So after The Offspring show and getting two whole days of not going to a musical event, that Friday definitely made up for those non-musical days. No, I didn't go to a musical... though that doesn't sound too bad if it was The Book of Mormon or that Green Day one, American Idiot. Nah, on the first Friday of October, I spent an entire night across the Bay in Berkeley talking about and listening to music. Not surprising, eh?
Now, I don't really plan on giving any actual review. I think over time, I realized none of these posts are reviews... they're more about the experience than anything else. I'm just telling stories of the times I went to all these concerts... and I hope for the most part, I'm being entertaining talking about music while not talk about music at the same time. And most of the time, the music always strengthens the experience and story behind these ventures. So anyways, onward with the story...
So after getting across the Bay Bridge with my friend, Clinton, we met up with my friend/his girlfriend, Christina. After we park, we wind up in Amoeba Records, which immediately spelled out my doom.
Why? Because almost every time I'm in a music store, I end up buying tons of CDs, especially if I'm not looking for anything specific, and especially if I have time to find stuff I'd like. So, in typical me fashion, I bought five CDs. Thankfully, four of them were in the "red tag" section, meaning they were going to be $2-4 each. This is what I bought:
- Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?" - The album so nice, I bought it twice. Seriously. I had forgotten I all ready bought the CD and so when I got home, I found my first copy -- with additional tracks to the original -- all ready in my displayed collection. Oh well... whoever wants a copy of the first printed CD version of this album, it's yours... or I can just give it to my sister so she can give it to Dad... who will probably play it to the point where the rest of my family will get annoyed and curse me for giving that to him. It's happened before.
- R.E.M.'s "Green" - The one with "Pop Song '89," "Stand," and "Orange Crush." I think I all ready have "Out of Time", and I could have gotten "Document" (the one with "It's The End of the World As We Know It") but I think "Stand" and "Orange Crush" popped into my end and so I held onto it.
- Lisa Loeb's "Tails" - Christina and Clinton know about my love/infatuation for Lisa Loeb. Ever since I saw her video "Stay," I'm just mystically entranced by her. Maybe it's her singing voice... maybe it's her eyes... maybe it's those cute and nerdy librarian glasses... her smile... awww... wait, where was I? Oh yeah... Lisa Loeb. When on a previous music store venture... I think they said it was Rasputin in Berkeley (because the one in San Francisco royally sucks)... they had found it in the red tag aisle and bought it for me... just because. So when they found another album, they pointed it out to me. I was like "Come on, guys... I don't like her THAT mu..." and then when I realized "Stay" was on this album... I was like... "Well... it IS only a couple of bucks. Plus, the album cover is a drawing of a cat." Awwww.
You know you don't have to worry about me leaving, Lisa... I'll stay... *sigh*
Where was I?
- Huey Lewis and the News' "Fore!" - You know, I don't care what you think. I like Huey Lewis and the News. This album's got "Jacob's Ladder," "Hip to be Square," and "Doing It All For My Baby." And yeah, they remind me of Back to the Future. I think my dad had this album on cassette... or was it "Sports"... or was it both? Anyways... it adds to that whole nostalgia factor. Sure, I'm more affected by the 90s than the 80s, but there's always going to be some love for the guys who did "Back In Time." Plus, they're local.
- WILD FLAG's "Wild Flag" - I love Sleater-Kinney. That whole post riot-grrrl, alt-rock sound just does something for me. I also love Portlandia. I know a lot of people think it can be pretty smug and pretentious and hipsterish, but I think it openly mocks it while still embracing it. Right? I don't know. All I know is when I gave Wild Flag a good listen to, I got hooked, especially to "Future Crimes." I will admit this entire album is really good so I don't mind paying full price for it. Plus, Carrie Brownstein fucking rocks.
I need a new CD tower or rack. I have so many CDs, I have to put them on top of the CD racks and on my computer desk.
I would get a bonus CD after the night was through, but I'll save that for later on.
So after that, and after an awesome Thai dinner (pork Pad See Ew,) we drive over to Ashkenaz. If I remember correctly, this was probably my first time outside downtown Berkeley and the surrounding area around UC Berkeley, aside from going to Good Vibrations where my friend Sasha and I got a "my first vibrator" starter kit. I can save that story for another time, though. We get into the place, and since this is my first time, it reminded me like a smaller version of Slim's, which in itself is pretty small. but Ashkenaz has a little bit more personality and intimacy in comparison. We meet up with my friend/co-worker Bernadette and her sister Rachel. We got their pretty early because there was still a lot of room, but we figured it would fill up once the music started.
The Agent Deadlies were the opening band that night. They had a reggae style, even though at first glance, they didn't really give that impression. They weren't totally clean cut, even though they were wearing nice button down shirts I would wear in an office, but when I hear reggae, I think of Bob Marley and the color green and dreadlocks. It was very laid back and mellow, and it was nice to just sit down and enjoy whatever alcohol I drank that night. I don't remember Christina and Bernadette dancing at this point, or if it was a little later, and I don't remember if I started dancing as well. I probably did. This is the problem of writing a post in multiple days, remembering events that happened eleven days ago. Whatever we did, it definitely got the mood flowing. I remember one of the Uptones members saying they were more punk/ska back in the day, but I guess that's an easy transition since those genres (ska and reggae) are related.
So, going into full disclosure mode, I have to say I know a member of the Uptones. That's the reason why I came out to see them that night. That and I wanted to take Christina to a ska show, which she hasn't been to in quite a while. True story -- while Bernadette and I were talking to our co-worker's boyfriend at his birthday party, he had mentioned that he was an Oakland native and use to listen to The Uptones. Of course, said friend from the Uptones was at the party and they ended up talking a lot about their Oakland roots. I was just awed by how long the local band has been around. I think it's pretty cool.
I would get a bonus CD after the night was through, but I'll save that for later on.
So after that, and after an awesome Thai dinner (pork Pad See Ew,) we drive over to Ashkenaz. If I remember correctly, this was probably my first time outside downtown Berkeley and the surrounding area around UC Berkeley, aside from going to Good Vibrations where my friend Sasha and I got a "my first vibrator" starter kit. I can save that story for another time, though. We get into the place, and since this is my first time, it reminded me like a smaller version of Slim's, which in itself is pretty small. but Ashkenaz has a little bit more personality and intimacy in comparison. We meet up with my friend/co-worker Bernadette and her sister Rachel. We got their pretty early because there was still a lot of room, but we figured it would fill up once the music started.
The Agent Deadlies were the opening band that night. They had a reggae style, even though at first glance, they didn't really give that impression. They weren't totally clean cut, even though they were wearing nice button down shirts I would wear in an office, but when I hear reggae, I think of Bob Marley and the color green and dreadlocks. It was very laid back and mellow, and it was nice to just sit down and enjoy whatever alcohol I drank that night. I don't remember Christina and Bernadette dancing at this point, or if it was a little later, and I don't remember if I started dancing as well. I probably did. This is the problem of writing a post in multiple days, remembering events that happened eleven days ago. Whatever we did, it definitely got the mood flowing. I remember one of the Uptones members saying they were more punk/ska back in the day, but I guess that's an easy transition since those genres (ska and reggae) are related.
So, going into full disclosure mode, I have to say I know a member of the Uptones. That's the reason why I came out to see them that night. That and I wanted to take Christina to a ska show, which she hasn't been to in quite a while. True story -- while Bernadette and I were talking to our co-worker's boyfriend at his birthday party, he had mentioned that he was an Oakland native and use to listen to The Uptones. Of course, said friend from the Uptones was at the party and they ended up talking a lot about their Oakland roots. I was just awed by how long the local band has been around. I think it's pretty cool.
So, with that out of the way, whether I knew someone in the band or not, I still had a fucking blast of a time. Immediately, Christina and Bernadette got us all dancing. I had to get pulled from my chair, but it didn't take long until I got the rhythm of the skank... the official dance move of the ska... I'm guessing. There was a dance contest, and anyone who caught the eye of the judges got a number. And of course, my two friends got noticed and received their number. 112 was Bernadette... 114 was Christina... I think. Eventually, anyone who wanted a number was invited to take one... and so Christina forced insisted that Clinton get a number... 124.
I really want to point out how talented the band members are. Not only are they really good musicianship wise... is that a word? Musicianship? Anyways, not only do they know how to play their shit well, they can really amplify the energy in the room to the point where you just have to dance. I think that's the reason why I love smaller shows... the intimacy between the audience and the band is just stronger in comparison to an arena show, despite how loud and how boisterous the crowd can get at the big shows.
The music was definitely cool. Bernadette's favorite song is "Bested By Pelicans." I paricularly dig "Bonnie and Clyde" and "It Takes Money." I REALLY dug their ska covers, particularly "Bad Reputation." All in all, it was just a really fun time.
The music was definitely cool. Bernadette's favorite song is "Bested By Pelicans." I paricularly dig "Bonnie and Clyde" and "It Takes Money." I REALLY dug their ska covers, particularly "Bad Reputation." All in all, it was just a really fun time.
So knowing me, there were definitely people that stood out from the crowd... some of it purely for entertainment value... some because they annoyed the fuck out of me. 101 liked to have the floor to himself as he started dancing his interpretative dance. I don't think he skanked (since he didn't win anything... spoiler) but he was definitely dancing. 103 was definitely skanking... he's definitely a ska fan. Christina kept on telling me how big 130's boobs were, using the universal sign of holding two huge melons, one in each hand.
And then there were the two idiots that caught my attention: there was... uhh... let's say his number was 127. Christina called him the hippie who kept on spilling beer. Apparently, that was his dance move... walking around and spilling his drink all over the floor because... well... he thought in his drunken state that he was busting a move? If only he fell on his face... that would have definitely made everything right with the world. Then there was the bigger idiot... 134.... at least I'll call him 134 because I don't remember if that was his number or not... who was just being a fucking douchebag and running around in circles, in his one-man cyclone of disappointment... apparently grabbing 130 to dance. I don't know if they were friends... I don't think so... but she looked like she was caught off guard and was laughing at him with friends, trying to get away. I don't know. Anyways, toolbag managed to get on stage and hide behind the band, dancing. I don't know if he was expecting to do a stage dive... if only he did... because I know no one would have caught him.
Anyways, those tools didn't win the $200, the main prize of the dance contest. There were finalists who won one of the Uptones' CDs, Skankin' Foolz Unite! 103 won the money... and Bernadette was a finalist... twice. She was so good, her number was called twice. She didn't win two CDs, though. A couple of kids, another lady, and another guy won CDs alongside her. Bernadette gave me her prize, saying she all ready owned the album. So I got my bonus 6th CD that night. I thanked her, of course, and after the show, we both congratulated our shiny friend (not-so-subtle clue) on an awesome show.
I'm use to going across the Bay for a music show because most shows are usually at the Fox... the Oracle if the band is big enough. It's a rarity that I end up in Berkeley, only being to the Greek Theater twice (Death Cab for Cutie and Florence + The Machine) so it was a real pleasure to be at a small Berkeley show and have a chance to listen to some awesome local music.
The next big show now in waiting is The Monkees. I don't know what to expect from that show, but I think I'll definitely have a great time... and I know I'll write about it when the time comes. Now, that won't be the next blog on the list. Between the time I saw the Uptones and now, I actually did get to see another live performance, albeit really short. I'll probably write about it... I just don't know when I'll get to it.
And then there were the two idiots that caught my attention: there was... uhh... let's say his number was 127. Christina called him the hippie who kept on spilling beer. Apparently, that was his dance move... walking around and spilling his drink all over the floor because... well... he thought in his drunken state that he was busting a move? If only he fell on his face... that would have definitely made everything right with the world. Then there was the bigger idiot... 134.... at least I'll call him 134 because I don't remember if that was his number or not... who was just being a fucking douchebag and running around in circles, in his one-man cyclone of disappointment... apparently grabbing 130 to dance. I don't know if they were friends... I don't think so... but she looked like she was caught off guard and was laughing at him with friends, trying to get away. I don't know. Anyways, toolbag managed to get on stage and hide behind the band, dancing. I don't know if he was expecting to do a stage dive... if only he did... because I know no one would have caught him.
Anyways, those tools didn't win the $200, the main prize of the dance contest. There were finalists who won one of the Uptones' CDs, Skankin' Foolz Unite! 103 won the money... and Bernadette was a finalist... twice. She was so good, her number was called twice. She didn't win two CDs, though. A couple of kids, another lady, and another guy won CDs alongside her. Bernadette gave me her prize, saying she all ready owned the album. So I got my bonus 6th CD that night. I thanked her, of course, and after the show, we both congratulated our shiny friend (not-so-subtle clue) on an awesome show.
I'm use to going across the Bay for a music show because most shows are usually at the Fox... the Oracle if the band is big enough. It's a rarity that I end up in Berkeley, only being to the Greek Theater twice (Death Cab for Cutie and Florence + The Machine) so it was a real pleasure to be at a small Berkeley show and have a chance to listen to some awesome local music.
The next big show now in waiting is The Monkees. I don't know what to expect from that show, but I think I'll definitely have a great time... and I know I'll write about it when the time comes. Now, that won't be the next blog on the list. Between the time I saw the Uptones and now, I actually did get to see another live performance, albeit really short. I'll probably write about it... I just don't know when I'll get to it.
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