A couple of months ago, Gretchen and I are on our way home from Poker Night at Justin's and Leslie's. One of us had won (I don't now remember which) and we were understandably happy. We're talking about the various hands that were played when The Blitz had a contest. Caller 9 wins Green Day tickets for their May 5 show. We both whip out the cell phones and begin calling. Gretchen gets through and wins the seats!
Green Day is one of our favorite bands. In fact, when we first met, it was one of the few bands we both liked. I personally love punk rock, but Gretchen doesn't always connect with it. However, Green Day has always been a musical glue for us. Therefore, we were both completely beside ourselves with happiness when she won.
So the day comes. I get off of work at 4:30, jump into the car, grab money from the ATM, and slip American Idiot into the CD player. Gretchen gets home just after 5 pm, so we take care of a couple of things and head out about 5:45. To the Schottenstein Center, with haste!
We trudge through the crowd and make our way to the doors. We couldn't help but notice that the prevailing age of the majority of concert-goers were "younger than us." I'm 27 (turning 28 this month) and Gretchen is 26. Most of the crowd was ages 15-21 (that's an estimate, as I don't have actual stats -- I didn't poll the audience or anything). We were old. Oh, well, won't be the last time.
We find our seats and await the show's start. My Chemical Romance is the opening act. I've heard their most recent release -- "I'm Not OK (I Promise)" -- which is quite good. Needless to say, I have decently high expectations for them.
The arena darkens, and out comes My Chemical Romance. They proceed to play a 30 minute set of loud, melodical punk rock that reminds me of AFI. They save their big hit for last, and the crowd didn't mind. Excellent work, and I would definitely keep one eye toward this band. I expect we'll be hearing from them again.
Another 20 minutes passes while the crew takes down My Chemical Romance's gear and sets up for Green Day. Fanfare introduces the band, who overact in typical fashion. Tre Cool sits behind his drumkit and Billy Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt grab their rhythm and bass guitars respectively. They immediately launch into "American Idiot." Billy Joe instructs us to "sing so fucking loud that all the rednecks hear you." Of couse, cheers erupt, and we sing along with the rest of the crowd.
"Jesus of Suburbia," "Holiday," "We Are the Waiting," and "St. Jimmy" come next. I began to think that the American Idiot album would be played in its entirety. Turns out, after introducing St. Jimmy to us, they proceed to launch into quite the large amount of their earlier music. "Longview" gives way to "She" and "Basket Case." "Brain Stew/Jaded," a cover of "You Make Me Wanna Shout," "Hitchin' a Ride," and "King for a Day" come before the next American Idiot song, "Wake Me Up When September Ends." They close the main set with "Minority."
After a couple minutes off of the stage, Green Day returns for their encore. They begin with "Redundant." Finally, they give the kiddies what they want with "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." "We Are the Champions" is covered and Tre and Mike clear the stage. The spotlight shines on Billy Joe who ends the show with "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)."
The entire show was amazing, and definitely exceeded even our highest expectations. I will definitely see them again should the opportunity arrive. Definitely a show to remember...
As an aside, I'd like to officially welcome Scott to the Land of Randomness. He should provide entertaining insights into life on the left coast as well as giving the five of you who read this yet another reason to do so.
Until next time...
(By the way, I know the title is lame -- bite me.)
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