I’m baaaaack. Be afraid, be very afraid. Just kidding. Always wanted to say that.
Hi everyone! I’m glad to be back blogging. I missed it.
Our Michigan winter really wasn’t that bad in comparison to the horror stories I’ve heard since moving here. Hard to believe that one year ago we embarked from Flower Mound, Texas to Shelby Township, Michigan in a car stuffed with three people, three dogs and all of the junk that you end up throwing into a vehicle when you realize that you have to clean everything out of the house for the new owners and that you’ve left the curb in front of your house looking like a garbage dump. That trip took a toll on all of us. But we survived and are doing quite well, thank you.
Any who, I’m back to kicking and screaming and wanting, nay, needing to get out of the house. Which leads me to my first adventure of 2017, divided into three parts. I will sum up this particular adventure in a few words: this old lady still enjoys going to rock concerts. Since attending events with son, I’ve heard the gamut of comments from people in my life including, “you’re crazy, you’re too old and good for you”. To me, this is a win-win situation – I continue to do what I enjoy which is go to live music events AND I get the chance to watch the joy in my son’s face as he is able to listen and see his favorite bands.
Don’t ask me how, but son and I kindof like the same music. What I really mean is that I had no choice but to listen to his music over the last 15 years and have actually grown to enjoy several of his favorites. I have been to best guess 20 concerts since my teen years – Fleetwood Mac, Rare Earth, Beach Boys, Whitney Houston, Ronnie Milsap, Lee Greenwood and Alabama (my country years), Aerosmith, Tina Turner, Chicago, and multiple festivals. I would have to say my favorite was seeing 38 Special at Navy Pier in Chicago back in the early 80’s with of all people, my dad. Guess he took pity on me, but I like to think that he liked adventures as well. Fast forward to recent concerts with son which include Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown, Papa Roach, Stone Sour, Panic at the Disco, Godsmack and Muse. And some back up bands that my ears would rather forget. But definitely a different genre than my teen years.
We planned three concerts for 2017. Adam Gontier (ex Three Days Grace) in Detroit, Breaking Benjamin in Grand Rapids and Muse/30 Seconds to Mars at Red Rocks in Colorado. Now I’ve sat in the middle of dusty fields in 90 degree weather as well as questionable lounges watching concerts over the years, but the Red Rocks venue will truly be special.
Now that I’ve given a brief introduction as to this multi-faceted adventure, this brave pair already has one concert under our belts. Friday, March 24, found us at the Diesel Lounge in Chesterfield, Michigan waiting to see Adam Gontier. I’ve driven through Chesterfield during the day on the way to Lake St. Clair but never had the chance to partake of their night life. I received a heads up reaction when I told one of the many millennials at work where I was heading on a Friday night and in turn received a gasp, followed by a laugh and then an eye roll. Mr. Gontier was set to play after 10:30 pm so I really had to give myself a pep talk to stay awake in conjunction with drinking Cokes.
Son and I drove past the Diesel Lounge a few times due to the fact that we were looking for a building that specifically had their name in lights. You know, like Studio 54. I guess I missed the part where the lounge is actually in a bowling alley – Premier Lanes to be exact, only the “L” was missing in Lane.
Concert being held next to the Hot Tamale Cantina. Don’t worry Texas foodies – I did not cheat on you.
Premier Lanes is a nice little operation. Looked clean and filled with your typical Friday night bowling leagues, birthday parties and people who had a few too many and probably shouldn’t be bowling.
Adam takes the stage around 11:00…
I’m still hanging in there!
The venue or lounge was small but appeared clean. Different story when the lights are turned up and the stains come alive. We didn’t stick around for that revelation. Maybe 100 people in attendance. General admission only so had to stand – which is killer on the back. This straight from the old lady’s mouth. The norm included vaping, beer, women in skull tshirts, ripped jeans with black boots, men in skull tshirts, leather vests, bandanas, sagging jeans, camo, mullets – you get the gist. Meanwhile, I was sporting a Talbots sweater and Liz Claiborne purse. I’m glad that I do have some experience around different concert groups – especially when I can guide son on what not to do or say.
It was just Adam and his guitar on stage which I really enjoyed. His voice is still strong – just a little raspy which I like. He sang for about 1 1/2 hours. Pretty good especially when you are on your own. Greatest hits from Three Days Grace included Lost in You, Get Out Alive, Let it Die and everyone’s favorite – I Hate Everything About You. A lot of audience participation on that one. A little disappointed that he did not sing three of my favorites; Riot, Never Too Late and Animal I Have Become. Probably a little difficult to play Riot acoustic and have the same affect, but the crowd would have loved it.
I find it interesting that Adam is doing shows like this – a lounge in a bowling alley. His current band, Saint Asonia, is in the studio making an album while he’s out doing his thing. Oh well – who am I to question an artist and his ways.
Interesting night. Will I go back to the Diesel Lounge? Probably not – unless some truly fabulous artist decides to stop over in Chesterfield. Bruno Mars? Justin Timberlake? Are you listening? I was tired and cranky, it was 1:00 in the morning, raining with probably quite a few drunk drivers on the road. But we made it home just fine and the experience that son had was priceless.
Thanks for reading and take care! Margaret
Kicking and Screaming... 