Lots of concerts have been seen, here are some highlights of my experience. No order, just a jumble of thoughts spat into the void:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personality Crisis<\/a> – I used to sneak out of my bedroom window, meet up with some friends from school and hit an early all ages dance night on the \u201cwrong\u201d side of the tracks. A place called “Chaplin\u2019s”. It was good until about midnight when a different crowd moved in. \u201cdenizens of the night\u201d so to speak. The 80\u2019s music shifted to Marvin Gaye and a soul\/disco experience. The youngsters were encouraged to beware or vacate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One evening I showed up and instead of the usual $5 door cover it was more. When I asked why the door said \u201cwe have a band\u201d. They let me in for $5 anyway. All I had. Personality Crisis<\/a> were a glorious Winnipeg punk outfit with a wild stage show, especially given the low ceilings above the stage in this tiny space. My first \u201clive\u201d punk band (that they actually let me into a venue to listen to). I was hooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joe Jackson<\/a> – I was working in a university club for professors, just a busboy, a step up from dishwashing at the 16th Ave. Denny\u2019s. A group of profs were having a pre-drink before hitting a concert. I asked who, being a teen very into music. \u201cJoe Jackson! I love Joe Jackson\u201d. They had an extra ticket and even arranged with the management to let me off early to come with them. Two hour-plus long sets from one of the most dynamic performers I\u2019ve ever seen. In his prime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Clash<\/a> – I was too young for their first ventures across the pond but managed to catch the Combat Rock tour in a small hockey arena. You can hear that tour on their album \u201cLive From Shea Stadium<\/a>\u201d. They opened with \u201cLondon Calling\u201d. And the whole stadium went bonkers. I spent every cent I had on two t-shirts which I wore until they fell off my body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mojo Nixon<\/a>\/No Means No<\/a>\/Deja Voodoo<\/a> – All at the Westward Club. Saw a slew of good bands at this mid-sized venue over the years, from Cowboy Junkies to touring punk act. These three stand out because of audience participation. The venue was jammed so jumping up and down was the only kinetic action really possible. And all three had the entire front half of the venue bouncing in sync. Boing, boing, boing. The pogo was not yet dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wallgrin<\/a> – The first time I saw her was in an underground venue. Tegan played looping with her violin and voice. At one point even karate chopping her throat to make sounds. Experimental music from what was obviously a really talented musician. The second time was the release of an album. She brought a group of ringer musician friends with her on stage, each contributing a portion of what would normally be looped. At first disgruntled not to not see a repeat of the solo looping, I soon realized I was seeing something really special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad Manners<\/a> – Living in Munich, land of \u201cbeer gardens after work\u201d, I did not see too many shows. One that stood out was Bad Manners in an old hall at Kunstpark Ost<\/a>. The whole audience danced, right to the back. I\u2019ve never witnessed this level of audience participation before or since. Viva le Fatty<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pat Benatar<\/a> – Another small hockey arena hosted Pat Benatar on her \u201cCrimes of Passion\u201d tour. I don\u2019t remember why I was allowed to go to this alone. But it started me on a lifetime of seeking out female vocalists. From solo folk singer-songwriters to all female punk rock acts. That woman can sing. Whoh! A nod here to Girlschool<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gruesomes<\/a> – the late 80\u2019s found me in Montreal attending university. Friends would occasionally come through town and we\u2019d head out to a gig. One one such occasion we wandered into Fu Fu Electriq and caught a set from The Gruesomes. I\u2019d heard their material before (being a fan of The Cramps) but was not prepared for the glory that was their live set. It being Halloween may have enhanced the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowie<\/a>\/Gabriel<\/a>\/Tubes<\/a> – A gang of us made the bus trip from Calgary to a huge arena in Edmonton to catch Bowie. We snuck down into the crush of bodies in front of the stage. The Tube\u2019s set was stripped down compared to the antics they perform on their headline tours. Gabriel was at the height of his popularity and most considered this a co-headline tour. At one point, my shoulder riding drunken girlfriend would not stop yelling at Peter during a slow song, he paused, gave a gentle wave to her and then continued. She got the message. It was my first Bowie show, being too young to have caught the preceding Scary Monsters tour. He was great, but came off as a bit plastic. It fit with the Let\u2019s Dance material, arguably his foray into the mainstream. Later tours were more charming. My GF started barfing at one point so I listened to Life On Mars from outside the restrooms. A sachet of \u201cgreen\u201d Kool-Aid in a quart of cheap vodka made for her a\u2026 colourful experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n