Blogs

• March 30, 2010

  What is the under 21 population in Allentown?

  posted by cylindricalminute

  High, would be my guess based on the line of squiddums decked out in faux punk hipster attire lined against the Croc Rock's industrial outside wall. Were there limited number of under and over 21 tickets, I wonder? Because what a whack set up in there! A venue taht is going to go through all the trouble of not only wristbanding the alchies and stamping the squiddums but also barricading a boundary betwixt the two should probably check the squiddum baggage. At least, based on the gatorade bottles being greedily passed around.
  
  Allentown was the fourth (I think) show on this tour. New group dynamics. Problems with the sound set up. Someone amongst the Assembly was so insulted that I disagreed with his opinion of the show that he ignorantly sent me a deletable comment directing me to quit bitching and be a fan or get out because he has a gazillion (read: 19) TEB shows under his belt. Woo-eee. He sure told me.
  
  First of all, it's anyone's prerogative to disagree or dislike whatever he or she does. Second of all, I and numerous other people are bound to take those who use consistent spelling and express assumptions & statements that are not dogmatic more seriously. Third of all, the number of whatever shows a person has been to doesn't mean shit if said person is stupid. Just sayin.
  
  As if a fan is a defined set of characteristics! Sorry, I am no Obot (fuck the health care bill) and no sheep. I worship no god, no human being, no band. Everything is fallible. Once in a while people vote a colored dude into office, but that doesn't make him great. Some shows sound better than others. Sometimes, Stephan has a cold. Amazingly, shockingly!, people can love a band's music but feel disappointed by a performance.
  
  While I have only been to seven shows now, Allentown was to me mediocre. That is, the show itself. Stephan seemed pumped at points, but I wasn't catching the bug to the side of the stage. My brother, Amanda, and I were close, but the band didn't connect. No magical threads of warm fuzzy lovin' shooting out of mic, bass, guitar, etc. Still, a few songs were dead on. And at the conclusion the band exited the venue right in front of us. Pretty cool I guess.
  
  My brother enjoyed it. He's much more mellow and far better at ignoring the jibes and complaints from unfortunately short people than I am. (We didn't choose to be tall, we will not apologize, and we will not stand all the way in the back for you) I'm really glad he had fun and that I had the chance to take him to his first show. Also so glad to have met Amanda. Conversation came easily the whole adventure. We even briefly met Tracy and Lundy. New friends definitely made the night for me. And though the Croc Rock will never see me again, maybe I'll give this tour another try in April.
  
  Teh Internet: serious business.