Who: the Sheepdogs
When: June 29, 2012
Where: Lockport Canal Concert Series/ Lockport, NY
With: Canadian rock star Ewan J Currie!
Of Note: Sometimes I hang out with rock stars. I mean, again, it's really no big.
So, we've discussed here how much I love The Sheepogs. When I found out they were playing as part of the free concert series in Lockport, I was super pumped. (Also, we're not going to discuss the fact that technically, The Sheepdogs were opening for Government Mule. The Sheepdogs should not have to open for anyone!)
The website for the Lockport Canal Series is awful; nowhere on the site does it say what time the concerts start, so I headed out there right after work. I was, obviously, pretty early. As I walked around Lockport, I was talking to my mom on the phone. I asked here, "Mother, if I were going to stalk a rock star, how I would I go about that, do you suppose?" She asked me if she was going to have to bail me out that night. I told her where to find my finance information, just in case.
The set up for the concert series is also kind of weird. Like, the concerts are free, but the area in front of the stage is all fenced off. I didn't understand why I could not stand in front of the stage. As it turns out, the fenced off area is for "VIP Pass Holders" only. Fortunately, for $20, I could purchase a "VIP Pass" (that came with drink tickets and dedicated rest rooms!). I took my place right in the front row.
The opening band was called 'Handsome Jack'. I remember them being pretty good.
Then, The Sheepdogs!! Squee!! The first thing I noticed was that, like I needed another reason to adore Canadian rock star Ewan J. Currie (I didn't) that he was rocking some pretty sweet kelly green suede Pumas. The second thing I noticed was that they were SO AWESOME AGAIN SOME MORE.
They played a fantastic, if abridged set, starting with 'Who' from their recent EP. 'How Late, How Long' was probably my favorite song of the set; it's just so bouncy! It's worth noting that there were 2-3 other Sheepdogs super-fans at the stage barricade, five or so people to my left. They just kept screaming, "We love you!" I was excited to be near some kindred spirits. The crowd went nuts when the band got to 'I Don't Know'.
One of the things I love most about The Sheepdogs is the fact that they are a rock band, playing rock music that transcends time period, essentially. But, they play not with the in your face bravado of a rock band but with the chill demeanor of a jam band. The juxtaposition makes the experience just a bit surreal, which adds to my enjoyment of both the auditory and visual experience...it's so close to being incongruent, but it's not. Anyway, I sang and danced like a crazy person. They were awesome.
When the set was over, I milled around for a bit and then noticed that there were some people walking towards the side of the stage, still at the fenced in part. Apparently, it seemed, that having a "VIP Pass" allowed you to go behind the stage, which is WHERE THE BAND WAS HANGING OUT. I tentatively wandered over and when nobody stopped me, made a beeline for Canadian rock star Ewan J. Currie. I so eloquently asked him, "So I can just, like, walk over here and say hello to you?" And he said, "I guess so!" And I held out my hand (somewhat like a massive tool) and said, "I'm Jen. It's very exciting to meet you!" He shook my hand and said, "I'm Ewan and I'm not that exciting." I told him I thought he was very exciting.
We chatted for a bit about how much I enjoyed their December show in Toronto. He perked up when he thought I was Canadian and then seemed confused that someone living in Buffalo would drive to Toronto for shows. "Dude, it's only like an hour. I go to Toronto for shows all the time." I asked him if it was super dorky to ask him to take a picture with me. He replied, "Maybe a little, but get in here." And then he put his arm around me and we got our picture taken. When I was telling my mom about it, later, she asked, "And how big was the shit-eating grin on your face?" You....can see for yourself. It's pretty big.
Ewan then personally invited me to their show in September (they're kicking off their US tour in Niagara Falls) (also, I realize that wasn't an actual personal invitation; I'm not deluded) and I thanked him both for the great music and for being so nice.
How awesome is it that I got to meet the front-man from one of my very favorite bands? And how awesome is that he was so nice? (Especially in light of the fact that I was maybe a bit of a dork about it?) I know I've been saying this for months, but seriously, if you are not listening to The Sheepdogs, you are doing it wrong.
When: June 29, 2012
Where: Lockport Canal Concert Series/ Lockport, NY
With: Canadian rock star Ewan J Currie!
Of Note: Sometimes I hang out with rock stars. I mean, again, it's really no big.
So, we've discussed here how much I love The Sheepogs. When I found out they were playing as part of the free concert series in Lockport, I was super pumped. (Also, we're not going to discuss the fact that technically, The Sheepdogs were opening for Government Mule. The Sheepdogs should not have to open for anyone!)
The website for the Lockport Canal Series is awful; nowhere on the site does it say what time the concerts start, so I headed out there right after work. I was, obviously, pretty early. As I walked around Lockport, I was talking to my mom on the phone. I asked here, "Mother, if I were going to stalk a rock star, how I would I go about that, do you suppose?" She asked me if she was going to have to bail me out that night. I told her where to find my finance information, just in case.
The set up for the concert series is also kind of weird. Like, the concerts are free, but the area in front of the stage is all fenced off. I didn't understand why I could not stand in front of the stage. As it turns out, the fenced off area is for "VIP Pass Holders" only. Fortunately, for $20, I could purchase a "VIP Pass" (that came with drink tickets and dedicated rest rooms!). I took my place right in the front row.
The opening band was called 'Handsome Jack'. I remember them being pretty good.
Then, The Sheepdogs!! Squee!! The first thing I noticed was that, like I needed another reason to adore Canadian rock star Ewan J. Currie (I didn't) that he was rocking some pretty sweet kelly green suede Pumas. The second thing I noticed was that they were SO AWESOME AGAIN SOME MORE.
They played a fantastic, if abridged set, starting with 'Who' from their recent EP. 'How Late, How Long' was probably my favorite song of the set; it's just so bouncy! It's worth noting that there were 2-3 other Sheepdogs super-fans at the stage barricade, five or so people to my left. They just kept screaming, "We love you!" I was excited to be near some kindred spirits. The crowd went nuts when the band got to 'I Don't Know'.
One of the things I love most about The Sheepdogs is the fact that they are a rock band, playing rock music that transcends time period, essentially. But, they play not with the in your face bravado of a rock band but with the chill demeanor of a jam band. The juxtaposition makes the experience just a bit surreal, which adds to my enjoyment of both the auditory and visual experience...it's so close to being incongruent, but it's not. Anyway, I sang and danced like a crazy person. They were awesome.
When the set was over, I milled around for a bit and then noticed that there were some people walking towards the side of the stage, still at the fenced in part. Apparently, it seemed, that having a "VIP Pass" allowed you to go behind the stage, which is WHERE THE BAND WAS HANGING OUT. I tentatively wandered over and when nobody stopped me, made a beeline for Canadian rock star Ewan J. Currie. I so eloquently asked him, "So I can just, like, walk over here and say hello to you?" And he said, "I guess so!" And I held out my hand (somewhat like a massive tool) and said, "I'm Jen. It's very exciting to meet you!" He shook my hand and said, "I'm Ewan and I'm not that exciting." I told him I thought he was very exciting.
We chatted for a bit about how much I enjoyed their December show in Toronto. He perked up when he thought I was Canadian and then seemed confused that someone living in Buffalo would drive to Toronto for shows. "Dude, it's only like an hour. I go to Toronto for shows all the time." I asked him if it was super dorky to ask him to take a picture with me. He replied, "Maybe a little, but get in here." And then he put his arm around me and we got our picture taken. When I was telling my mom about it, later, she asked, "And how big was the shit-eating grin on your face?" You....can see for yourself. It's pretty big.
Ewan then personally invited me to their show in September (they're kicking off their US tour in Niagara Falls) (also, I realize that wasn't an actual personal invitation; I'm not deluded) and I thanked him both for the great music and for being so nice.
How awesome is it that I got to meet the front-man from one of my very favorite bands? And how awesome is that he was so nice? (Especially in light of the fact that I was maybe a bit of a dork about it?) I know I've been saying this for months, but seriously, if you are not listening to The Sheepdogs, you are doing it wrong.
No pictures of his Pumas?
ReplyDeleteMissed opportunity, sorry!
ReplyDelete