SHARING THE SHOWS
In keeping with my motif of Simpsons-related introductions, I love this clip of Homer’s daydream about being a mafia don, being offered donuts.
As the founder of the Childfree Singles of the DMV Group (hikes up suspenders in a pretentious manner), I’ve had the chance to meet some very cool people and make new friends. But I never thought I’d get hook-ups to music. Beher gave me a USB drive filled with music, and I’ve gotten tickets to two concerts over the last four days. On this occasion, Rolf hooked me up with a free ticket to VNV Nation. I hadn’t heard of them, but on my listen, they reminded me of Depeche Mode. I was also psyched to hit up the Fillmore again; I’d only been once before to see Bad Religion. I met up with Rolf, his brother Jan, and his friend Nick at the Dog Haus pre-show. Their menu has all kinds of decorative hot dogs and hamburgers, but since I’d eaten a dinner of a turkey burger (no bun), broccoli, salad, along with a PayDay for dessert, I settled on a small cup of chili and a Coke Zero. We played a game called “100 Questions,” which prompt deep reflection. One question stood out: is there anyone you regret losing touch with? I have lost a close friend or two due to political differences, but we won’t go there. We got to the Fillmore at around 8:40, where the opener, Traitrs, had just finished. Nick likened them to The Cure; Berk, Tears for Fears. I was definitely willing to shout and let it out at this show. After all, that’s how we fulfill our desire to rule the world! Ba-dum-bum! Anyway, Rolf pointed out the show had a dress code, and none of us were in compliance. It consists of all black. I saw a lot of black lipstick, fishnet stockings, a hoodie that read “Don’t Fucking Touch Me,” and a KMFDM shirt. I think of their music video, “A Drug Against War,” which opens with the words, “Kill Everything,” which I only know thanks to these two laureates. I know I stood out in my sweater and Ivy League hat among all these goth/emo types. It reminded me of when Pete and his friend Steve went to Blackberry Smoke at this venue; their tie-dyes were big dots in a sea of MAGAheads. While I’ve never been part of the industrial scene, I did enjoy the show. I couldn’t tell you the names of any of their songs, but I did dance pretty intensely. At one point, the singer, Ronan Harris, told the audience, “Put away your fucking cameras and enjoy the show!” Mine had been pocketed, but their light show is quite photogenic. Harris is a good speaker as well and has good social messages, just like Bruce Dickinson. He encouraged the younger members of the audience to “when you’re done with that school thing, make your mark on the world.” He also mandated us to “reach out to others and be kind.” Both awesome messages. On the Metro ride home, I was greeted by a thread to establish a Singles Bill of Rights, which is, as defined by its originator, Tracy Houston, “a ‘corrective blueprint’ that seeks to establish equality for singles in five categories: 1) legal; 2) medical; 3) academia; 4) business; and 5) sociocultural.” I couldn’t resist responding to the thread, even after a show; that’s how much I care. That said, without these shows, I wouldn’t have the energy to be involved in that realm. And a happy early birthday to Rolf! This was supposed to be his birthday show last year before the band rescheduled. Glad I got to be a part of it, however belated.
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April 2024
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