Electric Six @ MN Zoo
July 7, 2006
Electric Six put on a really great show tonight at the MN Zoo. Dick was in top form--he was very chatty and all the pushups / dance moves were employed full force, including some new moves straight out of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. Which was sort of fitting because the audience might have been dead. At least until some poor DJ introduced the Psychedelic Furs as the Electric Furs. Then they turned a little undead.
The crowd goes wild... This was during the show. I'm not kidding.
Electric Six opened with "Improper Dancing" which I really wasn't ready for. I had snuck down to the front row, but wasn't ready to dance yet, let alone dance improperly. I don't really have any moves, rather just end either jerking my hips uncomfortably or flailing around like Kermit at the beginning of the Muppet Show. I guess I could have pulled out the "Monkey Dance" seeing how I was at the zoo, but since I was completely sober I thought better of it. Still after a song or two I couldn't control myself anymore. In reality I was probably barely twitching, but to me I was dancing. At the very least I was standing up.
Valentine explained that they had been "hand-picked" by the Psychedelic Furs to open for them and how this was a "tremendous opportunity" for them. He mentioned the Replacements and Soul Asylum, then I just about died when he said it's good to be here in Minnesota, Apple Valley, off of Johnny Cake Road--after the show we're going to purify ourselves in the water of Lake Minnetonka.
A giant pot of flowers and good manners were all that separated me from the band.
After wowing the suburbanites witih "Naked Pictures (of your mother)" and a new song about changing your gender midlife, Valentine treated us to an anti-Bush (BUUUUUUSSSSSSHHHHH! ) rant before "Rock and Roll Evacuation" in which he painted a future world of Bushes for us: Jeb Bush, then some other Bush, years later spermatozoa Bush. Maybe even one of us ladies could carry a Bush someday, he suggested... then he screamed something along the lines of "Can you imagine if Gore was president right now? We'd all be speaking freaking Arabic!!!! " and keeled over. It was brilliant. This was pretty much met with the same blank stares that the entire show got. So, he said that politics weren't funny, not unless you were from Minnesota and had elected a professional wrestler governor. Touche.
After their set the band pretty much vanished. I guess I can't blame them. I was sort of hoping Valentine would come out and profess his love for me, but it was not to be. Oh well. I'll get him in October--8th time's the charm.
The Psychedelic Furs were really old. They made me wonder what I would be doing 25 years from now, in a bad way. And they wore lots of black to match their dyed hair. We stayed for four or five songs at which point I swear I had heard one twice so we took off and went Psycho Suzie's for pizza & vodka. Yum. After a few slices, PJ had a vision of my future in which I was in a delivery room about to have a baby and Dick Valentine was doing pushups next to my bed. Every once in a while he would stop and yell "PUUUUUUSSSSSHHHHH!"
Set List (not in order):
Improper Dancing
Danger High Voltage
Naked Pictures (of Your Mother)
Synthesizer
Mr. Woman?
Gay Bar
Devil Nights
Future Boys
Future is In the Future
Rock and Roll Evacuation
Dance Commander
The world is rolling over and strange things are afoot.
For example, in the past week I have learned that Electric Six will be returning to the Twin Cities in July, and they will be playing at... The Minnesota Zoo. Also, the Flaming lips will be passing through to play... the Minnesota State Fair? I wonder who will step up to play Taste of Minnesota?
Also, I recently realized that I no longer hate The Killers. I still really dislike the song "Somebody Told Me" but other than that I've grown pretty indifferent. I've decided to hate She Wants Revenge to fill the void. And I still hate Teagan And Sarah, so all is not lost.
Ironically, that horrible thing way too many people thought would end life as we know it has turned out to be not that bad. At least in execution. Although personally it reminds me a bit too much of Michel Gondry to not be directed by Michel Gondry. Now there's your crime.
I think the lesson to be learned here is: start stocking up on water and tuna because the bird flu is going to get us all. Actually, I think I'm going to hoard canned chicken because it'd be funnier. Plus I hate fish. I don't want to spend my last days on earth eating fish.
My friend was recently lamenting the fact that the new Gopher stadium will be called the TCF Bank Stadium. I'm not really interested, but I figure it's better than raising tuition. Although personally, because I'm evil, I would have liked to have seen the naming rights purchased by Tampax. Because nothing says football like feminine products. I guess there's still hope for future Vikings or Twins stadiums. Which could be even better--think of the possiblities for Rock-n-Roll arena shows! System of a Down, Live at the Tampax Center!
It's coming. Somewhere, someday.... This is my latest prediction for the future.
Ok, so I haven't actually been watching "Rockstar: INXS" but I caught the end of tonight's finale and one thing seems obvious:
When the world premier of your new / first song as INXS front man takes back seat to Brooke Burke's PA on how to apply for next season's "Rockstar" you know you are doomed. I mean, it will be over soon enough--at least let him finish his world premier.
So, did they ever actually acknowledge that Michael Hutchence existed? And I guess the big question is, who is going to kill themselves so we can have a next season?
Using my uncanny ability to predict the future, I see... Rockstar: Alice In Chains.
So earlier yesterday in suggesting we go to the Kitty Kat Club to see Lonesome Dan I asked PJ, "Are we Lonesome tonight?" Bad pun, I know, but then later in the day, I heard Elvis' version of said song while channel surfing. Seems the Universe is back and trying to tell me something? About Elvis? About Dan? About Loneliness?
As an aside, I got carded at the KKC last night. Not something that I'd normally care about one way or the other, but when I handed the bartender my ID he exclaimed, "Good Lord! Good for you!" I'm not THAT old?
So I was just noticing there is a bonus mp3 on the Mark Mallman live CD. It's called "Cinnamon Girl." I looked it up--it's a Neil Young song. Moments later my Yahoo news portal announces that Prince has an edgy new video for his song (titled, of course) "Cinnamon Girl." Now these are different songs, but the titles are the same. It would seem the Universe is back to mess with my head. So, what do these new coincidences want with me? Possible connections? If you play it like five degrees of separation it goes something like this:
Neil Young is the decorative motif of the Turf Club. I recently saw Mark Mallman at the Turf Club. I also recently saw Mark Mallman at First Avenue. Prince's movie, Purple Rain, was filmed at First Avenue.
It's probably too early to tell what this all means, but I'm sure I will find out soon enough. Hopefully it doesn't have anything to do with Donnie Darko.
A few years ago I noticed that I had only dated Tauruses. Now, normally I don't put much faith in astrology, but I thought it was kind of wierd, so I looked it up. Turns out that I (Sagittarius) and Tauruses are very incompatible. Since then I've dated a Leo and a Sagittarius, both of which I am compatible with, and both of which went as bad, or worse than my relationships with Tauruses. Perhaps this is just due to my "dislike of being tied down domestically."
The good news (?) for Dick Valentine and I is that we are very astrologically compatible. The stars think we are perfect for each other, and I don't think I'm just being a "blindly optomistic" Sag here. Check it out:
"The combination usually has a great chance for success. Both temperament are very much alike. This is a purely social combination that will revel in a large group of friends and public-spirited associates. Sagittarius readily understands the moods and peculiarities of the Aquarius, and will make the necessary allowances, the sagittarian appreciates and expects the same from the Aquarius. Both love change, travel, and excitement, so this should work out very good.
"There is a very good chance for a successful relationship. Many of your values are alike and your need to be outgoing and sociable is inherent in both of you. You both understand the need to let the other be when they need their freedom. "
While there is no doubt in my mind that Dick and I will live happily ever-after, I guess I'm still a little skeptical about astrology. Here are a few things the stars got wrong about me:
*Sagittarians are often religious
*They may revenge themselves upon the opposite sex by becoming cynically promiscuous (maybe the camel's back just hasn't broke yet? Look out boys!)
*They are said to make good sports coaches, but their tastes in this direction may lead them into imprudent gambling
*Sagittarians risk becoming playboys, wasting their lives away in frivolous pursuits (No way, my love for Dick Valentine is the real thing)
*Dislikes off the wall theories (especially those about drumming robots)
And the things they got right:
*They have both profound and widely ranging minds, equipped with foresight and good judgement, and they can be witty conversationalists (though this is often mistaken for mental illness)
*they find it difficult to express affection and may run the risk of being thought frigid
*They are strong-willed and good at organizing (I do love to organize, and it gives me something to do while I'm at home alone being frigid)
*Honest and straightforward, yet tactless and restless
So there we are?
Maybe this whole Donnie Darko thing was just a premonition? As it turns out the movie is being re-released to theatres
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/21/film.darko.reut/index.html
Speaking of premonitions. Last night I went bowling at the BLB and jokingly said "I'd like to dedicate this next frame to my love for Dick Valentine." I got a strike. It should be mentioned that I am not the world's best bowler, so this can only be seen as a sign that I made the right choice when I left Jack for Dick.
I gazed into that bowling ball last night and I saw my future.
Who thought the day would ever come when I'd be forced to admit that I've fallen out of love with Jack White? Yes, it's true. It happened last night when I fell in love with Dick Valentine.
I think this has been coming on for a while, but... I don't know how I'm going to break the news to Jack. I still have nothing but respect for him, but he can be awfully serious and moody. I think that Dick can give me all the things my relationship with Jack was lacking, like a smart ass sense of humor and cheesy rock posturing. My one point of concern is that my modesty and Dick's name are going to clash. For now, I think maybe I'll just refer to him as Mr.Valentine. Or possibly "Richard."
Sadly, I did not run away with the band. I think I must have interpretted Donnie Darko's warning incorrectly, because I have nothing but regret for the restraint I exhibited last night. I think KB was right about its intentions for me being purely commercial.
Oh well. I can make up for it in Northfield next month.
I'm still investigating. I watched Donnie Darko last night to, you know, look for clues. Following is the list of possible hypothesis that I've come up with so far(number 5 is the top contender):
1. Donnie wants me to buy his movie. I tried to buy it on Tuesday, but B&N was out, so I assumed that this wasn't the "plan." So, I bought it at Best Buy last night just to cover my bases.
2. Donnie wants me to read Watership Down. It is about rabbits no?
3. Donnie wants me to be a Tears for Fears fan.
4. There are a lot of religious allusions in the movie. Maybe Donnie wants me to be born again?
5. Or maybe... DD reminds me a lot of The Last Temptation of Christ (which was billed on the marquee of the movie theatre he went to Evil Dead in) so maybe Donnie is telling me to avoid temptation and think carefully about the consequences of the next big decision I have to make. Like maybe I should NOT run away with Dick Valentine. This is a little bit more feasible than my theory that ...
6. I've died and am getting to see what the next 28 days of my life would've been like if I listened to the giant javelina (pig like critter who lives in the desert) and not gotten on the plane in Phoenix. I have heard from several people who say that they don't think I'm dead, plus there was no giant javelina, so this theory is almost debunked.
7. Mabye I'm the giant bunny who should tell KB to not get on the plane. (I'm sure this is crazy, but I told him if he sees any Germans with "This is Baader-Meinhof" emblazened t-shirts getting on the plane, he should run for it.)
So I was on the plane flying back to Minneapolis last Saturday and am reading Entertainment Weekly. In EW, there is an article about the guy who sang "Mad World" at the end of Donnie Darko. I think to myself, "that was a really appropriate song for that movie, I should look this up when I get home."
Before I go home, I stop at Kidneybingos party. He tells me that he is going to lend me the first season of "The Office" and pulls it off his bookcase. I notice that it is right next to Donnie Darko.
After the party I get in my car and reach to put a CD in. I then realized that they were still locked in the trunk for safe keeping while I was out of town. So, I turn on the radio... only to hear "Mad World" from Donnie Darko. This song has been in my head ever since ...
So last night I'm out for a drink with some friends and I tell them how I'm being stalked by Donnie Darko. A girl at my table says that's really bizzare because I was the third person today to randomly bring up Donnie Darko to her.
Today, I'm eating lunch and am discussing these events with one of the professors in my office. He tells me that just yesterday one of his emails went off on a tangent and referenced Donnie Darko.
So... while we're discussing this someone else at the lunch table says that it sounds like I'm having one of those Baader-Meinhoff things,--where you hear something and then again and again. Now I flash back to a few years ago and recall that someone else has mentioned Baader-Meinhof to me in this same context (coincidence, not Darko.)
So now I've just googled to find that the only referrences I can find to Baader-Meinhof involve the terrorist group Red Army Faction.
What do you suppose the Universe is trying to tell me? I don't want to join a terrorist organization...
In the movie Donnie is killed when a jet engine falls out of the sky and lands on him. This whole thing started on a plane. There's no such thing as coincidence. Do you think I'm really dead? Has anyone heard from me lately? Did I ever exsist in the first place? Are you real? Are you sure I didn't just make you up? How do you know? How DO you know!?
