I've already blurted out a lot of things about this past weekend's show with PopCanon, so what follows is only for folks who actually care a lot about either band or what it feels like to be in a band. So, read on, if you dare.
First of all, did it really happen? Back at work at my desk on Monday, it was like a distant memory already, and that just Blows. That little magical dreamworld where my only responsibilities are moving equipment and rocking disappeared so quickly. Real world, with things like "what am I going to cook for dinner" and "I have a meeting to go to" returned all too quickly. I got an email from Ned first thing Monday morning that said, "Dude, did that really happen? It seems like weeks ago and I'm still tired." Yup.
It was really, remarkably easy to slip into a world where all these friends, rock compatriots still lived in Gainesville, and it seemed totally normal that we played a show together at a club and it was exhilarating and tiring and all of those things, but it still seemed like we could do it again in a couple of weeks. But we can't.
Second of all, the songs. I have to be honest, I have not listened to PopCanon records much in the intervening 10 years, probably because I'd rather see them live, where you really get the whole picture. And probably because it would just make me sad. So, when PC was rocking it out, it was like a wash of familiar, wonderful songs, like transmissions from a former life's radio station. It felt good to not remember every element of every song, because it allowed me to still be surprised by the music. Since becoming a father, my memory banks are increasingly filled with other things, so my annoying inability to remember things was actually helping me enjoy great song after great song.
Third of all, the musicianship. Being a guitar player/musician who operates more like a goofy archaeologist, finding peculiar things in my own playing and dusting them off into riffs and/or songs, I completely admire people who can hear things in their heads and just play them. Or can read music. Or can transpose guitar parts into piano parts on the fly. It was an amazing honor watching the PopCanon folks just completely rule their instruments. Their collective depth of understanding of music is unparalleled in Gainesville bands, that much is sure.
- Ned's largesse of guitar and stature was as impressive as ever. Ned plays big and knows how to play to a room.
- David's intellectual multitasking and effortless guitar weirdness was wonderful to behold again.
- The slightly quizzical and amused look on Murphy's face belied his absolutely All Killer & No Filler bass playing.
- Robby's drumset weirdness was apallingly wonderful—he makes making it look easy look even easier, if you know what I mean.
- Don—while much can be said of his clothing and antics at PC shows, it cannot be overstated that the guy can fucking play his horn. His neck is doing that Dizzy Gillespie thing where it expands perceptibly when he blows. He's on another plane when he's playing, it's obvious.
- I told Alyson that she and Don are collectively like Flavor Flav—the hype men and comic foils for Ned and David (who in this metaphor, would collectively by Chuck D). And I think that's true. Alyson is great to watch, she stalks the stage with, by turns, comedy and drama. She has a quiet confidence when she plays which is awesome.
Fourth of all, time.
I started going to PopCanon shows when they were the Semantics, and through all the changes in their lineup and all the changes in Squeaky's lineup, there was/is a consistent fun in seeing them play. Now, ten years after their last show, so much has changed in their lives, and so much has changed in mine. I wasn't a parent last time I saw them play. My entire understanding of time has changed. My everything has changed. But what hasn't changed is my love of music, and that's why it was a joy to let PC wash over me, reminding me of what is the same in the midst of everything's difference.
