DEAD & COMPANY- Citi Field

Before the show- I see Dead people

Dead & Company
Citi Field - NY, NY Queens
June 24, 2017
By Rich Rickaby

At this point, I consider the Grateful Dead a Fraternity. There are Charter Members, Alumnae and Pledges. I'm not clear if the presence of John Mayer or the absence of Phil Lesh makes this a Dead & Co. show rather than a Furthur* show. I've seen the Grateful Dead 3 times. I've seen Furthur 7-10 times. I've never see Dead & Co. so this way my first Dead & Co. concert? 

Band names aside, the line up for the evening was Bob Weir (guitar, vocals), Mickey Hart (drums) and Bill Kreutzmann (drums), along with John Mayer (guitar, vocals), Oteisl Burbridge (bass/drum) and Jeff Chimenti (keyboards).**

Violet Viola Blues

Our seats were row 9 in 526, about 10 rows from the top of the stadium. It was great to see the arena open to the sky, not closed off with a dome. Concert buddy John went with me and said it was the best he's seen them, though he was referring to Furthur.

I don't know if there are any good seats, since General Admission filled most of the outfield. Seats were where they generally are in a ball park, not great viewing for action in centerfield. There were posters and Tees that referenced this event being held at Mets' stadium. Go Mets! They had large screens left and right of the stage, apparently there's a large screen behind the band but when you're off to the side, one doesn't see such things.

A big part of any Dead show, the smell of grass aside, is the people. Happily, Deadheads were out in peaceful force. Good to see, was the range from kids to seniors. One group of 20 year olds could have been there for John Mayer (maybe?) but they knew the words and had the zeal of any Dead fan twice their senior. Nice to know the audience is a bit of a fraternity as well with the new rushes coming up the ranks. 

Hey, great music is great music.

The lights of the world

They opened with a little noodling until they kicked in with "Dancing In The Streets." The sound rolled out over the summer night in wonderful waves. The weather was great and the whole vibe was as groovy as expected or more. 

New to me, was John Mayer. One guy sitting next to me said, "I've never heard of this guy. I mean, I've heard of him but then I hear they have to do, like, back exits to avoid his fans and here, I never heard of the guy." Concert friend Susan wondered how a guy like that fit in with a group like them. 

Tiers of the crowd

So let me say here, I only know John, "Your Body Is A Wonderland," Mayer. I've heard of some 'personality' things or maybe how he's behaved in the past or so...don't know. What I do know, is that there's a big difference as to what guitar talents can be shared when you write a 3:49 pop song compared to playing an extended lead on a song or thread. It's amazing to me how far some guitarists can expand a lead from its source, enter new timing realms and then bring it on home without ever feeling lost or displaced.

John was on it from lead, licks to strums and he carried a good majority of the vocals. This was a help because he brought some power where Phil and Bob have been waning lately, and understandably so. Mickey and Bill held down dual drum detail wonderfully, as is their won't to do. The only other act I've seen with two drummers is Adam Ant (Maybe Yes on their Union tour in '91 but that was a one-off). I'll be seeing him again later this year and let you know. 

Keyboardist Jeff Chimenti was right on. I'm not sure if he's who I saw with Furthur, if he is, he's only pulled it more together. This was a wonderfully tight show, like the blues, you know there are some "rules" but that playground is so huge so why not see what fun you can strum and drum up? I wish they showed more of Bob on the live feed. He filled his shoes and sang his songs and together, Bob and John were like a mountain and a river, a mighty force making music naturally. 

Frankly, I have to say, I don't always "hear" bass. To me, that means it's doing its job, in the basest of ways. When I notice it, it's either because it's real good or bad. What I noticed on the downloads of the concert later on, was how melodic the bass was, a lead guitar on the bottom end. Beyond bass, Oteil sang "Comes A Time" as smoothly as he plays the bass. 

Drums, Space & Lights

Drums & Space should expand to Drums, Space & Lights. The magenta light bathing the crowd during Viola Blues was a transporting visual. The people, the masses, how we gather to hear music, and not just any music, it takes something to build a following like this large. Nobody does this like the humans. 
I know Viola Blues isn't part of Drums & Space but the lights through were smooth, floating and kaleidoscopic. The screens I could see, at times, had borders of Dead graphics for live shots of the band and sometimes they became motion graphic eye candy. You're trippin' even when you're not tripping at a Dead show. 

After 3 hours, or more, it was time to close out the show with "Johnny B. Goode." Hey, that song's been around longer than just about all of us, perhaps we're all part of a much larger Rock and Roll fraternity.

Get home safe

*We know Furthur, the band, is spelled with 2 U's. Forgive us if auto-correct makes this an infuriating task. 
**Resource thanks to Wiki and Dead & Co. website.

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS- Bowery Ballroom

Written by Backstage Bruce

      My favorite new song, for summer 2017, is 'Get Drunk, Get High, Get Loud'. I am new to the Turnpike Troubadours party, all that matters is I am there now. 

     By sheer luck, I checked Bowery Ballroom's schedule and saw the Troubadours were playing that night. There was a picture of the band, one of them was holding a banjo, another's holding a fiddle and I knew exactly where I was going to be spending my evening.  

     I researched them and listened to their music before the night's concert, I went right to their website. They are from Oklahoma and have released four albums. Their latest one, The Turnpike Troubadours, charted high in three-different charts: country, indie and folk.

     The band consists of six members. Evan Felker on vocals, guitar, harmonica and banjo, Ryan Engelman on guitar, Gabe Pearson on percussion, RC Edwards on bass guitar, Kyle Nix on the fiddle and their newest addition, Hank Early on accordion and steel guitar. You can listen to both their second album, 'Goodbye Normal Street' and their third album, 'Diamonds & Gasoline' on their website here: Turnpike Troubadours Website

     

    Listen to the first song 'Gin, Smoke and Lies' and you will love them right away. It's a country number in which a couple is having a squabble, she just got back from the bar and he doesn't want to hear it. He smells the gin, the smoke and knows the lies are coming. It's really good.  

    The album is captivating, before you know it you've listened to the entire thing. The second tune 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead' has a fantastic fiddle solo.

     'Call A Spade A Spade' is a beautiful duet with the lovely voice of Jamie Wilson. One track that reached out and grabbed me was 'Wrecked' because I seriously 'laughed out loud', after Evan sang "You wrecked my heart, you wrecked our house, you wrecked my car", you couldn't help but feel "My goodness, what didn't she do to you?" 

    You'll enjoy 'Goodbye Normal Street' so much that you'll want to hear 'Diamonds & Gasoline' next, as I did. Both albums are outstanding, I listened to them repeatedly until it was showtime.

     The Bowery Ballroom has historic landmark status, located downtown, it was built before the crash of 1929. It was converted into a premier music venue in 1998 and holds 600 people. I arrive, meet up with a friend, Jesse Baskin, a budding musician in his own right, who just got there. We walked inside, the staff was very friendly, from the security outside, to the hostess at the podium, to the ticket takers, everyone was very cordial. We get passed through all that, guest list plus one, check, we're in. The place is packed!, completely sold-out.

     The first smiling face I see is Noelle behind the bar. She is a hardcore, NYC, bartender. She has been in the club scene well over a decade from Bar 9, to Bell House and now The Bowery Ballroom. She is so awesome, she has seen it all. Her bar is 10 people deep so we decided to make our way upstairs to another bar. 

    The line wasn't as bad, we got our first beer and sought out a good viewing spot. Still upstairs we made our way over to the VIP area in the balcony. There were about five tables with chairs, behind the tables and chairs is ample standing room with plenty of space. Absolute perfect view of the stage, we're overlooking a sea of cowboy hats and trucker caps.

     We find the perfect spot, the opening performer/ band, Charley Crockett, is on his/their last song. They were stupendous, wished I arrived earlier to see more of them. Intermission comes and goes. The Turnpike Troubadours take the stage and the crowd goes crazy. The backdrop of their set was a cockfight, not an actual cockfight. The six walked on, picked up their instruments and got started, it was really fun. 

    During this first song, a blonde lady sitting a few feet away from me gets up and starts dancing, she is bringing good energy to the VIP balcony area. The next number up was really popular too, everyone knew all the words. The band played most of the song and then stopped to let the crowd sing the entire last stanza acapella. What a great start to the evening.
     

    The band was really tight. They looked great and sounded sensational. Their range was so wide: Country, country rock, blues, Americana, rock, folk, punk, red dirt to anything with a good back beat that the people can dance to. And they did, the Bowery shook. After a few tunes, Evan switched to his acoustic electric guitar. When he switched to his banjo the audience went wild with anticipation, they knew what was coming next. Another favorite the crowd knew every word to 'Gin, Smoke, Lies'.

     Beer refill, I made my way over to the bar and there was a line. I'm patiently waiting when all the sudden another buddy of mine walks by, he is the manager of the place, Kieran. We see each other, hug, he goes behind the bar grabs me a few beers and I am on my way, no waiting. I get back with the beers and Jesse is like "How? How did you get back with beer so fast?"

     At this point the party is full on. Blonde lady next to me is still dancing. She got her man on his feet for a couple of numbers and another couple in the balcony area started dancing too, everyone was grooving.

    Then they played my new favorite 'Get Drunk, Get High, Get Loud'. It is a honky-tonk, rowdy one. "Let's get drunk, get high, get loud" It's upbeat, cheery and easy to sing along to as the chorus repeats a few times. 

     All the musicians got their turn in the spotlight. Everyone left the stage except for Evan. He performed a solo which was incredible. Kyle got his turn. He was positioned stage left all night, during the number 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead' he took center stage and did his big fiddle solo and they loved it! You rarely see that in the big city, so that captivated them. 

     One highlight of the evening was when Ryan did his solo during the new song 'Something To Believe In'. He owned it all; the stage, the music and the audience. His hard-rock guitar playing was second to none, showing the band's range once again. Sometimes playing a new song to an audience can be a bit challenging, but not this time. They loved it!

     Charley Crockett and a few of his band members join onstage for a few numbers to finish the evening off. It was a tremendous, ten-musicians jam! The concert ends, the band leaves the stage and my first thought was I wanted more. Leave them wanting more. 

    I seriously now wanted to get a copy of both the first album 'Bossier City' and the latest album 'The Turnpike Troubadours' plus I want to see these guys live again, it was that much fun.

Hank, Ryan, Evan, RC, Gabe and Kyle- in front of the cockfighting backdrop. 

     The audience starts to file out, we hang back, out of the crowd. It just ended and the first tweet on twitter appears. Coming in from Cole @eloc8 "Best show I've ever seen. Didn't feel like we were in the city anymore."

     We finally start to make our way out, my friend has to use the restroom real quick before we leave. I'm waiting for him when all the sudden blonde lady from VIP balcony walks by. She is waiting for her husband in the restroom. I just started talking to her, I say "I really liked your energy tonight." 

    She just looked at me. I said "Seriously, this is my first time seeing these guys and I noticed you were dancing from the first song, you had great energy." She started laughing. Her name is Kata. Jesse soon joins us, then her husband, Matt. Turns out, they were hard core, committed fans, they drove from Cleveland for this show, for Matt's birthday. They loved them that much. 

     They said they came here with another couple but that other couple left right after the show. We're standing there chatting it up, reliving tonight's experience when all the sudden, Kieran, the manager walked by. I tell him "It's Matt's birthday, they came all the way in from Ohio for this." Next thing we know we're at the bar getting free drinks. Their friends shouldn't have ducked right out. They're missing a New York minute. 

    So now we're all at the bar having a conversation when I see Kyle at the merch table. I asked Matt "Do you have your camera or phone? The fiddle player's standing right over there if you want to get a picture." He asked me, "Can we? Just walk over there and ask for a photo? Do you know him or something?" I was like "Uh, well, uh, not yet, but you know, that'll change, let's go." And we did.

     Kyle was very cordial, we did a group photo and then introduced him to the birthday boy. Matt was in Heaven and as a fan he chatted Kyle's ear off for a few minutes. Here Kata and Matt were on their way out the door, they just had to make a quick pit stop before they hit the streets. Next thing they know, Kata and I meet, our group moves over to the bar, getting drinks, a few minutes later we're hanging with and getting pictures of and with the band, at least one of the members, right now.

     Kata and Matt say their good-byes and depart. We finish up our beer and leave too. I realize we are the very last two people to depart. We closed this place down. The equipment was being wheeled out as we were finally exiting. It was just like the tune 'Morgan Street' "Drink up the night, close down the bars."

     We stepped outside and it was a perfect, first full day of summer evening, clean. I noticed the bus was parked right in front. The band can't roll out of town until all the equipment is packed up. I saw a few of the band members just casually walking around. I see Gabe, Kyle and Hank. It was like an unofficial, after-show, meet and greet, right there on Delancy! I didn't expect it so I was slow with the camera. I did get one final photo with Ryan. And with that it was time to call it a night and 'Quit While I'm Ahead'.

WBAB 'VETSROCK'- STEVE MILLER & PETER FRAMPTON- Jones Beach Theater

Written by Backstage Bruce

     WBAB WON!!!  WBAB won on so many levels. First, a brief history into the Rock & Roll radio stations of NYC for the four decades spanning the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. There were three stations dedicated to the playing of classic rock and rock & roll music: K-Rock, (92.3 FM) with Howard Stern all day, WNEW (102.7 FM) with Scott Muni, Ken Dashow, Carol Miller, et al. And there was also WBAB (102.3) located in Babylon, Long Island, New York. Back then it was all kilowatts, megawatts, megahertz and there needed to be at least one high-frequency tower half way between The Hamptons and NYC and BAB was it!

     They had their share of big name guests dropping in over the years to do interviews, perform or just hang out. Now 50-years plus later all the others are gone, wiped-out, finished, kaput and WBAB is standing strong; Streaming now and still broadcasting from that same high-frequency tower. They made it. WBAB won.

     The radio station sponsors an annual 'VETSROCK' show. They distribute tickets all over Long Island through Vet's services organizations and multiple giveaways and pretty much any veteran who reached out and asked for a ticket, received one, plus one. WBAB was able to accommodate every veteran that wanted to go. It was great. There was also a scrumptious BBQ. 

    HUGE SHOUTOUT to Texas Roadhouse, with two convenient locations, Wantagh and Deer Park, for providing all the delicious food and especially for the excellent, hospitable service. They had everything: Steak, Ribs, Chicken Sliders, Jalapeno Poppers, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Sweet Rolls, Caesar Salad, etc...

     Peter Frampton takes the stage. Rain is coming down, it's a beautiful summer rain at an outdoor venue. We have all been there at least once, people started seeking shelter. The design on the backdrop of his set was a picture of "The Guitar". He opened with 'Something's Happening' a cover of Herman's Hermits to kick it off, a nice way to make an entrance. 

    He looked good and sounded great, he tells a little story of how last time he was here on Long Island they were all out on boats. He also mentioned the next song 'Lying' was written right here on the island. People cheered, they liked hearing that, sense of pride. 

     Then he performed for them one of his earliest hits, 'Lines On My Face', it was great too. Next song up was, 'Show Me The Way'. All the people that were sitting sprung right up and started dancing and singing along. This is what they wanted to hear, classic Frampton.

     After performing two hits in a row, it was now a safe time to work in a new one and he did. He played 'I Saved A Bird Today', it was really nice. Next he did a tribute to Soundgarden's Chris Cornell by performing 'Black Hole Sun'. That was an unexpected pleasant surprise.

    The rain started letting up, the storm had passed. He/ they segued into 'Baby I Love Your Way', the crowd loved it. His set was starting to wind down when he pulled out a guitar and showed the audience. It was "The Guitar". He shares with us that this was the guitar he used on the album. Immediate frenzy ensued, we all knew exactly what he was talking about. The album, 'Frampton Comes Alive', sold 11 million copies and stayed on the charts for almost 2 years. 

    We also knew what song was coming 'Do You Feel Like We Do?' He continued "I got it back, after 32 years! Cash had to change hands for me to get it back, but I got it." He didn't really elaborate and we could only speculate. It's Rock & Roll anything could have happened.

     The performance was amazing, simply stunning. There was some serious jamming going on. He did that trick he does to make the guitar talk "Like We Do". We all loved it. That was the official final tune of the set. He/ they came back out to do an encore, '4-Day Creep'. This was a hit for the band, Humble Pie, which Peter Frampton was a founding member of, what a great way to make an exit. The audience really enjoyed their entire performance.

Portions of this album were recorded at Long Island Arena, Commack, 1975

     Intermission, the rain completely stopped and the rest of the crowd filed in, their loss, Peter is a legend. Steve Miller comes out with 4 band mates. They too were simply incredible, very talented, all of them: Kenny Lee Lewis on bass and vocals, Jacob Peterson on rhythm guitar, Joseph Wooten (of the famed Wooten Brothers) on keys and Gordy Knudtson on drums. They opened with 'The Stake' then smoothly transitioned into 'Swingtown', the dancing had started. 

    Up next was 'Abracadabra', for me this was full circle. I was in basic training when the song came out, summer of '82. I hadn't heard any music in an entire month when all the sudden a car drove by, on the Air Force base, and had their window down cranking out this song. It brings great memories.

     After that number Steve gives a nice little shout out, tip of the cap, to the veterans and says "this one's for you" then launches into 'Living In The USA'. For the first handful of songs the backdrop of his set was crushed velvet curtains, the same kind you would see in an old-time historic theater, classy.

     His turn to tell a story. He said that he and Peter met in 1967, in London, 50-years ago, and they have been friends ever since. They have been there when each other has had their hits, have played together everywhere from small clubs to large football stadiums throughout their career. So when he wanted to go out on tour he called Peter. It was a great, uplifting, bonding story, everyone could feel it, 50-years later and we are all still here, we have to enjoy each day.

    'Take The Money And Run' was next, yes, he started off with five hits in a row. It would appear the entire audience knew the clapping part. You know the clapping part "They headed down to ooh, old El Paso." Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Everyone clapped. The backdrop changes from the crushed velvet curtains to the famous Pegasus from the 'Book Of Dreams' album.

     At this point, Steve Miller invited Peter Frampton to the stage. That was nice to see, two-old friends. They did a guitar duet with the rest of the band, it was one of the best blues jams I had ever witnessed! The first song 'Who's Been Talking?' was a Howling Wolf cover which led to 'Stranger Blues', an Elmore James cover, fantastic. 

    Following this great duet, Peter left the stage and Steve changed from electric guitar to an acoustic guitar. He started playing 'Jet Airliner' acoustically! The audience was sitting there, looking a little puzzled, like they were trying to figure out the song "What is this song?", "I know this song", "Wait a minute, this is 'Jet Airliner'". "I guess we're going acoustic tonight". 

    After about 3 or 4 lines, Steve stopped and said "I'm just kidding, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention." Everyone laughed. We all knew right away, something was different, it just took a few seconds to put our finger on it. Then, with the acoustic still strapped around his neck, he launched into 'Dance, Dance, Dance' which the audience did, did, did.

     'Wild Mountain Honey' was in the mix. Then it was the psychedelic rock hit, one of his earliest, 'Space Cowboy'. He followed that up with 'Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma'.

     He then shared another quick, little story before he performed 'The Joker'. At some point, he made another guitar change and asked the people "Do you like this guitar?" They cheered yes. He said he thinks "It's quite garish." It was given to him the year prior when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. 

    Steve said "Getting the guitar was the best part of the evening." Everyone laughed again, that's two, that's twice he made the audience laugh. (Both Peter and Steve each had a guitar story.) 'Space Intro' preluded 'Fly Like An Eagle'. The backdrop had changed again. It was now a screen of the night sky with thousands of stars. To the audience it gave the illusion that you could see right through the stage, into the future. It was magnificent. 

    He performed the extended mix, he added a really great, prolific stanza, at the end, that went something like this:
     "We've got to come together, into the future."
     "Boys & girls, we have to stop the hate, into the future."
     "It's up to us, if we want to survive, into the future."
     "And there was a fourth line, into the future."

Bonding again, it wasn't red, it wasn't blue, it was human. People felt it.
     

    'Rock'n Me' was next, everyone was on their feet dancing. Show ends, 3-song encore begins 'Jungle Love' first, everyone still dancing. 'Threshold' was next, followed by 'Jet Airliner', the real version and everyone kept dancing. 

    I hear the line "I might get rich you know I might get busted" and I recall hearing a song earlier that evening saying something about getting busted, after a few moments thinking I realized it was Frampton's 'Do You Feel Like We Do?' "My friend got busted, just the other day." Both of their biggest hits have a line about getting busted! Another crazy coincidence.

     It was one of the best times ever. The small, short stories in between songs were really cool, it gave the whole evening an intimate feeling between the artists and the audience even in a huge open-air amphitheater. 

    To see all the great photos from that evening, check out WBAB's photo gallery. You'll be able to see: Both guitars that each of them told stories about, the different set designs and how they progressed throughout the evening, pics from the duet, plus more: WBAB-'VETSROCK' 2017 Photos

ELVIS COSTELLO & The Imposters- SummerStage, Central Park

Contributing writer: Rich Rickaby
Contributing Photographer: Susan Wiley

I like Elvis, I had an album or two, can't say I'm an all-in fan but he rocks and I know it, and we knew it and fellow concert goer Susan knew it, singing and moving to it, and John, fellow concert goer and longtime fan knew it then and now.

This was the Imperial Bedroom and Other Chambers collection. There was many a pork pie hat out there. Elvis' went from red to off blue between sets.  

Songs I know he played with longtime band mates  Steve Neive-Keys, Pete Thomas-Drums, Davey Faragher-Bass and the wonderful back up singers Kitten Kuroi and Brianna Lee. 

What's So Funny...

Pump It Up

Every Day I Write The Book

Accidents Will Happen

American Mirror

That song written with Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, Boy With A Problem. Human Hands, that song covered by Sondra Lerche for That Steve Careel movie Dan in Real Life.

Complete Set list here, thanks to setlist.fm  

It was a great night, which means something because it was an outdoor concert. Towels and Sarongs staked their claims on the mini-golf grass before the show, general admission. Our towel, thanks Susan, was purchased from Caldor's in 197? But that didn't stop people from walking across it or spilling beer on it. We wish it well.

Why do I have to stand in another line to get a wrist band to stand in another line to drink? And then bob and weave past all those other towels and sarongs and people to get back to base? The wine was in its own little apple-like container, a bulb with a pull top cork. Why not the beer? Everyone was spilling it.

Yeah!!! No opening act! (I like opening acts and often buy albums after seeing them, but standing for another hour...)

I don't know what song he opened with, was it from Imperial Bedroom? He did that song, Beyond Belief, later.

Elvis was on, charming and welcoming. He's no strangert to the show. Which is helpful because this is one of the few shows where the rest of the band needed to be louder. But don't let that deter you from knowing that this was a solid performance all around and the truer fans around me, including Susan and John, enjoyed it even more. Toward the end, it seemed better, stronger and louder, but I'm partial to the songs I know, like 'Pump It Up' and 'What's So Funny'...
The other thing is that Elvis's voice is still pretty smooth or, because of his style, has matured wonderfully. So when it's just him and the piano or guitar he comes through wonderfully.

Basically, you're in for a strong solid show with Elvis and if you're a fan or more, you're going to dig it even more. Imperial Bedroom and Other Chambers proves still, that aim is true.

THE BUZZCOCKS- Webster Hall

-Contributing writer and photographer: Rich Rickaby

The Buzzcocks, openers- So So Glo, Doors at 7

If you know the Buzzcocks then you love the Buzzcocks and the Buzzcocks love the Buzzcocks too. Full punk fun was on display on stage and in the pit, energized with youth and age.

Yes, they've been around since '76 and so has a good chunck of the audience, but there was a good younger chunk as well. When, where and how did they take to the 'cocks? And they knew the words and loved the music and I know because I fended off their trample for a good portion of the night.

Opening acts... (both good)... stand, wait, stand, 3 deep at a general admission show, securing turf... and here they are.

And they did songs I didn't know. Songs I should know. How did these obvious faves elude me? So I'm discovering new stuff in the wake of a noise-fueled fun fest. I don't know what song they opened with, I know they closed with, or before the encore, 'Ever Fallen In Love?'

But they did play 'What Do I Get?', 'Harmony In My Head', 'Fast Cars', (aha, that's what they opened with) 'Paradise', 'Orgasm Addict' and more obviously.

Complete set list here, thanks again, setlist.fm:
The Buzzcocks, Webster Hall, 2017

Pete Shelley and Danny Farreant.

Pete Shelley did most of the singing, while rocking the riffs we know the BCs for, with Steve Diggle dropping in for vocals now and then but always playing and displaying his appreciation for his guitar by holding it high, by the neck, and strumming it wide. The excited nature of the crowd and the band had Pete saying, "Let's look at this set list..." before someone went off on the song next traveled.

And still I'm fending off slammers, and rightfully so, but I'm holding the perimeter (silly as that sounds in a mosh pit) by the stage. It's me, Susan (my concert buddy) a stranger and that's it. We're pressed against the front. Mosh along but do you have to mosh at me? Bounce at me, fine, nature of the beast, but at me? Because I'm going to hold my ground when I'm up against the wall! And so you push back.

Then the Buzzcocks end the song and come back with a less gnashing one and everyone gets their cool back. Except for Chris Remmington, bass player. He was cool the whole night! Even taking some time to smile at the end. Drummer Danny Farreant beat the skins appropriately but I couldn't see him clear enough to comment on his expression.

Basically, they started off and everyone's excited and then it seems like the vocals should be louder, clearer. I've watched some back-vids of them and accents may be involved as well. But you rock on and realize it's better. Then, when you're done with the defending turf and get a beer at the bar and return to the perimeter, it's all great. It rocks, it's clever punk and they're having a fun time on stage too, sharing it. The moshing continues its war dance in the crowd and though not exactlty appreciated at first, it's great to have been a part of it, like the music, it got better and continues in reflections, like many moments in my life that have been soundtracked by the Buzzcocks.

The show was sold out.
And so was the T-shirt I wanted.