So, the boys changed tact once again and decided to run with what got them there. In a lot of ways, this season of Big Brother reminds me of Survivor: Africa. As much as I was entertained by the cast members, the sides where chosen right at the beginning and loyalty and smart play kept that alliance in power the whole season. I'd like to feel bad for Brittney, but as I have pointed out, she had many opportunities to change the game in her favor but just didn't. Did she not realize how tight the boys were? Maybe. I think she just let her personal feelings affect her game play. When someone is an outsider they are in their weakest position and more willing to join forces. She could have used this to make a pact with Brendon and Ragan and Kathy and the game would have been changed, but she had to get Brendon out of the house.
I think its Hayden's game to lose. He is already in the final competition and if he wins he'll take Lane. I'm not sure how much Rachel and Brendon will hold in house fights against Hayden and who knows which way Matt and Ragan will go, but I figure the vote will fall 5-2 Hayden. Enzo just can't win a competition, so I doubt he'll be a factor, but I guess there is an outside chance he gets into the final and upsets Hayden. In that case, I think he takes Lane and the vote falls much the same way. Have to wait until Wednesday to find out. My final rankings...
1.Hayden
2.Enzo
3.Lane
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Terriers: Pilot
Police Procedural and Medical Dramas have become the kings and queens of television. You would find it hard pressed to turn on your TV at any given hour and not find one or two of each on. But there is something about these shows that never connected with me. I missed out on the Law and Order craze. I have no desire to watch one CSI a week, let alone three. A good private investigator show though, that's a different story. There is something grittier about the PI, more exciting. A good PI show is less about the crimes being solved and more about the people solving them. Its about working outside the rules. Its about overcoming ones glaring shortcomings. There's just more meat there. With all the focus on the police side of things, television had seemed to forget about the police procedural's rebel cousin. The last PI show I remember watching was Veronica Mars, and as much as I loved that show, it was still a glossed over look at the world. But the arrival of FX's Terriers may have just changed that.
The Terriers pilot was a wonderfully gritty look into the world of two private investigators, Hank Dolworth played by Donald Logue (The Tao Of Steve, Grounded For Life) and Britt Pollack played by Michael Raymond-James (True Blood), neither on the upside of life. Dolworth is an ex-cop with a drinking past and an ex-wife. Pollack is a lovable loser whose girlfriend can't seem to pressure into growing up. What sells this show right from the first scene is the chemistry between the two partners. You can't help but love the two men as their funny banter and playful nature carry you through the heavy and sometimes brutally violent messes they get themselves into. The pilot episode finds the two getting in over there heads with a local real estate developer with tons of money and power. Though the episode comes to a resolution, we are given the feeling that the two will run into further problems with the man and his shady associates, most likely giving us a storyline that will run throughout the season.
Even though the show will only remain interesting as long as Logue and Raymond-James relationship feels fresh, there are other performances that spice up the story. Rockmond Dunbar's (Prison Break, Soul Food) turn as Dolworth's ex-police partner, Mark Gustafson, added more depth to the shows world as a whole. His obvious frustration dealing with Dolworth and his bullshit felt as painful, if not more, then Dolworth's dealings with his ex-wife, Gretchen (Kimberly Quinn). The fact that either of the two continue to put up with him, even at a distance, makes you realize there is something worthwhile to the character, even if he has fallen far from grace. Laura Allen (Mona Lisa Smile) does much the same for Britt as his girlfriend, Katie Nichols. Katie is obviously looking for more from her boyfriend, stability, commitment, a kid, but none of it appears to be in the immediate future. So, she puts up with Britt's childish behavior and his loser sidekick in hopes that things will change. The question the show will probably address at some point, though, is how long is she willing to put up with it?
I have high hopes for Terriers. The witty writing and solid acting is enough to keep me watching. It will now be seen how fresh they can keep the story lines and the great chemistry between the two leads.
The Terriers pilot was a wonderfully gritty look into the world of two private investigators, Hank Dolworth played by Donald Logue (The Tao Of Steve, Grounded For Life) and Britt Pollack played by Michael Raymond-James (True Blood), neither on the upside of life. Dolworth is an ex-cop with a drinking past and an ex-wife. Pollack is a lovable loser whose girlfriend can't seem to pressure into growing up. What sells this show right from the first scene is the chemistry between the two partners. You can't help but love the two men as their funny banter and playful nature carry you through the heavy and sometimes brutally violent messes they get themselves into. The pilot episode finds the two getting in over there heads with a local real estate developer with tons of money and power. Though the episode comes to a resolution, we are given the feeling that the two will run into further problems with the man and his shady associates, most likely giving us a storyline that will run throughout the season.
Even though the show will only remain interesting as long as Logue and Raymond-James relationship feels fresh, there are other performances that spice up the story. Rockmond Dunbar's (Prison Break, Soul Food) turn as Dolworth's ex-police partner, Mark Gustafson, added more depth to the shows world as a whole. His obvious frustration dealing with Dolworth and his bullshit felt as painful, if not more, then Dolworth's dealings with his ex-wife, Gretchen (Kimberly Quinn). The fact that either of the two continue to put up with him, even at a distance, makes you realize there is something worthwhile to the character, even if he has fallen far from grace. Laura Allen (Mona Lisa Smile) does much the same for Britt as his girlfriend, Katie Nichols. Katie is obviously looking for more from her boyfriend, stability, commitment, a kid, but none of it appears to be in the immediate future. So, she puts up with Britt's childish behavior and his loser sidekick in hopes that things will change. The question the show will probably address at some point, though, is how long is she willing to put up with it?
I have high hopes for Terriers. The witty writing and solid acting is enough to keep me watching. It will now be seen how fresh they can keep the story lines and the great chemistry between the two leads.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Big Brother: I've Been Called A Ball Buster Before
So, Hayden is HOH and it looks like him and Enzo have paired up to keep Brittney around. Everything is going to ride on the POV this week. If Lane wins, he takes himself off and votes Enzo out of the house and loses Enzo's vote in a situation where he needs every vote he can get. If Brittney wins, she takes herself off and sends Enzo home, which helps Lane's cause by saving him the scar from voting out Enzo. If Enzo or Hayden wins, nominations stay the same and Lane goes home. I'm not sure what effect that would have on the final vote.
That's all I really have to comment on this week, so I'm going to do 4 burning questions at this point in the season...
4. How is Ragan going to react to Matt's lie?
Ragan got very close to Matt and felt they were kindred spirits. Seeing how Kathy reacted to the truth about Matt's wife, I can't imagine Ragan not being totally destroyed. I'm not sure what Matt was thinking trying this ploy in the first place. Whether or not he thought it was just a game strategy, there is no way he could have thought that others in the house would be able to brush off the truth as part of the game. And what matters most in these games is not how you would react but how others will react. If it's not painfully awkward in the jury house right now, its going to get one hundred times worse when Ragan's shoes walk through the door.
3. Can Lane do a confessional without yelling and chopping one hand into the other for emphasis?
Now that there is only four people in the house and we get to see that much more of Lane in the confessional, this is really starting to bug me. The act was slightly humorous the first time they showed it, but now that we've all seen it a hundred times the luster is off the penny. I went from being OK with Lane winning to hoping he falls on his face in a matter of two shows. Just talk to the camera like a normal person, sir. The only saving grace for Lane, in my eyes, was his anti-flower rant. As a fellow "I don't do flowers" male, I couldn't help but cheer his excited yell and hand chop for at least a couple minutes.
2. Can't somebody get Brittney some hair dye?
If this finance of hers is so caring and loving don't you think he would have put some hair dye in her HOH basket? Those roots show more and more every week. These people get all the food and alcohol they want, but a girl can't get a few beauty aids. They should make that one of the reward challenges, win a months worth of hair dye. I really should care less about this, but it bothers me when pretty girls feel they need to be blond. Brunettes are better looking, ladies. Keep your hair its natural color.
...that may have been the gayest paragraph I have ever written.
1. What the hell does the nickname Meow, Meow mean?
I've asked it before and I still don't have an answer. What the hell? It makes no sense. Why does a grown man call himself that? I demand answers before the season comes to an end!
That's all I really have to comment on this week, so I'm going to do 4 burning questions at this point in the season...
4. How is Ragan going to react to Matt's lie?
Ragan got very close to Matt and felt they were kindred spirits. Seeing how Kathy reacted to the truth about Matt's wife, I can't imagine Ragan not being totally destroyed. I'm not sure what Matt was thinking trying this ploy in the first place. Whether or not he thought it was just a game strategy, there is no way he could have thought that others in the house would be able to brush off the truth as part of the game. And what matters most in these games is not how you would react but how others will react. If it's not painfully awkward in the jury house right now, its going to get one hundred times worse when Ragan's shoes walk through the door.
3. Can Lane do a confessional without yelling and chopping one hand into the other for emphasis?
Now that there is only four people in the house and we get to see that much more of Lane in the confessional, this is really starting to bug me. The act was slightly humorous the first time they showed it, but now that we've all seen it a hundred times the luster is off the penny. I went from being OK with Lane winning to hoping he falls on his face in a matter of two shows. Just talk to the camera like a normal person, sir. The only saving grace for Lane, in my eyes, was his anti-flower rant. As a fellow "I don't do flowers" male, I couldn't help but cheer his excited yell and hand chop for at least a couple minutes.
2. Can't somebody get Brittney some hair dye?
If this finance of hers is so caring and loving don't you think he would have put some hair dye in her HOH basket? Those roots show more and more every week. These people get all the food and alcohol they want, but a girl can't get a few beauty aids. They should make that one of the reward challenges, win a months worth of hair dye. I really should care less about this, but it bothers me when pretty girls feel they need to be blond. Brunettes are better looking, ladies. Keep your hair its natural color.
...that may have been the gayest paragraph I have ever written.
1. What the hell does the nickname Meow, Meow mean?
I've asked it before and I still don't have an answer. What the hell? It makes no sense. Why does a grown man call himself that? I demand answers before the season comes to an end!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Top 5: Monty Python Flying Circus Skits
I just got the opportunity to watch the Sundance Channel 6 part documentary on Monty Python the other day and it inspired this list. I've decided to just stick to the Flying Circus television show and not include any of the Python movies, other then "And Now For Something Completely Different" which was just a best of Flying Circus movie anyway...
5.Frontiers Of Medicine-Penguins www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZmx0jml1jk
This isn't one of the more known Python sketches but it has me in stitches every time I see it. They send up the science community and the absurdity of some of the studies conducted by trying to prove that Penguins are smarter then humans. When asked a series of questions Penguins and Non-English speaking humans score the same! They also get a few shots in on BBC programmers (just substitute ABC, NBC or CBS programmer and you should get the jokes). The sketch also shows how ahead of the curve Python was, doing a Penguin centered sketch 30 some odd years before "The March Of The Penguins"
4.Rival Documentaries www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TOTQW0-DxM
The premise is simple enough, a bunch of documentarians fighting over one microphone. There's not much intellectual substance here but a ton of laughs. The best moment was when John Cleese tackles Michael Palin. I fell off my couch!
3. Nudge Nudge www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXpKKnffEmk
Eric Idle is my favorite Python and this was probably his best performance. Totally silly, but I couldn't count all the times I've been able to bring nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean, know what I mean, into a conversation. One of my favorite Python sketches to quote.
2. Argument Sketch www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
This sketch encapsulates everything Python was. It was totally silly yet extremely witty at the same time. The writing is so tight and on point. If one phrase or word was off, it probably wouldn't work, but it is total genius the way they performed it. No comedy troupe since has been as good with word play as Monty Python and this is the best example.
1. Dead Parrot www.youtube.com/watch?v=npjOSLCR2hE
I didn't want to put this sketch on the list. Saying this is your favorite Python sketch doesn't say much about you and how much of a fan you may be. Everyone knows the Dead Parrot sketch. Its like saying your favorite Shakespeare play is Hamlet, the one play we all read in school. When someone says their favorite Shakespeare play is Hamlet, I assume they haven't read anything else by him. I assume the same thing about Python and the Parrot sketch. But at the same time, there has to be something that made it that famous in the first place. Dead Parrot may be the greatest sketch ever written. Its so absurd, yet we can all relate to Cleese's frustration. Palin does such a great job playing dumb. As much as I may want to, I can't deny it as the best of Python's work.
Honorable mentions: Philosopher Football www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8, Olympic Hide and Seek Final www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycb9_Y_gJ-g&feature=fvsr, Spanish Inquisition www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tym0MObFpTI&feature=related
5.Frontiers Of Medicine-Penguins www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZmx0jml1jk
This isn't one of the more known Python sketches but it has me in stitches every time I see it. They send up the science community and the absurdity of some of the studies conducted by trying to prove that Penguins are smarter then humans. When asked a series of questions Penguins and Non-English speaking humans score the same! They also get a few shots in on BBC programmers (just substitute ABC, NBC or CBS programmer and you should get the jokes). The sketch also shows how ahead of the curve Python was, doing a Penguin centered sketch 30 some odd years before "The March Of The Penguins"
4.Rival Documentaries www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TOTQW0-DxM
The premise is simple enough, a bunch of documentarians fighting over one microphone. There's not much intellectual substance here but a ton of laughs. The best moment was when John Cleese tackles Michael Palin. I fell off my couch!
3. Nudge Nudge www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXpKKnffEmk
Eric Idle is my favorite Python and this was probably his best performance. Totally silly, but I couldn't count all the times I've been able to bring nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean, know what I mean, into a conversation. One of my favorite Python sketches to quote.
2. Argument Sketch www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
This sketch encapsulates everything Python was. It was totally silly yet extremely witty at the same time. The writing is so tight and on point. If one phrase or word was off, it probably wouldn't work, but it is total genius the way they performed it. No comedy troupe since has been as good with word play as Monty Python and this is the best example.
1. Dead Parrot www.youtube.com/watch?v=npjOSLCR2hE
I didn't want to put this sketch on the list. Saying this is your favorite Python sketch doesn't say much about you and how much of a fan you may be. Everyone knows the Dead Parrot sketch. Its like saying your favorite Shakespeare play is Hamlet, the one play we all read in school. When someone says their favorite Shakespeare play is Hamlet, I assume they haven't read anything else by him. I assume the same thing about Python and the Parrot sketch. But at the same time, there has to be something that made it that famous in the first place. Dead Parrot may be the greatest sketch ever written. Its so absurd, yet we can all relate to Cleese's frustration. Palin does such a great job playing dumb. As much as I may want to, I can't deny it as the best of Python's work.
Honorable mentions: Philosopher Football www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8, Olympic Hide and Seek Final www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycb9_Y_gJ-g&feature=fvsr, Spanish Inquisition www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tym0MObFpTI&feature=related
Friday, September 3, 2010
Big Brother: I'm No English Major
I haven't decided if Lane is brilliant or really stupid yet. It really felt like it was time for him to make a big move and keep Ragan, but I'm not sure his chances are any better or worse now that he ultimately decided to evict Ragan. Everything for him comes down to Brittney winning the HOH this week. If she wins he has no choice but to evict one of his friends and doesn't look disloyal in the process. If she loses though, and he evicts Enzo or Hayden over her, he loses at least one vote in the jury, if not two. I wonder, if Enzo wins, he would be smart enough to put Hayden and Brittney on the block, forcing Lane to chose between taking the opportunity to get rid of the hands on jury favorite and staying loyal to the Brigade? This next week could either be very interesting or extremely boring.
This week also gave us a vist to the jury house. Holy shit, did I forget how nauseating Brendon and Rachel are! We need to inact some kind of law that prevents them from ever being shown on TV again. If these two become the next Rob and Amber reality "it couple" I think I'll end up shooting my TV. My question about the jury house is, why do they only show us the feet of the person entering the house? We know who it is. They aren't hiding anything from us. Just show the whole person.
Not much to write now that we are down to the nitty gritty, so here are my rankings...
1.Hayden
2.Lane
3.Enzo
4.Brittney
This week also gave us a vist to the jury house. Holy shit, did I forget how nauseating Brendon and Rachel are! We need to inact some kind of law that prevents them from ever being shown on TV again. If these two become the next Rob and Amber reality "it couple" I think I'll end up shooting my TV. My question about the jury house is, why do they only show us the feet of the person entering the house? We know who it is. They aren't hiding anything from us. Just show the whole person.
Not much to write now that we are down to the nitty gritty, so here are my rankings...
1.Hayden
2.Lane
3.Enzo
4.Brittney
Thursday, September 2, 2010
From My Queue: Big Fan
I've gotten a little behind in my movie viewing over the last couple of years. At one point I was at the movie theater at least once a week, but due to lack of funds and other obligations I've found it harder and harder to get there. Like the title suggests, the movie reviews I will do for the blog are going to be movies from my Netflix queue. That being the case, they won't always be current, but hopefully they will still be fun...
Big Fan- 3 out of 5 stars
writer: Robert D. Siegel
director: Robert D. Siegel
cast: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan
Patton Oswalt, one of the best stand-up comedians out there, may be the lead in this movie about an obsessive New York Giant football fan, but Robert Siegel's take on the subject is far from funny. Siegel is the writer of 2008's indie darling The Wrestler and much like that film Big Fan is a dark tale of a man lost in a world of his own creation that most people don't understand. Unlike The Wrestler, there is very little feeling of redemption here, or at least hope of redemption. Oswalt's character, Paul Aufiero, works in a parking garage, lives with his mother, calls into late night radio talk shows with scripted rants, watches Giants games on a TV in the Giant Stadium parking lot and has no aspirations of anything else. When other family members badger him about finding a career or starting a family Paul says he's not interested and the viewer can't help but believe him. As pathetic as most of us would find the character, Paul seems totally content with the world he has created for himself. Sports fans can't help but feel a little threatened by Siegel's portrayal of this world. Paul is nothing but a blown up caricature of a sports fanatic. Most sports fans can relate to many of the trials and tribulations he goes through. We've all bumped into our favorite player in public and debated what to do. We've all used the pronouns us and we when talking about our favorite teams. Some of us may have even called into a radio program to add to the conversation or debate. But I find it hard to believe anyone takes it to the delusional level Paul does. Unfortunately, I'm sure most non-sports fans don't find it so hard. It's everything they fear of those they don't understand.
Over all I found the movie an interesting view. It kept me entertained for a hour and a half, even though it masked hyperbole as truth. Oswalt and one of those "that guy" character actors, Kevin Corrigan, did a great job making the somewhat depressing world the two characters lived in seem that much more real. Siegel seems to have a knack for depicting the pathetic and depressive in a way that makes you want to keep watching. I feel this movie would have been better served if it gave the audience some hope for Paul's future other then that he was content in his world, but then again, I don't write award winning movies, just this stupid blog.
***SPOILER***
One interesting question the movie does bring up for us sports fanatics is, how important is the success of our team to us? In the movie Paul gets savagely beat by his favorite athlete and then refuses to press charges because it might mean the end of said players career or at least further suspension that would hurt the Giants chances of making the playoffs. As foreign as that rational may be to some, I got it. In fact I started to worry about the repercussions before it was even fully addressed in the film. If you were given the choice of huge pay day or the continued success of your favorite team, what would you do? Would you continue to defend your favorite player even after he has proven to be a horrible person? Many people in Pittsburgh are going through this dilemma right now. Are you better off with a sub-par team that might not make the playoffs but made up of good people or a Super Bowl contender with a quarterback who has been accused of rape and other horrible acts multiple times? Paul ultimately decides for the later and although I don't really agree, I understand.
Big Fan- 3 out of 5 stars
writer: Robert D. Siegel
director: Robert D. Siegel
cast: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan
Patton Oswalt, one of the best stand-up comedians out there, may be the lead in this movie about an obsessive New York Giant football fan, but Robert Siegel's take on the subject is far from funny. Siegel is the writer of 2008's indie darling The Wrestler and much like that film Big Fan is a dark tale of a man lost in a world of his own creation that most people don't understand. Unlike The Wrestler, there is very little feeling of redemption here, or at least hope of redemption. Oswalt's character, Paul Aufiero, works in a parking garage, lives with his mother, calls into late night radio talk shows with scripted rants, watches Giants games on a TV in the Giant Stadium parking lot and has no aspirations of anything else. When other family members badger him about finding a career or starting a family Paul says he's not interested and the viewer can't help but believe him. As pathetic as most of us would find the character, Paul seems totally content with the world he has created for himself. Sports fans can't help but feel a little threatened by Siegel's portrayal of this world. Paul is nothing but a blown up caricature of a sports fanatic. Most sports fans can relate to many of the trials and tribulations he goes through. We've all bumped into our favorite player in public and debated what to do. We've all used the pronouns us and we when talking about our favorite teams. Some of us may have even called into a radio program to add to the conversation or debate. But I find it hard to believe anyone takes it to the delusional level Paul does. Unfortunately, I'm sure most non-sports fans don't find it so hard. It's everything they fear of those they don't understand.
Over all I found the movie an interesting view. It kept me entertained for a hour and a half, even though it masked hyperbole as truth. Oswalt and one of those "that guy" character actors, Kevin Corrigan, did a great job making the somewhat depressing world the two characters lived in seem that much more real. Siegel seems to have a knack for depicting the pathetic and depressive in a way that makes you want to keep watching. I feel this movie would have been better served if it gave the audience some hope for Paul's future other then that he was content in his world, but then again, I don't write award winning movies, just this stupid blog.
***SPOILER***
One interesting question the movie does bring up for us sports fanatics is, how important is the success of our team to us? In the movie Paul gets savagely beat by his favorite athlete and then refuses to press charges because it might mean the end of said players career or at least further suspension that would hurt the Giants chances of making the playoffs. As foreign as that rational may be to some, I got it. In fact I started to worry about the repercussions before it was even fully addressed in the film. If you were given the choice of huge pay day or the continued success of your favorite team, what would you do? Would you continue to defend your favorite player even after he has proven to be a horrible person? Many people in Pittsburgh are going through this dilemma right now. Are you better off with a sub-par team that might not make the playoffs but made up of good people or a Super Bowl contender with a quarterback who has been accused of rape and other horrible acts multiple times? Paul ultimately decides for the later and although I don't really agree, I understand.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Top 5: Best Concerts Attended
In honor of Reel Big Fish announcing they will be going on tour with the Aquabats and Suburban Legends, I am doing the top 5 concerts I have attended. I know that I am getting old because over the last few years RBF has started to go on tour with bands who used to tour on their own. Super Concerts are always a sign that the music is starting to pass you by... None the less, I am excited and here is my list...
5.Goldfinger/No Doubt-8/16/1996 The Strand
This was before No Doubt became No Doubt. The Strand was a tiny theater in Providence, Rhode Island. I was so close to the stage I could reach out and touch Gwen. In many ways this show launched the music I would listen too for the next 14 years. These two bands were my gate way drugs to 3rd wave ska. Goldfinger was every much as good as No Doubt and my obsession with them would lead me to discovering Reel Big Fish. In many ways this concert also ruined concert going for the rest of my life. Why would I ever pay $60 to $100 to see No Doubt, or Blink 182, or any of those types of bands, in a huge arena where you can barely see them on the stage when I had already paid $25 to see them in a club where I could talk to them after? Highlight was probably, other then driving to the show with Scott, Tara and my sister, hearing "Don't Speak" live... remember, this was months before it was released as a single and I would have to hear it a billion times. It was powerful at the time.
4.Rage Against The Machine-9/12/2000 Grand Olympic Auditorium
This was a great experience for many reasons. The concert went on sale last minute, it wasn't part of a tour, just a two off show in Los Angeles. I had never seen them and my friend/boss and future roommate, Scott, had picked up two tickets. As it turned out, this was their last show before breaking up for over seven years. They were amazing. The energy was unreal. The crowd was berserk. Ozomatli opened and I quickly became a huge fan. Their performance was almost as amazing. One of the highlights was B-Real coming out and singing "How I Could Just Kill A Man". And its always cool when they release a DVD of the show you were at.
3.Roger Waters-10/5/2006 Hollywood Bowl
Unfortunately I was too young to ever see the original Pink Floyd line-up. I got to see a Roger Waters-less version in 1994. That was a great concert as well. I decided I was only going to put one show on this list to represent the Pink Floyd experience and the Waters show squeaked by. Both shows were visual wonders and, of course, the music was amazing, but Waters played all of Dark Side Of The Moon and better selections from other albums. I'm sure it helped that he wasn't supporting a sub par current album and that I was slightly more impaired. One of the highlights was them releasing an inflatable pig that floated over the audience during "Pigs".
2.Reel Big Fish/Less Than Jake/Streetlight Manifesto-7/11/2007 Lupo's Heartbreak
I think Lupo's may be the same theater that was called the Strand when I saw Goldfinger and No Doubt. This show make the list based solely on the power of the lineup. I waited 10 years to see a show with both RBF and LTJ on the same bill, then you add Streetlight and you blow my mind. Part of me wishes I was still 20 so I could have enjoyed this one to the fullest, but just being there was good enough. These three could easily be listed as my three favorite bands. None of them disappoint live. It was 4 hours of intense, jovial, ska fun. The RBF/Aquabats/Suburban Legends show will be good, but I've seen RBF and the Aquabats together in another land mark show (RBF/Aquabats/Blink-182/Cherry Poppin' Daddies). Plus nothing will ever top the two kings of Ska Punk on the same bill. Highlight was Less Than Jake holding a Price Is Right style game show to choose what albums they would play songs from... oh yea, and seeing RBF and LTJ 30 minutes apart live on the same stage!
1.Pearl Jam-11/4/1995 San Jose Spartan Stadium
I've never had a show totally change the way I followed a band except for this one. In all the other shows, I was a big fan of the bands and the seeing them just backed up what I already felt or mad me reminisce about the good old days. When I showed up at Pepperdine University my freshman year I was a lukewarm Pearl Jam fan. I owned "VS" and "Vitology
5.Goldfinger/No Doubt-8/16/1996 The Strand
This was before No Doubt became No Doubt. The Strand was a tiny theater in Providence, Rhode Island. I was so close to the stage I could reach out and touch Gwen. In many ways this show launched the music I would listen too for the next 14 years. These two bands were my gate way drugs to 3rd wave ska. Goldfinger was every much as good as No Doubt and my obsession with them would lead me to discovering Reel Big Fish. In many ways this concert also ruined concert going for the rest of my life. Why would I ever pay $60 to $100 to see No Doubt, or Blink 182, or any of those types of bands, in a huge arena where you can barely see them on the stage when I had already paid $25 to see them in a club where I could talk to them after? Highlight was probably, other then driving to the show with Scott, Tara and my sister, hearing "Don't Speak" live... remember, this was months before it was released as a single and I would have to hear it a billion times. It was powerful at the time.
4.Rage Against The Machine-9/12/2000 Grand Olympic Auditorium
This was a great experience for many reasons. The concert went on sale last minute, it wasn't part of a tour, just a two off show in Los Angeles. I had never seen them and my friend/boss and future roommate, Scott, had picked up two tickets. As it turned out, this was their last show before breaking up for over seven years. They were amazing. The energy was unreal. The crowd was berserk. Ozomatli opened and I quickly became a huge fan. Their performance was almost as amazing. One of the highlights was B-Real coming out and singing "How I Could Just Kill A Man". And its always cool when they release a DVD of the show you were at.
3.Roger Waters-10/5/2006 Hollywood Bowl
Unfortunately I was too young to ever see the original Pink Floyd line-up. I got to see a Roger Waters-less version in 1994. That was a great concert as well. I decided I was only going to put one show on this list to represent the Pink Floyd experience and the Waters show squeaked by. Both shows were visual wonders and, of course, the music was amazing, but Waters played all of Dark Side Of The Moon and better selections from other albums. I'm sure it helped that he wasn't supporting a sub par current album and that I was slightly more impaired. One of the highlights was them releasing an inflatable pig that floated over the audience during "Pigs".
2.Reel Big Fish/Less Than Jake/Streetlight Manifesto-7/11/2007 Lupo's Heartbreak
I think Lupo's may be the same theater that was called the Strand when I saw Goldfinger and No Doubt. This show make the list based solely on the power of the lineup. I waited 10 years to see a show with both RBF and LTJ on the same bill, then you add Streetlight and you blow my mind. Part of me wishes I was still 20 so I could have enjoyed this one to the fullest, but just being there was good enough. These three could easily be listed as my three favorite bands. None of them disappoint live. It was 4 hours of intense, jovial, ska fun. The RBF/Aquabats/Suburban Legends show will be good, but I've seen RBF and the Aquabats together in another land mark show (RBF/Aquabats/Blink-182/Cherry Poppin' Daddies). Plus nothing will ever top the two kings of Ska Punk on the same bill. Highlight was Less Than Jake holding a Price Is Right style game show to choose what albums they would play songs from... oh yea, and seeing RBF and LTJ 30 minutes apart live on the same stage!
1.Pearl Jam-11/4/1995 San Jose Spartan Stadium
I've never had a show totally change the way I followed a band except for this one. In all the other shows, I was a big fan of the bands and the seeing them just backed up what I already felt or mad me reminisce about the good old days. When I showed up at Pepperdine University my freshman year I was a lukewarm Pearl Jam fan. I owned "VS" and "Vitology
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