MATCHBOX 20

Last night MB20, as those of us "down" with the "four-one-one" call them, played the Olympic Canadian Airlines Pengrowth Saddledome here in Calgary. Now Matchbox Twenty, as they are occasionally known, have been somewhat of an obsession for me for a little while. The band's first hit Long Day was an instant favourite of mine, even though I didn't know any of the words. I used to make up little verses of my own to fit the music, almost all of which featured the words "goat" and "crystal light". Don't ask me why.

Colin was a far bigger fan than I in those early days, and I don't mean that in the surface area or volume way. So naturally when he decided to get a ticket to the MB20 show, I tagged along. Thus began my love affair. That first concert was incredible and has only become more so in my memory, escaping the jaded cynacism through which most of my other memories filter. It was very intimate, even in the Max Bell Arena, and also a little rough and ready, seeming almost impromptu at times. Rob & crew played every song off their first album, then filled out a pretty long set with Covers like You Can't Always Get What You Want, Fast Car, Aint No Sunshine and more. Songs I had previously little interest in became new favourites as I watched the band on stage and really listened for the first time. It was a great show.

3 years later, The Prodigal Band returns. Months of waiting evaporating into a euphoric haze as I heard the concert annoucement. Grand fun and hilarity as Colin, Kat, Chelle and I bought our tickets using a process as superfluous as it was byzantine. Shivery excitment as the seats were taken and the wait began for the band to produce itself from that mystery region known only as "backstage". We waited patiently through the opening act Lifehouse, a band that is decent, despite the handicap of extreme musical mediocrity. To be fair, they have a few really good songs, and an entire album full of songs that sound exactly like the few really good songs, without actually being as good. So if they ever get really huge, I'll be the first person bragging that I got to see them, but for now I'm just gonna be ambivalent.

Damn, I'm tired. I'll finish this in a few hours...