SHARING THE SHOWS
Before we start, I just have to show this picture of my cat/son Chester trying to manipulate me into staying home. I know cats have servants, and he usually does call the shots, but if he thinks he can keep me from going to a concert, he’s sorely mistaken. So, it was show time again. I had heard of Perpetual Groove before, but hadn’t listened to much of their music before I got tickets to their show. I saw the announcement back in June, before all these bands started announcing shows in DC. I was jonesing for some music, so I just slapped the $25 down for the ticket. Upon listening to their music, I wondered if I made the right decision. It was okay, but didn’t really blow me away. But, I had already paid the money, and at the very least, it was an evening out and a writing opportunity. On the ride down, I saw a bunch of people getting off at the Gallery Place stop to see the Capitals play. I harkened back to when my good friend Ellen and I saw the Caps take on the Devils back in 2014, when I met up with her for the Society of Neuroscience Conference. I headed to the Waterfront for dinner, and I’d heard great reviews of Hank’s Oyster Bar. Sadly, the line to get in was crazy, and I was too famished to deal with a line to (more than likely) get a seat at the bar. So I settled for MI VIDA, a chic Mexican restaurant. I grabbed a seat at the bar, and the bartender/waiter, Arturo, introduced himself and shook my hand. I started out with that tried and true appetizer, chips and guac, and then chowed down on some Enchiladas Suizas. The sauce was a bit tart for my liking, but I still enjoyed. And an enjoyable exchange between me and a gentleman, who asked, “Wait, you’re leaving!?” “Oh, I’m just getting warmed up. Concert right down the street,” I said. “Right on,” he said, as we fist-bumped. I missed that type of interaction during lockdown. From there, I saw a stand advertising Smores. I had seen it a few times before, but this time, I thought I’d try it. I paid $3.50 to have a dude hand me a paper bag with graham crackers, a marshmallow, two pieces of a Hershey chocolate bar, and a stick. The fire pit was nearby. It was actually pretty cool to toast a marshmallow (hadn’t done that since college), but overall, not worth $3.50; for that price, I’d like my Smore to be already done. Still, worth a try. I got into the venue at about 10 to 8, and there was another solo traveler, along with two (apparent) couples. I ordered a club soda and lime, hung out by the bar, and wrote in my notepad, which is always a nice conversation-starter. I was met by two younger dudes, one of whom complimented my Grateful Dead shirt. We talked music for a bit, and they introduced themselves as Justin and Jim (the latter of whom hugged me during the set; conclusion: ecstasy). Jim recommended a group called Consider the Source, a jazz trio. I’m always up for new music, so thanks, dude!
As the band started playing, I immediately recognized my original thoughts about them weren’t accurate. I found myself really getting into their trancey style of playing, and the second song had me completely connected spiritually (sadly, there is no setlist available online, and I didn’t think to ask anybody what it was called). This brings me back to 10/11/20, when I totaled my car coming out of the Yonder Mountain String Band show. Since then, I’ve had some hesitancy about driving, but as a therapeutic exercise, I drove back to the exact spot where I had the accident, and without going into too much detail, I found that while legally I was “at fault,” I may not have been completely responsible for what happened. That being said, it felt good doing that, and during the song, I concluded that I’m a f****ing WARRIOR for doing that. And for other things, but I won’t brag too much here. During setbreak, I took a walk around the Waterfront, and the music was great. The only songs by the group I know by sound are “Teakwood Betz” and “Walking in Place” the former of which is my favorite. Those songs opened and closed the second set, respectively. During that same set, the band surprised us with the Beastie Boys’s “Paul Revere,” and they encored with Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade,” which had me simultaneously banging my head and trying to avoid the tall guy jumping all over the place in anticipation that he might crash into any one of us. The show ended at around 10:45 (the introvert in me LOVES when shows end early, because I NEED that alone time after the show like people need air), and I winded down on the Metro ride home. I was feeling like some pizza after the show, but didn’t want to pay those outrageous DoorDash fees. Luckily for me, the Giant Food me near me closes at midnight, and I got to my Metro stop, which is right next to it, at 11:45. So I picked up a personal DiGiorno’s pie and some brie (thank you, Emily, for having it at your place last week, which has set me off on a brie spree). I enjoyed my munchies as I alternated watching Dear White People (a perfect show for our time) and Saved by the Bell (a show from a completely different time, and the jokes and portrayals of the characters indicate that, yet, for some reason, I just can’t stop watching, much like a car wreck). I’m glad to have been proven wrong about Perpetual Groove. I’ll definitely see them again if they come to town.
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April 2024
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