Last night I went to my first rock show in Salt Lake City since moving to Utah. A few weeks ago I found out that thenewno2 was finally touring outside of California and almost immediately scooped up a ticket. thenewno2 is a band led by Dhani Harrison, son of my man George Harrison. He was the last Beatle/Beatle spawn I needed to see to complete the quartet. So that was my first taste of EPIC last night.
(As a side note, I bought two tickets, and couldn’t find anyone to use the second. I’m not doing that again. If the trend of not-going-to-shows-with-Amanda-Mae-despite-the-awesome-time-she-has continues as it has since I left Charleston, fine. But I’m not wasting my money anymore.)
I was pleased to be among the first people in line. Just like the good ole days. This also meant I was front row inside the venue, right at the barricade. (My position shifted from Stage Jonny to Stage Jay and back, for those who know what I’m talking about.) I made friends with the guys next to me, who told me about the incredible Les Claypool shows they’ve been to at The Depot, and how one of them wailed on some other dude for spitting in his face. They warned me that being at the barricade could be hazardous, which I didn’t pay much mind to. I also found out they were Mormon. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more entertaining to me that hardcore metal fans who happen to be Mormon.
I got the shivers when thenewno2 took the stage. This is the progeny of one of my idols! And he looks and sings just like his dad! Come to think of it, every member of his band looked like somebody else. His bassist looked like my friend Ash, his guitarist looked like Leon Russell, his keyboardist looked like Allen Ginsberg, and his drummer looked like Stanley Tucci in Undercover Blues. “My name is Muerte! My name means death!” And Dhani looked like George in the early 70s, but with skinny jeans and hi-tops. Oh, and a little shorter.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with the music. I’ve been following Dhani’s career for a few years now, and his music has evolved quite a bit in that time. It was kind of like the White Stripes but with more electro-pop thrown in. Dhani was even singing through a megaphone at one point. Not sure I would have liked it if I didn’t have the emotional connection, but just the same I really enjoyed myself. That was the closest I’ll ever get to seeing George Harrison perfrom in this life, so I milked it for all I could. They only played five or six songs, but I think they were well received.
The next band up was Heartless Bastards. Just the name alone garnered interest, as you can imagine. I wasn’t sure what to think once I found it was a female-fronted band – those can be really bad. But this chick had a fantastic voice and the energy on-stage was electric. Had I gone in totally blind to the music, HB would probably be my new favorite band at the end of the night. Didn’t end up getting their CD, but it’s on my list now.
Then the famed Wolfmother took the stage. And that’s when the crowd started to push me up against the barricade. Some drunk blonde chick and her friend pushed their way to the front and proceeded to thrash dance the rest of the night. I have the bruises to prove it. Some young dude was with them the whole time, too. Couldn’t tell if he was son, boyfriend, or beard. And he kept elbowing me, too! The crowd only intensified with each song. When you’re very literally stuck up at the barricade, there’s nothing to do but when-in-Rome it and headbang along with the rest of them.
Warching and listening to Wolfmother made me wonder if they’re like what a late 60s Led Zeppelin show must have been like. (I wonder if Miss Pamela Des Barres has seen them?) I did recognize some songs, like “Apple Tree” and “Woman” from their debut from a few years back, so that was nice. That Andrew Stockdale is one amazing performer with EPIC hair. One of the best Jew Fros I have ever seen, outside of that one guy from Second Shift. And even though I’m not the biggest metal enthusiast, and mosh pits are nit my forte, I had an absolute ball.
At the end of the night I bought thenewno2’s album, and got the guy who looked like my friend Ash and the guy who looked like Allen Ginsberg to sign it. I would have waited at the tour bus like a true groupie, but I had to open at work this morning, and had an hour’s drive home – alone. So I shall trust Fate that Dhani and I will cross paths again, and hopefully by that time I’ll have something more (and less creepy) to say than, “I’m your dad’s biggest fan and I think you’re hot.” Which is totally what I would have said.



