Yes, I keep an Excel spreadsheet database of almost all of the concerts I've been to since 1999 which is when I moved to California. Well, I also included the '98 Horde Festival at the Gorge Ampitheatre where I slept in my Bronco II in a hotel parking lot when I was too tired to continue driving home after the show. Of note, it was also my first time to see Guster live (you'll see why soon it is of note). Over the past 9 years I have gone to 213 events, seeing 443 bands if you include duplicates, 270 if you don't, in 41 cities, and spread out over 13 states (AZ, CA, CO, IL, MA, MD, NV, NY, OR, RI, TX, UT, and WA).
Let's take a closer look at the top 3 4.
Yes, I have seen Guster 32 times in 8 states and 16 cities. That number is nothing if you compare it to some of my Boston friends who are well into the triple digits. My most spontaneous concert going moment occurred with the opportunity to see Guster's sold out performance at Radio City Music Hall (where I ended up in the front row). With less than 24 hours notice I booked flight and was headed to Baltimore to be picked up by my friend Viv and Kat (a stranger at the time) for a show that night, a midnight drive to New Jersey, and eventually my first visit to NYC that lasted less than 24 hours. The show was incredible and the fridge in our shared hotel was insanely stocked. A crazy weekend indeed. UPDATE: Read more about the trip here.
You may not have heard of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, although you may be familiar with The Refreshments (Roger Clyne & PH Naffah's former band). Arguably the hardest working band in rock and roll, they have a tremendous fan base and have managed to be successful as truly independent band. RCPM recently headed south to Mexico for the Turbo Ocho Sessions where the idea was to write and record an album in 8 days. The event culminated with a concert, with 500 strong in attendance. While I've seen a band on back to back nights, for no other have I decided after seeing them in LA on Friday to drive to Vegas for the next nights show and drive back in the same night. Near Miss Mallet is local Bakersfield band with singer Melissa Wiggins and her husband Brock that I actually saw a few times before they were even named such (or married). While being at the number 3 position is somewhat a result of being a local band, it's not at all an undeserved slot. I'm pretty excited that they happen to be playing in a couple weeks when I'm back in Bakersfield visiting (drop by Dagny's to see the band and say hi to me and them).
I was going to stop at 3, but then I noticed that Matt the Electrician will actually be tied with NMM (if only for a couple weeks) after I see him and Southpaw Jones at Anderson Fair on Friday. Those of you in Houston would be remiss if you don't catch this duo who drive all the way over from Austin to bring a little bit of weirdness our way.
we are honored to be on your list even if it's because we are local and our shows happen to be free... we are trying to make a second and much more dynamic album happen sometime this year. i will keep you posted! see you soon :)
