The tougher things get, the harder we chew

[cyrano]

Last night was my first concert in quite some time--four bands for $15, a cozy little venue called Smalls, a converted bank in Hamtramck. The sound was awesome (apparently the sound guys actually *like* music at this club, and don't crank the bass up to obscene levels), and the set up was nice. There's a big room in front where the bar is, and it was great for cooldown. Down a narrow hallway was the merchandising room, cozy but not tiny, and most of the wall between it and the performance space was a passthrough so people can stand on queue for a CD and still see the show. And the concert space was intimate, but not cramped.

Deconstruct, Iris, De/Vision, and Mesh were the bands. I am told that some of these bands fill arenas in Europe, but there were about a hundred people at this show. It was billed as "Monsters of Synthpop" and I was a little unnerved when the first band came on and I had to peer very closely to make sure it wasn't a stealth-appearance by Devo. And from song to song I played 'guess the tribute' with OMD, Depeche Mode, VNV Nation, Meat Beat Manifesto... mostly eighties alternative, and toward the end of the show a lot more 'original' sound, but it was fun.

The weird thing was how few people at a synthpop concert were dancing. There were a couple of Alice in Wonderland girls who were swaying and fun to watch (one had a sloth backpack!), but largely speaking the lead singer for De/Vision did more dancing than the audience. People pressed to the front of the stage.... to take videos with their cameraphones. There may be an essay in here about how 'kids these days' aren't sure they exist unless they're documenting and broadcasting, but today is not that day. Three hours of sleep will do that.

The subject line is a lyric from Mesh, and it fits very nicely with the official family motto.
Which reminds me. If you're good with Latin and don't like verbs, email me. I need to translate the motto.

Comments

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine who lives in Toronto says that people in Toronto just don't dance at concerts - if you're very good, they might sway a bit to the music, but dancing is out no matter how the singer pleads (which apparently has happened in the past). I wonder if it's a cultural quirk that holds true in MI as well?

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I had never thought about the whole "California v. Michigan" thing. The De/Vision guy *did* get people to clap rhythmically, so there were signs of life.
(You would think, in Canada, if the singer is asking politely, they'd feel obligated to dance.)

[lil-m-moses.livejournal.com]

People generally don't dance at shows here, either. Maybe a few in the back, but that's about it. Unless there's a mosh pit, in which case all bets are off.

I think that show is going to be here later this month, and I'll likely check it out. (Aw, man! It's the night before crew training...will have to ponder.)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

It was well worth the price of admission, but I'm definitely not operating at peak capacity today.

[scarywhitegirl.livejournal.com]

De/Vision and Iris are two bands I really like, so I could load you up a disc or flash drive if you're interested. :) It would be mostly De/Vision, with a handful of Iris, and it's a true smattering of both--I don't have any full albums.

(They're playing here on the 24th, but my inclination is to not go. I find that I get grumpy with other people when I'm constrained in a small space. And it's a Sunday.)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

The lead for Iris was cute--I don't know if he was nervous or what, but he let us know the song was over and it was time to applaud with a one word cue. Sometimes it was 'cool' and sometimes it was 'thanks', but that's how every song ended.
I'm thinking that I was going to do a similar favor for you, but I can't remember what it would have been. You got my steamPUNK stuff already.

[scarywhitegirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think it is my turn to give you music, as you gave me stuff at NW. The only thing I can recall wanting is some of the songs from your station.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

If you know what you want, let me know. Or gimme a hint, or a rebus, or something. I'll throw it on a CD or a thumb.
I'm so tickled when people like my music that I have no problems sharing it. (:

[scarywhitegirl.livejournal.com]

Sent you an E-mail straight out of the notes on my phone. :)