What's this 12 Bands 12 Months thing?
So last year, as 2007 melted into 2008, I decided that I should get back into the habit of making a New Year’s Resolution. I considered the usual ones — more time at the gym, less swearing, giving up on soda, etc. But I wasn’t really “feeling” any of them. Then, I hit on one that I could get into: get to one live music show per month.
Of course, me being me, that fell apart in April or May. It didn’t help that Marah, my go-to-the-well band, had imploded. I was also in a bit of a rut…after starting the year off strong with a Jay Farrar show at Northsix, I found myself listening to the same old bands, and seeing those same old bands. It didn’t help that the Arts Center lineup was less-than-inspiring. And while I’ll never complain about getting to a few Springsteen shows a year, I knew there was more to it than that. I like the outdoor gigs, but I missed the clubs.
Then, last fall, I felt a resurgence. We Are Scientists at the Wonder Bar, Everest/Wilco/Neil Young at the Garden. I felt it coming back. I had new music, new energy. And so, I had a new resolution:
12 months, 12 bands.
The project was kicked off, fittingly, with Slo-Mo at World Cafe Live to ring in the New Year. Saw Adam and Dave in January at the Saint. February was Marah at the Mercury, and March was The Gaslight Anthem at the Troc. And the whole thing…the going, the blogging, the actually thinking about what I just saw…it’s invigorating. And so on it goes.
What does the rest of the year hold? Well, I’m only booked as far ahead as May, but I feel like I’m picking up steam.
April 15: Nada Surf, The Bell House, Brooklyn
April 21: Bruce Springsteen, TD Banknorth Garden, Boston
May 9: The Gaslight Anthem, Stone Pony, Asbury Park
May 15: Bruce Springsteen, Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey
Ok, maybe that’s a little sparse. And repetitive. But there are prime targets on the horizon:
May 22: Mike Doughty, Stone Pony, Asbury Park
June 12: Avett Brothers, Irving Plaza, New York
August 1: All Points West, feat. Tool/My Bloody Valentine/Gogol Bordello/Neko Case/etc., Liberty State Park, Jersey City
Anyway…so here’s the deal. I’ll be posting a pre-game blog post, quick post-show notes, and a full review. I’ll keep as good a set of notes as I can for each show, but I’m no professional journalist. And really, I’m only telling you this because I’m telling me this. I’m making the commitment. I’m going to do this.
Lets go!
