"You're going to what?" That's right; to a rock concert, featuring my favourite punk-type Canadien music group, Billy Talent. After all, why wouldn't I go?
I guess I really should blame all this obsession on my youngest daughter. Back in her high school days, when she played soccer and I coached her team, we travelled regularly to the soccer centre on the north side of Saskatoon. Melanie would always welcome the one-on-one time with Dad by inserting her favourite CD into the car player and cranking the volume. As I listened to all this noise, I queried her as to the name of the artist. "Billy Talent", I was told. "Oh", I replied.
Who could have predicted that after the third trip to soccer while listening to the same CD, I was hooked? When Billy Talent was scheduled to perform in Saskatoon thereafter at a small venue, I was determined to go. However, a sudden three-foot snowstorm put a halt to my plans (Actually, I think the weather may have resulted in the cancellation of the concert anyway).
Later in the autumn that same year, Billy Talent was again scheduled to perform in Saskatoon. Alas, I had to be out of town that week, and could not make it. Following that personal disappointment, I never lost my appreciation of their music, and was determined not to miss them again.
And so it was that in October, 2006 I learned that Billy Talent was scheduled to perform in Calgary on January 24, 2007 at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Should I go? How does one actually dither for three months? Finally, I coughed up for a ticket two days before the concert. "You're going to what?"... "Why?"
Granted, the idea of an overweight, balding, middle aged lawyer type dude going to a concert for a current punk group might be hard to fathom, but through the years, quite a number of people have had some trouble trying to understand me. I didn't think it was a good enough reason not to go, just because of what others might think. If you are a fan, go for it, regardless of the age difference.
Wow, what an age difference! Sure there were a few others that were almost as old as me, but they were either working in security or escorting their own children to the concert. Despite my being a couple of generations older than most of the crowd, I didn't receive any negative reactions from others I encountered. In fact, the youthful fans I met were very polite and friendly to me.
Once the concert began, I realized that I should have researched this event more thoroughly. I had no clue who the first warm up band was. I was relieved that a fan next to me knew nothing about them either. Still, I was impressed with the performance of Moneen. Their music was entertaining and the band members played with such enthusiasm. Especially the bass player who never missed a note while repeatedly jerking his head down and up, with his exceedingly long locks flipping down and up in time.
The second group, Anti Flag, were also entertaining. The lead singer sported an interesting tonsorial, partly shaved head and a large long strand from the other side. I liked his message of promoting equality. I am with you there, Pittsburgher. I liked your music too.
Not having researched as to how many warm up bands were to perform, I was expecting my favourites to appear after Anti Flag. However, when the lights came up on the third act, they didn't really look like or sound like Billy Talent. Did I somehow miss the release of a third album? No, I just had not heard of Rise Against. They were also great performers and the audience sang along with their music.
All right, three groups out of the way. When the lights went down again, there was an excited buzz in the audience. Suddenly, we heard a familiar riff and the lead guitarist for Billy Talent appeared in silouette form. That was just too cool. Then the drummer, then the bass player, and finally our lead singer appeared and launched us into an exhiliarating concert. Like the rest of the fans, I stood throughout the concert. I stood there with my hands in my pockets, "singing."
Why the reference to "the beer shower"? No, I did not discover an old bottle of "Body on Tap" shampoo. While I listened through the first three acts, and especially during Rise Against, I felt occasional misty sprays on my head. After my initial reaction of angry disgust, I then realized that this was part of the experience, to be in the line of fire of partially filled plastic cups of beer being hurled through the air.
Also, I noticed a fan to my right in the row behind, who animatedly gyrated, sung and gestured with his right hand through each song of Rise Against. In his left hand he clutched a plastic cup half full of beer, that was soon one-third full, then one-quarter full, but without his taking a drink. My row was the lucky recipient of the occasional splashes of beer.
While Billy Talent performed, I did my best to sing along, mimicking the sounds where ever I could. Now, it wasn't that I wasn't familiar with the music, but I have difficulty figuring out lyrics at the best of times. Nonetheless, I sang on, sometimes reciting gibberish that somewhat resembled the lyrics, and adjusting my voice to falsetto or screeching, as the need arose.
After a few Billy Talent songs, the dude in the row above me presented his hand and we shook hands and underwent some minimal bonding over our love for the group. After another song, he smiled at me and we shook hands again, and he was heard to remark "I like this guy" in reference to the old guy with his hands in his pockets.
Even though I stood out like a sore thumb, it was nice to have made a new friend. However, I seem to have lost track of him ever since he was escorted from the arena during the concert.
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