Love Loss Hope Repeat

Wednesday Night Music Club: Here is another in my ongoing series “How I discover music”. Tonight’s topic: Carbon Leaf

When I go to shows I always show up in time for the opening act. Even if I don’t know who they are, I’ll be there to catch their set. I just figure that it is part of the price of the ticket. Plus, you never know what you might find. Usually they are less than memorable but sometimes there is a curve ball.

I was there to see Big Head Todd and the Monsters, a show that turned out to be a lot better in theory than in actuality. Not that the band sounded bad, in fact they sounded just like their records. Exactly like their records. I could have stayed home and had the exact same experience. Anyway, the opening act was this group called Carbon Leaf who I had absolutely never heard of. They took the stage and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a band that I hated so much on sight. They seemed to be a walking ad for Abercrombie and Fitch. My first thought was, “Great, a band for all the frat boys in the audience.”

It didn’t help that the lead singer…I’m not sure how to put this. Let’s say that he sings in the same manner that William Shatner acts. Every single line must be emphasized with hand motions and head turns. I stood there and just went “What a douche.” Except that the first song was great as was the second and the third. By the end of the set I was getting in line to pick up a CD.

I’ve ended up seeing the band five or six times now. They are probably one of my favorite live acts now as I can see how they play with passion. Yeah, it is college rock but the guys are just really cool, nice guys. It’s strange how wrong one’s first impression can be. Like I’ve said in the past, I always give an opening act a song to prove me wrong. Carbon Leaf proved me completely wrong, they’re probably one of the best bands you have never heard of. Definitely worth a listen.

I’m not making this up: I had forty dollars riding tonight on my ability to guess what state quarter someone had in their pocket. And I won the bet. Now that takes skill my friends.

Ugh, sorry if I don’t have much else to report tonight. One of the problems that I have with my travel schedule is I always end up getting the worst head cold imaginable. If you fly over a holiday weekend you should wear a hazmat suit or something. There is just something about the airport crowds and recycled air that pretty much insures that you will be coming down with something. On the plus side, it doesn’t feel like the virus of doom that put me in the emergency room in September. It just feels like someone is banging on my head with a small mallet. I’ll go take a nap now.

(Oh, and Brit apparently isn’t pregnant. Not sure if that is worth a breaking news alert but hey, I know that people rely on me for this information.)