Top 5 Concerts of 2007

So I told Jaymz that I WOULDN’T do a “TOP” list of shows but I figured, why the fuck not! I also realized that in this day of “print at home” tickets and paying at the door that I don’t always get to keep stubs and what not so I REALLY had to scratch my fucking brain to remember what shows I saw this year. The list was actually quite impressive at about 12 shows. I compiled the list and looked at it and based on that list, here are Don’s TOP 5 CONCERTS OF 2007!

Number 5:
Galactic (Featuring Boots Riley & Mr. Lif) w/ special guests: Lifesavas.
11/07/07
Charlotte, NC
Visulite Theater

So Lady L. NEVER gets excited about concerts. The only ones she REALLY gets psyched about are Old Crow Medicine Show gigs, our annual Allman Brothers Band show and Henry Rollins Spoken Word shows. So when she tells me “We have to go to this show!” I can’t help but be psyched as well. So the last time we saw Galactic they were just terrible and seemed to be just turning into a 3rd rate jamband. This latest outing of Galactic seems to be a rebirthing of sorts which was amazingly fun and exciting. Basically, they’ve gone back to those Meters-ish roots w/ their instrumentals but in addition, backing up hip-hop artists such as Boots Riley and Mr. Lif. The outcome was really amazing to see and so much fun! Hearing them do songs like “Five Million Ways To Kill A CEO” by The Coup and doing “And I’m Out” with Mr. Lif was really killer. It really was like a revue of sorts. The opening act, Lifesavas, were a forgettible hip-hop act that while they were a great warm up for the headliner, they didn’t really make a lasting impression.

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Number 4:
Lacuna Coil w/ special guests Blatant Disarray and Shadows Fall
04/12/07
Raleigh, NC
Lincoln Theatre

Another show I was REALLY excited to see this year. When we heard that Lacuna Coil was hititng the road again in 07, the Yaegermeister Tour they were part of didn’t have a date in town. Finally, word was released that on off days, LC would be doing dates w/ Shadows Fall on their own and bam, Raleigh was one. The show opened w/ local band Blatant Disarray who did an amazing job. They sounded just like Metallica from back in the early 80’s. Great warm up band. Shadows Fall followed and I just couldn’t get into them. It’s those damned Cookie Monster vocals. I fucking hate that and I feel like it just ruins it for me. That being said, I couldnt’ stand them but they did have a great reaction from the audience and actually came across as a really cool bunch of guys. Very humble and just giving it all they had. I have to at least respect them for that! LC just floored us all and I’ll be honest and say that hte last time I saw an audience THAT excited to see a band was back in ’92 when Iron Maiden played in Atlanta. The band played really well desipite physical illness and constant technical difficulties w/ the monitors. Truly a band that loves their fans and just delivered a take no prisoners performance.

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Number 3:
An Evening with The Old Crow Medicine Show
03/30/07
Charlotte, NC
Neighborhood Theatre

Another show that Lady L was VERY excited for. We made the trek to Charlotte for this one. The last time we had seen them (end of 2006) in Carrboro floored us and was probably the show of the year last year. This leg of the tour found the boys touring in larger venues. Larger venues means more people and more people means, more folks who are there to hear “the hit”. The audience was pretty rude. They chatted pretty much throughout the entire first set until “Wagon Wheel” was played. It was amazing. After that song and into Set II, the audience thinned down a bit and the show just seemed to be on fire. They played with all the energy that an OCMS show usually has but there was something else. It was almost as if they were playing a bit more past the bar just to let the fans know that they weren’t bound to let the hype bug slow them down. The closing encore cover of Woody Gutherie’s “Union Maid” tore the roof off and had us dancing so hard that we had to take our shoes off to keep from loosing them and then sit for a breather after the house lights came up for a minute or two. We were exhausted! Great show for the OCMS. Looking forward to seeing them in ’08.

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Number 2:
The Donnas w/ special guests: American Bang + Donita Sparks
10/12/07
Carrboro, NC
The Cat’s Cradle

After releasing the very much anticipated “Bitchin'” album on their own Purple Feather Records this year, we all knew that a tour was in store. The announcement of a Cat’s Cradle show was great news and I was stoked. The show was a great line up and it reminded me of the days when hard rock/metal bands tours were really great packages. Motley Crue/Warrant, Poison/Lita Ford/Britny Fox, ya know, where like even if the opening bands weren’t GREAT, they were entertaining and tolerable. The show opened w/ American Bang who was a great AC/DCish southern rockish band from Nashville who really set the bar w/ their groovy tongue in cheek songs. Up next was former L7 singer Donita Sparks and her new band the Stellar Moments. They REALLY tore some shit up and Donita just ruled the stage like the female reincarnation of David Lee Roth. The songs were great and again, set the bar a lil higher. The Donnas came out and just like I expected pretty much took the bar and broke it over their kick ass knees! Their performance was unstoppable and sounded top notch. The songs were played with tons of energy and singer Bret Anderson just ruled that room. I was so into this show that I was singing and hollaring and pounding my fists on the stage. And excitement at a show that I hadn’t experienced in almost 20 years or so. The girls were on fire and the set was just strong. The audience ate every ounce of it up and before we knew it, it was over and we were drenched in sweat and exhausted. On top of that, I got to hang w/ them after the show and they were humble and extremely appreciative. Haning w/ Alan from Donita’s band was also a highlight of the night. I’ll be honest and say that this show was top notch and super fun. Even if you’re a curious fan of the band, drop the cash and go see them. You won’t be sorry!

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Number 1:
Blind Melon
12/02/07
Raleigh, NC
Lincoln Theatre

So my Number One, my Numero Uno for 2007 was a show that neither I nor just about anyone else could fathom taking place. The reunion of the remaining members of Blind Melon w/ a new singer out of Texas named Travis Warren was a shock and yet a pleasant surprise to all that witnessed it. When the band decided to do this, they contacted late singer Shannon Hoon’s mother Nel to explain to hear what they had in mind and she dug it and gave the band their blessing. The band is carrying on and while they are honoring the spirit of Shannon and the songs he left behind, they are not relying on nostalgia to keep going. The band has recorded a brand new album with songs that pretty much pick up where the band left off in 1995. The show at the Lincoln Theatre was pure magic. From the opening number “Galaxie” to the closing chords of “The Pusher”, Blind Melon played with energy, passion and pure excitement. You couldn’t kick the smiles off their faces and the audience sang along with songs like “Tones Of Home”, “Soup” and many other deep cuts. During the song “Sleepyhouse” (about the Durham home they lived in while writing for their debut album), bassist Brad Smith was in tears only to announce that to play that song after all these years really hit him hard. It was an emotional, exciting and fun night. The songs were played better than they have been in years again much like The Donnas, the band hung w/ each and every fan that stayed around after the show outside. Taking pictures, telling stories and thanking us all for being here for them in this time. How could this NOT be the best show of the year? It was a night I will NEVER forget! If I NEVER get to see them again (which I hope isn’t the case), at least I’ll know that dreams don’t ever die… they just get put to rest for a little while!

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