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Post by giantladder on Feb 6, 2015 13:32:35 GMT -5
Actually, thinking about it, the prototypical Craig Finn/Hold Steady line must be, "I think I might have mentioned that before!"
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Post by giantladder on Feb 3, 2015 15:51:19 GMT -5
Got it! And to my surprise, my photo came out awesome! What a day!!
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Post by giantladder on Jan 24, 2015 12:10:53 GMT -5
Camie, I am currently looking at two pieces of confetti in my car that I hadn't noticed before, and when I took my phone out of it's case for the first time in months there were three pieces of confetti lodged inside. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
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Post by giantladder on Jan 15, 2015 16:46:00 GMT -5
the Ramones definitely had some great songs after End of the Century, but no great albums. I've tried to get into the 80s and 90s records a few times and nothing ever fully clicks. I couldn't possibly care less about Van Halen. Doc, you get many bonus points for a) Super-inspired member name, and b) One of the very few people I've seen properly use "I couldN'T care less" in the last 30 years.
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Post by giantladder on Jan 9, 2015 15:20:08 GMT -5
Maybe some NBA-themed confetti?
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Post by giantladder on Jan 9, 2015 12:04:58 GMT -5
Got 'em!!!! Woo Hoo!!
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Post by giantladder on Jan 8, 2015 16:48:30 GMT -5
When I hit the Twin Cities, I didn't know that much about it I knew Mary Tyler Moore, I knew Profane Existence
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Post by giantladder on Jan 2, 2015 14:52:13 GMT -5
No scene reports yet??
Okay, here goes:
I got to MHOW right about 4 PM on Tuesday for the soundcheck. There were about 25 people on line. I’d say another 10-15 got on line after me. Brendan was checking off the RSVP’s on an official looking clipboard. Ben from Death or Glory Mgmt. gave a rundown of what would happen during the soundcheck/meet and greet. We were given wristbands and were told that these would get us in the doors before anyone else at 8 PM.
They ushered us into the Hall at about 4:20. THS was onstage already. I wasn’t taking notes, but I do remember them playing Constructive Summer, Magazines, Stevie Nix and Citrus (all by request), Spinners (Also a request), Stay Positive and others. Between songs, Craig took some questions, the best of which was, “How did you come up with the name “The Hold Steady”?” Turns out that “Most People are DJs” was already written, and the band had a gig, but no name. After a little brainstorming, he threw out Hold Steady, because he liked bands that referenced themselves in song. (You don’t say!) The runner-up for the band’s name was “Sad Ravers”. Good choice, guys.
About midway through, Craig called up Dave from the crowd. Dave had earned a soundcheck jam for his PledgeMusic pledge. Dave had a beautiful satin black Les Paul Standard. He played “Stuck Between Stations, after getting a short tutorial from Craig on when to come in after the “Mississippi River” breakdown. He stole the lead for that part, which had Tad almost rolling on the floor. He absolutely killed it, and Craig brought him back for an unexpected encore to end the soundcheck. They played for about 40 minutes, then Ben had everyone line up along the side wall for a quick “Hey!” and picture with the band. Along the way, they had a selection of THS posters to choose from. There is supposed to be a link to access the pics, haven’t seen it yet.
Came back just before eight, and as promised was let right into the venue. There were about 15 others inside, and they didn’t let anyone else in until about 8:15. Took a spot dead center right in back of Brendan. Brendan had his GoPro set up, but told me the venue wanted $500 to allow him to shoot pro-video. Everyone was super cool pre-show, the anticipation was high.
So So Glos came on around 9, and really killed it. Great band, super energy and terrific players. And the lead guitarist had on a NY Mets cap, which makes him OK in my book! Will certainly check them out again.
The Hold Steady came on about 10:15. Didn’t notice if they were still using the Lou Reed walk-on music that they had all summer. Finished off my doublewhiskyicenocoke, so I could have my hands free. They started it off with a “Positive Jam”, into “The Swish”. With the first note of “Barfruit Blues”, everyone knew we were in for a treat! They played the first four songs of AKM, then SS, first 5 songs from BAGIA, first two from SP, skipped around HIW a little, and then went off stage.
Came back on after a few minutes, and continued with Spinners, Big Cig, Massive Nights, Stay Positive and closed it out with How A Resurrection Really Feels.
It was one of the wildest, yet respectful, crowds I’ve been in. The first ten feet in front of the stage was a roiling near-riot, everyone happily bumping and sliding off each other. If you lost your footing, three people caught you. I saw a few go down, but they were helped right back up. A couple of crowd surfers, include super-cool dude Evan, who is a dead ringer for Carrot Top!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the Wednesday night show, so I hope someone will write that one up.
Met some very cool people, as always, didn’t get names, as usual!! Probably my 20th show or so, best one yet.
Stay Positive,
Dave Arbiter
Setlist: Positive Jam/The Swish/Barfruit Blues/Most People are DJ’s/Hornets! Hornets!/The Cattle and the Creeping Things/Your Little Hoodrat Friend/Banging Camp/Stuck Between Stations/Chips Ahoy/Hot Soft Light/Same Kooks/First Night/Constructive Summer/Sequestered in Memphis/The Sweet Part of the City/The Only Thing/The Weekenders//Break//Spinners/Big Cig/Massive Nights/Stay Positive/How A Resurrection Really Feels
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Post by giantladder on Dec 30, 2014 19:37:40 GMT -5
The invite came via the Unified Scene. Although, a guy named Dave got his pledge sound check jam with the band, and killed! Craig even called him up for an encore.
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Post by giantladder on Dec 30, 2014 18:52:52 GMT -5
Still have tickets. Anybody?? Check stubhub quite a few listed at 25$ Yes, but not with the post-show. But, hell, at this point I'm happy with $50 per. Kills me to miss this one...
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Post by giantladder on Dec 30, 2014 18:51:11 GMT -5
Yes, doors at eight. The preshow sound check and meet and greet was pretty awesome. They took requests, Craig told some stories, and everybody got a picture with the whole band.
Tonight is going to be massive!
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Post by giantladder on Dec 30, 2014 9:37:18 GMT -5
Last minute I can't go to the NYE show. Have 2 tickets including Galen's birthday bash. Please PM me. They are hard tickets, can meet you. I'm going to Tuesday's show too if you are. $80 each, less than face + fees. Stay Positive! Still have tickets. Anybody??
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Post by giantladder on Dec 28, 2014 10:40:01 GMT -5
Anybody else out there get the sound check email? get there at 4 PM for sound check, hang, song requests
IIf anybody else is interested I have reservations for four, only need one.
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Post by giantladder on Dec 27, 2014 14:59:05 GMT -5
Last minute I can't go to the NYE show. Have 2 tickets including Galen's birthday bash. Please PM me. They are hard tickets, can meet you. I'm going to Tuesday's show too if you are. $80 each, less than face + fees. Stay Positive!
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Post by giantladder on Dec 23, 2014 12:07:05 GMT -5
Got mine USPS Sunday also! RAGS is gorgeous, the T-Shirt is amazing. Also don't know what to use the laminate for. Would I look like a geek clipping it on at a show? Probably no geekier than a 52 year old man (me!) jumping around to The Hold Steady!!!
Worth the wait. Now I need a turntable from Santa.
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Post by giantladder on Nov 19, 2014 16:56:23 GMT -5
Erobertc - Hey! Going to be at the Friar's Tavern, 231 Post, preshow.
Surprising, a free show, open bar, and not a whole lot of interest. What gives?
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Post by giantladder on Nov 17, 2014 14:58:49 GMT -5
One thing I noticed on the guest list reservation form:
Thank you for your RSVP! This is a 21+ show and photo IDs will be checked. RSVP does not guarantee entrance; admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis and capped at venue capacity. This invite is non-transferable. There are no physical tickets for the show; your name will be on a list when you arrive.
I would imagine once they reach a certain number of RSVP's they would stop taking names. However, probably a good idea to get there early, in case. Two hours of free booze could attract a lot of people who don't even know what a guitar looks like.
As far as a pregame venue, I'll be at the Friar's Tavern, 231 Post Avenue, just south of the venue. Looks like a fairly divey place with a good local crowd. Anyone with an unused +1 on their pass could give some drunk a Christmas present!!
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Post by giantladder on Nov 13, 2014 9:17:13 GMT -5
That's right, Thurman. Westbury Music Fair is cool too, and very intimate, but has seats, so NO!!
The Space is similar to the Paramount in Huntington, LI that THS and DBT played in June. An old theater repurposed as a multi-use venue, open floor with seating in the rear and on the sides.
So far I've got about 16 people going, the attraction of a free show (more probably free booze) is lucrative.
Looking at some meetup spots for the pregame, will post some later.
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Post by giantladder on Nov 12, 2014 19:38:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up! Still passes available.
The venue is a very new place, and a great space as I've heard.
The Long Island Railroad runs to Westbury, and the venue is about a four block walk north of the station. It's only about 50 minutes out of Penn Station. There are a few good bars and restaurants right on Post Road between the station and the venue.
This could be a classic gig, free, free booze, and a different type of venue for the band. and it's one week away!
Very psyched!!
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Post by giantladder on Oct 31, 2014 11:18:00 GMT -5
Closest, only a few blocks away is Dirty Pierre's, a tiny bar with an amazing kitchen, phenomenal hamburgers! This is the understatement of the trip. My cheeseburger was stunningly good out of a tiny little kitchen. Dive bar with a friendly staff and hung with two super nice regulars before the show. Thanks for the tip. (As a rule in our travels, screw Yelp ... just ask the locals what's good.) I thought it was a great show from Deer Tick to the one-song 'Mats encore. Here is the first review I found of the show - :: Review from some blog/author or something ::Note: the review is a little too long and I strongly disagree with the rant about the venue itself in all aspects of the author's complaints. I thought the venue was outstanding and perfect for this type of show. Rich, just saw this. Thanks for the kind words. I've been going to that place since it opened, 20 years ago, before they had the bar, and the kitchen was the whole upstairs, with only 6 tables in the downstairs!! Never had a bad meal. Glad you enjoyed. That burger can fuel 4 hours of raging!!
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Post by giantladder on Oct 31, 2014 11:14:15 GMT -5
YES!!! Got two for the show AND birthday bash!!! But will my Unified Scene T Shirt get there in time?
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Post by giantladder on Sept 17, 2014 4:47:32 GMT -5
Excellent! BTW, at least once a week a piece of metallic confetti appears in my house, from the Asbury Park show where I got hit full force. The last one was lodged between my phone and it's case! Stock up, it's a big venue!
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Post by giantladder on Sept 16, 2014 21:10:47 GMT -5
Are the usual suspects all going to make out to the outer borough of Queens on Friday?
There are a number of bars nearby the tennis stadium. As I live about a mile from the venue, I can wholeheartedly suggest a couple.
Closest, only a few blocks away is Dirty Pierre's, a tiny bar with an amazing kitchen, phenomenal hamburgers! It's in Station Square, right across the street from the Long Island Rail Road station.
By the way, the stadium is located in the middle of a very rich, very exclusive, very beautiful private neighborhood, with private streets, meaning NO PARKING! Don't get your car booted! Take mass transit, the LIRR or the subway to the 71st St/Continental Avenue station, E,F,M,R lines.
There is also a terrific Irish bar a few more blocks away called the Irish Cottage. Again, a great kitchen.
Hope to see some of you there. Hoping to get there early enough to get the rail.
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Post by giantladder on Aug 28, 2014 8:25:44 GMT -5
Caught at least 5 good shots of myself, was dead center, about 10 feet back, right in front of that round structure on the floor. Seemed like the crane camera was always almost hitting me in the face.
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Post by giantladder on Jun 30, 2014 15:38:09 GMT -5
Last night at the Paramount during the encore we were standing upfront, by Tad & Cooley. Craig started out on the other side of the stage but eventually made his way over to us. When he did, a girl (I do not know) standing next to me lifted up her shirt. Craig did a double take, looked embarrassed and walked away laughing. It did not seem like anyone else on stage noticed the sideshow(ing). He only tried one more time coming over by us and again he received the same display, to which he covered his eyes and shuffled off. I guess this is a Rock Problem he has never faced before. My buddy and I were standing right behind her when that whole thing happened and absolutely lost it. First time we've seen that at a THS show. What a nice lady. Ha! The flashing brunette pushed right past me to the rail! Not a bad set. Seemed like no one on stage had ever experienced THAT! Saw both shows from the rail, dead center, what a weekend!!!
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