SHARING THE SHOWS
So between the hour I spent working on my book and the time I went to meet a client I’m coaching through the process of writing her Master’s Thesis, I found out that my friend Mark was “Interested” in going to Dead & Company at Hampton Coliseum in November. Were the rumors true? I went on Jambase to find they’re playing two shows at the Mothership (five minutes from my place of residence), and the weekend prior to that, they’re playing two shows at Madison Square Garden. My cousin Alison is getting married that same weekend, and one of the shows is the night before her wedding. Alison, I can’t thank you enough for having your wedding that same weekend. You totally made my day (don’t worry; I’ll be awake for the ceremony and subsequent festivities)! In all seriousness, though, congrats on your upcoming nuptials.
So after a day of writing, course planning, coaching, and research, Maggie came by my place at 4, and we took off to the Wal-Mart on Rochambeau in Williamsburg to pick up Johnny Mac for the DSO show in Richmond. We were jubilant about D&C’s upcoming arrival at the Mothership, and we discussed costs and how Phish tickets cost $85 a pop. “People pay money to see Phish?” Johnny asked. I love Phish, but I laughed; I thought it was funny. We got a little “box of rain” on the way there, but by the time we got to Anthony’s Pizza, “here came sunshine.” The pizza was surprisingly good (I’m from New York, and we don’t mess around with our pizza). At around 6:30, we made our way to the venue. Johnny’s handicapped sticker got a spot superclose to the entrance. Immediately on our way in, we saw Keith, who gives awesome hugs. We then ran into Bert and Eve from Richmond. He then said, “I enjoy your blogs” which leads to me a tangent. I have to thank Last Fair Deal for posting my blog on their Facebook page. I was ecstatic to see Patrick’s response to my posting, and since it seems to be expanding its readership, this will be the first blog to appear on Not Enough Concerts’s Facebook page. Y’all inspire me! We also ran into Dawn from Fredericksburg, who also gives great hugs. Soon enough, we made our way into the pit to be up close with the band. As we asked a random dude to take our picture, Mark, Drew, and Gary A. (cool dude from Richmond) ran in, and our tribe grew. Bert asked me to predict the show. With two drum sets, it was looking like an 80s or 90s show, and since the band played an elective set the previous show in Delaware, I was thinking they’d re-enact an actual show. The band started with “Let the Good Times Roll.” Mark surmised, “Alpine Valley ’89.” “Don’t tell me!” I responded instinctually. One of the fun, unique things about DSO is trying to predict the setlist, and I avoid Internet (I actually turn off my phone during shows so I can enjoy the moment the show provides). “Franklin’s Tower” was next, followed by “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” which I’ve had a new appreciation for since I’ve been working on my book. During “Jack-a-Roe,” a group of people wearing lime green Grateful Dead T-shirts came through. As I examined closer, I saw the Steely with a dancing shamrock bear in it. I guess it’s St. Pattie’s Day every show for some folks. Nah, seriously, I dig unity. A rockin’ “Walkin’ Blues” was next (feeling like late 80s), during which Gary W. rolled in to boogie with us, followed by a mellowed-out “High Time.” At that point, I was delighted to see Shannon and Sandy hit the pit. They had gone to Black Flag at the Norva two nights prior, and this was a completely different world for them. Shannon commented how security here was way tighter than at the Black Flag show, where people apparently have snuck in weapons. Weapons okay, drugs bad. I don’t do drugs or carry weapons, but hey, welcome to the double standard that is our world, enhanced by our current political climate IMO. In honor of that, Shannon requested one of my “That Cheeto Guy: Keeping America From Being Great” bumper stickers that I made to honor our current regime. Good thing we have music to balance it out. “Cassidy” was next, and “Don’t Ease Me In” closed out the first set (I remember when Mark sent me this picture of the Pillsbury Doughboy singing “Dough Knees,” which might describe my knees after that summer of good traveling and good food). Set 2 opened with “Scarlet Begonias,” despite my requisite “Play Drums and Space!” yell, which was meant for Drew and Maggie’s entertainment, and, of course, mine. I shook two people’s hands when Jeff Matson sang, “Strangers stopping strangers to shake each other hands.” I was never this extroverted before, but this music has brought out parts of me I never knew I had. “Fire on the Mountain” was next, followed by “Estimated Prophet,” followed by Shannon’s favorite, “Eyes of the World.” Maggie commented, “Robert Plant keeps showing up.” This young kid with long blond hair similar to Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant kept passing by it, and I wondered if the band PLANTED him in the crowd, much like Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters of the 60s. Since it is the 50th Anniversary of the original Woodstock, it seems appropriate that they’d do that. “Drums” and “Space” was next, during which Maggie and I move toward the back of the pit (it was getting hot in the crowded front, and the back allowed cooler air and more room to dance). Drew asked me why I wasn’t wearing my “Play Drums and Space!” T-shirt, to which I explained I have a rotation for my shirts at shows. The next time I’ll wear it will more than likely be at the Mothership shows. Ashley came by to talk to us, followed by Wes. Apparently, she thought the show started at 8, so she was only there for the second set. She said, “I don’t wanna hear the first set.” When I work out, I like to play certain shows on my Relisten app and pretend I was at them (what I wouldn’t give to go back in time and see the Dead play at Madison Square Garden just one time). Another dude was walking around with a 5-euro bill saying, “I have a 5-euro. It’s worthless!” I advised him to save it; he might go to Europe someday. “The Wheel” brought us back to Earth, followed by “Gimme Some Lovin’,” both tunes I LOVE hearing any band play. “Wharf Rat” was next, and during the lyric “Blind and Dirty,” I yelled, “James!” as a tribute to his band that goes by that name. “All Along the Watchtower” closed the second set. After that, I yelled, “Play encore!” Drew followed with, “Play song!” I yelled, “Bring on Special Guest!” That joke will never, I repeat, NEVER get old, just like my Widespread Panic joke (that starts the day after Labor Day, when students come back to school). Maggie thought the encore would be “Touch of Grey,” but I heard the band teasing “U.S. Blues,” which they played. I guess being so close to DC, such an encore would be appropriate, given that political climate (no offense, Trump supporters, I still love you, I just can’t resist a good ribbin’). Then came the reveal. The band would announce what show this was. Definitely late 80s/early 90s. And I was right. Matson said, “Tonight’s show was originally performed by the Grateful Dead on December 9, 1988 at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California.” I have a ritual: any show DSO plays goes on my computer, so as I write that, that show is downloading. Two more cool exchanges. On the drive out of the lot, a drunk dude asked us if he could cut in front of us as he approached his truck. The line wasn’t moving, so I said “No problem.” He was fumbling with his keys, though, and the traffic started moving, so I didn’t have a choice but to drive. Maggie said to the guy from the passenger seat, “The traffic’s moving, so we have to go. Sorry.” The dude said, “Kiss my ass!” Maggie yelled, “You might like it if you kissed my ass!” LOL. We stopped at a 7-11 to get post-show munchies, where we ran into Gary. As I paid for my Diet Dr. Pepper and Reese’s Outrageous Bar, hip-hop blared on the speakers, to which I naturally started grooving. Another customer started cracking up, and the sullen-looking clerk smiled furtively and said, “Someone’s got a sense of humor tonight.” I explained that I get very cheeky after shows. That cheekiness had to be maintained with caffeine as I drove us through miles and miles of road work between Richmond and Williamsburg, and a few more miles between Williamsburg and Newport News. Maggie mused that this construction had been going on since before I arrived. Well, I guess they don’t do things in a New York minute here in the Commonwealth. That being said, as much as I love to travel for shows, one of the awesome things about these Virginia shows is my tribe is here, and I always run into others I know. It felt good being able to experience that and come home to my own space. Looking forward to more shows!
2 Comments
JOHNNY-MAC
8/16/2019 08:14:18 am
Thank you, for a real good time
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shannon keith b
8/16/2019 03:55:44 pm
I'm glad to be part of your tribe. Good write up.I just registered on Ticketmaster for the Dead and Company presale in Hampton for both nights 11/8 and 11/9. We have to register for the presale between now and Sunday. I hope we can all go together or meet there together. Let me know what your plans are.
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