36 Fingers Old

I'm 36 years old today. That went quick.

Last night, we went to see Bishop Allen, Miniature Tigers, and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.

The opener, Mt. St. Helen Vietnam Band, wore matching vests. They were fun but the songs started to run into each other. 30 minutes was about how long we needed to hear them.

Miniature Tigers was a solid band with catchy songs and strong musicianship. I had bought their album before (yes, I actually paid money) so I knew a bit about them. They were clever, very tight, and clearly enjoyed themselves playing live. I would see them again.

Finally, the reason we were there: Bishop Allen. This was their best performance since the first few times I saw them. The set list ranged from old stuff to new stuff from their latest album to new new stuff I hadn't heard. Finally, the woman in the band, Darby, was there to sing. I enjoy her soft voice and like it when the band slows way down.

My favorites of the night: Things Are What You Make Of Them; Empire City; Ghosts Are Good Company; Click, Click, Click, Click; Penitentiary Bound; Like Castanets; The Monitor. They mixed up the arrangements so it wasn't just like the album versions.

My only complaint about the night was the crowd.

When did concertgoers become rude? Who takes a camera to a show and continues to flash people by taking pictures of their friends? Who talks through every single song, even the ballads? Who texts in the middle of the show? Who acts out the song as in making picture taking gestures during "Click, Click, Click, Click"?

This all happened withing earshot of me and Lindsay.

I got very angry and wanted to say something but Lindsay kept me on a short leash. "No punching anyone in the neck. No!" "No, Jonathan, you can not kick that idiot in the shin." "No, if you tell that girl to shut up she'll just be louder."

In the cab ride home, Lindsay told me how the woman taking pictures was spoken to by one guy and she then turned the camera on him and flashed him in the face. I would hope that I would have been mature enough to only take the camera from her hands and smash it.

What's the etiquette in this? I am just trying to watch the show.

At least we learned a few things:

1) Never go to an all ages show.
2) Figure out a way to correct the behavior of these dinks that doesn't get me in trouble with Lindsay. Or the police.
3) Shows back in my day, even the Metallica shows with mosh pits, were more fan friendly with people there to actually watch and hear. What happened during the last 15 years?
4) The Rickshaw is a good venue that can actually generate decent sound from its system. Yes, I'm talking to you, Independent.

All in all, it was an enjoyable way to start my birthday celebrations.

Happy Birthday to me.