RCPM Review
- Wade
I don't see live music very much anymore. It's not a lack of desire, more of a priority shift (people tend to stare when you bring your toddling daughter into a bar.) But another part of it is my finicky nature about venues: I don't think I'll ever go to an arena-type show again. The dough you have to lay out for that type of artist generally doesn't comport with the headaches that come along with the venue. Think parking, bathrooms, being .43 miles away from the stage.
So now, when I do go see a band, it's gotta be an intimate setting. Not necessarily "fire code allows no more than fifty patrons" intimate, but your standard medium-sized club. The 400 Bar is my favorite, but the Fine Line and First Ave aren't so bad. Also, when I do go see a band, there's a 99.5% chance that said band is Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Formerly the Refreshments, you've probably heard them even if you don't realize it: they do the opening/closing theme to "King of the Hill." If you like comparisons, think Gin Blossoms with better lyrics, more energy, and faaaaan-tastic guitar work.
They generally stroll into town once every ten months or so, and last Friday was their latest stop. They also generally play at the places listed in the previous paragraph, but this time, something completely different: The Cabooze. While I fear change, I wasn't upset about seeing new ground. Additionally, I learned that another band I've seen and enjoyed (Indigenous) was the supposed opener. Hooray.
I should've known that it would be an off night before I left my driveway: in an attempt to call my parents, I ended up calling Al instead. After some pleasant conversation with him about Knollwood Mall, I eventually made my way to Seven Corners to meet my standard Peacemakers show cohort, Mr. McEwen. We noshed at Grandma's, then headed south to the Cabooze. The second and third harbingers of oddness then became visible: the line outside the door (approx. 150 people), and the sign below:
In case your scoring at home, that's not the standard spelling of "Clyne." Also, regarding the line... The PMs have a pretty decent following in this area, their shows are always packed. But the normal amount of people waiting outside for the doors to open is, well, about six: Jason, me, and four other yahoos. We were a bit intimidated by the line and lack of parking, but after realizing there was no Plan B, decided to go through with it. After shelling out $20 for tickets (again, rare: normally their shows are $12 or $15) we shuffled in, purchased a couple of adult beverages, and stood in the back.
Our general plan is this: sit in back and chill during the opener, then scurry to the front when the opening act is done and everyone else hits the bathroom. It sounds corny and maybe a little weird, but it's really amazing to be able to be that close. Especially for these guys, who put on such a great live show. So we're hanging back, waiting for Indigenous (they spelled that wrong on the marquee also) to play. Then some yahoos at the front begin to chant "RO-GER RO-GER." Jason and I chuckle at these rubes. Amateurs, say us. Don't they know that the Peacemakers are the headliners? The ope... wait. The Peackemakers just took the stage?? And we're at the complete back of the bar.
Cripes. Apparently since Indigenous is sorta local they got top billing. That also explains the larger-than-usual crowd. We enjoy the show, but since the Peacemakers are the opening act their set is limited and we only get a brief encore. Additionally, we're stuck in back and a post-like beam obscured my view for most of the show. Bugger.
It was still amazing, trust me, and it's something I think everyone should see, whether they like live music or not. But next time I'll pay more attention to the "opening act"-- twenty bucks for sixty minutes and a bad sight line is something I'd expect from the Target Center...
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