Chapter Nine: Maybe the Sound Guy Isn’t an Idiot Afterall

June 28, 2017

It’s Wednesday.

It’s the first day of Summerfest.

I’m back, already 1.5 beers in.

Still no cigarettes. It’s been almost 5 years since I’ve smoked a goddamn cigarette. (Thank god)

I ran 4.08 miles today.

I ran 4.07 mile yesterday.

(I know you don’t care.)

So I’m here at the BMO Harris Bank Stage. Some band is playing their first song through monitors only.

“Tonight’s gonna be a good night….Tonight’s gonna be a good good night.”

The audience hears distant drums/guitars and vocals as the idiot sound guy tries to figure things out.

They were just soundchecking you idiot!

Couldn’t hear them then, can’t hear them now!

“What’s up Milwaukee? Summerfest!”

Whoever this band is isn’t very good.

Stock cover band.

They’re playing “Summer of ‘69” now.

“When you held my hand, I knew it was now or never.”

“I guess nothing can last forever….”

(Heartbreaking)

I hope this song doesn’t last forever, not like I care about what comes next.

Joan Jett – I Love Rock n’ Roll

If this stage wasn’t covered from the rain, I’d be out of here.

Actually, a walk in the 67 degree Fahrenheit light rain might be the best thing for me, because this band SUCKS!

Maybe there’s a reason the sound guy didn’t run them through the main speakers.

Maybe the sound guy isn’t an idiot afterall.

Next song: Highway to Hell

Female lead singer is back shouting through the mic….

(I’m out of here.)

Ran into a fellow teacher friend of mine.

She said I was “running all over town” and I didn’t know what she was talking about.

Then I realized she was talking about the 4.08 miles I ran yesterday, and the 4.07 miles I ran today. (Posted on Facebook.)

Now at the Johnson Controls World Song Stage.

Some shit band is playing their shitty original “alternative/indie” music.

Four white kids. (Early 20’s?)

The two with long hair aren’t wearing any sleeves.

Mid-tempo number with no vocal range, no melodic range with either bass or guitar, and the drummer is the worse musician in the group.

I should go back to the cover band.

Now at the Uline Warehouse. Some cover band is performing The Cranberries.

“Zombie. Zombie. Zombie. It’s in your head. Zombie.”

Three men with black shirts, sleeves and all. Everyone is in their mid-30’s. Mid 40’s?

(Hard to tell.)

The female vocalist is wearing plaid pants, and she doesn’t bother me (even though she’s a little flat).

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the headliners tonight. I’ve never really liked The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Kind of a lame name.

(Their music overplayed.)

Their bass player is okay but everyone else is meh.

Lots of older folks wearing stock Red Hot Chili Peppers shirts here at the festival today.

(Yawn.)

07/05/17

“Oh, yeah…we love the blues.” – lead singer from some blues band here at Summerfest.

“The blues pretty much takes care of itself.” – some guy with a cigar walking on by, pointing a finger to his head.

Nobody in this band is under 40, and it shows. Very skilled musicians.

Mid-tempo, 5 minute blues number and OWNING IT.

Not much of a blues man myself, but these guys got me.

Maybe it’s because I turned 41 this year.

Maybe it’s because I’m almost finished with my second beer.

(New stage)

“How many Brad Gilbert fans do we have out there?

5 people went wild.

“We are few but we are mighty.”

I turned 41 this past October. I’m close to buying a house with my Hay Hay, (and having kids with her?)

I’m super excited about the house because the small one bedroom we currently reside in doesn’t allow me to paint, grill, or cook with my wok.

Also, my band Where the i Divides hasn’t practiced or played a show in years.

(Years!)

No more “Keep Calm and Blah Blah Blah” shirts.

They’re gone. Haven’t seen one this year.

More Cubs shirts than Brewer shirts, even though the Brewers are still in first place this year.

More Bucks gear than Packers gear.

There’s a 10 person band on stage here at the World Stage. Every single last one of them is moving to the music.

Out of 500+ in the audience, about 10 brave souls are moving to the music as well.

(Good for them.)

I’ve never seen so many exposed bellybuttons in all my life? Is this true?

Mostly young girls.

I saw one 40+ year-old expose her belly.

(Good for her.)

More than one stage is warming up the crowd with Michael Jackson tunes. Tunes that even the kids know.

Long live rock n’ roll!