Virginia Creeper Trail, VA

So Pops decided we needed to go and do the Virginia Creeper.  So after an actual soccer victory, we drove up to Damascus to get on the trail tomorrow.

We arrived in the late afternoon and checked into the quaint and lovely Dancing Bear Inn.  We had enough daylight to complete a lap of town and stop for post travel / soccer ice cream at The Wicked Chicken.  Dinner was a leisurely meal at Damascus Old Mill and then an early night before we meet Pops and do the Creeper tomorrow.

L& B Post Travel Ice Creams - Wicked Chicken, Damascus, VA

The Tourists of Damascus

Pops drove up Sunday morning and met us at Damascus Diner for breakfast.  Fully loaded we headed around to Sun Dog Outfitter, who fitted us with bikes and drove us the 17 miles up to White Tops.  When we get to the starting point, the joint is packed, but as soon as we roll onto the trail it's like there is nobody around and we have the place to ourselves.  The boys handle the ride like champs.  They are on bigger bikes than they're used to - and to think they only learned to ride 4 months ago - they have done amazing.  

The wind is cold as it hits your face, but it's a cruisy ride.  It is literally downhill all the way - pedaling is at a minimum.

About halfway down we head into a cafe just off the trail for a lunch break.  Hot Dogs, hamburgers and chocolate cake are the essential ingredients to get us down the rest of the hill.

I would say it took us 4 hours all up to get back to Damascus (a minor stop after B stacked it less than 500 yards from the end of the ride).  While the weather was a little cool, the fall colors the whole way down made the trip absolutely beautiful.  We'll have to do this again.

Mom, B, Pops, L & Dad - Virginia Creeper

B, Pops & L - Virginia Creeper

Litchfield Beach, SC

It was a weird week at Litchfield this year, starting 25 July.  With all the Covid protocols in force in Charlotte, there was barely a showing of it here in South Carolina (however, this county has the lowest numbers in the state).  We didn't stay in our usual condo as it was decided they would close the pool.  While not as nice as what we've had in the past, we still enjoyed our annual week at the beach, though this year it involved not going out for dinner or general mixing with other people, though there was no stopping us going to our beloved Paradice Ice Cream.  Hopefully next year will be back to normal.  

M, B, D & L at Litchfield Beach

New Bomb Turks & Nine Pound Hammer @ Grey Eagle

New Bomb Turks are a bucket list band for me.  Id Slips In is one of my favorite songs, and Drunk on Cock is a great EP.  So the decision to drive to Asheville was an easy one considering the band has never played anywhere near where I've lived.

The 2 hour drive was an easy one and I arrived 5 minutes before Nine Pound Hammer took the stage.  This band is obviously a drawcard for this show as a lot of the smallish crowd were there for these blues-country-punks to perform a rare show (from what I can gather).  Nine Pound Hammer's singer Scott Luallen is a performer whose wit, sarcasm and energy translates well with the driving rock sound.   The band seemed to enjoy themselves and the crowd responded in kind with many o\up front able to fill in when Luallen put the mic in front of them.  The only song I can remember by name was Run Fatboy Run, and it was raucous fun.

Note to every band I see from now on.  Have an opening band that you are into.  When you're in the crowd for the opening band and having a blast, the crowd sees that, and I think that heightens the experience for the show.  I remember Presidents of the United States doing that 25ish years ago when Custard opened for them at The Zoo.  The crowd loved having them in the pit and then going crazy with them onstage after.

I really like the Grey Eagle.  It's a small venue with a stage only 2 foot higher than the floor and it allows for a great close up experience.  Especially for a band like New Bomb Turks, and singer Eric Davidson's need to interact with the crowd.  High energy and goofiness is Davidson's thing, but his desire to lick phones and shove hats down his pants, and eventually come into the crowd and twerk on some unsuspecting punters, kept people at a slightly uncomfortable distance.  New Bomb Turks ripped through a blazing 45 minute set and I dare say Davidson's energy surpassed that of the entire crowd, until NPH drummer Rob Hulsman burst into the crowd trying to (unsuccessfully) start a pit.  And when Davidson tried to get the crowd to get on the floor, it took way longer than needed because of some reluctant and oblivious people.  It did eventually get the crowd going (though this old man's knees were not happy about it).  While they played nothing familiar to me, I'll be back to see New Bomb Turks, and Nine Pound Hammer for that matter, at least until I see Id Slips In.  (I have a playlist of 30 favorite songs of which I've seen 24 performed live, 4 which I'll never see due to bands  or performers no longer being around, and Id Slips In and long shot Stone Roses' Fools Gold the other 2).

I recently read an article Eric Davidson wrote about the Hoodoo Gurus.  I think that's a perfect lead in for NBT to open for them later this year.  Just a thought.

New Bomb Turks Setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 465th concert.
This is my 2nd concert at The Grey Eagle.

This is my 7th concert in Asheville.

This is my 100th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 268th concert in the US.
Nine Pound Hammer are the 538th band I've seen.
New Bomb Turks are the 539th band I've seen.

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Orlando

No Voodoo Doughnuts today (sad dad)!  But back into Universal Studios early this morning to have breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron.  

After breakfast we headed back into the Springfield to re-ride Kang & Kodo's Twirl & Hurl, and over to ET Adventure for another spin.

We did a full lap of the park before ending up back in King's Cross Station, where we boarded the Hogwart's Express from platform 9 3/4.  Not much of a wait for this quick trip over to the Islands of Adventure.  The ride itself was amazing as usual.  From the swooshing noise as you walk between platforms 9 and 10, to the carriages that had a video screen as a window showing you the whole way to Hogwarts (out of London, into the Countryside, through the Forbidden Forest, to eventually meet Hagrid at the school).  While the doorway showed shadows of Harry, Ron & Hermoine and other Harry Potter characters (good and evil) talking throughout the trip.

You arrive in Hogsmead, and after a quick butter beer we road the Hippogriff - a much gentler roller coaster (much to Leland's relief).

Hogwarts

It is now Saturday, and a day before the Pro Bowl is being played in Orlando, so the park is packed.  Crowds have being increasing each day but today is more than I can take.  Fortunately we got on a couple of rides early and the family is happy to just take everything in and enjoy the good weather.

Never a more appropriate picture

We caught the Hogwarts Express back to Universal Studios and wandered around that park again, stopping at Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck in Springfield for a quick lunch.

Again we left earlier than I expected, but it is a bit warmer today, and the kids are keen to get back in the pool.  By late afternoon we decided to stay in the hotel and had dinner at Amatista Cookhouse.  I barely made it through dinner as I have started to come down with some sort of bug.

Overall it has been great stay.  I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it here, but A & I had a blast, and that is boosted by the fact the the boys' heads exploded everyday.  Yes, the resort will take you for every dollar they can, but you don't care.  So much detail is put into everything to make it special for everyone, you can't but help just hand over your wallet.  Having said that, when L asked if we could come back next year, A & I were happy to let him know that maybe he could come back one day with his own kids.

P.S.  On the last night I started to feel unwell at dinner.  I ended leaving dinner early and headed straight to bed.  By the next morning it was a real struggle just to make it to the airport.  I got on the plane and was asleep before take off and had to be woken up when we landed.  I was so ill at this stage, I couldn't drive home.  I got home and went into the spare bedroom and barely came out for a week.  Never have I felt so unwell.  Night sweats, delirious temperatures, vomiting and just general exhaustion (I couldn't walk upstairs to the shower without sitting down at the top).  At the time we jokingly called it the Orlando Virus, but what we learned over the next few months was this was Covid 19.  And considering the devastation that this global disease caused, I can be thankful just to pull through that rough week.

Islands Of Adventure Orlando

Day 2 started at Voodoo Donuts again, before joining the line to get into the Islands of Adventure.  We were in line 45 minutes before opening and gladly so as there were over a thousand people waiting to get in by the times the gates opened (15 minutes early).  

Like EVERYONE else, we headed straight to the back of the park to go on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Ride.  So new is this ride, they don't even have a fast-pass for it yet.  By the time we got in line there was already a 45 minute wait.  But well worth it in the end.  The roller coaster looks like Hagrid's motor bike and side car and flies around for a couple of minutes of shear terror (as least according to me and L - mom and B loved it).  A great ride to get things started, and by the time we got off the wait was 2 1/2 hours.

L&B survive / love Hagrid's Magical Creature Motorbike Ride

Next to Hadrid's was Hogwarts so inside we went to ride Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey.  Another 3D style ride getting you through the school and onto the Quidditch field.  Great fun!  Again I was blown away walking around Hogsmead.  This movie replica was so well detailed, it could have been straight out of the movie set.  B & L picked out their beloved Gryffindor keyrings, which they could have their names engraved into (nothing else carries their names, so it has to be custom).

B, L & Mom @ Hogwarts

We next wanted to go on the Jurassic Park ride but it was closed for maintenance, therefore making the wait at Kong Island a lot longer than we were willing to wait.  So we walked back through the park past everything we rushed by to get to Hagrid's.  We walked through Dr. Seuss Land and B and I ended up on the Caro-Suess-al.  Being on a merry-go-round always brings back great childhood memories of The Entrance - now made better with sharing it with my kids.

We continued to walk through the park and watched the Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster, Dudley Do -Rights' Ripsaw Falls.  We were in Marvel land right at the end of the character's parade and in the right place for the boys to meet Captain America.

A full circle of the park got us back to Hogsmead where we stopped at Three Broomsticks for lunch.  A quick trip back to ride the Pteranodon Flyers, a gentle skyway that gave us a good overview of the whole park.

Hey Hey we're the H's!

I think Day 1 took it out of all of us because not long after 1 pm the boys were happy to head back to the hotel.  After collecting their custom keychains of course!  Once there we headed out to the pool, which they stayed in until about 6, until we had dinner from the Dhrum Club Kantine.  And while the boys were happy to get back in the pool, mom and I were freezing and we headed back to rest for day 3.

Universal Studios Orlando

The boys and I met A at the airport yesterday after she returned from Phoenix and flew down to Orlando for a quick break.  We arrived at Loews Sapphire Falls at a time to check in and head down to the water taxi to go to City Walk for dinner.  We decided on Antojitos for some Mexican.  Good meal topped off with the boys being blown away by the mariachi band.  It had been a long day so we were back on the boat early to get to the hotel.

We had an early start to get to Universal Studios as they allow resort guests in an hour before everyone else  After a stop at Starbucks and Voodoo Donuts for breakfast we were in the park by 8.30am.

B&L Voodoo Doughnuts

We decided on Universal instead of Disneyworld, as we chose Harry Potter over Star Wars, so like most people we were in the gates and headed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  We walked passed Kings Cross Station but the non-descript entrance meant we straight past where we needed to be and had to resort to the map to find our way.  But once we found it -WOW!  This place is ridiculous.  B is the big fan, and if my mind (not really into it) was blown, I can only imagine what was going through his head.  While we weren't in Ollivander's, we let the boys pick a wand each, which can be used throughout the Harry Potter worlds to cast spells.  They didn't know which wand was which but B picked Harry Potter's and L ended up with Dumbledore's (after rejecting Voldemort's).  At certain area's you wave the wand, say the spell and different things will happen (a water fountain goes off, things move - it's pretty brilliant).  We walked up Diagon Alley to our first ride, Escape From Gringott's.  This simulator 3D ride takes you to the depths of the bank while spells are cast on you, dragons attack and lightning is cast at you by the characters.  It was so lifelike and fun.  We're all hooked.  After looking through Horizint Alley and Nocturn Alley left Harry Potter to explore the rest of the park.

 B, Mom & L @ Diagon Alley

 B, L & Mom

Knockturn Alley

At L's request we went over to Springfield.  We went on the Simpson's Ride (another simulator) which was a blast, then B and I went on Kang & Kodos' Twirl n Hurl.  After a couple of obligatory photos with Bart & Lisa,and at Moe's Tavern it was already lunchtime.

An old man makes his family meet his heroes

We walked back over to Harry Potter to have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron.  Again I can't get over the detail in this place.  Here we had our first Butterbeer.  Sweet mother of sugar!  Creaming soda topped with whipped butter/cream.  Sharing one was great.  The second was too much sweetness for us.  We did another quick walk around to cast a few more spells, and while L and I were in the restroom, Mom and B got to see the dragon on top of Gringott's fire up.  Everyone was pretty buzzed after that, L & I had no idea what was going on.

We headed over to the ET ride after lunch.  We need something gentle after eating and this was just the ticket.  I vaguely remember going on this 20 years ago when I was here with Reggae, Marie, Cousin Suz & Kim.  The ride itself if a great reflection on the movie, but is definitely showing it's age in relation to what else is in the park.

As a change of pace we went on Transformers.  Like most rides here, a simulator.  It was a pretty wild ride.  Very loud and shaky and the 3D effects again were fantastic.  I know at the boys age I'd have shit myself on that ride, but they held their own and were still ready for more. 

On to Shrek 4D for, again, a gentler ride.  A fun story that saw the seats shake a little, a couple of 3D effects and of course 4D being some splashed water and remnants from Donkey's sneeze.  A great one for the kids.

For some reason L wanted to go on Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York, so off we went.  I'm not sure if it was too busy because we were waved through the Express Lane and were on the ride straight away.  Again you watch a big screen as you race Jimmy Fallon around New York in 3D.  All the landmarks are there, as well as a gut-turning trip to the moon and back.  It ended up being L's favorite ride of the stay.

That ride broke Mom, so while she rested, the boys and I went on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.  This was another fun ride, especially for the boys.  It also allowed us to stay out the Florida shower until the ride was over.  

Our last ride was the Men In Black Alien Attack at the back of the park, but not before we stopped at an ice cream shop near where we had seen the Mystery Machine parked.  Again Mom bailed on this ride and the boys and I had a blast chasing and shooting aliens, only to be zapped by the memory eraser at the end.  We'll have to get the boys to see the movie - I thought it was great.

Something from our generation

We were spent!  It was too early for dinner, so we went back to the hotel for a bit before, mistakenly (we had underestimated how tired the boys were) going back to the City Walk for a great Italian dinner at VIVO.

What an amazing day!  I was totally under prepared for how much fun I'd have.  And Amy loved it and the boys just had the best time.  But boy does it take it out of you.  I don't remember much from visiting here 20 years ago without looking at an old diary (see the blog on 17 June 2000).  I believe this is because only Men In Black & ET remain from that visit.  It's a completely different place.

I expect we'll all sleep well tonight.  Get ready Islands of Adventure - we'll see you tomorrow.

Come From Away @ Belk Theater

This was Santa's present to the grown ups in the house, so A and I headed out early (earlier than anyone eating dinner in Charlotte that night) for dinner at Essex.  This is our 2nd time at this restaurant and it's awesome.  We had a bunch of appetizers up at the bar and had nice start to the evening.

I tried to get mum to see this a couple of years ago when we were in New York, but we opted for A Doll's House Part 2 instead.  So I have been wanting to see this since it came to Broadway 2 years ago. We got our seats on the mezzanine of the Belk Theater and settled in for an great show.  

Come From Away is the story of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada in the days following 9/11, where 38 planes were diverted and about 6000 people were required to stay for up to a week following the the attacks in the US.  Gander had a population of only about 9000 and the story tells how passengers and locals dealt with the tragedy separately and together, and some of the lifelong friendships that were forged from a dire situation.

With a small cast of about 15 players, each playing 2 or 3 characters, this fantastic story ran the gamut of emotions.  Desperation! Grief! Camaraderie!  Community!  Human Spirit!  All done with humor and a bond of friendship you can only imagine these people formed.  The cast were brilliant.   Minimal costume changes (from as little as changing a hat, or turning a jacket inside out) allowed the cast to easily change from bewildered passenger to compassionate Gander resident.  Also a basic set allowed for fluid scene changes from the plane, to Tim Hortons, to a shelter, to outdoor Gander.

I'm so glad we got to see this, and I hope anyone who gets the chance to, whether it be on Broadway or on a travelling tour, takes the opportunity to see a great story told by a wonderful cast.

Tool & Killing Joke @ PNC Arena

After the boys last game of soccer this season I made the 2.5 hour drive up to Raleigh to see Tool.  I was meant to leave early in the day, enjoy the afternoon and have some dinner, but rescheduling of soccer meant I couldn't leave until 2.30pm and barely had time to drop my bags at the hotel before heading over to PNC Arena.  I decided to Uber because it was $30 to park and Uber should be the same price.  What a mistake that was!

The ticket says show starts at 7 and I wanted to check out the Killing Joke so I was on time.  However they didn't take the stage til closer to 7.45pm.  Their job was unenviable.  Playing a large arena probably doesn't suit their sound and style.  And then to play in front of people who are there for Tool and nothing else can't be easy.  Eighties was the standout song for me.  Killing Joke played at Punk Rock Bowling earlier this year.  While it would have been interesting to see how their show translated in a venue like the Bunkhouse, I'm glad we chose Pennywise and Sick Of It All instead.

Tool's stage set up was pretty elaborate with curtains and video screens and the band was met with a thunderous reception as Maynard took up on risers beside Danny Carey's drumkit.  Predictably they started with Fear Inoculum, the new single, but it was Aenema that sent the crowd into a frenzy.  Once the shear curtain dropped it was time for the Justin Chancellor show.  Tool's bass player is having the time of his life on stage and while Maynard hides in the shadows, Danny is stuck behind his drums and Adam concentrated on the technicalities, Justin becomes the focal point and is the driving energy of the band.  I was on the floor 14 rows in front of Adam Jones and love watching do what he does, but I kept getting distraction from Justin's sheer enthusiasm.  The set was fantastic Parobol, Schism and Jambi all great, but seeing them do Intolerance "a song they wrote on the railways during the Depression" was my highlight.  Undertow is my favorite Tool album and it's rare to see them perform anything from that album (not since I last saw them in Australia in 1997).  Forty Six & 2 was a brutal end to a great set.

It's unquestionable that Danny Carey is a phenomenal drummer (he'd have to be to be in Tool) but Chocolate Chip Trip seemed to go on a little too long (especially for me - only 14 songs filled the 2.5 hours - a Bottom, Prison Sex, Hooker With A Penis or Opiate could have been thrown in). One of the things I also loved about this show was that cell phones weren't allowed to be used throughout the performance.  I was so satisfying not to be obstructed by some dickhead holding up a phone to tape a video he's never gonna watch again.  While these rules were lifted for the last song, Stinkfist was still incredible.  The icing on the set's cake.

It sounds like I didn't have a great time, that is so far from true.  It is just the curse of seeing a band that has so much material to choose from and don't select your exact favorites.  I'm glad I made the trip up to Raleigh to see them and hope I get to see them again soon (it's hard to believe the Charlotte show was over 3.5 years ago).  I will, however, not Uber to a large venue again.  I had to wait over an hour due to demand and the price was astronomical.  Should've just forked out the $30 for parking.  Lesson learned.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 464th concert.
PNC Arena is the 127th venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 2nd concert in Raleigh.

This is my 99th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 267th concert in the USA.
Killing Joke are the 537th band I've seen.
This is my 6th Tool concert.

Dinosaur Jr & Easy Action @ Neighborhood Theater

Time to get my 5th Dinosaur Jr ear-blasting fix since moving to Charlotte.

Again Easy Action are opening for them, like the Cat's Cradle a couple of years ago.  Easy Action play a hard rock to suit the seemingly angry persona of singer John Brannon.  His brash delivery mixes the feeling of his love of the music, but a disdain for performing it. 

As usual Dinosaur Jr saunter on stage in a manner that stifles or baffles the crowd and mutes applause.  And as usual, the volume is cranked up well beyond 11.  I went and bought new, better than usual, earplugs specifically for this show, and glad I did.  In A Jar was the 2nd song, and got the crowd started.  A good mix of songs from a bunch of albums with my favorites being The Wagon, a back to back Feel The Pain and Out There, Start Choppin leading into a Favorite 30 song of mine, Freak Scene.  Kracked and Sludgest kicked off the encore, before Brannon and Easy Action's drummer joined the group for their take on The Stooges TV Eye.  This is the 3rd time I've seen them do this, and it just keeps getting better.  

I wanted to by some vinyl after the show but was too late.  Sounds like an excuse to go back and see them again next time they come through town.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 463rd concert.
This is my 6th concert at Neighborhood Theatre.

This is my 87th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 98th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 266th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Easy Action concert.
This is my 9th Dinosaur Jr concert.

Helmet @ The Senate

I came across this show just by luck.  Saw it on Facebook only 3 days before the show.  I'd never been to the Senate and made the hour and a half drive down to Columbia to catch another Helmet show.  I loved the concept, 30 songs in 30 shows celebrating 30 years as a band.  Could only lead to a good night.

The Senate is a smaller, flatter version of my oft visited Fillmore here in Charlotte and while not quite half full the sound was great for the crushing Helmet.  Without a word to the crowd Helmet plowed through 5 songs before I pulled out the earplugs to hear Give It.  Wilma's Rainbow (everyone knew what was coming with the opening) & Milquetoast were excellent and Helmet hadn't lost their intensity since I last saw them at the Visulite 4 years ago.

Page had some great banter with the crowd, telling stories of a turgid past, meeting famous Columbian's Hootie & The Blowfish, and Panther-heckling after his 49er's destroyed us the Sunday before.

The encore was insane.  Unsung was rip-your-ears-off brutal.  While Hamilton expressed his desire to play Crisis King, I was glad they went with Just Another Victim instead.  And In The Meantime, what can I say.  This may the 3 best minutes in rock.  That swirling build up, to the pounding post-intro, and then Hamilton's scowling vocals that haven't wavered since the original recording.  It is the perfect song to keep you pumped for the long drive home, but not help your vocal chords as you try to match the venom at the top of your lungs.

I do need to get some better earplugs though.  After this show, and my next one being Dinosaur Jr at the Neighborhood Theater, I need to salvage the last of my hearing after all these years.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 462nd concert.
The Senate is the 126th venue I've seen a concert.

This is my 2nd concert in Columbia

This is my 4th concert in South Carolina.

This is my 265th concert in the USA.
This is my 5th Helmet concert.

Melvins & Redd Kross @ Visulite

I'm excited for this show.  9th Melvins show and for some reason Redd Kross has never come across my ears.  Not sure why.

I was pleased with the turnout as well.  A Thursday night in Charlotte and the Visulite is 3/4 full.  From the moment the band walked on stage, especially bass player Steve McDonald, in his white sequined shirt and white suit, you knew fun was the order of the night.  Redd Kross play some fun pop rock and look like they're having the time of their lives while they're doing it.  The 3 songs I remember liking by name were Switchblade Sister, Peach Kelli Pop and Party Underground. 

Not long after their hour warm up, Steve (new suit) and Dale, both pulling double duty, strolled into position with Buzz in his most elaborate muumuu.  As always Melvins were on fire from the start.  Sesame Street Meat opened the set and Queen got the crowd moving.  A solid set which sent me above and beyond when they did Hooch and Honey Bucket back-to-back.  Honey Bucket is a top 30 song of all time for me, and it's only the 2nd time I've seen them play it live.  It was enough to make my week.  The set finished off with the rest of Redd Kross coming back on stage to play their Standing In The Front Of Poseur and Kiss' Deuce - with the McDonald brothers in full Kiss hair-flicking mode.

Buzz Osborne - The Melvins @ The Visulite

I'm not sure the Melvins know how to put on a bad show.  This has been my favourite since seeing them at the Casbah in San Diego in 2010 when Big Business was incorporated into the group.  Tonight's show was definitely helped by the fantastic Redd Kross opening.  A fitting opener that the crowd loved.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 461st concert.
This is my 11th concert at Visulite.

This is my 86th concert in Charlotte

This is my 97th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 264th concert in the USA.
Red Kross are the 535th band I've seen.
This is my 9th Melvins concert

ZZ Top & Cheap Trick @ PNC Pavilion

Right show, wrong venue!  I am usually reluctant to see shows at the PNC Pavilion because I don't like to be far away, and I bought this ticket at the last minute because how many times do you get to see ZZ Top and Cheap Trick together.

Cheap Trick came on, and while I was on an isle seat, in the middle section of the arena, in an isle to myself, I felt myself looking towards the big screen instead to the stage too often.  Still Cheap Trick put on a great show.  As good as 4 years ago at Carolina Rebellion, but just not the same atmosphere.  The first half of the set was songs I wasn't familiar with but once they played The Flame it was song after another that I was into.  Dream Police was a highlight, a b-side Never Had A Lot To Lose was a surprise and Surrender bought the house down.  And to think, this is just the opening band.

ZZ Top have some fans.  Actually a ton of fans!  And they were out in full force for this show.  Some wearing t-shirts older than some of my oldies.  And they got a great show.  I'm not too familiar with a lot of ZZ Top's catalog but there is an air of familiarity with a lot of songs.  Gimme All Your Lovin' was the first one I new (5 songs in) and the dislike of the huge venue comes in here.  Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons have some wonderfully subtle, little choreographed moves, which are lost in the big venue.  9 years at the House of Blues in Vegas these moves were met with a thunderous reception, here the reception is from only those up front and eventually those that may catch it on the big screens.  That said, the set was fantastic and the crowd were in awe the whole time.  The Sharp Dressed Man and Legs double to finish the set had the crowd in a frenzy.  I left after the La Grange and Tush encore, only to hear Elvis' Jailhouse Rock as I walked back to the car.  A great night, that I think would have been mind blowing in the Fillmore, or even the smaller amphitheater uptown.  But glad I got to see these 2 legendary bands again.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 460th concert.
This is my 3rd concert at PNC Pavilion.

This is my 85th concert in Charlotte

This is my 96th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 263rd concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Cheap Trick concert.
This is my 2nd ZZ Top concert.

ZZ Top are the 150th time I've seen a band in Charlotte.

Cat Power @ The Underground

While complete contrast to the frivolity of last night's Aquabats show, Cat Power's dark, mysterious show tonight was no less entertaining.  I think she has the voice of an angel (listen to her NPR Tiny Desk Concert and tell me differently).  And tonight I got to hear that live, in a small venue.

A darkly back-lit stage meant that even in the 3rd row I could barely tell you what Cat Power looks like, but her divine voice was incredible.  After starting with He Turns Down, Power broke into a quick medley including Nick Cave's Into My Arms. I loved the Dirty Three cover of Great Waves.  I'm not familiar with the original, but this version was mesmerizing.  Hate was a song I did know, and while different from her recorded version, it was still a great rendition.  I also loved The Greatest.  Her set closed with Bob Dylan's He Was A Friend Of Mine and Boys Next Door's Shivers - a great song originally made better by Power.  Powers ethereal voice was backed by a band who were even further in the shadows and sometimes unnoticeable but a fantastic addition to what this disappointingly smallish crowd had come to see.  While the darkness of her stage wouldn't fit in an arena, I bet her voice would sound fantastic on the larger stage.  I hope she gets that chance.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 459th concert.
This is my 5th concert at The Underground.

This is my 84th concert in Charlotte

This is my 95th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 262nd concert in the USA.
Cat Power are the 535th band I've seen.

Aquabats & Koo Koo Kanga Roo @ The Underground

The Aquabats are in Charlotte.  It seems unlikely, but there you go.

I got to the Underground at the start of Koo Koo Kanga Roo and instantly regretted not bringing my boys.  The guys are only 8 and have yet to see a gig and I seriously considered this one as at one time they were huge Yo Gabba Gabba fans.  But the dad in me said no, because it was a school night and well past their bedtime.  As I looked around the room, many parents felt differently.  Damn!  Koo Koo Kanga Roo's music is for the kids.  The pop tempo and topics (i.e., fart jokes) are definitely suited to a younger (at heart) audience.  The kids loved the final song that had them dancing under a parachute in the crowd.

To much fanfare and the audience's great pleasure, The Aquabats came on stage and proceeded to tear the Underground apart.  From the first notes of The Shark Fighter, complete with blowup sharks into the crowd, the Aquabats were on fire.  While video played behind the band, Bat Commander commandeered the show.  Whether singing or between song banter, he was on fire.  Pizza Day saw him pluck a lucky youngster out of the crowd, only to throw him out on an inflatable slice to crowd surf the entire song. The Aquabats Super Show Theme Song had young and old in their element and the frenzy just seemed to fuel the band more.  Near to the end of the set a cover of The Cars Just What I Needed was aptly played as a dedication to Ric Ocasek's passing only yesterday.  Burger Rain was a great finisher to the main set, but didn't come close to the encore.  Super Rad got everyone hyped again, the the Aquabats invited all the kids on stage to finish the night with Pool Party.  A fitting end to a fun night.

I would never pass on a chance to see the Aquabats again.  It's been a while since I left a concert smiling so often remembering parts of the night.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 458th concert.
This is my 4th concert at The Underground.

This is my 83rd concert in Charlotte

This is my 94th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 261st concert in the USA.
Koo Koo Kanga Roo are the 533rd band I've seen.
Aquabats are the 534th band I've seen.
Aquabats are the 500th time I've seen a band from the USA.

Patton Oswalt @ Knight Theater

OK so it's another tragic comedy review.  

A and I had another night out to see Patton Oswalt in uptown Charlotte.  But not before having dinner at the much anticipated Bernardins. I've always wanted to go here and while there was nothing bad, I think I'd built it up beyond what it was.

The show tonight was to be filmed for a Netflix special, so that was an added bonus to see the preparation involved in a TV special and not just a comedy show.  We were on the balcony, watching single people get moved to great seats down the front.

Patton was great.  As usual the laughs were non stop and there is no chance I could repeat those jokes and do them any justice.  Suffice to say it is another show where we look at each other and ask why we don't see more comedy shows.

A great night out seeing a performer at his best.  Can't wait until we get to relive it on Netflix.