dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520 
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Post by dabook on Apr 3, 2014 16:48:41 GMT -5
In two weeks time my son will be going to see The Hold Steady for the first time. It will also be the second rock show he attends without me, the first being Ed Sheeran which I do not even count. I could have gone to see The Steady with him, the venue is close enough. I thought about it, its his birthday, and then I thought what better way to let him experience his freedom than through a night with The Hold Steady with his friends. I bought him his tix and sent them to him.
I first heard The Hold Steady when I was around 46. At the time rock and roll seemed stagnant. There wasnt much that interested me and I was mostly listening to old shows....Springsteen, The Dead, The Band, The Ramones. And then I turned on this NY station and I couldn't believe when I heard it all. wWhat was that sound, the lyrics, the music, the exuberance, the fucking joy! I was converted like a sinner down by the river, crosses made of pipes and planks.
At the time my son was about 11....but he knows his music...despite the Ed Sheeran. His first show was Dylan and Willie Nelson. He listened too and soon he was telling kids in his class about "this band". When he went to High School he was "that guy" who slipped "Banging Camp" or "DJ's" into the playlist during parties and then watched proudly when people lost their shit. He's got shirts from the shows and all the albums. He's just never gotten to see them before.
By the time I had turned 19 I had forgotten as many shows as I had seen. Every night was a scene, and the bands were like seedlings, popping up everywhere. I am glad he is going at this age to see what I think is one of the best bands of all time. I've seen em all Zep and The Dead, The Stones and The Band, Lou and Dylan.....but I didn't get to see The Hold Steady when I turned 19....so he has me on that. I'm going to miss seeing him get that surge, that feeling of knowing you are in the right place at the right time and that "you guys, us guys, we are all The Hold Steady".
But I bought us tix for Huntington...my son and my brothers ..and nephews. I wont be in the "crowd" for that. I got us seats with the bar right there. Its on Koob's side. It will the first time I see the band from a different vantage point. I told my boy today and he is super jazzed. I feel good ....about all of it....fuck man.....The Hold Fucking Steady.
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nowah
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 226
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Post by nowah on Apr 3, 2014 18:12:33 GMT -5
This is awesome. You or your kid had better give us his first ever scene report.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Apr 3, 2014 19:58:55 GMT -5
I will get him to send me a report.
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cre618
True Scene Leader
Posts: 714
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Post by cre618 on Apr 3, 2014 20:03:42 GMT -5
Fantastic. I'm right there with you. 45 and two of my three kids have seen THS. Congrats.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Apr 3, 2014 20:10:27 GMT -5
I am not so sure of my parenting skills when my son knows who Rocco Siffredi is......
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Post by bobfrombob on Apr 3, 2014 21:11:56 GMT -5
My son developed a love for The Weakerthans at a pretty young age. When he was about 13, I took him to see them. Got there early and he ended up right at the front, right in the centre. He sang along and it seemed as though he really enjoyed it. But then I thought maybe I'm just projecting that 'cause I wanted us to share that.
He's 19 now and living across the country. Last time we spoke he actually said "I don't know if ever thanked you properly for taking me to see The Weakerthans. My friends and I were talking the other night about amazing things we have done in our lives and I thought of that".
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cre618
True Scene Leader
Posts: 714
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Post by cre618 on Apr 3, 2014 22:04:09 GMT -5
Every day on the way to 1st grade lately, we listen and sing along to "Spinners."
"Never let them tie you up....."
Questionable parenting?
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Post by delboydrums on Apr 4, 2014 1:59:57 GMT -5
I am not so sure of my parenting skills when my son knows who Rocco Siffredi is...... Brilliant. |
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Post by delboydrums on Apr 4, 2014 2:14:34 GMT -5
I'm 43 and have taken my two oldest kids to gigs in the last couple of years, though unfortunately not THS!
Both of my girls fall into the category of "we'd like em if CF wasn't singing".
I know, that's blasphemy.
My oldest daughter (about to turn 18) is into singer songwriters / folky, jangly-sounding sort of pop, which is no bad thing. She loves the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac, of which I am proud. So we've been to see the Magic Numbers and Goldheart Assembly a few times - both nice, friendly, mellow folky-pop, which is fine with me.
My other daughter (soon to turn 15) has just moved from a hip-hop / dance phase to official full-on lockdown teenage dark metal gloom. So at the worst end of things it's Slipknot, at the best it's Paramour and We Are the In Crowd. Took her to see the latter in Bristol recently, and they weren't too bad, though it was so loud I thought my ears were going to bleed. I have tried to nudge her towards some classic rock (AC/DC, Zep etc , but no joy yet!) At least it's guitars and drums !
Anyway, it's good to share music with your kids, though I wish they'd sometimes give CF and THS a try!
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mattjs
True Scene Leader
Posts: 573
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Post by mattjs on Apr 4, 2014 2:36:10 GMT -5
With my first (little girl) ready to appear any day now I loved these stories. One of the things I'm most looking forward to is when she starts getting
passionate about things, music, movies, cross-stitch, whatever.
Oh and I cannot wait to take her to her first show...hopefully the boys will still be around at that time!
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Post by delboydrums on Apr 4, 2014 3:43:42 GMT -5
With my first (little girl) ready to appear any day now I loved these stories. One of the things I'm most looking forward to is when she starts getting passionate about things, music, movies, cross-stitch, whatever. Oh and I cannot wait to take her to her first show...hopefully the boys will still be around at that time! Congratulations (in advance) Matt. You'll never have any money again, but you'll never have so much fun! |
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mattjs
True Scene Leader
Posts: 573
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Post by mattjs on Apr 4, 2014 5:35:49 GMT -5
Thanks delboy, yeah my bank balance has already taken a beating but cannot wait to meet her!
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Apr 4, 2014 6:28:39 GMT -5
I have gone with my son twice to see Green Day. Once in seats at MSG and more recently in the pit at Barclays Center. That was a trip.
But I saw an exchange he had on Facebook with someone that went something like this:
"that was the longest wait on line I ever did....5 and a half hours"
"wow...thats long"
"yeah but it was worth it. We were 10 feet from the stage. One of my best shows ever...and I was with my Dad!"
"Your Dad???"
"yeah...he is like the coolest middle-aged man ever."
"Damn you are so lucky"
See...now that in itself is worth all the nights of getting up and changing diapers, burping him, cleaning up spills and going to parent teacher meetings.
I took him to one of the RRHOF shows at MSG. I am a huge Springsteen fan and could have gone that night....but it seemed like a quieter night, and I knew Bruce would be doing more shows. So I took him to the second night with Metallica whom I am not a huge fan of but I knew they would rock the place. It was worth every penny to see his face when Ray Davies came out and they did You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night, Lou Reed doing majestic versions of White Light and Sweet Jane, and fucking Ozzy doing Paranoid and Iron Man all backed by Metallica. It was sick....then you had Jeff Beck and Billy Gibbons together....who did Foxy Lady and Day in the Life (and a bout six others) right before that! Then U2 came out and did a couple and announces some special guests and who should walk out but Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith to do Because the Night! Bruce then joined U2 for "I Still Havent Found What I'm Looking for". This was followed by Mick Jagger, Fergie and will.I.Am doing Gimme Shelter with U2 backing. There were also various U2 songs with the night closing with Beautiful Day.....
So....for him to say the Green Day show was special and for me to share that with him....yeah.....that makes waiting fivee and a half hours for a semi punk band worth every minute.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Apr 4, 2014 6:30:13 GMT -5
I just cant picture my Dad on line outside the Garden to see The Dead.
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Post by hoodrat on Apr 4, 2014 9:56:42 GMT -5
this pleases me immensely. can't wait to get my daughter out to a show!
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Admin
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 2,434
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2014 10:27:21 GMT -5
I have yet to enter the parent realm, but my Mom and I go to a good number of shows together. She's regaled me with stories of helping do the lights for Bruce at some college show in '72 or 73 while growing up in New Jersey, waiting hours for Sly and the Family Stone to show up for a show and numerous other bits I can't remember right now.
We've been to see Bruce together twice, went to see Wilco and Andrew Bird together at a minor league ballpark, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, she AND my Dad both went to see Pearl and the Beard with me. That was interesting.
"...You know what? I want to see Arcade Fire!" Then she got a bunch of people she works with along with me and my gf to get tickets. So we're doing that. She's sixty in August, trying to get her to see the appeal of THS. Hasn't worked yet.
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Post by wealdstone on Apr 4, 2014 11:58:53 GMT -5
I can't ever imagine going to a gig with my parents, we once saw Tommy Cooper together that was the closest it got. But with my kids it's different the age gap may be bigger but it feels smaller. I started them off in '92 with Springsteen, they were 10 & 12 and we,ve been going ever since from festivals to clubs but I knew my work was done when a couple of years back they come home from a Wu Lfy gig having been part of a stage invasion with him carrying her around on his shoulders.
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Post by doctoracula on Apr 5, 2014 10:21:19 GMT -5
i've been to a few shows with my mom. none when i was younger, but a handful over the years once i entered my 20s and 30s. the best were probably springsteen/REM/bright eyes in 2004 and CSNY somewhere around 06 or 07.
the weakerthans story above made me smile a lot.
while i can understand not really liking ed sheeran, i will say i was super impressed by his live show. he samples and loops everything himself as he plays and really manages to make a very full sounding show by himself.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Apr 5, 2014 16:20:12 GMT -5
Dont get me wrong...I like Ed Sheeran....he just isnt a rock show.
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Post by melrosewoody on Apr 6, 2014 8:45:35 GMT -5
 When I got married eight years ago part of the package was a seven year old son from my wife's first marriage. I'm happy to say he's turned into a great young man (see pic, in yellow Peelander tee for DKM set at Shindig last year) with a heart of gold and pretty damned excellent taste in music. I humbly take some credit and give plenty to his godfather who has regaled him with stories of somersalts off stages at Dead Kennedy shows and hardcore matinees at CBGB's. The kid has become a great partner in crime and was hell bent on not taking the cruise for spring break this year my wife wanted to, but rather touring some of the storied rock clubs on east coast (sorry to say he and I lost that fight though). I knew that he "got it" when after listening to The Hold Steady's first four albums for some time he kept playing Barfruit and Stevie Nicks. Now it's near impossible to pull him off the rail at most shows and I'm resigned to the fact that we never leave a show before all the setlists are passed out (he must have over one hundred at this point) and he's been an intern at the Stone Pony for the past two years. On one hand I wish he would dig deeper into the history of our beloved music (If Clapton or Plant punched him in the eye he probably wouldn't recognize them), but on the other hand I couldn't have been happier than when we stopped in a shop on St. Mark's place last year and he realizes the guy working the counter is Peelander green! My stage diving days may be over, but I'm thrilled to see him surfing and leading a circle pit often times. Must also give the kid credit for turning me onto some of my most loved stuff as of late; Titus, Larry and His Flask, Fucked up, The Scandals and ..... Many of our most cherished moments together have been at some of the greatest shows you could ever hope to see. I'm proud to call him my son and happy to have a partner in crime and believe you me that club tour will be happening in the very near future  |
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Post by doctoracula on Apr 6, 2014 10:04:50 GMT -5
I love the idea of a kid getting a parent into Fucked Up  |
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Post by sactochris on Apr 6, 2014 12:07:06 GMT -5
View AttachmentWhen I got married eight years ago part of the package was a seven year old son from my wife's first marriage. I'm happy to say he's turned into a great young man (see pic, in yellow Peelander tee for DKM set at Shindig last year) with a heart of gold and pretty damned excellent taste in music. I humbly take some credit and give plenty to his godfather who has regaled him with stories of somersalts off stages at Dead Kennedy shows and hardcore matinees at CBGB's. The kid has become a great partner in crime and was hell bent on not taking the cruise for spring break this year my wife wanted to, but rather touring some of the storied rock clubs on east coast (sorry to say he and I lost that fight though). I knew that he "got it" when after listening to The Hold Steady's first four albums for some time he kept playing Barfruit and Stevie Nicks. Now it's near impossible to pull him off the rail at most shows and I'm resigned to the fact that we never leave a show before all the setlists are passed out (he must have over one hundred at this point) and he's been an intern at the Stone Pony for the past two years. On one hand I wish he would dig deeper into the history of our beloved music (If Clapton or Plant punched him in the eye he probably wouldn't recognize them), but on the other hand I couldn't have been happier than when we stopped in a shop on St. Mark's place last year and he realizes the guy working the counter is Peelander green! My stage diving days may be over, but I'm thrilled to see him surfing and leading a circle pit often times. Must also give the kid credit for turning me onto some of my most loved stuff as of late; Titus, Larry and His Flask, Fucked up, The Scandals and ..... Many of our most cherished moments together have been at some of the greatest shows you could ever hope to see. I'm proud to call him my son and happy to have a partner in crime and believe you me that club tour will be happening in the very near future I fucking loved reading this. He's really lucky to have a guy like you for a stepfather. I sent my daughter to school on the first day of first grade with a Sex Pistols lunch box. It didn't go over well. |
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Apr 6, 2014 12:20:09 GMT -5
Funny story ....when I was growing up I spent a lot of time at CBGB's as it was around the corner from my High School. Fast Forward 40 years and I am taking my son to the RRHOF annex in NY and there is a section on punk rock. They have moved an entire section of the original CB's as part of the exhibit. I had no idea it was going to be there. And what is there? The original phone booth. I point it out to my son and say " Many nights I used that phone to call your grandma to tell her I was gonna be late" ...he says " you mean an old phone booth like that?" And I got to say...." No....THAT phone !"
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Post by doctoracula on Apr 6, 2014 15:14:59 GMT -5
That is so awesome
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Post by retrobmx on Apr 6, 2014 22:09:57 GMT -5
I know a girl who lost her virginity in one of the phonebooths inside First Avenue. I always thought that idea/fact could make a THS lyric...Craig, if you see this, feel free to run with it.
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