Johns Blog

I must say that this was one of the most enjoyable Thanksgivings I can remember. We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary; we didn’t make any life changing purchases on Black Friday; we didn’t even really do much at all, but I loved every second of it. It was so good to see my family again. I think we all sort of underestimated how much we would miss each other after not being together for six months.

I had really needed a break where I could just relax, and enjoy the friends and family that I love the most, and that is exactly what happened.

Every single day during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college I would drive down 270 screaming every word to The Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About on my way to and from work. Last night, I got to scream along to every word with 200 of TGUK’s closest friends and family.

That’s right, The Get Up Kids are back.  It seems time heals all wounds.  There was ridiculous banter between songs and everyone seemed happy to be there. Go watch Matt Pryor fumble a romantic memory of his marriage proposal into a story about about his “3 ass kids” just before “I’ll Catch You.” I wish I could find a recording of James Dewees quoting Highlander after Jim told him he looked like a dark lord from Dungeons and Dragons.

I don’t know that I’ve ever been to a concert where literally every person knew every word to the songs before. When Matt let the crowd sing to “Mass Pike,” I think it was louder than when he had the mic.  “Holiday,” “I’m a Loner Dottie…,” and “10 Minutes” probably got the biggest reactions from the crowd. It was insane for all of them.

The band seemed to appreciate that their fanbase had “finally broken the age barrier,” noting that now they tipped their bottles instead of forming circle pits during the anthems. I was a little unsure of how an older crowd would react to music so obviously written for (and by) teenagers, but the great thing about music is how it can immediately throw a listener back to a specific time or place. For last night, we were all ten years younger, remembering what it was like to sing every one of the words with conviction.

As far as the set goes, TGUK played straight through STWHA in its entirely, then played “Campfire Kansas,” “The One You Want,” “On the Roof,” “Mass Pike,” “No Love,” and “Walking on a Wire” for their encore. I would have enjoyed “Shorty” or “Don’t Hate Me” off of Four Minute Mile, but I won’t complain. I’ll just have to wait until Spring 2009 : ).