Charlotte Checkers v Utica Comets @ Bojangles Arena

The boys first professional sporting event.  Mom and Dad were excited, as the boys have taken an interest in all sports in the last year.  The boys couldn't believe it.  That and the email that said to dress the kids up in Halloween gear added to the excitement.

Now hockey is not a big deal in Charlotte, and this is not NHL - but the boys could care less.  We were about 5 rows from the ice and the small crowd meant B&L wouldn't get overwhelmed.  We were a bit disappointed to see not a lot of kids in their Halloween gear, but that didn't stop Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma staying in character the whole game.

The whole event was geared towards families, with Chubby, the Checkers mascot, very visible and accessible the whole game.  And the breaks, music and general crowd hoo-har was enough to keep the boys entertained between actual hockey.  And being dressed up meant the boys got on the big screen a couple of times, which thrilled them no end.

Kylo, Phasma & Mom at Checkers v Comets

The game itself  was great.  From the first dropped puck there were fisticuffs.  Had a real Dad moment as I started cheering the fight and had to be wound back in by Mom to show the boys that fighting is not good.  Utica got an early goal and the Checkers never really recovered.  The whole game is so fast.  For someone, like me, who is not a regular fan it was hard to keep up with the action.  And, like basketball, I have no idea why fouls were called, but we cheered when we were supposed to and booed the Comets when needed (and when Mom wasn't listening - bad sportsmanship is something she (rightly) doen't want instilled in the boys).

Great family afternoon out.  Shame about the Checkers losing, but the boys had a blast.  As seen by them coming home and wanting the NHL (any game) on TV while they played hockey outside.  Considering the price of NBA and NFL tickets, we'll be back to do this again soon.

Utica Comets 6 (N. Goldobin, R. Boucher, E. McEneny, Z. MacEwen, B. Gaunce, B. Woods) defeated Charlotte Checkers 3 (M. Ferrantino, A. Poturalski, J. Gauthier).

Crowd: 4,436

Superchunk & Bat Fangs @ Neighborhood Theater

Finally get to see a Superchunk show.  While I've seen them twice before, those were at festivals...during daylight hours...short sets...with people not interested, just wanting a good spot for a later band.  This small club show was the real deal.

I kinda thought it would be Charlotte's UNC Alumni 90's reunion and was surprised by the smallish (maybe half full) crowd.  Bat Fangs had already started when Mike & I walked in the room and they were rocking.  Singer Betsy Wright had the swagger, moves and voice of a rock goddess and was driven by drummer Laura King.  Bat Fangs like what they do, and are good doing it.  I hope to hear more of their great rock.

Superchunk bounded on stage like a new band, not one that have been together for over 25 years.  They seemed happy to be in Charlotte after a 15 year absence, and after praising Bat Fangs started the rock that made them leaders in alternative rock in the 90's.  From the first notes of Out Of The Sun, Mac McCaughan was moving like a man possessed.  The crowd reacted accordingly and a great hour and a half followed.  I Got Cut and Me & You & Jackie Mittoo were standouts, but the energy from the set closer, Slack Motherfucker, rose three-fold.  Such a good song to end this great set.  A two song encore capped off a brilliant performance.  So glad I got to see one of their club shows.

Superchunk are a North Carolina band.  Let's get them back to Charlotte sooner than 15 years.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 433rd concert.

This is my 3rd concert at Neighborhood Theater.

This is my 67th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 76th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 239th concert in the USA.
Bat Fangs are the 499th band I've seen.

This is my 3rd Superchunk concert.

Spoon & Late Bloomer @ The Fillmore

After the fiasco of unsuccessfully trying to get into the Descendents show early in August to catch Late Bloomer, I got to the Fillmore just after 8 to catch this local Charlotte band play.  Great gig and a sound well suited to the headliners (not sure how it went with the Bronx/Descendents crowd).   I remember being indifferent when I first saw them open for the Screaming Females when I first moved to Charlotte.  This time, like the rest of the crowd, I was getting into it the longer the set went along.

Crowd size was a bit disappointing (curtain across the back of the first step up) but it is Charlotte, and it was a school night, so......their loss, and more room for me.  After a moody keyboard beginning, the band came out with all guns blazing.  Spoon were appreciative of those who came back after a washed out show in August. I was happy for the rain that night, as A was out of town and I would have missed it.  Do I Have To Talk You Into It set the tone for the night.  Fun, energetic and a well oiled band.  As is standard now, I was not familiar with any of the songs, and they didn't play the 2 songs I know (You Got Your Cherry Bomb and The Way We Get By), but everything sounded great.  Inside Out and Beast & Dragon early on were the standouts.  A four song encore for their last show on the tour had the crowd in raptures. I liked Hot Thoughts in their "mini-set".

I saw Spoon at the Big Day Out in 2008 and on the strength of that show and the 2 previously mentioned songs, I came to this show.  And I'm so glad I did.  Spoon have their own unique sound and a stage presence which shows they love what they do.  Look forward to catching them again someday.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 432nd concert.

This is my 23rd concert at The Fillmore.

This is my 66th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 75th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 238th concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd Late Bloomer concert.
This is my 2nd Spoon concert.

Dinosaur Jr @ Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

Another Dinosaur Jr show.  And another drive to Asheville (the 2nd in 2 weeks).  Had a really smooth drive up there - I love my new dad van!  I had dinner with the family in Charlotte first and arrived as Easy Action were finishing their last song.  Was bummed.  They were pretty good earlier this year in Carborro.

As usual Dinosaur Jr straggled on stage to not a lot of fan fare, and in went the earplugs.  Not sure if I was tired from the drive, but it took a while for me to get into it tonight.  All the right ingredients were there.  I was 4 rows from the stage, right in front of J Mascis, and the crowd was a good enough size that everyone had their own space.  But it wasn't until Out There that I started really enjoying the night.  Fell The Pain was frenetic and wild.  It was also great to hear Get Me and Start Choppin' again - Where You Been is my favorite Dinosaur Album.  And before the set finished with Gargoyle, they played an all time favorite song - Freak Scene.  I got goosebumps - again!  A 2 song encore was topped off with another blistering version of the Stooges TV Eye with Easy Actions' drummer and singer joining the fray.

I'm so grateful to see one of my favorite bands twice in one year, even if I had to drive a combined 500 miles to see them - and on a school night (thank you wifey and Uber job).  If my ears hold out I hope this is the 8th of many more Dinosaur Jr shows I get to see.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 431st concert.

This is my 2nd concert at The Orange Peel.

This is my 6th concert in Asheville.

This is my 74th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 237th concert in the USA.

This is my 8th Dinosaur Jr concert.

Mastodon & Eagles Of Death Metal @ The Fillmore

I am very aware that 3 days after the shooting spree that killed 58 people in my previous home city of Las Vegas, I am seeing the band, who, with their fans, suffered from a terrorist attack while they were performing in Paris in November 2015.  It's not often I get nervous, but tonight is definitely the exception.

The Eagles of Death Metal, on the other hand, are not.  They are ready to rock like it's no one's business.  From the outset when Mastodon's Brent Hines joined for the opening song I Only Want You EoDM decided this was going to be their best show ever - which I'm sure they do every night.  Frontman Jesse Hughes was a ball of energy, bouncing, pogoing and dancing from one side of the stage to the other.  While I don't know any EoDM songs (yet) there is an engaging energy that bursts into the crowd, and a four-on-the-floor rocking beat which gets any crowd moving.  Jesse Hughes is a showman in the vain of Vintage Trouble, Hives, Cage the Elephant and, of course, Iggy.  His enthusiasm and the the great music make for an awesome show - and a challenge for a headlining band.

Mastodon had a crowd full of loyal fans and they were happy to oblige them with over 100 minutes of  heavy, sludgy rock.  While most songs came off the unfamiliar to me new album, Emperor of Sand, (I should know this from the last time I saw them and The Hunter dominated the set), there was plenty of familiarity throughout the show.  Divinations & Crystal Skull back to back got me started. and I really enjoyed Black Tongue, Colony of Birchmen and Oblivion through the middle of the set.  I began to tire near the end of the night and a lot stuff sounded a bit samey, except for the excellent Crack The Skye.  Mastodon do a great job of creating their unique sound, but unfamiliarity leads to you only to appreciate the musicianship instead of enjoying the songs.  I wish I'd heard Emperor of Sand before tonight.  Would have made for a better show for me.

I walked into the venue to hear only the last song of Russian Circles.  I wish I'd gotten there earlier to see them, cause what I heard sounded great.  After 13 years I got to see only my 2nd Eagles Of Death Metal show (back in 2004 they killed it opening for the Strokes in Vegas).  Tonight they were even better.  And again Mastodon keeps metal relevant.  Great night all round.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 430th concert.

This is my 22nd concert at The Fillmore.

This is my 65th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 73rd concert in North Carolina.

This is my 236th concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd Eagles Of Death Metal concert.
Eagles Of Death Metal are the 100th different band I've seen in Charlotte.
This is my 5th Mastodon concert.