So, I'm coming up on being a full month behind with things.  I guess I'll survive.  But I come bearing exciting month-old news: I have now been sworn in as an official Aquabat!  Wandering past MC Lars' MySpace page I spied a tour date in Utah, at the Venue, no less, and I was immediately intrigued at the prospect of seeing MC Lars perform a full set (if you'll recall, when I saw him on the Nerdcore Tour, his set was cut short to make room for Steel Train), so I made my plans.  It wasn't until a few days before the show that I discovered that Lars would be opening for the Aquabats! which simply cemented my determination to attend.  Lars was great, still throwing out horrible jokes between songs ("Man, ya'll are so live, you must be throwing copper"), inciting a Tetris mosh, and not having to skip through songs, which was nice.  My one huge complaint about Lars this time around wasn't his fault, it's just that moshing is a lot more okay at The Venue than at Kilby Court, so when the drums kicked in on "Hot Topic is Not Punk Rock" that was my cue to exodus to the back of the club.  Unfortunately my glasses didn't make it, may their sacrifice not be forgotten.
As for the Aquabats!, they put on a fantastic show.  I think they're one of those bands that don't really need to release any new music, just tour on what they've got.  So, I've told you about MC Lars already, you should know about the Aquabats! by now, so I'll let you in on the big surprise of the show: Love You Long Time.  Despite their unfortunate association with both regular BYU and BYU Idaho (they claim origins in Provo, UT and Rexburg, ID), they are highly entertaining with little or no cringe-worthy moments (the city of Provo kinda makes me cringe generally, though).  They sport matching, brightly coloured garb and play stuff that would not sound out of place coming out of a house party in 1993, but they do it in such a way that you can't help but get into it.  Giant boomboxes, goofy rapping, backflips and all around good times.  I don't know if you'll be able to see them much outside the Utah/Idaho area, but if the opportunity comes, I endorse participation.

 

I was recently torn between seeing Saves the Day perform an acoustic set at Kilby Court or seeing the Cure in whatever big venue the Cure play here in Utah.  This conflict was resolved for me when the Cure postponed because the new album isn't finished yet.  So I get StD in October and the Cure in May (I think).  Also coming up on my concert agenda is the Smashing Pumpkins at the end of September and the X96 Big Ass Show in early October.  And I swear I'll get around to talking to you wonderful folk more often.

Love and Squalor,