Questionable Bar, Manchester Orchestra, Friends, and Swingers.

If you need any more proof that just being with me can bring the crazies, look no further than my last Saturday night.

Let me set you up. First off, Manchester Orchestra is easily in my top five favorite bands yet I hadn't seen them in concert yet. On Facebook they made the announcement that the tour they were embarking on was going to be it for at least two years.. maybe longer so I knew that come hell or high water I was going to a show. Fortunately, they were going to be in Minneapolis on Saturday but at some bar I didn't know in South Minneapolis (which immediately waves some red flags), but tickets were only about $20. So I get my friend Tammy and sister in law Kate to come.

We basically left later than ideal because people had stuff going on, but assuming we didn't get lost, we would get there about 30 minutes before the doors opened. But guess what happened?

Maggie, the turning out to be unreliable GPS, got us fucking lost. First off, there is a difference in Cedar Avenue and Cedar Avenue South. Mostly because Cedar Avenue will tell you that you have arrived as you are crossing what I think was the Mississippi River. Cedar Avenue South takes you into what I think is maybe a college neighborhood (think bars, apartment buildings, random weird stores that aren't open after 5). So we ended up being 16 miles out of our way, and get there in time to see that the "free parking" consists of four spaces on either side of the building. Awesome. Obviously everything within reasonable distance is full so we end up parking behind a Taco Bell, on a residential street with an embankment ideal for homeless people, a closed bus shelter, and oh yeah- there are no street lights. This is totally a safe parking spot. But we did it because it was a quicker walk to the venue.

Which was questionable too. It is next door to a bar/restaurant called The Joint and that is primarily a biker hangout. Not going to lie, there were some pretty sketch people just hanging out. Thankfully we didn't have to wait outside for too long, but Kate was complimented on her green hair by a drunk guy!

 I also want to say it because it's true... the Cabooze? Is a TERRIBLE venue for a concert. As Andy Hull (singer of Manchester Orchestra) said, "There is no way to flip this tetris setup to make it right" because it's true. I would say about half of us were standing to the side of the stage because there isn't much room in front of the stage. If I had mad Paint skillz I'd draw you a picture but just go with it. So that really sucked. I secured a spot next to the bar, right where the bartenders come in/out with cases. Which means my right arm, back, and ass kept getting slammed with cases of beer. Unfortunate because there literally was nowhere else for me to go- I was kind of stuck in that one spot.

The first band to come on was The Deerhunter, who I had never heard of, but were really good. They sound a LOT like Manchester Orchestra and at first I thought it was them. I know- what was I thinking. But they were good enough that I'm downloading some of their stuff this week because I enjoyed them.

 After they played this lovely hipster couple next to us started chatting with me saying that band was really good, etc. They mention they don't really know Manchester Orchestra but bought tickets because their favorite band was an opening act. Enter White Denim.

White Denim sucks so much ass I was yawning. YAWNING during a club concert. They blatantly rip off guitar riffs from classic rock hits, kind of make it their own or at least try to, and then mumble stuff into the microphone. They could be described as hipsters who hate life? I have one picture of them but deleted it because they sucked. But holy god- this couple? Went CRAZY for them. The woman was all jamming out to herself and almost ramming into Tammy. It was quite a sight on its own.

So after White Denim, hipster couple leaves. Enter.... middle aged married couple of swingers. Oh, you read that right. Tammy and I met Tom and Karen. (I want it noted that Kate ditched us for a seat on the floor because her foot hurt and she was tired. So Tammy and I are on our own here). They both appear kind of tipsy if not the beginning stages of drunk which is fine. They order some drinks, ask us what we're drinking and we say we aren't because we have a long drive home. So then we start talking about where we're from, etc. Out of nowhere Tom hugs me and says, "If it doesn't work out with your husband I will take you. My wife could use a friend." Um, weird. But I brush this off as a drunk person rambling about shit that makes no sense. I get this all of the time being the sober person in a group.

Manchester Orchestra comes on and starts the show with "April Fool" and I basically lose my shit because I love them and Andy Hull. I don't like beards so much, but I would make an exception for Andy. And Robert Pattinson.

 They played almost every one of my favorite songs, but I had to call me good blog buddy Matt when they played "Shake It Out". Mostly because it's a great song, but also because Matt is the one who introduced me to Manchester Orchestra after I heard him play that song on his radio station when he was in college. So from that one song, I became a HUGE fan of the band.

They played for quite a while and they were great.

But about a few songs in I look at Tammy who tells me that the woman? Is feeling up her boob. Which is funny because at this point, the guy? Is grinding on my right leg. And I'm laughing hysterically because you know this is what I do in stressful situations only amplified by my exhaustion and low blood sugar. So I kind of move more into the bar area thinking he'd get the hint but no. That does not work.

Almost towards the end of the set, Tom grabs my waist to let me know that him and Karen were leaving. I said "Oh, that's good" and he replies with, "Do you want to come with us? We've got a place nearby and we can have fun." Um, no. NO, you crazy ass swinger-probable-serial-killer. NO. So they leave, Tammy and I breathe a huge sigh of relief so we can enjoy the last few songs.

Here's what I will tell you that was amazing about this concert:

• Even in between sets the bar just plays music. Well you know you have a kick ass crowd when we all start singing along to the Black Keys' "Howlin For You".
• Almost every guy had a beard and wore flannel. Some women appeared to have beards as well.
• The band is immensely talented anyways, but when Andy Hull sang all alone with no back up instruments or vocals? Wow. Talk about a concert moment. Not a sound in that entire bar except for his voice gave me goosebumps.
• I was so happy they made the song "Virgin" sound as creepy in person as it does on the album.
• Same with "Simple Math"- it oozes sex (to me) on the album and it was even better in person.
• The crowd ate up "I Can Barely Breathe" and you can hear that HERE. Someone at the show taped it and put it on YouTube. :)
• We also sang word for word to "The Only One".

Overall it was a great show, a great night with some of my favorite people. It really was a good show but it would have been epic if it were at say... First Avenue.

And the walk to car? Uneventful. I almost made the decision to pee in someone's front yard because I had to go THAT BAD but I didn't. We ended up finding a gas station outside of the cities and I peed a lot, only after landing on the seat (lost my footing on the wet floor) only to realize the seat? Was wet. Public bathroom fail.

It was a super late night and I crawled into bed at exactly 2:35 am. Yikes.

I get to do it again on Thursday, though! I am going to be meeting my friend Amy for lunch, shopping, and the Airborne Toxic Event concert.. only to drive home. I am going to be so exhausted. Really tired. I just need to keep myself awake for the ride home. Then this weekend is girls weekend/Amy's birthday extravaganza/shopping trip, but Tammy and Emily are coming with me. It's going to be great... just wait for the pictures!

...the girl at the rock show...

Oh yes. I bet some of you noticed I wasn't here last night and that's because I am awesome and was at yet another concert. And it kicked my ass because I didn't get home until 2:30 am, couldn't fall asleep because I was overtired but dozed off around 4:30 am only to wake up a 6. Got the kids up, Olivia to school, Jack to my mom's and then I was off to work.

Muther fracking rockstar.

Anyways. So Kate and I went to see the Honda Civic Tour when it came to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota and the headliners were Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. The bonus was that we had Matt & Kim as the opener band it was their first night on the tour in addition to being their first show in an arena setting.

Admittedly, I only know a few Matt & Kim songs but from what I have heard I can say I'm interested. But after seeing them pretty much kill it live? More than interested. They were lively, they were fun and they obviously enjoy what they do.

 Highly energetic live show isn't really giving it due justice.

 After Matt & Kim came My Chemical Romance fresh from the firing of their drummer a few days ago and off of their own tour this Spring. I will say I am very glad that my first MCR concert was in April at First Avenue (despite it being so incredibly fucking hot in there that I thought I was going to pass out from exhaustion and dehydration) because they were amazing at that show. They played an almost two hour set after having fantastic openers, they did an insane justice to their already great music and it solidified me as a fan.

 This show was good... but it was lacking. None of the band members were energetic and it felt like they limped through this performance which was only an hour long. They mostly played songs off their latest CD but of their entire set, only two of the songs really kicked ass. One was most definitely "Planetary (GO!)" because it was fast and loud, the crowd was into it, and it felt like that was going to be the momentum they need to get the show moving. Sadly, it wouldn't happen and the other song that was the highlight of their set was Gerard's solo of "Cancer" which is just a great song anyways for his voice, but to have it as the last of their set was kind of great.

I was super disappointed to not hear "Mama" because it's probably my favorite song of theirs. But they of course did "Black Parade" but I thought they could have kicked ass more on that. Also- I don't know if there was a delay between the sound and the screens, but at a few times I wondered if Gerard was really singing live or if they were using backing vocals.

 After MCR there was quite a bit of time until Blink 182, the headliners, came on. We made friends with our friends in the row before. Cameron on the left and Sons of Anarchy dude on the right.

 They were awesome and I'll be emailing them pictures because their phones were being useless whores.

 And you know I can't go anywhere without trouble. This show I was seated to a rather heavy man and his scary looking girlfriend. Nothing really spectacular there other than the fact they both smelled so incredibly horrid that I felt like my lungs were going to burst. I had to keep turning towards Kate to huff in oxygen because this man's body odor was depriving me of it. And he was dripping with sweat. Every time he would move his head it would feel like a sprinkler was getting me. It was disgusting. I'm not a fan of disgusting people. So here's a picture Kate took of me and my disgusting friend.

 But then YAY Blink182 came on. No lie, Blink 182 makes me feel like I am 16 again riding the god damn city bus to Dairy Queen for work. Or sitting in front of my locker waiting for the home room bell listening to my Discman. Fucking old school yo.

 I love Tom. FYI. I would do dirty things to that guy. MMMMM.

But they played an amazing set. If you lived under a rock and had no idea they have been on hiatus for awhile doing their own projects for a few years.... you would never know it. They sounded great, they had great stage chemistry still and despite obviously gaining a bit of weight and looking their age.. they are all still incredibly swoon worthy.

They played a few new songs but mostly killed all of the fan favorites from pretty much every album.

 They played for an hour and a half I believe, so it was a really full set. The encore though? Best encore I have seen in quite sometime. I don't care what anyone says but I doubt many would disagree with me, but Travis Barker is the best drummer our generation has. Hands down, no question. So during the encore when him and his drum kit literally went above the crowd? The entire arena went insane. I am loving this picture because you can see the drum sticks as only a blur.

 Confetti! The disadvantage to having ample boobs is that confetti gets stuck in your boobs and you don't know it until you try to shower.

 It was such a great show and I am so glad I got to go. It already makes me itch for my next concert and though I had hoped to see Foo Fighters next week it's just not going to happen. *sad face*

What isn't sad is being away from disgusting guy and his girlfriend. Oh, I should mention they both fucking fell asleep during Blink's set and I can't even believe that. So I obviously got a picture of them sleeping. Seriously. I had been up since 4:30 that morning and this was taken around 11 pm, so don't tell me about being tired.

So yes. Good show.

Kate and I had a lovely time and despite being sisters in law, we're a great date. I even let her touch my ass though she swears it was an accident. *suuuuuure it was, Kate*

So. Tomorrow is my Dear Sara post so if you have questions of any kind for me, email me at sarastrand9438(at)hotmail(dot)com. No questions are off limits (as someone emailed to ask that) so fire away bitches. Also, if you want to see other pictures from this concert, friend me on Facebook. Or be a loser.