Where does the time go? Over a week since my past blog update – I guess short updates on Facebook are taking place of these, but it’s nice to have a chronicle of what’s going on (and in a space that I control).
We moved to Mom’s on the 22nd after finally finishing off packing that day (and going to a rainy outdoor show with Todd Wright and Cheap Trick). The buyers are now living in our place under a pre-settlement occupancy agreement until they can buy the place sometime next month, and we’ll hopefully be closing on the new house next week.
The rest of last weekend we settled in at Mom’s, then a busy week at work plus the much longer commute made for a slog. One bright spot was Michael Franti & Spearhead for our first Wolf Trap show this season. Opening band The Wailers weren’t bad when they broke out the Marley, but Franti brings a ferocious energy to his frontman duties, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many people on their feet at Wolf Trap. Too bad we left early for the sake of sleep and beating a nasty storm.
This past weekend was a 3 day one and very welcome. Saturday and Sunday I never left the house except to walk the dogs, got to catch on TV via streaming and newspapers. On Memorial Day we went to a cookout at the Larsen’s which was a lot of fun, then came back through DC to the 9:30 Club and went to their 30th Anniversary Concert.
We got there a little late (missed Don Dixon and Marti Jones), but managed to see some of Tommy Keene (classic power pop). We’d gravitated to our normal spot on the stage right side of the balcony, and after the set ended noticed that amps, drums and a second chair were set up right in front of us. After a brief pause, The Evens (featuring Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Minor Threat) played a short but intense set before Justin Jones played a set on the main stage.
Henry Rollins was supposed to be hosting and had been delayed by his flight, and finally arrive in time to introduce Bob Mould. He was by himself, playing some Hüsker Dü and Sugar classics, then Ted Leo came up (also solo) and played some of his own newer songs and older songs by Lungfish and Chisel (also him).
We thought that we’d wait through all the other bands before the “special guests” appeared, but next Henry addressed the big rumor – Dave Grohl was there and was taking the stage next. He played a nice version of “Everlong” and then invited on his former bandmates in Scream as they did one of their songs and two Bad Brains covers.
Lots of fun, but we weren’t done yet as ska faves The Pietasters were on and played a quick four song set including the classic Maggie Mae, then they were gone and so were we (missed Clutch and Trouble Funk, but that’s ok).
