Here is this week's blog post - Wild Bill
Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
As regular readers of this blog know I go to a lot of concerts (over 120 this year alone) and it really bugs me when stupid people go to the shows. It just boggles my mind that someone can spend $20-$100 on tickets and then act enough like an idiot to actually get kicked out the show before the band you wanted to see even gets on stage.
At ICP, a guy wearing a Santa suit started giving the security people a hard time because he didn’t want to show his ticket every time he left the floor and wanted to get back in. Sure enough, 5 minutes later, Santa gets kicked out and misses a kick ass concert. Now some people are thinking that “well, it was an ICP show and there fans are known to be a little special”, but I found the majority of fans to have been really nice and giving. Besides, this happens at all concerts, whether it is the jerk that got into a fight at Michael Franti & Spearhead with someone because they didn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom or the father who had a bullet in his pocket and dropped in on the floor at a Hanson (yep, the MMMbop kids) show (I felt sorry for his crying daughter who never got to see them).
I can almost understand young kids getting into trouble, but it usually the adults like the woman who got in trouble at one venue where she got overly drunk and tried to stiff the place on her tab. She was surprised when she was getting escorted out and left the place breaking the glass on the door with her shoe on the way out. Oh yeah, and when at a venue, try not to remove big signs because you might have to pay for it and be kicked out anyway. Most security guards don’t get enough respect at venues though a few need to chill out. My finger is finally feeling good after some guards through a kid into me after a NOFX show (heck they didn’t even notice what they did and the cops in the street were no help either so why were they there). Also, when someone reports someone puked on the stairs at a Kings Of Leon show, maybe you should call someone to clean it up instead of letting everyone walk through it (pretty gross). And when kids are crowd surfing (like at The Academy Is), let the kids come to you. Don’t just reach over and crush people to get to them because you might really hurt someone more and these kids are just trying to have a good time.
That is my bitch session for now about some idiots so remember when you are going to a concert, don’t drink more than you can handle (you might get kicked out or fall asleep like that girl at the Rancid show), be respectful of those around you and try not to lash out in anger (getting a slight bump is no reason to miss a show you paid good money for), don’t bring stupid items into a show that you know are illegal and can get you kicked out (getting a buzz during Phil Lesh is cool but not when you find yourself outside the venue), don’t argue with security because if you keep harping at them after being talked to you might find yourself gone from venue and lastly, if you have an issue talk to a security guard or better yet, ask for a manager, to get it resolved.
OK, now for some fun stuff. I went to see Avenue Q this past week at the Fisher and had a really great time. I ran into a bunch of friends at the show who also enjoyed it though the show is not for everyone. If you see Avenue Q, you need to have a good sense of humor and not be turned off my mad puppet sex. You always know there is some old couple who have no idea what they are getting themselves into and leave at the intermission feeling violated, but being at this site, I’m sure no one reading this will have that reaction. The show is basically Sesame Street for adults with a combination of real actors and puppet characters on stage who live in a rundown tenement supped by Gary Coleman. They even have funny little animated clips throughout the show and a pair of care bears rip-offs. Some of the puppet characters seem to have been inspired by some classic Sesame Street characters such as roommates Rod and Nicky seem to be Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie and Trekkie Monster bares a close resemblance to Cookie Monster (though his addiction is porn, not cookies). This show should resonate well with adults who grew up on that show as these characters, being in their twenties and thirties and face adult problems like losing their jobs or disillusioned by their post college careers (sound familiar). The whole play is brought together by the main character, Princeton, and his search for a purpose in life which almost makes him lose out on the love of his life, Kate Monster. There is a lot of adult themes in the play, my favorite being the song "The Internet is For Porn" which is what it means as Kate tries to bring up all the good things about the internet while Trekkie Monster always brings in back to porn. Other good songs are "What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?" (which I am still trying to figure out), "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "It Sucks to Be Me". The show is a lot of fun and I do recommend it. Cole Porter (who plays the out-of-work comedian Brian will be on my radio show this Thursday at 9:30AM – 88.3FM or tune in to www.wxou.org).
Speaking of concerts earlier, I was happy to interview a wonderful band called Carolina Liar who opened for The Academy Is on Sunday. When we met at Clutch Cargos, I went with the band to a room in the basement to do the interview and didn’t realize they also had a fetish convention going on in the basement. Needless to say, when we turned one corner to see a girl getting a spanking it was hard to keep focused. The naughty maid who started to dust us off and calling us dirty didn’t help much either. Welcome to the rock-n-roll dream. After a bit of time to get refocused, I learned that the lead singer, Chad, is originally from South Carolina and grew up on a diet of 80’s bands like A-Ha and Depeche Mode. Things were stagnant and he quit his regular job when fate intervened when he got introduced to Swedish producer Max Martin (Backstreet Boys, Pink, Kelly Clarkson). With the backing of some fine Swedish musicians, they put together their first album "'Coming to Terms' which came from Chad thinking about losing his job, having a relationship go sour, and the anticipation of knowing that your life is going to change. Having this mix of nationality hasn’t impeded their work but allowed something special to come out of the mix. If you get the chance, pick up the record or give it a listen on itunes. You’ll be glad you did.
In the “to do” list for the week, there are a few good shows coming up. On Tuesday 11th, I hope to see a bunch of you at the Gov’t Mule show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. I had the opening band, Back Door Slam, on my show a few months ago and they play and infectious blues rock style. They are from the Isle of Man (home to the Bee Gees and sci-fi writer Nigel Kneale of Quartermass fame) and are named after the Robert Cray song. Wednesday 12th, make sure to get to Ann Arbor for Brian Wilson @ the Michigan Theatre, who is touring in support of his new album, “That Lucky Old Sun” which is almost as good as “Smile”. Brian is perhaps the greatest songwriter in rock-N-roll and if you get the chance you should try and see him perform. Brian will also be at the Downtown Ann Arbor bookstore at 12:30PM for a signing of his new album. On Thursday 13th, the rockabilly inspired Blasters will perform at the Magic Bag. The Goth rock band Sisters Of Mercy will perform at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on the 15th (you can win tickets by tuning into Wild At Heart on Thursday morning on 88.3FM or online at www.wxou.org). On the 16th, young rock fans have the option of Cute Is What We Aim For @ Clutch Cargos or All American Rejects @ St Andrews.
Have a great week and talk to you guys next Monday.
"MCB IS DETROIT"
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