Howdy Disco Citizens
The one thing that would make the world alright today would be if Teenage Fanclub showed up to play a gig in my house. Do you think my expectations of the world are a bit too high? I am going to have to settle for the harmonies in my headphones I suppose. At least I can sit at my desk while I struggle through my deadlines of the day remembering. One of my first ever *real* concerts was Teenage Fanclub and Yo La Tengo at the Metro in the fall of 1993. Fifteen years ago.1
The Fanclub were touring on Thirteen2 while Yo La Tengo had just released Painful. I remember the Metro of back then... crumbly ceilings, the ever present stank of stale cigarettes and beer, the overall squalor the building gave off. I was this bright-eyed optimistic kid standing inches from the stage completely enraptured in the Scottish accents and nonstop smiles (aka basically staring at Norman for an hour and a half). They had such fun on stage, they made music that spoke to me. Wow. Fifteen years ago3. I remember falling asleep in the cab home, leaning on Karl's4 shoulder.
1 Wow. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO?!?
2 Easily one of those seminal records in my life.
3 I think the saddest thing about how long ago that was is that I haven't seen them play live since.
4 The foremost influence on my high school music education.
Buy some: Teenage Fanclub