Day 2. Friday.

I had a schedule all planned out for this evening, and overall things went as expected (with one mishap).

We started the evening off with a wonderful dinner at Diner, and then headed to Pete’s Candy Store.  I was kind of asking myself: “If I have a badge why am I going to a free show?” but the answer was easy: Franklin Bruno.

Franklin Bruno played about a 45 minute set which included songs spanning his entire career (even one written for his band when in high school).  The crowd wasn’t huge, but extremely attentive.  Bruno holds a place in my heart, and his lyrics will stick in my head for ever.  And “no, I won’t wear that flag pin” either.  It really surprises me how few people know who Bruno is without out jogging their memories (even music writers), but that’s ok…Franklin, thank you for playing Pete’s it was a pleasure to see you preform.

Next up was Real Estate at Death By Audio.  This happens to be the mishap.  We took a little longer than we thought getting over to DBA, and when we got there we were told that the show was not sold out, that Real Estate was about to play, but no more badge holders were allowed in until some of them left.  I think this is a flawed system…how did the people at the door know if badge holders left?  I know I sure as hell wasn’t telling anyone when I left a venue.  Whatever…we moved on.

Next was Public Assembly.  Which I must say is a super strange space.  We walked in during Dinowalrus who I’m not sure I totally understand. Sat through Sisters…which wasn’t my cup of tea.  Then on the the main attraction: SCREAMING FEMALES!  As expected, after seeing them the week before, they blew out my ears, and made my eyes bleed.  Totes amazing:

Picked up the first two Screaming Females LPs (What if Someone Is Watching Their TV and Baby Teeth), and both happened to be on colored vinyl.  A delightful addition to the collection.

Since we had the badges we hopped on our bikes, and headed to Bruar Falls.  We got there right as The Beets were setting up around 1am, and that was our goal.  Honestly I have never seen Bruar Falls that crowded before…and I have been going there a lot lately.  The Beets played, and were really impressive. And graceful while undressing too (one of them took off his shirt in the coolest manner possible, almost theatrical).  They played the only song of theirs I knew too:

[mp3] The Beets- “Happy But On Our Way”
(via i guess i’m floating. off of The Beets Spit in the Faces of Those Who Don’t Want to be Cool (I think?).  Buy it here.)

The Beets were awesome considering no one should ever have to followed Screaming Females.  I’m looking forward to seeing the Beets again tomorrow when Screaming Females haven’t already set a benchmark for the night.  I really need to pick up that album…kind of can’t believe I don’t have it yet.

I have been covering some of these bands a lot:

More on Franklin Bruno here.

More on Screaming Females here.

More on Real Estate here.

Next up day 3, well maybe not next…