Band #49 - And How We Got To This Point
That break from shows was really long
In the most shocking development ever, my ‘break’ from seeing shows that I suggested was coming at the end of the last review lasted all of three days. I’m frankly a little surprised that it went that long.
Tonight was a community show. Calgary’s own The Ashley Hundred, who accurately call themselves a folk-adelic beard pop band, were playing in the park at University District as part of the monthly night market. There is something beautiful about being able to sit in the park in your neighbourhood (technically not our neighbourhood, but it’s right beside ours and we claim it as our own because it’s way coooler than ours) watching a band on a stage built for such a purpose. And, somehow, it had much better sound than pretty much any venue in the city. Lovely.
The band was good fun. The two coolest instruments on the planet are the steel guitar and the banjo. The band has one guy who plays both. Obviously be was my favorite of the hundred (which was actually just 5 guys, and it seemed very likely that none were actually named Ashley - the name is a mystery). But a close second was the drummer, not only because he was good, but also because he had a completely transparent drum kit.
The highlight of the night, in the minds of both Tricia and I, was the pleasingly surreal stage taking place beside the stage throughout the set. The band was preceded by a kid’s magician act - a guy in his 60s who was really into his craft, but in a way that made me want nothing to do with watching the show. For the first 45 minutes of the band’s set he was doing the most methodical job I have ever seen of packing up his props. Folding handkerchiefs, then refolding them. Individually wrapping glasses nd then putting them in a bag. Removing his sign. There are, apparently, a thousand things to do to pack up after a show, and I’m seen few things more strangely compelling than watching him do them. The only break in his routine came when a fan came over and gushed over meeting him with more excitement than I would think anyone would ever feel about a kid’s magician.
This is all but certainly the last show in June. And it also gets me as close to halfway through this challenge as I can get without being halfway. It’s a good time, then, to look back at what has transpired in the three months and five days of this journey so far.
The Numbers
The 49 bands I have seen so far have been over 29 shows at 18 different venues - all but one in Calgary.
17 of those shows have been with a companion - a total of 13 different people. And 12 shows have been solo affairs. My most common companion, not surprisingly, was my wife Tricia, who has been to seven shows.
36 of the 49 bands are Canadian - 14 from Calgary, 14 from Manitoba and west excluding Calgary, and 8 from Ontario and east. I’ve also seen bands from six other countries - seven from the U.S., as well as groups from Italy, Japan, Australia, Germany and the U.K.
39 of the 49 bands have been new to me. The Headstones are the band I have seen most before, though their reign at the top won’t last long - my next Watchmen show is just a couple weeks away.
Quick Hits
Coolest event: Having one of my favorite Canadian vocalists sing one of the best songs ever recorded a foot from me last Saturday night, and then having him steal my beer and throw it a dozen feet into the air - that’s going to be hard to top.
Favorite memories: There are too many great moments that have happened so far to believe, really. It’s been a great run. Among the many: Josh Homme was a true rock star to open things up; randomly seeing Free The Cynics opened up a wild ride; Wind Rose’s dwarven metal was a crazy, cool trip; Wheatus showed they were no one hit wonder; The Mission was a grand trip down memory lane - and a hell of a show; Hanabie was a Japanese joy ride of beautiful confusion; Taking Back Sunday showed me maybe missing out on emo wasn’t a smart move; The Sadies were just ridiculously good; The Raygun Cowboys showed not everything out of Edmonton is awful; Authority Zero was just a typhoon on stage; Wack and Laughing were two brilliant discoveries of Sled Island, and are both bands I hope to see many more times.
Most surreal moments: That I have spent more than eight hours having beers with two singers - one I just met, and one I have seen dozens of times - just makes me shake my head every time I think of it.
Low point: Though I didn’t really reflect it in the write-up, there has been just one show in this run that I haven’t enjoyed. The crowd was annoying. The sound was terrible. One of the bands made too many unforced errors. I was not having fun. There was no joy in Mudville on that night. But for this many shows, to have only one dud is really impressive. And, on the flip side, there have been several shows that were much better than I was anticipating - most of them, really.
Life lesson: The biggest thing I have learned from all of this so far is the power of just saying yes. I have been going to a whole lot of shows in this run that I wouldn’t normally go to. Shows in genres I haven’t typically explored. Shows on nights that I have been tired or could easily have found an excuse to stay home. I have just found a show, found something that sounds interesting about it, and committed to going - over and over again. And that has led to so much fun, so many great memories, and so many beautiful discoveries. I likely won’t go to see a band every 1.96 days in perpetuity like I have for the last three months, but I will continue to embrace this attitude of fearless acceptance. It just makes life better.
Upcoming excitement: There are some real gems on the horizon over the next few months. My 48th Watchmen concert is on July 9th. A bucket list show that I have always wanted to see comes on August 16th in Spokane when we see the incomprehensibly amazing Built to Spill. As a special bonus, that one’s in a bar, but it’s all ages, so Tristan gets to come. That’s a hell of a first bar show. Frank Turner, who blew my mind when I saw him last year when I didn’t even know who he was, is back in town at the beginning of September. And I get to spend my 49th birthday in melancholy fashion - watching my beloved Tokyo Police Club’s retirement tour, with the equally great Born Ruffians opening up.
The biggest of thanks: Thanks to all of you for coming along on this ride, for reading as much as you do, and for saying nice things along the way. There are many more of you than I would have imagined, and this has all meant more to me than I ever could have guessed.
If the second half is half as fun as the first half has been it will be a truly great time. And, let’s not kid ourselves - I’m by no means halfway done, because I’ll be at 100 well before I turn 50, and I have no intention of slowing down.
The details: The Ashley Hundred, University District night market, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 8 pm.
Up next: Not sure. Quite possibly something on Canada Day. If not then, then the Stampede ramps up soon after, and there are no shortage of options on the table.
I love reading everything you share!! Keep on truckin'. Is there something we can join you in on the Aug long weekend when you come up?