X

So Joe came to the house and we left. He had never been to the HOB so I showed him around. We had a beer at the bar and I would swear the restaurant manager is someone I know from Odessa. She never came back over so I could ask though. She looked so familiar to me. Anyway we head over to the show and catch the end of this young opening band The Skybombers. They were really good for the end at least. I bought their EP for 5 bucks and it’s not bad at all. In fact I think Sara might like it! It’s fast and really good. Rough but with allot of promise. They will do well at SXSW on Friday. I would imagine Rolling Stone might even call them a band to watch!

Let me set the scene first. I was very worried about not looking right. You know not fitting in. This sounds weird I realize but it’s a punk concert. So I went out as I stated previously and purchased a black t-shirt to wear to the show. Joe is wearing something similar but his is a grey t-shirt. We roll in and do a once around. We are almost the youngest people in the joint by I would say 15 years or so. The opening band were the youngest but we were like third or fourth youngest. This got me thinking about the fact that Los Angeles (their big album) was released in 1980. That was 28 years ago. So in fact the kids that were digging it then are older and well let’s just say older. X comes out and starts playing something that sounds like rockabilly. Examining the band I see Billy Zoom the guitar player. Zoom has a t-shirt for sale that says “Billy Zoom nice guy, Punk Legend.” Zoom stands still playing his guitar with quaffed hair that is grey and receding. Standing still like a mannequin robot. Movement and showmanship is not his thing. He had a creepy smile on his face and was not yet enjoying the show. Exene Cervenka the lead singer looks like that creepy chick in all of Tim Burton’s movies. Making comments like “Don’t do drugs…Just give them to me.” She has a pink dress and a shawl on with bright red hair. She couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket for ten million dollars. She walked around playing and futsing with her dress. Then we get to John F*ckin’ Doe (as his t-shirt for sale said). Dressed like he just came off of tour with George Strait (for those who don’t know John played the drummer in Pure Country) and got lost and was asked if he knew how to play bass. He got sucked in and was told he also had to bring some energy. He did bring energy. The only energy anyone brought. He was banging around and playing bass like a mad man. I’ve never seen anyone play bass like that or with a pick. The crowd much older looking like the mothers and fathers they are. Wearing their black jeans and tucked in polo shirts, and Tommy Bahamas. Wishing for a time when they believed every word X had to say. Swaying around and making little noise. Looking like they felt a little out of place, if it hadn’t been for the older people around them. Clearly a warm up gig for the band that is traveling to Austin today to get worshipped at sxsw. Dallas will do but Austin is better. I imagine 28 years ago the band was a sight to see full of fury and excitement now it’s just lame. In the first 45 miuntes playing 17-20 songs they looked tired and John was sweating. A guy walked past me in his leather jacket and long premed hair. I think I went to high school with him. Except the guy in my high school wore only metallica, misfits, and iron maiden t-shirts. A blonde haired woman dancing furiously to the sounds shaking and weaving only to leave early like Joe and I because I heard her say the babysitter has a problem. You can’t even have fun anymore can you. Another lady in white leather chaps. I saw her walk up and I don’t remember a motorcycle I think she just thought she looked cool. She in fact did not. I know I am sitting high in my chair of judgment but it wasn’t too bad for 25 bucks for two tickets. Joe was finished drinking and I closed my tab. He said “I don’t think I can handle much more of this” I was finished with it as well. So we stopped by the merch table on the way out. I bought a shirt. I know I know. I just like supporting music. Maybe that sounds stupid but I like to do it. As we walked out the first set ended. So to summarize some good things and bad things but mostly I was just ready to go home and see my angel face and snuggle. I know I’m not punk and I’ve never claimed to be but this is just further affirmation of what I already knew!

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I hear that! Man that singing was awful.. What WAS that?