Music is my life.
Seriously.
I love it.
Specifically, rock music. Pop, glam, heavy, modern, whatever. As a result, music and I have been having a 4 decades long affair. My house growing up was always filled with the popular music of the 1970's (Fleetwood Mac, Hall and Oats, The Eagles, etc), the older sisters of my neighborhood friends kept me current on the hard rock fronts (Aerosmith, Led Zepplin, Rush, etc., along with the various local bands of the day), so it was no small wonder that the first record (that's vinyl, people) my mother bought me, at age 5, was "Magic Man" by Heart.
At 16 I saw my first live concert (Duran Duran at DAR Constitution Hall), and that was all she wrote - live music was like a drug to my veins. I've gone to live shows, large and small, every since.
At 42, however, I've noticed something. It's something about the younger live music fans. The "Under 30's" as I not so affectionately call them. They're, well, rude. And seem to be utterly oblivious to their rudeness.
If you get a group of MY generation at, say, a Tesla show you'll notice that everyone respects everyone else's personal space and basic manners are used (excuse me, sorry, thanks, etc). Yeah, not so much at a live show with Under 30's.
If you get a group of THAT generation at, say, a Papa Roach show, these little mother fuckers can't even define personal space, have no problem smashing their bodies against yours, will not be mindful of their flailing limbs, and never EVER say excuse me when trying to get by you.
And no, I'm not talking about the pit area of most live music venues, where these dim witted group of jerks like to mosh and crowd surf. I'm talking about areas where ridiculousness like that would be near impossible.
Earlier this month me and my bestie Elaine went to see Papa Roach at Rams Head Live. We knew going in that the demographic would be young, so we plotted our course - balcony. Well, the balcony filled up before we got in, so we found another great spot - the side of the sound board. It has a great view, a railing on which to lean, and is covered by the balcony itself, therefore not moshing or crowd surfing friendly. (Now, I don't want to see all ya'll hogging my primo spot next time I there to see Hinder)
At one point during a break between opening bands, after being rammed into too many times by big dumb boys in dark hoodies or weirdo girls in ponytails and Chucks, much to my own dismay I kicked into Old Bitch Mode. And I got loud. With every bump, I said "EX-CUSE ME!" With every shove to the side, I hollered "OH NO, MY FAULT! I WAS ENTIRELY IN YOUR WAY JUST STANDING HERE!"
Then there was the chubby spazoid girl who made her way in front of Elaine. She seemed to lose entire control over her arms. Seriously, with a digital camera clutched in one claw, she kept wildly swinging her meat hooks dangerously close to Elaine's head. I thought "If this retard clocks Elaine, it's SO on." Any by "on" I mean I'll snag a red shirted security guy and have her tossed out on her ass.
I'm 42, not stupid. Younger gals shout "Bring it!" and tear out hair. Older gals enlist management to have assholes ejected.
Fortunately, Elaine didn't get clonked. The woman who was with Miss Meathooks - her mother, her parole officer, her meds nurse, whatever - seemed aware of her charges lack of sense and would periodically reel her in.
Anywho, despite dealing with all the rude, all the bands that night were great. Awesome in fact ('cept for Trapt, who, after my third time, is still soooo boring live). And if you ever get a chance, go see Papa Roach.
What isn't awesome is all the rude ass little fuckers I have to deal with to see some modern rock played live. So I say - woe to you Under 30's, because I plan on seeing live music for a long, long time. And the more you shove into me sans acknowledgment, the angrier I'll get. Prepare yourselves. Don't be shocked when a big dude with "SECURITY" written on his tshirt grabs you by the scruff and hauls you out to the street.
Just look for the hot middle aged chick, smirking in your direction.
