Concert unfinished business
24Mar2008 Filed under: Music Author: SpencerI’m pretty good about seeing my favorite bands in concert. As reference take a look at this list (story to follow).
Here’s my top 10 artists from Last.FM:
- Michael Penn
- Elliott Smith
- Aimee Mann
- Radiohead
- Wilco
- Spoon
- Foo Fighters
- Fiona Apple
- Sleater-Kinney
- U2
Of this list the only one I haven’t seen is Spoon. (Good thing I’ve seen Elliott Smith [dead] and Sleater-Kinney [broken up]). Matter of fact, on this list Sleater-Kinney is the one I’ve seen less than twice.
Spoon is kind of a surprise, because I’ve never been fanatical about them - but every album they’ve released just kicks ass. Their last three albums (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Gimme Fiction, and Kill the Moonlight) are among the best things released this past decade, but no one knows who they are. Actually you probably do because their music is a staple of music, television, and commercials, and movies - but you still don’t know who they are. (Funny - I started writing this and Kristen turned on the movie Stranger than Fiction where Britt Daniel, Spoon’s lead singer does the soundtrack - by the way - a friggin’ great movie).
Anyway (I start too many sentences that way when I write), on April 10th, 2008 I will scratch Spoon from my not seen list; I can’t wait. I’ve heard they are great in concert, and with that - my top 10 is complete.
By the way my top 20 is missing just Kanye West - which is not going to happen until he learns how to breath when he raps.
- Tags: Spoon
7 Responses to “Concert unfinished business”
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Ostensibly A Rubber Door is about anything that's on my mind. Mostly that seems to be about politics, music, sports, and arguing with others about all of the above. I took the name of this blog from a Michael Penn song called Me Around. Check out Michael - he's about the best singer/songwriter there is.
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Jessica
March 24th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Ooo, you have great taste in music! I say that b/c a lot of your favs are mine, too. ;-)
I envy that you’re seeing Spoon soon.
Scarlet
March 24th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
From YOUR list, I’ve seen Elliott Smith, Foo Fighters and Spoon….and have tickets for Radiohead. I’ve never been a Sleater Kinney fan, but I am seeing Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks this Friday and it’s the drummer, right?
Spencer
March 24th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Jess - Thanks. I know you live around here - so you could go to the show. They’re supposed to be great in concert. Just can’t wait.
Scarlet - yes she is (Janet Weiss) - she is one of the best drummers I’ve ever heard. Very powerful - I’m not in love with the new Stephen Malkmus CD yet; there are some great songs on it, but I think she’s kind of wasted in the Jicks.
You’re doing pretty good I think - Radiohead is amazing in concert. I don’t think there’s a bad concert in the bunch. Wilco probably wouldn’t be for everyone - but I love their shows.
Sean
April 4th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I’ve seen everybody on your list, and have to say Spoon is my
least favourite of them all. In fact, I clicked on your Last.FM
link and of your Top 50, I’ve seen everyone in concert except
for the Beatles, Ambulance LTD, and Heartless Bastards.
Here’s my all-time rock/pop Top 10 and with date of my first
time seeing them in concert, followed by total number of shows
seen.
1. Beatles…err, sadly, too young to see them. Did see Paul, George and Ringo as solo artists.
2. Led Zeppelin…June 25, 1972…14 times.
3. Neil Young…March 24, 1973…22 times.
4. Velvet Underground…like Beatles, broke up before I had a chance…seen both Lou Reed and John Cale a few times.
5. Marvin Gaye…1973 or 74(not sure of date)…4 times.
6. Bob Dylan…February 14, 1974(afternoon show)…21 times.
7. Aimee Mann…August 22, 1985…43 times.
8. PJ Harvey…November 25, 1992…11 times.
9. Radiohead…July 13, 1993…15 times.
10. Curtis Mayfield…January 27, 1973…3 times.
Spencer
April 4th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Sean - what do you do, and tell me how to join :)?
You’ve seen 47 of my top 50? And honestly - your top 10 is truly amazing. A lot of the artists I would never have had a chance to see - but wow. I’m actually going to try and see Ambulance LTD tomorrow night at the North Star here in Philly.
I wish I could keep track of when and where I saw bands - but I never did, and probably should have. There are bands I know I’ve probably seen, and don’t remember - especially if they were opening acts.
I’m holding out hope for Spoon being really good - I’ve heard good things. In looking at my top 50 - I’ve seen about 26 (including the 3 bands I’m seeing in the next week). All of the acts I really “have to” see, I’ve seen. I’m planning to see REM this year. I think I’d like to see the Doves and Elbow. I’m thinking M. Ward, Andrew Bird, and Sufjan Stevens might be cool to see; but I’ve seen my musts.
Of course there are acts I wish I could have seen, but never did, and never will be able to led by Jeff Buckley - who I could have seen open for Maria McKeee but bailed at the last minute
Sean
April 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Spencer, I don’t do anything special…I’ve just always
been a music fanatic and have loved going to concerts;
by the way, I was 10 when I saw my first shows back
in 1972.
My list of wish I could have seen includes the obvious
ones that either broke up or died before I had a chance
to see them: Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Nick Drake,
Doors, Jackie Wilson.
As for the Velvet Underground, when they reunited for
that European tour in 1993, I prayed for Lou Reed and
John Cale to get along long enough to do a US tour; alas,
it was not to be and I have cursed Lou ever since, hehe.
Spence, sometimes the opening bands you see end up
being more memorable than the headliner you went to
see in the first place.
My first Radiohead show was when they opened for
PJ Harvey at the Hollywood Palladium…I saw them
again later that year with Belly.
My first Stevie Wonder gig was opening for the Rolling
Stones in 1972.
Oh, and if you’re wondering where Michael Penn is on
my list, he just missed the top 10…he’s in my next 10,
though…Top 20 all-time is still pretty good in my book.
Spencer
April 6th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Ha - funny you mention Radiohead as an opening act - I really didn’t love them until OK Computer. Prior to that I saw them a couple of times - once opening for Belly and another time opening for Alanis Morrissette.
Hear what you’re saying about opening acts - seen quite a few great openers - Michael Penn opening for Tears for Fears, Michael Penn and Wilco opening for Sheryl Crowe, World Party opening for 10,000 Maniacs. I’m sure I can think of a few more given a little more time.
My listening to rock is a relatively new thing. Mostly started in college and was relegated to new bands, so most of my big faves are bands I can still see or could see if I still wanted to.