Not a Jukebox

Last night i was reminded why i go to so many shows (concerts). Despite working myself up over nothing during a busy day i was quickly relaxed 2 songs into the set (i think, it may have been the third...i was a little late). Music helps me find balance despite attempts to the contrary by my brain.

At last night's D/C show Chris (vocals) maintained his 'street cred' by heckling the people who somehow got front row seats but who only wanted to hear the Spiderman soundtrack. As acts get bigger (which is inevitable when you are truly good) it's nice to know that they still care about their core audience.

It reminded me of a REM show i got to see in the early nineties (supporting 'Automatic for the People' i believe). People kept shouting out the songs they wanted to hear so finally about 3 or 4 songs in Michael (vocals) said something to the effect of: we're a band, not a fucking juke box. Most of use went wild. It was great.

This leads me to bands and their interaction with audiences to let us know that they care. Although i hate grocery/things-to-do lists (hun...) i do get great pleasure from "top whatever" lists, so here is a short list of the best audience interactions i have seen at the shows i have been lucky enough to attend.

Number 4: Rise Against- Despite a full barricade and overly-testosteroned security staff, near the close of the set some kid somehow made it onto the stage. Quite a feat, only to be instantly tackled by two HUGE security guards. One skinny kid, two enormous neanderthals. Tim (vocals) and Joe (bass) instantly stopped playing and went over to try an minimize the man handling. The drums and guitar went into a loop of the current riff. Once everything was OK Joe just said calmly into the mic: that should have been handled better guys, there's no need to tackle kids... and then they all just jumped right back into the song where they left off. They showed their care for the fans then continued 'the rock' without hissy-fits or riots.

Number 3: Jane's Addiction- Again, another barricade issue. These things seem to hurt as much as they help. It was their first reunion tour with flea (from RHCP) on bass for them. People were going crazy for this tour. i think it was over-sold, everyone wanted to be up front, and part of the barricade collapsed and people were getting crushed. Roadies, sponsors, the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker came onto the mic to ask people to all step back. The crowd would lean back for a moment then the push forward would resume.

Just when i was convinced that the concert would be cancelled Perry (vocals) came out to thunderous applause and got on the mic. He said something to the effect of: we want to come on but we want everyone to have a good time and we want to make sure that no one gets hurt... i need everyone here to take three big steps back for me so we can fix the barricade so no one gets hurt (and then he counted as everyone took three steps back). When Perry asks something of people who've been waiting years to see him again- they do it. The show started soon after they fixed the problem... it was as amazing as one would expect... and several times he thanked everyone for lookin' out for each other.

Number 2: Enit- Once again the beauty of Perry shines through. After he seemed to lose some control of the Lollapalooza tours Perry put on a one tour only Enit Festival: a galactic celebration of diversity with Porno for Pyros headlining. The P4P stage show was amazing with all these performers on stage. At one point there where these ballerinas (?ballet girls) with big two-two's walking around on stilts spitting fire.

One of the girl's canteen of alcohol spilled onto her costume after she stumbled a bit. The next time she spit fire she burst into flame and fell onto the guitarist. Perry, the bassist, and the guitarist all ran to her aid as a stage hand put her out quickly with an extinguisher. Perry then carried her off stage.

After minutes of crowd panic and an empty stage the crowd didn't quite know what to do. Shock if you will. Is there some way to help? Do we go home? What? Perry then came out and reassured the crowd that her costume was burned but that she was all right, just quite scared. She was going to the hospital to just double check. He then went on for about 5 minutes telling everyone her name a a bit about her and genuinely just making everyone feel more connected to her and glad that she was alright.

He then announced that during the accident the guitar was broken so did anyone mind if they did an impromptu acoustic set. We went crazy... they played acoustic Jane's hits and then closed the set with a now borrowed guitar. A near disaster turned into a beautiful human moment. Talk about poise. Perry 4 Pres.

Number 1: Fugazi- Could it have been anyone else? At a Fugazi show (in a gym because they won't play places where a big ticket agency or promoters over charge for tickets) a girl trying to mosh/crowd surf got groped by someone in the audience. Ian (vocal/guitar) instantly stopped the show, stepped off the stage into the crowd, grabbed the boy's hand, dragged him to the door where he took $12 (the price of admission) out of the money box, gave it back to the kid, and told him to never come to a Fugazi show ever again (which we all heard because it was just a gym after all). We all clapped and the show went on with all of us knowing that Ian wouldn't let anything bad happen to us (during his show at least).

If you made it this far... these are a few of the times i felt cared for by the bands that i've seen. Maybe music can save the world... for one night at least.