Sweetcore or I’m SUCH A Nerd

I know I always say I love bands. I heart Nick Cave, I heart Graham Coxon, blah, blah, blah. So you may be tempted not to believe me. You might think that I say that about everybody, but you would be wrong. It’s just that there are so many bands out there to love! Insert segue. Yesterday, Mark could not get out of work to see the special afternoon Low show at The Triple Door. Damn his luck. There have been several events over the years involving bad timing and his missing interesting and/or cool situations. A few examples:

- He was sick for the last Dirty Three tour in which Warren Ellis eluded to the fact that it was probably their last tour. To add insult to injury, Zack Sally from Low played bass.

- Although I have never been a Metallica fan, several years back I was offered free tickets and backstage passes. It was free, so why not?

- Adding the latest: seeing one of his favorite bands of all time in a very comfortable, intimate and acoustic performance. Poor Mark.

And now about the show and the coolness. Alan, Mimi and Zack came onstage casually and launched right into the music. They played songs from their latest The Great Destroyer and while I hadn’t been really into it, it made all of the difference in the world to hear them live. I never really get the whole idea of calling them sadcore, there’s nothing sad about it for me. I think pretty much the same thing every time I see them perform: Alan emotes so well vocally, Mimi’s beautiful voice seems to effortless and Zack always looks so intense. I’m sure they have shows when things are off-kilter, but every time I’ve seen them they have seemed 100% engrossed in their time on stage.

I can’t believe they manage to have a fantastic band that has stood the test of time and two children. At one point during the performance, their newest addition was in a viewing booth pressed against the window looking down at her parents. It was very cute. When we had seen them several years back at Bumbershoot, their first daughter must have been just 2 or 3 and kept running out on stage to Mimi. Alan made a joke begging the audience not to call social services.

After the show, I waited while people congratulated them and chatted. I waited until Alan was no longer tied up for my ‘psst. Alan’. I’m such a nerd. I asked him to sign my Long Division CD, by far my favorite of theirs. I couldn’t help but blurt out that I had first seen them almost 10 years ago in Detroit at Alvin’s with His Name Is Alive opening. He actually remembered the show, was really very nice (even though I know he was trying to pack up gear). He offered to take the CD and have Zack and Mimi sign it was well, which really sealed the deal for me. It proves you can make amazing music and be nice at the same time! A few minutes later, I had my CD. I bit my tongue not to blurt out to Zack that I had been so happy to see him with The Dirty Three.

What a fantastic day. Only the day before I was standing feet away at Graham Coxon as he made jokes before his in-studio. Sigh.

Mimi, Zack and Alan: Thanks for being such nice people when I know you were busy and trying to get on to your evening show. I’m unhappy to say I can’t make the Neumo’s shows this time, but am pretty sure that you’ll be back again. I really appreciate and admire what you do. It’s so inspiring to see people who can do what they love, be creative as much as possible and raise a family all at the same time.

And now, back to grinning over my CD.