I Had A Dream (Music Monday #19)

Saturday morning I woke up wondering if it was all a dream.

I sat in bed just kinda blinking, wondering if a pinch would bring me back to reality. I looked down at my shirt.

"Brian Fallon brand Painkillers"

It was tangible evidence that it wasn't a dream. I've done almost the same ritual every morning since, Because Friday night I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

I'll back up to the beginning where I banished my introvert-self and bought a ticket to head out to the middle of the desert (afterwards my mom asks, "Did you go to a rave?!"). Busy Friday evening traffic gave way to the lonely highway 62, which gave way to Pioneertown Road and rolling desert hills. I was expecting at least a little more fanfare for such an important event. Maybe a gas station or liquor store, but there was none. Blink and you'll miss the marquee-style sign, squint and you'll make out the words "Pappy and Harriet's -Pioneertown-," and a single neon "Budweiser" sign in the window.

Unlike a large LA venue, you're not getting there at least 30 minutes early to find & pay $15 for a random public parking lot. I just rolled into a dirt lot and parked, figuring this "parking space" was as good as any. I've never been so eager to turn off Brian Fallon's music- but just so I could get to hear him sing it in person.

I strolled up to the door, got my will-call ticket wristband and headed through the bar and restaurant to the tiny dance floor in front of a small stage. With some time to kill, I bought a shirt (what I would later cling to as proof!) and patiently waited for Johnny Two Bags, the opening act. I moved my way to the front and found myself pleasantly situated in the front center, about a foot from the stage and just behind a single layer of people.

Johnny Two Bags is Johnny Wickersham, front man and lead guitarist for the famous Social Distortion.



Since said introvert-banishing and ticket purchasing happened so last minute, I didn't have much time to check out his music beforehand. And that is a shame because it is incredible. Very catchy and easy to sing to. My favorite is "One Foot in the Gutter"

"It's been such a long, long time. And the devils and angels hanging around my bed,they don't seem to mind. They gonna drag me into the abyss or into a state of eternal bliss. I got one foot in the gutter,and one foot kicking in the door to heaven."

Johnny put on a great show. It was just him and his guitar. I always feel that solo acts take so much more talent and charisma. Amazing.

But I have to admit, that I was a little bummed out because it seemed like some of the people around me couldn't hang. There is a certain unspoken and basic etiquette (I thought) at shows. Like for one, don't be rude if you're in the front row, three feet from an artist. Like maybe hold off on checking your Instagram feed for 40 minutes. Like maybe don't drunkenly yell about your freaking cat to the people around you. 

Still, it was incredible. Saturday morning I promptly ordered his album and listened to it all day long. 

Monday I returned from work to find that it had arrived (seemed like it took a small eternity!) and it was fun to complement the live experience with a vinyl experience. The album is very different because it has a full band playing along with Johnny, so the sound is a little different but still great.

In between sets you could tell everyone was anxiously awaiting Brian Fallon and the Crowes and literally getting pushy. The drunk girl decided to attempt an altercation with me as she slurred out how she knows Brian Fallon and I can even ask him myself. Trust me lady, if I'm talking to Brian Fallon, it isn't going to be about you. Just be cool.

Soon enough Brian Fallon and the Crowes filled the stage. Even remembering this part makes me grin like a goon. It was the craziest feeling to see a musician who you've followed for 8 years just walk right in front of you. They started out with the Horrible Crowes song "Last Rites," it's only about a minute and a half but I think it is the perfect song to open with. It is also the first track on the Horrible Crowes album. My favorite part about it, and my favorite part throughout the set, is the look of pure joy on Brian Fallon's face as he plays. I hate to sound so corny, but you can see the music fill up his soul and as the harmonies all come together he gets this smile like "nailed it!"

One of the biggest reasons I go to concerts is for the chatter between songs. If I'm a fan I've bought the music and I listen to it routinely. But the funny stories and banter with the crowd is truly what I live for. Fallon did not disappoint. Ross had the opportunity to see him when he toured with The Gaslight Anthem about 5 years ago. And that was his favorite part too. When he came back from the concert (it was at a 21+ venue so I just stayed home and cried my eyes out) he said how fun it was to listen to his stories.

I didn't have much space on my phone for photos and videos (despite hours of desperate attempts to clear stuff off-ugh.). But nothing would have been able to capture what an incredible experience it was. Most of the music was from his work the The Horrible Crowes, mixed with new songs from his solo album. It was a mix of old of favorites, new favorites, and soon-to-be new favorites that I had only listened to bootleg versions of on YouTube.

The venue is definitely unique. It's small and wonderful. Similar in many ways to the small-medium venues I went to when I was in Utah. But you don't have that "neutral zone." You know that 4 foot buffer-zone where security stands to catch the crowd surfers? Nope. So you are right there, I spent the night about 6 feet from my favorite musician. The stage itself is probably only raised about a foot. Being so short would've been a challenge had I not been up so close. Brian (we are on a first name basis now) even joked how close everyone was, "If you guys had mono I would probably catch it!" 

During the show I just kept thinking how unreal it was. It felt like I had won some sort of contest, scored a VIP pass or something. I was grinning from ear to ear and singing my heart out even if I was so star-struck that I couldn't remember all the words. I know this sounds awfully fangirl of me, but he definitely noticed me and smiled. I know it sounds insane. Because I am and it was.

Some other highlights: 

• cover of Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen.
• talking about how if he had a ton of money he'd want to throw pizza of the White House.
• final song of the evening, "Behold the Hurricane" which has quickly become a new favorite off the album, "Elsie."

Even though it was only released a week ago, "Smoke" is my favorite off of (soon-to-be-released) Painkillers. Okay, maybe "A Wonderful Life" is too. His performances are just so passionate and genuine. Check out "Smoke" here. 

"And you never ended up coming home, you just Became something like some smoke that I tried too hard to hold. And when I awoke, everything had changed you see, I Left my home, returned something different, I was Beaten to death, bleeding to death with regret."

I know he commonly meets with fans, so I was bummed when they didn't come back for an encore song even after all our my cheering. But I know they play a show tomorrow night up north so I just told myself they were in a hurry. I was still reeling from the experience. 

As I headed back out to the car I had this Lifetime movie-esque moment where I looked up at the thousands of desert-sky stars and just laughed about what a crazy experience it was. It felt so strange to hear him on the stereo in my car. Not the same. 

Later that evening I posted a picture on my Instagram. My sister asked, "Sooo, that's like a stock photo right? Like one the press took?" 

Nope! That picture was taken on my phone just below my face! I continue to be totally weird about the experience. I will have to post some video soon.