there's hope for any crappy band...
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:21 PM and is filed under My bad taste in music,Stories I would be telling if I still taught high school.
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The Buzzcocks (1979) |
My favorite band used to be a 70's punk/pop band - The Buzzcocks. The Fine Young Cannibals covered their song "Ever Fallen in Love", netting the forgotten Buzzcocks an unexpected payday. The money allowed them to quit their day jobs, and get the band back together for a tour. That 1989 Chicago concert was a once in a lifetime show. It's the only event I've ever attended that lived up to its hype.
The real story, however, was the opening band. The bass player spent half of their set trying to tune her bass. The singer had trouble staying in key. The songs were boring and poorly executed. Having lost interest, the audience began to taunt them. Already blazed, the funny looking Asian guitarist drank himself deeper into oblivion. The band's stage presence slipped into freefall.
And then it happened. The single saddest thing I've ever witnessed on a stage. The singer, looking like a confused, lost little boy, looked at the audience and said in a wobbly voice, "Support your local bands, dudes". The crowd stood stunned. It was as if everyone suddenly felt sorry for the band. Later the band joined the audience once the Buzzcocks hit the stage. Nobody talked to them. I still remember feeling sorry for the bass player. She stood alone in a corner, looking miserable.
I guess they figured out a few things after that night. It's hard to feel much pity for them anymore. They went on to record a couple of great songs. You may have heard of them...The Smashing Pumpkins.
Buzzcocks - Ever fallen in love.mp3
