In my fanatical world of music obsession, seeing a band live is a crucial element to fandom. As I look back over all the bands I've seen in the past 10 years, I can't help but think about another impressive list - all the bands I didn't see. I swear, when it comes to concerts, I've got incredibly bad luck. Here are some of the concerts I've missed:
Nirvana 1993
"You're not old enough," my mother said. I wanted to see my idol, Kurt Cobain, more than anything. "Don't worry," she ensured me, "you can see them when you're older." Mom was wrong.
EPILOGUE: There was no next time.
Rage Against the Machine 1996
In '96 Rage Against the Machine was the second scariest band on the planet - right behind Marilyn Manson. When they came to Utah, for whatever reason, they were booked to play the Fair Grounds in Spanish Fork. The residents of the small Utah County town were so frightened that along with Rage would come gangs that would overrun Spanish Fork, that they were practically installing bars on their windows.
The tickets sold out right away. However, I received an inside tip that X96 was going to release a handful of extra tickets on a Saturday morning. Chris Wilson and I hitched a ride downtown with his sister (we were both too young to drive) and we were able to get our hands on the LAST FOUR TICKETS!
Getting tickets was always a cinch compared to getting my mother to allow me to go. I always bought the tickets first and then tried to use the fact that I already had the tickets as part of my defense argument with my mother. She held strong. It was in Spanish Fork on a school night. No go. I sold the ticket (which I think only cost me $10 - incredible) to some lucky sucker.
EPILOGUE: The police report for the show only mentioned one problem - a bunch of kids jumping on top of a car. The car, however, was their own.
I never got another chance to see the band. I have no desire to see Audioslave, but I would like to see Zach de la Rocha if that miracle ever happens.
Stretsch Armstronng 1997
Stretsch Armstronng is undisputedly the best Utah band of all time. I can't remember how many times I saw them play. When the band announced that they were breaking up and playing one last show, there is nothing in the world that could have stopped me from going to the show - short of an Act of God, or my mother. It turns out there was a combination of the two. The show was on an incredibly blizzery night in Provo. All of my friends were going, but my mom refused to "let me die in the storm."
Well, my friends didn't die and they loved the show. Stretsch played every song they had ever written from start to finish. Unbelievable.
EPILOGUE: In 2002, Stretsch came back from the dead to play a one-off Skalloween show in Lindon. The guys were older, their little costumes a bit tighter, but they could still skank, and, believe it or not, so could I.
Cake 2002
For whatever reason, Cake has eluded me throughout their career. When they finally came around, it was during the 2002 Olympics. My Cake friends Ty and Ne-ALL picked were all set to go.
The show was on my birthday and sure would have been a nice gift to myself. Unfortunately, the Dutch had other plans for me. I was forced to go to a mandatory evening at the Holland Heineken House to eat bitterballen (translation: "bitter balls") with the crew of the Dutch TV station that I was working for.
The boys not only loved the show, but also managed to sneak in for free through a back fence or something. There's nothing I hate more than missing something that's free.
EPILOGUE: I had the chance to see Cake in Park City in early 2005. S'all good.
Local H 2003
"Hello? Hello?" It was 9 p.m. on a weeknight, and I was quietly walking through the empty and dark Urban Lounge. I found an employee in the back room. "What's up with the Local H show tonight?" I asked.
"Uh, I think their bus broke down or something, but they'll be here. They should start about midnight." I wasn't willing to stick around by myself in an empty bar for three hours.
EPILOGUE: I saw the band the next year in a small bar. It was the first time that I've ever actually felt frightened by a band. I thought Scott Lucas might come out into the crowd at any moment and beat the crap out of me.
Warped Tour 2004
Traci's parents asked us if we wanted to accompany them on a family vacation to San Diego. We agreed. They didn't have any time preference and I told them I could go anytime during the summer, with the exception of one weekend, when I wanted to attend the Warped Tour. Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, Alkaline Trio, the Vandals (whom I have yet to see), Taking Back Sunday and Motion City Soundtrack were all on the bill. Traci's dad booked the flights. Yep, right over Warped Tour weekend. Ty said it was outstanding.
EPILOGUE: I'm still a little sad about it.
The Strokes 2004
On their first tour, the Strokes were charging $20+ for a ticket. A bit ridiculous, don't you think? Luckily, my friend Wicks won some free tickets on the radio. He doesn't like the band, so he gave them to me.
I was all set to go the show and was just finishing up a 10-page research paper for my Communication Law class, like a good boy. I was just about to save one more time before I turned off the computer, when the laptop went haywire. The paper was lost. I don't mean kind-of lost. It was lost-lost. I spent three hours trying to get it back and the rest of the night rewriting the stupid thing. No Strokes for me.
EPILOGUE: I still haven't seen the Strokes. I'm not too worried about it, it's just always a drag to throw away free tickets.
Death Cab for Cutie 2005
This was a first. My buddy Nilay bought the tickets to the sold out show. I was all set to go, but when I called him to discuss our meeting plans he said, "Uh, you're going to hate me. I can't find the tickets." Sure-handed Nilay unsuccessfully searched his apartment up and down.
EPILOGUE: I saw them last year and they were great. If I don't ever see them again, I'll still remember that one.
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