What’s not to love?  Nerds.  Hot, sweaty, sexy, music playing nerds.  And when there’s that much dork-ass sexiness in the air, well, it abounds and spills over and for some people it just sets the right mood for maybe finding that someone special… well, for the night anyway.

I have found a trend with Mucca Pazza shows that I’ve attended (which has been a lot: proof), when MP is at the Empty Bottle I will make out with someone and share a bed.  Okay okay.  So I’ve only been to two shows of theirs there.  But it’s happened both times!  The first time I ended up making out with two different guys, which turned into an awkward tug-of-war dance… and this last time?  Well… I met the Man from Macedonia.

I guess even without the combination of sexy nerds and a enjoyable location I can be kind of flirty.  That’s not the point I guess… but I should be said.  I’ll flirt with people at Mucca shows regardless of venue.  But I almost feel I flirt with Muccas more than the other people at every other location.  Flirting with the Muccas isn’t one of those “I want to get in your poly-wool blend pants” sort of thing — well… ANYWAY.  They flirt too! I’m digressing.   A lot.*

So.  The question’s been asked… How does one go about meeting someone at a Mucca Pazza show?  Here’s the things I’ve noticed and maybe some tips:

• You’ll probably need some liquid courage.  But not too much, because then it becomes liquid stupid.
• Scope out the crowd, find out where the hotties are.  Maybe try to be in those areas.
• Make eye contact with attractive people.  More than once too.  If they smile, keep it up! Smile back!  FLIRT.  If they don’t… STOP BEING CREEPY.  Just give up then.
• Make small talk… by far the easiest thing ever here.  Just talk about how awesome Mucca is.  Talk about a particular thing that happened in the show… (Did you see that trombone chick [Ela] strattle that speaker?  Isn’t the accordion player [Small Ronnie] adorable?  Were you ever in band?)  Easy Peasy.
• FLIRT.  Touch.  FLIRT.  Giggle and laugh.  All appropriately.  Reapply liquid courage as necessary — but remember, it excess it becomes liquid stupid.
• If it seems right.. go for it.  Just kiss them.
• Get their number too…

This technique can be used in other situations… but honestly, the simple fact that everyone is so hyped up and happy and sweaty and all that nerdy sexy mojo vibe has been flowing for an hour or more… What better time then this?

So… The Man from Macedonia? 
Well… I think I’m going to make you wait to get the story on that one.  What a tease!

*this could be a whole ‘nother post in itself…

Possibly one of the biggest highlights of this weekend/ever would be running off to the land of beer and cheese with one of my favorite bands, Mucca Pazza.

They had some cancellations and needed someone to sell merchandise for them.  I got the call on Thursday at about noon, agreed, and found myself at the studio the next day at 9a.  After some running around, the van was loaded, and I was in a car with 3 Muccas (Elanor, Steiny, and Jeff) and we were on the road!

The band was performing at UW-Madison (a parade and then a concert by the lake), and then again the next day in Milwaukee.  I’d been to Madison once before, even the student union, but that was before school started and it was practically deserted.  That was not the case this weekend.

However, despite the crowd, having downtime by the lake was great.  I took the time to play a little Mario Kart on my DSi for a bit, and also relaxing with some of the band…  Others took the time to enjoy the lake before the show…

Nick & Steiny canoeing…

The concerts were amazing.  But really, I find that to be expected with a MP show.  I always have a great time, they’re always entertaining, and I always leave more in love with the band than before.  It’s just a given that Mucca Pazza rocks.  Sitting at the merch table, I didn’t have the best view of the band.  Not to mention the whole being distracted by people wanting to buy stuff.  A very welcome distraction.  I kept a tally going of how much we’d sold, but after the show that was impossible.

The festival in Milwaukee had merch people for everyone there… leaving not that much for me to do during the show.  Typically, I’d do what I always do at Mucca Pazza shows — get right up front and dance my ass off.  However, I did something strange and completely out of character.  I stayed near the back, in the sound booth with Elliot.  I still got to see them rock out, but also got to get an amazing crash refresher course in live sound.  (Last time I did audio? Probably high school… But I was the production director and on-air talent for WGCS a few years ago…)

Anyway.  The weekend was awesome.  I saw so much of Mucca Pazza.  SO MUCH.  Seriously.  Also, I smelled a lot of Mucca Pazza… I mean, I love them, but yeah, that wool-polyester blend combined with sweaty band nerds?  Eh, wow.   But even with the fresh smell of marching band, the weekend was great.  They’re great people and just a load of fun.  I can’t wait to see them again.

Oh, if you’re wanting all the dirty, stinky details of Mucca Pazza behind the scenes… well… You’ll just have to hang out with them yourself!  I will admit though, they joke a lot, sing a good deal, and they can definitely drink.  (But hey, I held my own with my four or so things of whiskey… until Justin accidentally tossed my cup across the rooftop patio — they were a more than a shot, but then again, hotel cups are great for measuring.  And no hangover.)  They’re just awesome and I truly enjoyed myself this weekend.  Not to mention I’ll probably have “Danger Zone” stuck in my head for a week.

Oh, yeah, and I found batman.

I had a great little “welcome back” from that trip too…   Just another highlight from this weekend…

I’m getting in a van with these people.  Band nerds.

But don’t worry… I’m okay…

Send cookies… and booze…

So, nerves aside, um, I rocked last night.  As did the other 13-15 people in my band — I’ve yet to stop to count how many of us there were that night.  I think 15 was our guesstimate.  That includes Maestro Messing too.

I have to say, I’ve got some very talented musician friends in that group.  Like, crazy talented.  And standing there with them, well, I don’t give myself much credit.  My musical education was lacking.  I don’t know most of the major-minor-diminished-whatever scales.  Sight reading isn’t my strong suit.  And improving and soloing? Yeah, you can forget that.  I was taught how to be a little performing monkey.  We worked on the same songs growing up and we had them perfected.  They’re the same songs the middle school band still plays.

My bandmates know better than to ask me to solo…  It’s sort of a joke now.  Euphonium solo?  HA. YEAH. RIGHT.  I’ll just go back to my  oom-pahs now.

But, honestly… I wish I had that musical ability.  I know I don’t suck.  I’m over that.  Especially after Mark called me an asshole for my bad band attitude.  But, I want to solo.  I want a little euphonium rockstar spot light.  I’d like a little more than just off-beats.  It’s part of the reason why I was planning on arranging some pieces that I could sing on… I may not be confident on my horn, but — given some pep talks and liquid encouragement — I can get my rockstar moment singing a little…

Anyway.  It’s mostly an ego thing I think.  And as a euphonium player, I’m quiet used to this…  Personally, I think Tabs and Ert should get a shot at a tuba solo.  That and I’m still fighting for a bongo solo.

So, um, I don’t have any pictures or videos from last night… hopefully someone does.  If I come across them, I’ll post them.  But we rocked last night.  And I looked hot.  Just FYI.

ALSO: Thanks to everyone who came out and supported Dennis Dixon!  It’s an amazing community around him, and seeing so many people come out to help this amazing Chicago activist in his time of need has been truly… well, awesome.
More at: www.dennisdixon.org

Missing band practice generally isn’t a big deal.  We meet twice a month and we realize that life happens.  But we’ve got a show next week.  That’s right, next week.  And this show is sort of a biggie.

We’re joining with some other bands and a DJ to put together a little show for you…  All of the proceeds will be benefiting Dennis Dixon, an amazing Chicago activist who was attacked on the transit system in late June.  He was hospitalized with some major injuries without insurance.  The mere $10 you pay to see 3 bands and dance your ass off with a DJ will help over Dennis’ living expenses.

If you’re in the area… you should definitely check us out!

From my awesome bandmate, David:

Hello Friends,

On Thursday, September 3, starting at 8:30 p.m., some of Chicago’s great performers will be coming together to support activist and musician Dennis Dixon with some dance and some noise.

DJ Jacob Ross will get your feet twitchin’;
Renegade Brass Brigade (I’ll have trumpet in hand) will rouse you to the barricades;
Golden Horse Ranch Band will have you swingin’ your neighbor with a dosey-doh;
Black Bear Combo will get a whole lot of folks in a frenzy.

The cost is $10, proceeds going to Dennis’ living expenses in this period just out of the hospital.

Would be great to see you there!

David

Anyway… Jack & Gretta had a surprise for us: a completely awesome cover of Betty Davis Eyes.  And to cover a song with just two musicians, and have that cover work and sound great — that takes talent.  Also, this song demonstrates why I love Gretta’s voice.  (More videos can be found on my youtube channel.)

Another new band that caught my attention that opened that night was the New Canyons. They’re unique and fun… and I’ve seriously never met another band that has used a bow on an electric guitar…. (something I didn’t video tape — a goal for the future maybe?)

But continuing on from the previous post…  It’s true that an amazing audience can totally make the show.  Tony (one of MP’s percussionists) and I talked a little bit after the show about this.

Personally, I think it’s damn near impossible to stand still, let alone sit, during a Mucca Pazza show.  Last night I probably danced more than I have at previous shows.  A lot of this had to do with the amount of dancing around me.  Among some of my favorite dancers were my bandmates: David, B, Susie, Alex, Chantal, and Oliver…  All of us were up in the front rocking out and showing our love.  At at least one point I was actually dancing with Elanor (MP trombone player) and at another David was trying to push me into her… Just some concert fun.  In the end, we were all a hot, sweaty mess.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And again, I have to say I love seeing them rock out.  I could probably ramble on forever on how awesome I think they are, not only as musicians but just as people and friends.  This was my 8th Mucca Pazza concert since I first found out about them last June.  I have still yet to see a better live show.  (However, there aren’t too many shows that I’ll 1) dance that much, 2) make faces at the musicians — and them joke back, and 3) shout “I LOVE YOU RONNIE!!”)

During my own show — our debut show at that — I can attest that, again, the audience can make the show.  Tony said that you can have a crap performance but all killer audience, or you can play perfectly, but if the audience is just sitting there the show just doesn’t cut it… I think if B hadn’t gotten people out and dancing during our first song, it would have been rough.  But having the audience get into the music just gave us that much more energy — and I for one am very grateful.  In addition to having the audience out dancing and just showing their enjoyment, seeing my friends in the audience was a total treat.  To have their support means a lot.

So as I said last time, if you love the band, if you like their music… show it.  Have a blast, dance, cheer, shout… The musicians will love you for it — again, remember my warning about being a drunken dickwad… After the show, if you see one of the musicians, just a “hey, great job tonight” goes a long way.

No worries though.  Not only did I make it to the concert, but my name made it on the list…  Though it was only my second show, My Gold Mask has been a joy to follow musically and online.  After that first show, we became myspace friends, and then there was some blog stalking, and then some twitter following… and then it all culminated in meeting last night after their set.

I can definitely say that Gretta and Jack (and their friends) are good people.  And having met a few musicians, and then finding that we get along, that’s made some of these experiences so much greater.  I love getting to see them preform, and to know that not only are they awesome performers and musicians, but also just kick ass people as well… it’s just too much, really.  (I can’t listen to my Lyon & the Notary album without smiling when I hear some great drumming, knowing all too well that it’s my friend Andy T playing… For me it makes me love the album more…)  Who knows, maybe it’s just that whole “artists are people too” thing…  I’m not saying that you should go out and bombard your latest aural crush and become besties with them.  There’s a good chance that may freak them out.  I think basically, what I want to say, is that if you like a band or an artist, tell them.  If you’re enjoying the concert, rock out.  Your energy and excitement will feed back into them and only good things can happen.  (Just don’t be the drunken dickwad who ruins it for everyone else… Please.)

Oh and fear not.  I accomplished what I promised to do… Behold, videos…. (more can be found via my youtube channel)

Also, I’ve added a new feature to the blog… There are a lot of happenings going on here in the Second City and so I’ve made my date book public.  You can check it out by the link in the upper left sidebar, right under “ticket stubs”…or right here.  I’ll only post “Wench Approved Events”…

I’M GOING TO SEE FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS!!! FROM FIFTH ROW!!!!

Yeah, I’m going to be doing what Bret’s doing — leaping and bounding my way to my loves.  Go a head and say it.  I know what I am.  I’m fine being a fangirl.  I’m truly not that obsessed, but well, Mennogirl might report differently after tonight.

I lucked out, really.  Mennogirl and I had been talking about seeing the show, and she was able to get us access to presale tickets.  So at our respective computers we worked away until finally, after two failed attempts (one of which was losing 2 seats in the second to last row), I got them.  I got 2 fifth row tickets.  I nabbed them as soon as possible, not even really consulting with Mennogirl.

So now it’s here.  Mennogirl and I will be driving to the concert, since she has a further way to go back home.  Unfortunately, cameras aren’t allowed… at least from what I remember.  Either way, I don’t have my camera on me.  I actually don’t really know where it or my flip mino are… but that’s whatever.  It doesn’t matter now.  I will indeed document as much of the pre- and post-concert going with my lovely little camera phone.  So expect some low quality images.

Anyway… here’s a little bit of what you’ll be missing…

Due to some bad timing on my part — aka I watched the bus drive off while I was across the street waiting on the light — he actually managed to beat me to the concert.  (He had a faculty reading to go to that night as well, so he wasn’t sure if he’d make it on time or not.)  But only by a few minutes, and by the time I showed up he had just finished getting a drink from the bar.

I really had no idea how to greet him.  We’d only exchanged a small handful of emails for a short period of time.  A handshake seemed too formal, though could have worked.  Normally I’d go for a hug, which I contemplated, but didn’t really act soon enough to do anything.  So instead we just sort of said hi and I went through the usual motion of pronouncing my name for him — I would have never thought that “Erini” would be so intimidating to say, but more often than not people always ask me how.

We got our tickets and our wristbands, then made our way into the concert area of the bar… (Where sweaterboy bought me a cider.  I love bars that have hard cider on tap.) I had contacted Andy T to let him know I’d be late, and that I hopefully would only miss one song, however, we made it there before they started so I got to see the full set.  His band, Lyon & the Notary, is pretty decent.  So it was fun to listen to them.  Andy checked in with me after the set to make sure I was all right and that sweaterboy wasn’t some crazy abductor.  After getting my tshirt and hearing a few songs from the next band, we decided to head out to the main bar area.  Concerts aren’t really conducive to conversations, and I don’t think either of us were really wanting that kind of first date.

We talked and talked and talked.  Andy came out a few more times to check on me, and just to meander too.  He’s attending my first choice grad school right now in the writing program I’ve applied for — so we talked about lit and writing for a while.  I also talked about the reading band some; he had once played baritone & euphonium as well… He’s a year younger than me, about 4-5 inches taller, and dresses pretty well.  I sort of wished I would have put more effort into my outfit rather than just jeans and a long sleeved Nolly v-neck.  I left my jacket on the entire time, so I guess it didn’t matter.

Eventually I noticed that the employees were stacking chairs and blowing out candles.  It was almost 1:30a.  The concert started at 9p.  We decided that we should probably go and made our way towards the train station.  However, after we had gotten to the platform, we were informed that we had just missed the last train of the night, a surprise to us because what train line stops running before 1:30a on a weekend?  Since the 9 bus runs awkwardly at night (as I found out with the Canadian), we decided to get a cab and head downtown to the red line.

We sat together on the train, possibly the closest we’d been all night.  Right as we pulled in to my station, I turned and asked if he would like to come over.  He gladly agreed.  I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to ask him — I really enjoyed hanging out with him, and wasn’t ready for the night to be over, but was sort of unsure of myself and his interest (aka I was being a wuss).  We walked through the masses of drunks that accumulate in my neighborhood (something I had forgotten about), and made our way back to my messy, little apartment.

I had received a couple text messages on the train, so I went to the bathroom to check them.  Dani was checking in on me as well, and providing an out to the date if I needed it.  Though I appreciated it, I didn’t need it.  I headed back out, cut off our wrist bands (my first physical contact with him the entire evening), and let him finish a text message.  Thirty seconds later and we were making out.  We stumbled into my bedroom, and then into my bed…. I still plan on getting a door at some point — I had to push away a curious kitten for a bit until she got the hint.  Luckily he didn’t really care and found it sort of amusing.

Anyway… He stayed in bed with me until 11a Saturday morning.  Yep.  I had a 14 hour first date.  And I enjoyed every second of it.  He kissed me before he left, then was out the door… And I walked around my house with a big grin on my face for the rest of the day.  I’m really looking forward to seeing him again…