LIKEHELL and Run Westy Run

In the late 90's I loved festival concerts. I could go to Edgefest in Sommerset, WI and see all of the popular bands for the price of one ticket. At Edgefest 4 in 1997 I got to see Beck, Rollins Band, Iggy Pop, Local H (remember them?), and a handful of others who were popular at the time. One band that played early in the day was a local band called Likehell. I'd never heard of them, but I was there.

Usually the bands early in the day just ruin your conversations, harsh your mellow; but I loved Likehell from the first note. They played good, albeit simple, rock and roll with hard rock undertones. The lead singer, Nick Eldorado, didn't play an instrument, but he was a show in himself. I couldn't take my eyes of his stage antics. He strutted around like they were the headliners for the night.

I made a note to catch them next time I could, which was easy since they're a Minneapolis band. I saw them again at the 7th Street Entry, and Eldorado was full of as much energy as he was at Edgefest in the intimate venue. I loved it. I tried not to miss a show when I saw they were playing. I saw them at The Uptown Bar, The Quest, The Fine Line, Lee's Liquor Lounge, and First Ave. Probably more places too, but I don't remember.

It was at the beginning of my drinking career, so I was pie-eyed most of the times I saw them, but I enjoyed every performance. The liquid courage made me approach each member of the band in the various clubs before and after shows sometimes. They probably knew me as "that drunk guy." I learned that Eldorado and the drummer, Tony Baloney, are brothers. Eldorado once told me that their dad would be playing Christmas music before their next show at The Uptown, so I was there early to see Mr. Oliveri (their real last name) playing a keyboard.

I felt cool, and still do, that I had a local band that I knew about and could take friends to see. They either stopped gigging, or I found new drunken interests in the mid-00's, and stopped seeing them. I 'like' their Facebook page, and knew about a show they did last year around this time at The Entry. Ozzie was only 6 months old and I couldn't get out to see them. They recently advertised that they'd be opening for a band called Run Westy Run on 12/26/14. Mommy and Ozzie were going out of town, so I knew I had to go to this show.

This New Year's Day will mark 4 years sober for me. I was excited to see them sober for the first time since 1997. I had heard the name Run Westy Run, but had never seen them. There's a guy at work with whom I talk music, and I brought them up. He said they had some legendary shows in the 90's. When I told him I'm actually going to see Likehell he told me that he played with them in the early 90's, before I got into them. He advised that I not miss Run Westy Run.

I walked into First Avenue for the first time since 2006 when I saw Ray Davies with my dad. I've been to a lot of shows there, but obviously not recently. It hasn't changed much. I walked around familiarizing myself again with the legendary club. I know that they'll sometimes post a trivia question on Twitter for a chance to win a seat at a table for the show, so I looked at Twitter. Sure enough there was a question there that no one had answered. I Googled it, posted the answer, and won the table.

A server showed me to my table, which was upstairs right on the edge. A great seat, and I had been worried about standing for the whole night. I ordered a Diet Coke and awaited Likehell. I had almost forgot that it was always fun to see how Eldorado would take the stage. The band starts playing first, and he has come out in a dress and combat boots, or decked out in all-white with a boat Captain hat (that he threw into the audience and I scored) before. This show was no different. He shakily walked to the mic wearing a long white wig, a robe, and using a walker. I thought Likehell is here!

He shed the get-up after the first song, donning a silver lamé suit. They played all of the favorites that I remember, and a few new tunes in a 45-minute set. Eldorado shimmied and shook as he did back in the day as the nightclub slowly filled. I was happy to be at a table, and happy to be sober.

Eldorado did the worm to the mic stand before the last song

A band called BNLX was on next. They were good. Solid rock and roll. I missed some of their set when I had to go move my car from the meter I parked at right outside. It turned into a tow-away zone at 11:00, and I had only paid until 10:00. I moved it into the ramp behind the Target Center and was back in time for the end of their set. The nice server informed me the table and chair were mine for the night. I was glad I didn't have to say jack-jack-seat-back.

Run Westy Run took the stage at 11:00, and First Avenue was almost full by then. Their lead singer was also fun to watch. Not playing an instrument, he bopped and weaved all over the stage. After about four songs I thought to myself this IS a great band. Every song sounded different in the way The Pixies mix up their sound. Their 90-minute set was an excellent way to end the night. I drove home with a few of their songs I had just heard for the first time in my head.

RWR doesn't play much anymore, so unfortunately I don't know if I'll get a chance to see them again. We celebrate a new year in a few days. If you think of bands as "friends," I got to make new friends, and keep the old. One was silver and the other was gold. 

My evening of theater

Almost 20 years ago I joined an improv theater going by the name of Comedy Olympix. That was my "college" experience. I made friends who are still my friends to this day, several of whom were in my wedding. One friend I made there was actor Zach Curtis. He didn't have a car, and I would give him rides home occasionally. We started hanging out more and more, and eventually were joined at the hip. He lived in his parent's basement at the time, and I remember sleeping over once. We stayed up in the dark, he in bed and me lying on the floor, joking and laughing (and farting) until the wee hours of the morning; like a couple of kids in junior high.

We eventually lived together for a while in what my friend Jim affectionately called the "Den of Debauchery." During that time I would go see Zach in shows, and I knew that he was theatrically gifted. We eventually grew apart, and Facebook brought us back together. I haven't seen him in a show since 1998, but every review I read for his latest, The Whale, is better than the last. I was able to get out of the house for the evening to catch my old partner-in-crime in the show, and I'm so glad I did.

In The Whale Curtis plays Charlie, a 600-pound shut-in who teaches writing online (through audio, too ashamed to show his students his obese stature). Charlie grunts and wheezes for breath simply adjusting himself on the sofa, where he spends the majority of his time. His only friend is a nurse, Liz, who enables Charlie's unhealthy lifestyle, and gives him on-the-house nursing treatment (checking blood pressure, listening to his chest, etc.)

The cast is only five people, but every one of them gives a stellar performance. I don't want to give away the plot, just go see this show. I got a $10 'economic accessibility' ticket, so I saw it for cheaper than a movie on a Saturday night. Curtis's performance is so good that I felt uncomfortable watching him struggle to stand up from the couch to use his walker. I forgot that he was my old pal, and saw a 600-pound whale of a man.

The Whale A

After the show, I had time to speed to the Bryant-Lake Bowl for the sold out A Very Die Hard Christmas. I asked the box office if they had room for one more, and they did. After the dark subject matter of The Whale, I'm glad I went to see some comedy, and Christmas is funny. 

It's a vulgar parody of a lot of Christmas specials we all know, and look forward to, wrapped around the Die Hard plot; written by, and starring, Josh Carson, who I know by directing him in 48-Hour films. We don't really know each other, but we kinda do. The script for this show proves what a talent Carson is. 

The whole theater is used for the show; they even cast the entire audience as holiday party-goers. They happened to pull me on stage as Mr. Nakatomi, the Japanese president of the building overtaken by terrorists. I stood tongue-tied on the stage where I've performed dozens of shows. Rusty after years away from the stage, I couldn't form Japanese gibberish. It was fun to be onstage again, if only for a minute. They even called me back up at the end for a bow. 

The show features songs, and puppets, and blood. A lot of blood. It winks at the audience several times throughout, and some jokes hit hard. I belly laughed several times, and when I wasn't laughing I was smiling. It's a great show with a talented cast. Tom Reed stands out as antagonist Hans Gruber. Others are cast in several different roles, and they have fun with that too. The audience is in on all of the jokes, and it plays to the top of its intelligence. 

A Very Die Hard Christmas A

Dance Break

Mike Doughty's World Renowned Question Jar Show

 

Former Soul Coughing front man Mike Doughty, 44, played two shows at the Dakota Jazz club tonight. I was lucky enough to score a ticket to the late show, and I gotta say, the late show was a great show. It was just Doughty on guitar (acoustic, electric, and banjo), and admirable cellist Andrew "Scrap" Livingston on (what else?) cello.

 

On my inaugural trip to The Dakota, I gave my name at will call, which was just a table set up outside the restaurant's door in the lobby of a Target HQ. That lobby started to fill with hipsters, young and old, waiting to get in. Around 8:50 the early show let out, and the people exiting had to stick-and-move their way through us. Finally we were let into the club at 9:20.

 

See The Dakota in the bottom left?

 

I found my seat, which was at a table with a couple, Todd and Amy. I was less than ten feet away from the stage. When I heard about this show I thought it was going to be in December. When I started researching it, I realized I had snost and lost as it was already sold out. I checked the site a few days later and they were selling single tickets, and I bought one without delay. Todd and Amy were cordial; Todd telling me that Doughty is a recovered addict. I can't believe I didn't know that, and now his memoir, The Book of Drugs, is next on my reading list.

 

The question jar was sitting on a small merch table on the way into the intimate venue. I entered Will you take a selfie with me? and What is your favorite Minneapolis memory? The 9:00 show started promptly at 10:00. Doughty played a couple tunes and then asked Livingston for a question from the jar. The two have a great rapport on stage after Scrap reads the question aloud.

 

I was hoping for some road stories, or stories about how he writes, or any stories at all, but the questions were yes/no, or easily one-word-answer questions. A few examples:

Q: Rollerblading Yes or No? A: He shouted NO! for the laugh, but then said do whatever you want.

Q: Is mayonnaise an instrument? A: No.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of milkshake? A: Vanilla

Q: Where are all the white women at? A: Minnesota (he had some fun with this one)

 

The music was tight, Doughty's voice was on, and every song in the 85-minute set was enjoyable. It was a treat to hear the handful of Soul Coughing songs I've heard a million times in the stripped down, acoustic arrangements. The highlight of the night was Lazy Bones to the cello, and Doughty fiddling with a plastic box with knobs that may have been a synthesizer. What ever it was, it sounded like music from Mars, and I'd pay for a version of it; were it on iTunes.

 

I love how he handled the obligatory "encore." Before playing the penultimate song of the main set he announced "this is the last song before the fake last song." Then after the fake last song, he thanked the crowd, said goodnight, and they both turned around and stood onstage with their backs to the audience. After just a few seconds they faced the audience again and played two more songs.

 

Despite the lack of stories, the music carried the Saturday night show. The relaxed, comedic banter between the two was refreshing between songs, and Doughty came off as easy going and quite approachable. Neither of my questions were read, but Livingston would read some to himself and throw them out to get a different one. Maybe they've learned that the quick answers make for a better/tighter show. I would see this show again. I give it an A.

 



Dice's Book-The Filthy Truth

In the early 90's I started high school (1991), and discovered Andrew Dice Clay. Here was this guy dressed in leather, smoking cigarettes, and telling dirty nursery rhymes. It was nothing I'd ever seen, and I couldn't get enough. I loved his whole character. 

Other kids listened to Milli Vanilli or Paula Abdul in their bedrooms. I listened to Dice's comedy albums, and knew them word-for-word. I edited all of the curse words on the album Dice Rules together in one long string of vulgarities. I found a poster of The Diceman at Spencer's Gifts and had it on my wall. He's always been an inspiration to me. 

I got to see him live with my buddy Jimmy D

On 11/11/14 Andrew Dice Clay's autobiography The Filthy Truth was released. I downloaded it on my Kindle that night. Clay, 57, has been out of the spotlight for years, and I couldn't wait to see what he's been up to. Unfortunately the book doesn't live up to the legend. It started when he's six years old. He talks about his parents and sister, referring to them throughout the book as The Originals. 

Personally I don't like when celebrities start their books with their childhoods. I don't buy their book to find out that they were a class clown in elementary school. I want it to start when their career started. Clay waxes on about his childhood for the first 15% of the book, finally mentioning a comedy club around there, and doesn't start talking about the beginning of his career until about 20%. 

His first bit was coming on stage as Jerry Lewis's Nutty Professor, then he'd drink the elixir, there'd be a black out, and when the lights came back up, he'd be Travolta in Grease singing Greased Lightning. He references that it was the 70's, before YouTube, and he had to see Grease in the theater three times to learn the song and choreography. The way it's written, this was the only bit he did, and his dad would book him at discos for $800-$1,000 a night. 

The chapters are short without much substance. The book isn't written in the Dice voice, but Clay's Brooklyn dialect sneaks in from time to time. A lot of pages are devoted to sexual encounters he had. These parts come off as a high schooler bragging that he had sex. They're not funny, and go into too much detail. The worst is when Clay describes a couple he heard having sex in the next hotel room. He describes the whole encounter. I started skipping through these parts.

He discusses coming up through LA's famous Comedy Store, where he lived in the comic house with, most notably, Yakov Smirnoff. He describes some of the antics that happened in the house, but is derailed by talking about women. He mentions a young Sam Kinison and how they were friends, Dice even writing Kinison's opener. He talks about their feud later in the book,  and even memorializes him in a short chapter.

The interesting stuff is around the filming and release of Ford Fairlane. He talks about how he was banned for life from MTV, and his subsequent appearance on Saturday Night Live, which was boycotted by cast member Nora Dunn. These too were interesting, because I knew that they happened, but Clay gives his side of these stories. I feel like I learned something reading them.
Clay was featured in a short-lived VH1 reality series, that I think only I watched, that he only gives one paragraph to. He never mentions his appearance on Arsenio Hall in 1990 where he cried.

The book is a quick, easy read. Because I'm such a fan, I would have liked the denser version of his career, and comedy stories. It's a fun sized bag of potato chips when I would have liked a steak off the grill. I hate to have to give the book a C-.

Sleater-Kinney Reunites

May 3rd, 1997

I didn't know it when I woke up that day. I didn't even know it for several years, but my life changed forever 5/3/97. I had read about a new band called Sleater-Kinney that was coming to First Avenue's 7th Street Entry. It was a Saturday, and I must not have had to work at Subway that day, because I was able to go to The Entry and see this band that I knew nothing about.

Three girls took the stage for the early show. It was a 6:00 all-ages show. I remember thinking that I was seeing something special in the 250-capacity room. I watched as the two guitarists sang different lyrics over each other. I'd never seen anything like it, or thought that was even possible, but I loved the sound. I immediately bought their album Dig Me Out from the small merchandise table after the show, and couldn't wait to get home to listen to it on my CD player in my bedroom.

I played it constantly, and felt cool that there was a small indie band that only I knew about (in my circle of friends). Since then I've seen Sleater-Kinney live two more times. Once for the tour in support of All Hands on the Bad One in First Avenue's mainroom, and the last time they were in town, 6/15/05 also in the mainroom after The Woods came out, before the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2006. 

I remember the day they announced their hiatus on their website. It was sad news. Usually if you have a favorite band, you know that they'll always be there, unless one of the members dies. My favorite band died. I never thought they'd be back. At least I had their seven albums to listen to for the rest of my days. 

At that last show in 2005 someone peeled a setlist from the stage and threw it into the crowd. I leapt with my 4-6 inch vertical jump, and snatched it out of the air amongst dozens of reaching hands. 

Andrea Swensson of The Current recently wrote that she loves music (in general) "to an uncomfortable degree--so much it hurts; so much I wish I could eat it." That's exactly how I feel about Sleater-Kinney's rock and roll. In 2011 I heard a song on The Current and I thought I heard the accomplished drumming of S-K's Janet Weiss in the song. It was Wild Flag. I learned that Wild Flag was a new band including Weiss and S-K lead guitarist Carrie Brownstein. I bought that album when it came out, and it's a good listen with 2/3 of S-K in the band. 

I heard about S-K releasing a box set of all of their albums on special vynal this October. It sounded neat, but I don't have a record player, and even if I did, I have all of their albums already. Maybe some day down the road I'd find it used for cheap and could add it to my memorabilia, but didn't give it much thought. As people who ordered it started to receive it in the mail, they reported a 45 that came with it that has a new song on it, and nothing but a date of 1/20/15 on the sticker. 

On the morning of 10/20/14, I sat at my desk at work with a music hangover from seeing Pearl Jam the night before. I checked Facebook and saw the announcement that Sleater-Kinney is REUNITING,  releasing a NEW ALBUM ON 1/20/15, including a TOUR WITH A STOP AT FIRST AVENUE!!! 

After seeing the news, it was hard for me to concentrate the rest of the day. I started thinking of ways I could see them in Omaha the day before they're here, or in Milwaukee the day after, or hell, go to all three shows! Then I came back to reality and realized that I'm a married Nerd Dad now, and life doesn't go on hold for a weekend the way it could when I saw them in 1997. And lived with my parents. And worked at Subway. 

I worked from home on the day that tickets went on sale, and I'm so happy I did. I was able to buy a ticket the minute they went on sale. After I got my ticket in my email, I went back to see if they were still for sale. They went on sale at 12:00 and by 12:09 they were sold out. I still hold out hope that they'll move it to a bigger venue with seats. I don't want to sit during S-K, but with MS my muscles fatigue after standing too long, and the doors open at 8:00. The show starts at 9:00 with an opener. I want to get as close as possible, so if I get in line before 8:00, I might be standing for 3 hours before they even take the stage. 

The reunion is a dream come true. I'd die if I could meet and/or just get a picture with one or all of them. Comment below, or PM me, on ways I could make that happen. My dad was a great influence on my musical tastes, and I hope that Ozzie follows the path of passion for music his dad likes. With Sleater-Kinney back together, I might be able to take my son to see them when he's older. 

That'd be all right. 

Pearl Jam-Live!

Megan and I were lucky enough to see Pearl Jam at the Xcel a few weekends back. They played for over three hours, giving Minnesota a 32-song set for their first appearance here in eight years. I got to see them at the X when they were here in 2003. Megan and I had just started dating and she was out of town for that show. I went alone, and was amazed at the show they put on back then.

Now it's not an Alice Cooper-type of show with theatrics and everything. Pearl Jam are professional musicians who play their asses off for the night. A lot of bands will give you an hour, maybe 90 minutes if you're lucky. They played for over two hours in 2003. This was Megan's first time seeing them live, and she actually shed tears of joy when the concert started 45 mins past the start time.

As we sat in our seats waiting for the show to start we checked Facebook, not only to brag that we were there, but also to see who else was there. We knew quite a few people also in attendance. A couple  were my cousin and her husband. They fundraise for the U of M Children's Hospital, and I knew that Eddie Vedder was there the day before. As we looked at Facebook in the bleachers we saw why the show hadn't started yet. Vedder was posing for pictures backstage. With them.

Husband, Vedder, cousin

That was pretty cool to see, but I was ready for the show to start. The whole time after 7:30 we were thirsty, but didn't want to get beverages and have the show start while one of us was away. Finally at 8:05 I risked it and went to the concessions stand. I was about 10 people deep in one of four lines. There were two people working behind the counter, and only one beer tap was working. I stood in the same spot for 10 minutes as my face grew more red as my temper rose. At 8:15 I heard the ROAR of the arena. I said screw it and ran back to my seat empty handed.

I was excited as Pearl Jam played the entire No Code album start to finish at the show before ours. Our show was on the anniversary of the release of the album Vs. so I thought naturally they'd play it. They didn't play it, but of course the show was awesome. It really kicked in for me on the 10th song, Even Flow. Megan had left to get our drinks during the song before it, and when Even Flow started I had room to move, and I rocked out. 

Waiting for the start "selfie"

View from our seat

At one point during the concert Vedder introduced the members of the band. He introduced the drummer, Matt Cameron, as the greatest drummer in the world. When he did, the man sitting next to Megan felt the need to pipe up to her "greatest in the world, huh? I think Neil Peart might have something to say about that."

First of all, we don't know you. 

Second of all, even if we did, right now isn't the time to debate who is the greatest drummer in the world. 

Third, it's Janice Weiss of Sleater-Kinney, so let's just enjoy the show.

Three hours is a long time for anything, even excellent rock and roll. I was glad that we had seats to rest in during the slow songs. They ended the set with the house lights up for the last three songs. The lights signifying that it really is the end of the night and PJ isn't going to do the stupid encore ritual for a third time. 

Winding down

I was excited to be with Megan for her first PJ concert. It was a great night, but I gotta say that I enjoyed the show in 2003 more. I know it's partly because that was my first live experience with them, but also now we have satellite radio. Pearl Jam has their own channel on it that plays their concerts. We both listen to it in our cars, and it made the live experience a little less special for me.

I've been seeing a lot of live music lately (Spoon, Pixies). This was the last concert I thought I'd see for a while. I had to work early the next morning. When my alarm went off at 5:30, my ears were still ringing, I'd only slept about four hours, and my throat was sore. I had a music hangover. The difference between it and a real hangover is a music hangover feels kinda good. It's a reminder of how I (soberly) cut loose for a few hours the night before.

At work the morning after I saw some music news online that I'll detail in my next blog, but I know that I'll be seeing another concert in February. BIG (for me) news.

The Pixies-Live!

“I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off The Pixies.”

-Kurt Cobain on Smells Like Teen Spirit

Someone at work asked me the other day who my favorite band is. I couldn't think of one on the spot like that. After reflecting on that question, I can say that my favorite band is The Pixies. They played at my favorite place to see music, The State Theater, on 10/11. I remember when the show was announced. I wasn't crazy to get tickets because Megan and I saw them the last time they were here playing the Doolittle album at Roy Wilkins in 2011. 

Then I learned that she would be out of the house with Ozzie on the night of the show. I started looking at tickets by owner on Craigslist. I didn't know how lucky I'd be finding just one ticket for sale, but there was one for $75. I emailed the guy saying that if it comes down to the day of the show and there's no interest, I'd offer him $40 so he won't have to eat the ticket. 

I got some money for my birthday (10/1) that's been burning a hole in my pocket, and this was a great opportunity to spend it. The guy emailed me 10/10 saying that he can't go lower than $50. I took him up on it. It was worth the extra $10 to know that I'd have a main floor seat for the show. I texted him as I was walking to the theater from the parking ramp, and he met me in the lobby. He told me that he was wearing glasses and a black shirt. I found him, but he should have said "I'm the guy who looks exactly like a 25-year-old Vince Gilligan. Exactly." 

Vince junior's girlfriend couldn't come to the show, so that's why he sold his ticket. That also meant that we sat next to each other. He was a really nice guy. He liked the same music as me, and was even at the last show I went to at The State: Spoon. We chatted about music between the opener, Royal Blood, and the start of the real show. The Pixies took the stage at 8:40. 

Frank Black, Joey Santiago, David Lovering, and Kim De… Wait. Kim's not with them on this tour. In her place was a woman named Paz Lenchantin. Let's call her what she really is. Not Kim Deal. Deal's absence was another reason I didn't jump on tickets right away when they went on sale. Kim Deal is The Pixies bassist, and anyone else has enormous shoes to fill. 

The show opened with Ed Is Dead. I wished everything was a little louder during the 1st song. It was plenty loud, but it was at about 9 and could have been turned up to 11. The 2nd song was Nimrod's Son with a reggae style second half of the song. As the show went on, the music got louder, and was at 11 about halfway through the 95 minute set. It was so loud, in fact, that the instruments sounded distorted. 

This tour is in support of the Pixies latest album, Indie Cindy. They mixed in newer material with classics. The new album as okay, but I'm probably biased knowing the older catalogue  so well. Anything new is going to take some getting used to. I craved some stage banter from Black, but there was none. He never addressed the crowd. 

Left to right: Santiago, Black, Lovering, Not Kim

The Pixies wrapped up their set with Hey, and came back for a 2-song encore of Debaser and Planet of Sound. (See the full 32-song setlist here) The encore. When can we do away with this stupid ritual? They were off-stage for about 60 seconds before coming back for their encore. Fiona Apple did a great thing when I saw her in 2012. She reached the end of her set and said something like she thinks "encores" are silly "so pretend that I left, and came back, and this is the rest of the show." That was classy.

As for Not Kim's performance; I wanted to not like her. Like if your parents get divorced, and your dad starts seeing a new woman. But what if you can't find a reason to hate her? That's how I felt about Not Kim. Her hair covered her face most of the time, but The Pixies aren't known for the "show" they put on. (I even heard that the last "Not Kim," who was actually named Kim, did a stage dive at a gig and that's what got her bounced from the band.) The Not Kim I saw tonight was efficient and sounded good on her backing vocals. 

Driving home I felt happy about the expenditure of my birthday money. If Vince Gilligan Jr. hadn't come through, there were scalpers out front who told me that they were taking $20 for tickets. I'll pretend that they were all in the back row of the balcony. This was a great seat in a great venue watching rock and roll legends. 

P.S. Do you like my reviews? This is a crazy idea, but if some kid can get over $55,000 to make potato salad, I thought it couldn't hurt to throw this out there. 

Can't make it to a show you want to see? Any show. Music, movie, play, etc. Buy my ticket and I'll go and write a review of it.  If you're interested you can PM me, or leave a comment below. 

Impractical Jokers-Live

Mommy and Ozzie are out of town this weekend visiting Grandma, leaving me home alone for the weekend. My plan was to start a franchise on my new Madden game, catch up on TV shows on the DVR, and maybe catch a movie. I'd also have to forge for food somewhere in there too. Megan is a great cook, and I can make frozen pizza. Luckily we had 2 in the freezer. 

Friday night, after some TV and video game time, it was about 8:45 and I said to myself "Andy--" actually I don't call myself Andy when I talk to myself. I said to myself, "Big Daddy Cool, you can do anything you want all weekend." 

A few friends were going out for karaoke, and I considered that for a while. Then I thought about the great rock and roll show I saw last weekend downtown, and looked at what shows were in town this weekend. I looked at the Orpheum website and saw that the Impractical Jokers had a 10:00 show, and they had student rush tickets available for $20 cash. I hardly ever have cash, but I happened to have a twenty in my wallet. I found my old student ID from Metro State and headed downtown around 9:00. I had seen some pics of my Facebook friends outside the Orpheum theater who saw the early show. 

I thought the worst case scenario would be the show is sold out and I'd wander around the corner and see Lizzo and Caroline Smith at First Avenue. So I pulled up to the Orpheum, and there was an underground parking lot right across the street for $5. I parked and took a stroll to the venue. I waltzed up to the box office and asked if they had any rush tickets left. They did, and I didn't have to show my student ID. He gave me a ticket on the main floor; Row G. I quickly counted up to that letter in the alphabet and realized that it's the 7th row! 

Regular priced tickets were $50. I'd already made out like a bandit. I followed the line inside to my seat. I said last week that The State is my favorite place to see shows; The Orpheum is a close 2nd. Last time I was there I saw Wicked with Megan in seats 3 rows from the back wall in the balcony. This seat was quite the improvement for a fraction of the cost. 

My vantage point

As the clock passed 10:00 and the show wasn't starting I looked behind me and the theater was only half-full, at best. They must've held the door to see if anymore people would arrive late. The show finally started at 10:15 with an opening stand up comic. I don't remember his name, and I didn't recognize him. I chuckled once during his ten minute set. Finally around 10:30 The Tenderloins, or Impractical Jokers, took the stage. 

I expected imvov and/or sketch comedy, but they each just stood at a microphone and told stories and made fun of each other. I'm not belittling the show, it was just different than my expectations. The guys are such fun, and know each other so well that it felt like we were just hanging out with them at Embers, or something, after a show. They told road stories, and stories of filming the Tru TV show, and gave examples of stunts that the network kiboshed. The only one I remember was one called "Get in the Van," where they would have driven up to a corner of children in a big, white, unmarked van and flung the door open and said "hey, kid. Get in the van." 

They made it seem like they were coming up with the stories right there on they spot, but I could tell that each show is the same stories. They still laugh at the self-effacing anecdotes, so it was fun to watch, but the show could be a lot stronger with some direction. Murr had his laptop on a little table behind them and worked it to bring up pictures while the other guys talked. That was a little distracting, and would benefit from a person running the laptop backstage. The guys also talked over each other a lot and some of the jokes were missed because of it. 

They mentioned that they've been together for 25 years; since meeting in high school in 1990. They talked about some of the first shows they did in New York City where they had to rent the stage for $50, and only brought in $15, so performing the show cost them $35. Their chemistry and friendship reminds me of an improv troupe I'm honored to have been a part of, The Drunk Baby Collective. These guys are my best friends to this day, and the show was a lot like us when we get together now at Perkins for pie. We tell old stories and laugh like hyenas. 

DBC reunion in 2011

I'm glad that I had the opportunity to see The Impractical Jokers live. The price was right. I might feel slighted if I had paid the full ticket price, but all things considered it was a great way to spend Friday night. Now back to Madden 15. I'm 0-2 after a couple of close games. I need to turn things around if I want  to make the playoffs this year. 

Spoon Concert

If it's too loud, you're too old. 

(It was kinda loud)

If I'm listening to local radio, I'm listening to 89.3 The Current. They don't play commercials, and I've found a lot of bands that I wouldn't otherwise know on there. Lately I noticed that every time I liked the song that was on, and I checked my radio or the site where I stream it, the band was Spoon. I did a little research on them and found out that they've been around since 1994 and are from Austin, TX. 

I got their latest album, They Want My Soul, last week and it's been on heavy rotation on my iPod. I already liked three songs on the ten-song album from hearing them on the radio, but when track 5, Knock Knock Knock, played the first time I was like "whoa, baby." Lead singer Britt Daniel, 43, sounds nothing like Roger Waters, but the song is Pink Floyd-esque, and I loved it, too, right away. 

During my research I saw that Spoon was coming to town September 19th at The State Theater and tickets were only $35. That's actually a pretty cheap ticket these days. Ticketmaster had a single ticket in the 12th row. I thought about going to The State to buy my ticket at the box office to avoid the extra fees, but they were only going to add an extra $15. I figured that for the convenience of ordering the ticket at midnight in my basement, that was a fair price. Right before checkout, though, they added one more fee making the total almost $60. I almost gave up on principal, but I had made up my mind by that point and I just pulled the trigger. 

I love live music, and have since the first concert I attended, which was the Foo Fighters at First Avenue when they were brand new; right after Kurt died. Since then I have seen many big name/big ticket shows. The State is my favorite venue to see concerts. 

*Digression-Once at The State for a Lou Reed show, there were two older (60+) couples behind my dad and me. They had spent whatever they did on four tickets, and before the show one lady asked the other what show it was they were about to see. The woman replied "Lou Rawls," and went on to explain who Lou Rawls is to her. 

I got there around 7:45 and opening band EMA was playing. I watched a video of theirs on YouTube to see if they're any good, but I couldn't even finish the video. They weren't any better live. Their boring shoegazing music was made worse by the fact that there was no spotlight on any of them. There were some lights behind them, but their faces were never illuminated. A clock radio would have made a better opener. 

Spoon took the stage at 8:45 and energized the crowd starting with the title track from the new album. They went right into Rent I Pay after it, and the crowd stood for the whole show. Daniel's voice was right on all night, sounding like John Lennon on Revolution or Twist and Shout. A voice like a bee sting. He would emphasize notes with the neck of his guitar, and kept the crowd banter light. He mentioned he loves this town. As the show progressed I realized there were even more songs that I already liked that I didn't even know were by them. The most rocking number of the night was Don't Make Me a Target. It was like a grand finale of fireworks, exploding sound for 5 minutes. The light production was impressive throughout the show too.

They started their first encore with Knock Knock Knock. They finished the last song at 10:30 sharp. Nearly two hours of rock and roll by a band who has been around long enough to be engaging for the duration. The theater was mostly full on the main floor. I couldn't see the people in the balcony, but I think it was almost full too. 

When I left the theater there were four guys playing buckets on the curb right outside the theater. They weren't just dicking around either. They were tight and good, and even had some choreography. They would all play together for a bit, and then each would solo down the line. Their solos were faster than a machine gun. Their arms would flail so fast that I couldn't see them. It was a pretty cool surprise to walk out to. I threw a dollar in their bucket that was half-full of cash. 

My ears are still ringing in that good way that reminds me that I saw an excellent show. I'm glad I realized who Spoon is in enough time to attend the show tonight. I think even someone expecting a show by the late Lou Rawls would have been pleasantly surprised. 

State Fair (Feedbag '14)

Another MN State Fair is in the books. You know what that means? Summer is over. Pack away your flip flops and swim trunks, and pull out the flannels and boots. I hope you got everything in that you wanted to. A lot of kids start school tomorrow, and some already have. Over the summer I went from fish-belly-white to a little off-white. I know that I didn't get everything in that I wanted to, but it's hard to squeeze everything into 2.5 months.

Anyhow, we had our annual trip to the fair to eat, and we ate plenty. I was really looking forward to it this year to try a new food called a Breakfast Juicy LuLu. It's a Jucy Lucy of breakfast food, with sausage stuffed with cheese. They only served it until 11:00. Megan wanted to try another new food of breakfast nachos, served only until 10:30.

We got in the gates around 9:30, and went right to the first information booth we saw. The people working those booths know where everything is without Google. They're quite remarkable. We asked where the nachos and the LuLu's were. We were close to the nachos, and the LuLus were on the other end of the fair, so we swung by the nachos place first. Megan got them, and the egg on top was the best part. I give the dish a solid C.

Then it was off to the west end market where my LuLu's were. I passed many food stands along the way. I didn't want to spoil my appetite for what was sure to be a new highlight of the fair. 

We arrived to the area around 10:15 and found the place selling them. I got in line about 15 people deep. The lady who got in line behind me was telling her adult son that she was going to order three of them. Megan found a table where we could sit and enjoy the bounty with which I'd return. 

As I inched toward the counter for my Breakfast Juicy LuLu, I saw that they also sold something called Gorilla Bread. I had time in line to Google "Gorilla Bread," and it said it's a special cinnamon-type pastry bread. I thought it would compliment the no doubt savory Juicy LuLu, and I decided I'd get it too; as a surprise. 

                           

I was just next in line, one guy in front of me ordering, when someone from the kitchen yelled "we're out of Breakfast LuLu's!" 

Out of Breakfast LuLu's? How could this be? It was only 10:30. They sold them until 11:00. My heart broke in two. Thinking about it again now makes me sad. How do you run out of an item at the State Fair? It wasn't the last day of the fair. 

I had to step up and order. I confirmed with the guy what I just heard, and he confirmed they had just run out. I ordered the Gorilla Bread and slunk to the table where Megan was playing with Ozzie in his stroller. 

I was too forlorn to think to take a picture of the Gorilla bread, but it was just okay. I kept thinking of what I did wrong to miss out on the item that brought me to the fair this year. 

If the GPS on my phone didn't take us through construction, we would have arrived sooner and I would have gotten a LuLu. 

If we had walked faster to the stand I would have gotten a LuLu. 

If we had left the house earlier I would have gotten… 

You get the idea. I was seriously crestfallen. I needed to sulk for a bit, but then it was onward to find other foods. I thought at least I could still get my fair favorite; a deep fried slider. They were sold at Axel's on the outside corner of the food building. We had passed where I thought Axel's was, but there was a different vendor there. I thought Axel's must've moved. I asked another information booth where they moved to, and was told that they are gone. The person said the Axel's people now run the LuLu's booth. 

Seriously? 

We walked around the fairgrounds all day. We spent 7.5-8 hours there. Ozzie was good as can be. He tried all of the food we got, and we even got him his own milk for $1.00 outside the cattle barn. He fell asleep for about 20 minutes in his stroller too. We don't know how he did that in the heat, with all of the people and noise, but you'll see him below catching some Zzz's. 

I know I've had Sweet Martha's Cookies before. I wanted to try them again for the purpose of this blog, but the lines were always insanely long. Since I know I've had them before, and they're not on my must-have list, let me tell you that they're just chocolate chip cookies, people. Do you like that they're warm? Bake some at home. They're always warm right out of the oven. You don't even need to make the dough. Get the refrigerated dough that pulls apart. Do you like that you can get a bucket of them? Bake some at home and put them in a bucket before you eat them. They're. Just. Cookies. 

With the disappearance of my State Fair staple food, I had to find a new reason to go to the fair. I found it at a booth near the all you can drink milk stand. The booth is painted with a Canadian flag, and the food is Poutine. French fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. I've had it there before and liked it, but it has now stepped into a starring role. It was Colin Quinn on Saturday Night live, but now Poutine is Colin Quinn when he anchored Weekend Update. 

Another new food this year caught my attention. Deep fried Buckeyes. They're at the Deep Fried Twinkies stand. Buckeyes are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, batter, and deep fried. They're dusted with powered sugar before handed to you. They're sugary, sweet and delicious. I think I got to cavities just eating them. 

Luigi Fries

Poutine

Deep fried Buckeyes with strawberry "dip"

 When we got home I asked Megan to take a picture of me: