HUM
Those of you who know me, especially if you talked to me after I've had a few beers, know that I am huge fan of the band HUM.
Many of you also know that I never had the chance to see them live before they broke up a few years ago; a fact that was causing me some distress.
Well, a few months back they announced a reunion show to take place this last weekend.
After I caught my breath, changed my pants, and double-checked for accuracy, I set out to ensure my attendance.
The show was to be the culminating event of Rockfest, a festival hosted by the Highdive and sponsored by Budweiser in Champaign, IL.
Tickets were acquired. Plans were made.
It would go something like this:
Friday afternoon: Ben and I drive off to Madison to stay with my Sister.
Friday evening: We drink with Scandinavian exchange students to excess.
Saturday morning: We wake up mildly hung-over and return to the car.
Saturday afternoon: We arrive in Champaign. Check-in to the Red Roof Inn. It's classy.
Saturday afternoon: We eat at a joint called Guido's on the corner of Neil and REO Speedwagon Way. Really.
Saturday afternoon: We mosey on over to the "venue," which is a parking lot behind the Highdive. There is a tent, and a stage, and about 8 hours to kill before the main event.
Sometime later on Saturday: We befriend the Whiskey Daredevils, who are pretty awesome. They proceed to feed us tequila and give us hugs.
Sometime after sundown: I am getting pretty huggy myself. I meet two very nice women through some sort of attempted hug exchange.
Kim is the wife of the fella who sent me the tickets. Danelle is somehow friends with HUM. My heart goes a little mushy at this point. I explain the drive I made to see the show. I explain the many, many, drunken rants I've had about this band who is about to take the stage.
Do you want to meet the band? They ask. I manage some sort of response and am led to the greenroom door. I meet Tim Lash who plays guitar. I manage some similar sort of verbal exchange. He politely excuses himself to the stage.
Saturday evening: HUM takes the stage. People go apeshit. I go apeshit. I call friends who are not in attendance and leave them voicemails. It looks something like this.
Late Saturday: HUM is done. Fans are lining up at the side of the stage for autographs. I say to Ben, "let's go over there." Ben says something like, "No, let's go backstage." And I proceed to follow him. Next thing I know we are backstage. I'm shaking hands with Bryan St. Pere, Tim Lash (again), and Jeff Dimpsey. They look like they wonder what the hell I'm doing there, but they seem harmless. Mr. St. Pere, who currently works for Medtronic, seems pretty interested that my Girlfriend is in orthopedic surgery.
Finally a security guy gets around to asking what in the hell Ben and I are doing backstage. We explain that we are with Whiskey Daredevils, and does he know where they happen to be? No? Well, let them know that we're looking for them if you happen to see them.
A girl fan sees us leaving and asks for our autographs. Ben and I explain that we are not famous, then proceed to give her our autographs anyway.
Early Sunday morning: The overnight desk woman at the Red Roof Inn gives us the number for a pizza joint. We order a huge pie, garlic cheese bread, and chicken wings. Lethal Weapon II is on cable.
Later Sunday morning: We get in the car and drive for many, many hours in somewhat less than ideal condition.
Late Sunday evening: I get home much later than anticipated. I go to bed, very happy with the years I have taken off of my life.
Many of you also know that I never had the chance to see them live before they broke up a few years ago; a fact that was causing me some distress.
Well, a few months back they announced a reunion show to take place this last weekend.
After I caught my breath, changed my pants, and double-checked for accuracy, I set out to ensure my attendance.
The show was to be the culminating event of Rockfest, a festival hosted by the Highdive and sponsored by Budweiser in Champaign, IL.
Tickets were acquired. Plans were made.
It would go something like this:
Friday afternoon: Ben and I drive off to Madison to stay with my Sister.
Friday evening: We drink with Scandinavian exchange students to excess.
Saturday morning: We wake up mildly hung-over and return to the car.
Saturday afternoon: We arrive in Champaign. Check-in to the Red Roof Inn. It's classy.
Saturday afternoon: We eat at a joint called Guido's on the corner of Neil and REO Speedwagon Way. Really.
Saturday afternoon: We mosey on over to the "venue," which is a parking lot behind the Highdive. There is a tent, and a stage, and about 8 hours to kill before the main event.
Sometime later on Saturday: We befriend the Whiskey Daredevils, who are pretty awesome. They proceed to feed us tequila and give us hugs.
Sometime after sundown: I am getting pretty huggy myself. I meet two very nice women through some sort of attempted hug exchange.
Kim is the wife of the fella who sent me the tickets. Danelle is somehow friends with HUM. My heart goes a little mushy at this point. I explain the drive I made to see the show. I explain the many, many, drunken rants I've had about this band who is about to take the stage.
Do you want to meet the band? They ask. I manage some sort of response and am led to the greenroom door. I meet Tim Lash who plays guitar. I manage some similar sort of verbal exchange. He politely excuses himself to the stage.
Saturday evening: HUM takes the stage. People go apeshit. I go apeshit. I call friends who are not in attendance and leave them voicemails. It looks something like this.
Late Saturday: HUM is done. Fans are lining up at the side of the stage for autographs. I say to Ben, "let's go over there." Ben says something like, "No, let's go backstage." And I proceed to follow him. Next thing I know we are backstage. I'm shaking hands with Bryan St. Pere, Tim Lash (again), and Jeff Dimpsey. They look like they wonder what the hell I'm doing there, but they seem harmless. Mr. St. Pere, who currently works for Medtronic, seems pretty interested that my Girlfriend is in orthopedic surgery.
Finally a security guy gets around to asking what in the hell Ben and I are doing backstage. We explain that we are with Whiskey Daredevils, and does he know where they happen to be? No? Well, let them know that we're looking for them if you happen to see them.
A girl fan sees us leaving and asks for our autographs. Ben and I explain that we are not famous, then proceed to give her our autographs anyway.
Early Sunday morning: The overnight desk woman at the Red Roof Inn gives us the number for a pizza joint. We order a huge pie, garlic cheese bread, and chicken wings. Lethal Weapon II is on cable.
Later Sunday morning: We get in the car and drive for many, many hours in somewhat less than ideal condition.
Late Sunday evening: I get home much later than anticipated. I go to bed, very happy with the years I have taken off of my life.
posted by Rowdy at 6:20 PM
3 Comments:
man rowdy, that is a damn good story. what a triumph.
Hey!
This is Kim-
Can you send me that picture of Danelle and I? Thanks.
kimward5@insightbb.com
You were too funny at the show.
And you did have a lot of hugs.
There are some web sites being posted around town that have some of the music downloaded. Not super great but fun none the less.
So a lawyer huh? Never would have guessed it. Means you must be young :)
Dude, you need to post more entries!! I know the law books like to talk a lot, and in 1 year you will be able to yell at me about the same thing I am sure, but for now, gimme more entries!! I miss MN and you are the portal!!
NYR misses the Midway!!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home