LouieB

I'll be there in real life. I understand Andrew Bird may be an Northwestern that night though, earlier. LouieB

I'll never forget hearing Heroin the first time I heard it (a friend had the album) as a teenager. I remember the place and the day and the impression it made on me. No one had ever written a song like that before (coupled with "I'm Waiting for my Man"); the VU turned rock completely adult. It was a revelation. in fact the entire album was a revelation, with songs about transvestites, drug addicts, S&M, and other adult stuff. It sure blew the lid off of rock as kids music (bye bye Beach Boys). Songs about hard core drug addiction are now common place. Oh sure there were drug songs

The Auditorium is an acoustic hall, originally designed for when there was no amplification. I am amazed at how badly some groups fare in large halls when they employ alot of amplification. LouieB

Thanks all. My birthday is being spent in Springfield, IL rather than Chicago, so no show tonight. I plan on taking next week off and the week after are several shows, so coming up are next Monday, The Chamber Strings, next Tuesday, Von Freeman, the following Monday the Wilco CD release show at the Hideout (maybe preceded by Andrew Bird), Tuesday Morrissey, Thursday Two Cow Garage... Not TOO bad for an old guy huh? Sadly I did not get tickets for Indy, but if anyone has an extra or two I would love to take them off your hands. Thanks again. To all and see some or all of you soon I hope

Someone already answered; the Auditorium Theater is an historic, beautiful and accoustical incredible venue. LouieB

Its good to know there is now a music fest strictly for virgins..... LouieB

His Bowl of fire work is definitely worth checking out, but only if you are into gypsy/swing jazz type stuff. It is very different, but there are times when I have seen him lately when I wished he would just cut lose and play the damn violin sometimes. LouieB

I saw Bob Marley at the Uptown and maybe Santana too..can't remember exactly... At this point the rehab of the Uptown is so prohibititively expensive, I don't think it will ever happen, sadly. The amount of money that would have to be put into it to bring it back up to both code and some sort of semblance of its original beauty, wouldn't be worth it. Unlike the Chicago and Auditorium theaters, which are in the Loop, the Uptown isn't in an area that would attract the really big acts. Someday maybe. (I used to work right next door to it, and saw them film parts of Backdraft there.) Louie

Uptown Theater.....hasn't been opened for over a quarter of a century. LouieB

You have a point there....after a long dry spell at the Riv, the Decemberists have played twice of late. The Riv appears slightly bigger than the Vic and alot bigger than the Metro and dumpier than both. On the other hand it could be worse, those type of groups could get booked into the Aragon. Too bad the Uptown isn't open anymore. LouieB

If they have the money to book it, why is it annoying. At previous shows, VCers had no problem getting in anyway. My nephew, who we turned into to a fan, does......I am an alumni. I had no idea Andrew Bird went to NU. Very cool. LouieB If you have the money to go to NU, I am sure they will take you. LouieB

There are alot of good ones. Take the first Buffalo Springfield for example. Often debut albums are the material a band has been playing for years, so there is alot of thought and work put into them. After they get the record contract they have to start making up new stuff. (Did any one say Liz Phair.....how about the Monkees) LouieB

That's because they clearly don't know the answer. LouieB

Monster Mash was actually a hit song three times. That was the good old days. LouieB

I have a very worn copy of the Halloween album with Monster Mash and a bunch of other wacky songs. LouieB

The dude was young.....that was a hit a very very long time ago. LouieB

I really don't think there is any chance they will ever return to the Riv. Hell, hardly anyone plays the Riv anymore anyway. It makes the Vic look like a freakin palace. LouieB

The most amazing time I saw Andrew was at the Milwaukee Summerfest, just before Wilco, last summer. When he played the drunk and rowdy crowd got amazingly quiet (except for a couple assholes of course) and stayed that way throughout the set. Andrew is a unique talent, not everyone appreciates him, and he has paid his musical dues for alot of years. It couldn't happen to a more talented or deserving guy. He did not find success overnight. LouieB

Maybe too many hippies in Colorado. That is very cool about the bands down south. We have some good ones here in Chicago too. When I got married I had a friend who plays piano put together a band of some jazz and blues musicians. It was very fun. Congratulations and have fun with it. LouieB

Great minds think alike... LouieB

Exactly....she probably deserved it. LouieB

Time to go back to the old ID I can't figure it out. That's the perfect song...I have that in my collection, ask ME to DJ. Hold out for any kind of live band rather than a DJ. Live music is far more fun at weddings and most DJs probably won't have the songs the folks here want played unless they are really hip. For the right amount of money I am sure some band will make it to your wedding. (Ask Two Cow Garage..I bet they would make the drive.... ) Louieb

No kidding, he is nearly dead.... The first three albums have just been reissued I discovered the other day, with really nice packaging and an extra song or two on each. I have all these on the old vinyl so don't think I will buy them, but for new comers it is a nice way to go. My guess is that the reissue program is fueling the interview. LouieB

While others are decrying the fact that Wilco will no longer player smaller venues (or clubs such as Matryrs), it appears that Andrew's time has also come when he will no longer play the clubs in Chicago. He has sold out those type of places in a flash here and seems to be playing larger places even on the road. My first time seeing him with Bowl of Fire many years ago at an uncrowded Metro, he said he had never played anywhere that large before. Having seen him at places like Schubas and the Hideout, I am sorry to see those days go for him too, but our loss is the world's gain. He d

Bump..what the heck. I plan to stay to the bitter end for a change. I have never done that and I don't have to go to work the next day. Hope I can stay awake that long. LouieB