My First Concert - Well, in California

My first concert was Bon Jovi - their Slippery When Wet Tour - my mom took me. So thankful to her for this and one of my fondest concert memories. Skid Row opened - and I believe and someone has to let me know if I'm wrong - Sebastian Bach had piercings on his ear, nose, and nipple and a chain connected them all...but I digress.

A few days ago I had the extreme fortune of attending not only my first music show in California - but a damn good one.
Lidia's co-worker and friend was unable to attend the My Morning Jacket show so he most generously gave us his tickets.

The concert was at the Greek Theatre located on the University of California - Berkeley campus. This was my first visit to Berkeley's campus. We had to walk the length of the campus to get to the venue. We decided the best route was straight through the center.


This was a great idea and the worst idea. I immediately became nostalgic (it being on the brink of fall did not help at all) and began thinking of what degree I wanted to pursue so I could attend school again. I started writing my letter for admission in my head. I think my chances are good, well once I determine if I want to study nanophsyical sciences or botany. Lidia was on the same page as me except she decided she was nostalgic for a college keg party. This worked in my head as well. I wondered what the price of a cup goes for these days - especially on a more affluent campus than the one I attended. I thought we used to pay $3 to $5 for a cup, depending on if there was a band or DJ and this makes me laugh heartily that we used to say that "Um, we have a band, so it's going to cost you $5 as opposed to $3" In Chicago I would pay on average $20 for a band and then my beers if I was lucky cost $5 on the low end.

Still, $7 for a night of drinking...is not a bad deal, listening to O.A.R. or NKOTB - boyfriend song...over and over with scrawny college boys...I don't think someone could pay me $70 to do subject myself to that. Although, I am unemployed and $70 would be pretty decent earnings for a night; so I must retract my former statement and say I would subject myself to that and maybe a keg stand or two.
All of the college nostalgia aside. Berkeley is a very large and very pretty campus. They have a clock tower that is larger than any building I have seen in San Francisco and it to my knowledge is completely useless (the clock tower, not San Francisco). I loved this.


We reached the Greek Theatre in time to catch the beginning of MMJs set which was in full swing. The venue is completely outdoors. It looks like a Greek coliseum - hence the name I'm guessing. The lay out allowed for amazing vantage points of the stage and band and the sound was great. Loud enough to not hear your neighbor but not loud enough to leave your ears ringing for days on end.


MMJ did as I would have expected; put on an amazing show. They played most songs from their new album Evil Urges (It is the Evil Urges Tour) and a slew of others from albums past. They played with all the energy they could muster, they jammed out with an energy and vigor that left me wanting more instead of wishing they'd "just get on with it all ready." (sorry - I feel this way about lots of jammy bands - I get that its personal).
The weather was cool and crisp. The crowds energy ebbed and flowed with the bands and it was great. I hope to go to more shows and experience more venues but for my first time out I couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience.





While I realize I look a wee bit drunk in this picture I can assure you its just not so. Not only did I not attend a college party or partake in a keg stand I didn't even drink. I am drunk on good music is all I can think to say and that is so corny it wasn't worth writing. But I did and I was so that is that is that.