03 January 2011

Rock and Roll Animal

New Year's Eve, 2010, I attended my first rock and roll club show in years.  Many, many years.  I wanted to see J. Roddy Walston & The Business, a group whose debut album has been in heavy rotation on my iPod since it came out earlier in the year.  I had missed them at a previous show, in a smaller venue, and reckoned now was the time.  Carpe diem, and all that.

The band went on at midnight, right after the ball dropped.  It was like opening the door into a hurricane.  A loud, raucous and just-this-side-of-controlled hurricane.

Standing there, about four people back from the stage, stomping my feet, pumping my fist and shouting choruses at the top of my lungs, I felt something wake up inside.  Something that had been asleep for a long, long time: the animal, and it felt good.  It was like watching a jaguar stretch, flex and growl.  It makes the blood run hot, and alive.

The tired, run-down me shook hands with the rock star me, and together we pushed back the great gray walls of the universe.  The volume knob on life went to eleven.

And it was good.

8 comments:

  1. perfect end to 2010 and even better start to 2011, sugar! keep on truckin, poppa! happy new year! xoxoxox

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  2. 'dead mean livin' off their friends'...wow, the lyrics are something I can chew on, and maybe dribble...come on baby don't break the needle...hmmm...and whom ever gets me, gets the good sister...

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  3. "and together we pushed back the great gray walls of the universe" Right ON, Irish! The blood is a'flowing, the feet are a stompin' and the spirit soars - a great way to begin the new year. Keep getting more o' dat good stuff!

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  4. welcome back ah - knee - mahl!!! me, I ate crepes suzette with nary a fist pump in sight (and I owe you an email....)

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  5. Suhweet! Welcome back, rock n roller!

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  6. I'm so glad you had a good time!

    I see the age difference between you and me when I don't recognize one single singing artist or band that you like! Hahahah!!!

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  7. Nice way to slam the door on 2010.

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  8. Boo-YAH!!! Sorry I missed this post, d'oh. Sounds like you had a great time, awesome!

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"Let your laws come undone
Don't suffer your crimes
Let the love in your heart take control..."


-'The Hair Song', by Black Mountain

Tell me what is in your heart...