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.