The boys and I took a drive up to Asheville for the night. The sole purpose......The Aquabats. Years ago they played at the Underground and the boys were the perfect age to see this band, but to young to be out late on a school night. Now, it's summer break and they're older and taller. A perfect scenario to see a band.
We were gong to wander around town before the show, but as were were checking in to the hotel, the skies opened up. And not just rain, torrential rain! So we hung in the room until it finally passed and we wandered down to
Farmburger for dinner. What a great place. The food and milkshakes were excellent. It has inspired us see if we can find the best burger in the Carolinas over the summer.
I predicted an early start to the show but was surprised when we arrived and the Koffin Kats were already on stage. (We had already missed Mike V & the Rats). And they were rocking, as you'd expect from a rockabilly band. I wasn't familiar with any of their songs, but their energy and showmanship was top class. The standing on the double bass, the swapping of instruments in the middle of songs, and the playing to the crowd made for a great show. Near the end of the set, a ripping version of Hall & Oates' Maneater had the crowd, well the parents in the crowd at least, in a frenzy. A great, unexpected cover. I know they've been through Charlotte a few times (Mostly at the too late starting Milestone) but I hope I get to see them again soon.
Not a 100% certain but I'm pretty sure The Aquabats did their own loading onto the stage. The matching logo hoodies were a give away, even though that's different to their onstage personas. A short video preceded the band arriving onstage to rapturous applause. Straight into Shark Fighter! and the blow up sharks were in the crown, and instantly the crowds' enthusiasm is rewarded and a pit started in the center of the venue, that was to continue all night long. Cat With 2 Heads was a favorite and when Bat Commander pulled a young girl on stage you knew it was Pizza Day! He through her onto the blow up pizza and she crowd surfed her way around the whole venue. A ton o parents in the crowd, as she was handled with the utmost care and returned to her dad ecstatic. My boys were into it as well, which was great - I love that I am now taking them to shows and hope they get out of it the same enjoyment I do. My Skateboard! and Chemical Bomb! was a great finish to the main set, but the encore of Fashion Zombies! was amazing. And what would an Aquabats show be without a kid-filled stage for pool party. Even though the 3 year old the Bat Commander was holding wasn't really sure what was happening, all the other kids on stage were having a blast.
Family fun at a rockin' ska/punk show. Who'd've thought this would be where I am, but I wouldn't be anywhere else. ANother great show done.
The Crap Facts
This is my 521st concert.
This is my 5th concert at The Orange Peel.
This is my 16th concert in Asheville.
This is my 142nd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 321st concert in the USA.
Koffin Kats are the 605th band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Aquabats concert.
