Musings of a Punk Rock Father

Last night I saw the Bronx at Double Door, FOR FREE. If you haven't heard them yet, they are absolutely the best rock n' roll band around right now. The show was completely energetic. Vocalist Scott Caughthran has the coolest voice. He ran around the pit during "They Will Kill Us All (Without Mercy)" and didn't miss a note. I was blown away. Did I mention it was free?

The shame of it all is that the club was maybe three-quarters packed, but that probably had more to do with the fact that it was a mid-week show and the band went onstage close to midnight. But it was worth losing sleep for. They performed practically their entire catalog, which isn't difficult since they have only released two albums so far, both of which are self-titled.

A bonus was hanging with a couple guys I worked with before we were laid off. We used to talk about the Bronx every day at work, so it was a blast to see the band with them.

I haven't done one of these in a long time, mostly because I don't listen to music through iTunes. But I find myself sitting here listening to it on shuffle, so I might as well share.

Los Straitjackets - University Blvd
Ramones - Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World
Anberlin - Stationary Stationery
Beastie Boys - 3 Minute Rule
Mad Season - Lifeless Dead
Alice in Chains - Over Now
Makers - Texture of a Girl
Larry & the Blue Notes - Night of the Sadist
Nomads - Ain't Yet Dead
Rich Mullins - Jesus

Starts off with a great instrumental surf song. Interesting how things segue between Mad Season, featring vocals by Layne Staley, and Alice in Chains, featuring vocals by Layne Staley. The Larry & the Blue Notes tune is from the "Back From the Grave" comps put out by Crypt Records that showcases some awesome 60's punk rock. This random 10 goes out on a quiet acoustic demo by the formidable Rich Mullins.

A while back, we saw a Brian Regan special on Comedy Central. In one of his bits, he told about his son offering the comedian a new joke "for your career."

He eagerly asked his son for the joke.

"Why don't dinosaurs talk?"

Amused, he asked for the answer.

"Because they're all dead."

Similarly, Aidan, just shy of 3 years old, has begun the art of devising his own jokes. One of his latest goes like this:

"Why did the monkey cross the road? Answer: By riding on the chicken!"

He doesn't really answer the why question, instead choosing to explain the how. But from a 3 year old, it is mighty funny.

I just saw They Might Be Giants doing their song "Clap Your Hands" from their album "No!" on Blue's Clues.

Weird. But so awesome.