at him and smile. He pointed out my Joy Division shirt and I thanked him so much for coming to Indianapolis since most go to Chicago anymore. He asked my name and signed my record. I then got a picture of him and it wasn't just a regular mate hug, it was a real hug. Like he knew that we were real longtime fans and that this meant a lot to us. He thanked us and kissed my hand! I was beyond excited. I felt like Marcia Brady not wanting to wash because Davey Jones kissed her cheek. Johnny Marr actually took my hand like a gentleman and kissed it! Now that had to be a dream, right? No..all reality. I wanted to relive that moment over and over again. Actual live in that moment and never let go. Even though you truly enjoy the moment, you always wish you could enjoy it even more if possible. After we had our meet and greet I couldn't contain myself. I latched on to my friend's sleeve with glee and said "Can you fucking believe we just fucking met Johnny Fuckin Marr?!" And yes, his middle name is "Fuckin"..look it up..oh and I have a button that proves it! It was truly one of the best nights of my life and one that I will always cherish. He made me feel like I was 16 again. I actually jumped up and down during the show and caught all those nostalgic feelings when he played Smith's songs. A few days later I sent Johnny a message and thanked him so much for that night. I have Osteoarthritis and it sometimes is very hard to get around much less go to a concert jumping around and standing for hours. I remember trying to hold the camera to record some video and my achy hands were struggling to hold it up. He wrote back thanking me for the message and wishing me luck with everything. For some drugs and alcohol are their highs, but for me the best high is going to a concert. It's a high like no other and is something you will carry with you like a badge for the rest of your life. You will beam for days on end thinking how wonderful it was and how much you want to experience it again..over and over and over. Truthfully without music many of us would not be here. I know without bands like The Smiths, Joy Division, etc. I would not be here. If you didn't have that friend or parent saying Hey, I've been there and understand then The Smiths and Ian Curtis would be that voice. This is why after all these years bands like this have cult followings. I can only speak for myself, but you never forget the ones who helped you through all the lows in life. You feel like you owe it to the artist for helping you through the tough times and still remaining in your life when the undeniable transition to adulthood becomes evident. Johnny Marr is the most down to Earth guy and just a class act. He's the guy everyone wants to hang out and have a beer with chatting about music and the world. Johnny Marr is legend..that is all. -Thanks again to Johnny Marr for a great night!- |
AuthorAngela Marie. I like writing. I like music. I have thoughts falling from my head. Archives
July 2018
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