Dave Matthews Band

Concert for Virginia Tech 9/6/07, originally uploaded by Spector1.

Well, it's that time of the year again. I've never been much for annual traditions but after my first Dave Matthews Band concert at the Worcester Centrum in 1998, I was hooked and have made it to at least one show (some times as many as three) each year since. This year was no exception. My good friend Lauren is a member of the DMB fan club, The Warehouse, and has been for years. The membership has its perks, the best of which includes access to tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Over the last several years she has been generous enough to request tickets for two shows each summer and selling me the tickets to whichever show she wasn't planning to attend. This selfless act has pretty much solidified that my first born child will be called Lauren. Could be awkward if it's a boy but little Lauren will be proud after his first DMB show.

Many months ago, before I knew where I would be living in San Diego, how I would get there or what I would do for work, I was sure of one thing... I HAD to have tickets to Dave Matthews in Chula Vista, California for September's show. And Lauren, being the good friend and DMB fanatic she didn't question my priorities for an instant.

Fast forward to September 28th, 2007 I have two tickets in hand (a place to live and a job) and one new friend, April, who also happens to love the band. April had never seen DMB before and the only thing I like better then seeing Dave is seeing Dave with someone who's never seen him live before. The thing about Dave Matthews a lot of people don't realize is that while they are incredibly talented musicians on the radio nothing can touch them live. Their skill truly has to be appreciated in person where you can feel the crowd's energy and observe how the band meshes together.

As always the show was great. The tickets, even better. We were in the lower pavilion all the way to the left only about 50 yards from the stage, tops. While this was the first show I had been to that wasn't sold out, you could hardly tell as the seats seemed nearly full. While security, in usual fashion, was tough at first, quickly squashing anyone's attempt to take personal photos or dance in the isles, they backed off after about 10 minutes into the show and fans could do as they liked.

The band was on point, playing well and full of energy. Dave broke into dance (his old school 90s style) at several points and the crowd was treated to several solos, of which the most impressive was Stefan's bass guitar solo. The only thing more impressive then the band's energy was that of guest electric guitarist Joe Lawlor who worked the crowed into a frenzy. He was incredible and I'd love to see more of him on tour with DMB in the future.

April has some photos from the show that I will post later. For now though, here's the set list:

Dave Matthews Band
September 28, 2007
Coors Amphitheater, Chula Vista, CA

Sugar Will (Tease) G1
Granny G1 G2
Don't Drink the Water G1 G2
Corn Bread G1 G2
Grey Street G1 G2
You Never Know G1 G2
Crush G1 G2
#27 G1 G2
Dreamgirl G1 G2
Shotgun G1 G2
Eh Hee G1 G2
You Might Die Trying G1 G2
Dancing Nancies ...> G1 G2
Warehouse G1 G2
Stand Up G1 G2 G3
Typical Situation G1 G2
Everyday G1 G2
Ants Marching G1 G2
Encore:
Gravedigger ~ G1
Tripping Billies G1 G2

Guests:
G1 Butch Taylor
G2 Rashawn Ross
G3 Joe Lawlor

Notes:
~ Dave Solo

Mods Vs. Rockers at Our House

Mods Vs. Rockers, originally uploaded by mod_complex.

Move over Twiggy, there's a new totally MOD, totally hip diva in town.

Ok, it's no Vespa... not not for lack of trying but damn those things are expensive and let's face it, you're just paying for the name. So last weekend, I got the next best thing... and to die hard Buddy fanatics... the only thing.



Here's what the Genuine Scooter Co. has to say:

"Like 2006’s “Scooter of the Year,” the Buddy 125, the Series Italia features a powerful, eco-friendly 125cc 4-stroke engine that complies with California emissions requirements. The Buddy boasts more than 90 miles per gallon and top speeds exceeding 65mph (depending on rider weight and conditions).

Series Italia features many vintage, “period correct” touches, sure to conjure images of holidays in 1950s Rome. These include whitewall tires, dark green seat, grey grips, and an eye-catching two-tone paint scheme that will make you dream of scooting in Tuscany. But the Italia isn’t just for nostalgia. Its powerful twin piston disk brake, halogen headlamp and L.E.D. tail lamp provide safety on modern streets. It also has a handy cell phone charger for those devices that didn't exist way back when.

The Buddy has available functional accessories to cater to everyday riders. These include chrome rear luggage racks, locking topcase or hardshell rear duffel bag, custom windshield, front chrome luggage rack or wicker basket, and chrome side protectors with passenger footpegs. A fully-outfitted Buddy 125 Series Italia will faithfully serve as an economical commuter during the week and exhilarating café racer on the weekends. Ample passenger accommodations, meanwhile, will make two-up riding a breeze.

All Genuine Scooter Company models come with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty and one free year of roadside assistance."

The Buddy came in a lot of other cool colors but I had to go with the special addition. 1. Green is my favorite color and 2. Who could resist those adorable white-walled tires?

I rode it to work all last week and it was a cinch to get the hang of it. It's so light it picks up the wind a bit but it's almost too much fun as I smoke just about any car off the line... Eat my high-octane / low environmental impact exhaust suckahs!!!

Speaking of low environmental impact, by Friday afternoon I had racked up 108 miles on my Scoot (3 miles on it when I got it) and my gas gauge was just passing the last blue mark and heading toward the red. 100 miles per gallon... not too shabby and I bet I could push it to 110 but why take the chance... I'm already laughing all the way to the bank.

Bellissimo!