Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Avalon

It's not what you wanted
It's not what you came here for

This show was definitely not what I wanted and was not what I came there for.

I came to see BRMC perform. I wanted to get there in a reasonable amount of time. I came to enjoy the set. I wanted to see one of my favorite bands and help out a good cause (Global Green USA Party) at the same time.

I should have known that blowing a tire in the middle of the 110 freeway was a sign of things to come...

I got there after 2 hours, dropping my car off at a local shop to get a new tire for the ride how while waiting in line outside, freezing. I got to see them perform, but it was a short set (despite being the headiner). I enjoyed BRMC, but I had to deal with drunk hipsters acting like 3 year olds around me the entire set. (LA hipsters - you made the drunks in Vegas look better behaved. Seriously.)

This experience eerily reminded me of seeing them open for STP last year. I had seen some amazing shows up until that show. I knew it wouldn't be a full set, but I still went... I'll take a BRMC any way I can get it. I seem to always end up disappointed though when I see bands I love and it's not their show. Short sets, prickly crowds... all the makings for an unpleasant experience that is hard to stomach after seeing such mind-blowing shows up until that point.

I had come from my unbelievable experience last week with BRMC and ended up here. Deep down, I suppose I knew what I was in store for... but it's just so hard to accept after seeing an amazing show in such close proximity.

At the end of the day, the band was great. I was glad I got to hear "High/Low" again and despite being short, it was a solid setlist, mostly comprised of their more energetic songs. Halfway through the set I had to deal with three girls who felt the need to headbang into me and the girls next to me and then make out with each other. Repeatedly. For like 20 minutes straight. Then yell during "Open Invitation". It was a good thing I had someone with me because under normal circumstances, that combination usually leads to me cussing like a sailor and my hands ending up on someone else. Instead, I attempted to tune it out and soak in the band for what I knew would be my last time seeing them for a while.

I left the Avalon that night clinging to the memories of the week before and longing for what was to come next from BRMC...


Photos:



Video of "High/Low" by YouTube user dmezragirl:



Setlist: