My Life in Rock

August 17, 2003

Over the last few days I had four great musical experiences. Here they are in chronological order (to show they all had a unique significance):

1. On Wednesday I purchased a number of CDs at Virgin Records' $10 sale. The last two were purchased later on at an independent record store in Brooklyn. They are as follows...

• AC/DC - Back in Black
• The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
• Guns N' Roses - Apetite for Destruction
• Ben Lee - Hey You. Yes You.
• Matthew Sweet - 100% Fun
• John Linnell - State Songs

Two of these albums were influenced by Fargo Rock City. If you've read the book you'll know which ones. In fact, astute readers could probably guess without reading it (a study shows that 87% of my readers have completed at least one PHD program).

2. On Friday night I saw The Polyphonic Spree at Warsaw in Brooklyn. I have to say, it was the best concert I've seen since the last Ben Folds Five show I was at. Truly, it was amazing. I danced my pants off (not literally, but when I got home I did put shorts on) and am amazed at how good the live show was. What put me over the top was a song in the encore. They played "Wig in a Box" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch. That would be enough on its own, but John Cameron Mitchell got on stage. I almost cried (I may have cried but I was sweating a lot). Incidentally, I reminded myself about the high of working out. I like getting sweaty now and again.

3. I ordered JBL Creature Speakers (in silver, to match the laptop) and I have no idea how I lived with my built-in speakers for so long. I am listening to albums much more frequently now because I can actually hear them. I love good speakers. I especially love good, sexy, small speakers.

4. Tonight I went to see Guster at Radio City Music Hall. As always, it was a wonderful show. They rocked the house and the crowd was really into it. Tonight I was able to accept that the fans aren't getting younger, I'm just getting older. Also, as much as I love love love Guster, I was more excited to see Moria and Lizzie. Good peoples. Finally, I will note that a young man named Albert who happens to be in the show was found both in the audience and backstage. He was with his friend Adam Green of the Moldy Peaches. They seemed to be hanging with Ben Kweller, who made a guest appearance during the encore. Woh, rock stars. The only impressive part was when one of Ryan's high school friends asked Albert for his autograph saying, "I hear you're in that Strokes band." Priceless.

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