We were introduced to the 'Burbs in the early 80's while attending Saint Olaf College. Our sophomore year, they came to campus and played a great show in the cafeteria. Problem was, the campus was a dry campus...but the 'burbs brought their cases of beer anyways. After trashing a cafeteria conference room they were banned from playing Saint Olaf ever again.
My senior year, I was the concert coordinator at St. Olaf and for our Senior Graduation week I booked the 'Burbs again. Administration wasn't all that happy....but I told them it wasn't on campus....it would be at the Calhoun Beach Club. So, the Burbs rocked it out there until the Police showed up (in fact, I can recall Beej saying "The neighbors want us to turn things down.....but we aren't gonna let the neighbors tell us what to do....we'll let the police do that." Show ended not too long after that.
Fast forward to last night. The 'Burbs were missing guitarist Bruce Allen who passed away last year and bass guitarist Michael Halliday was also missing. The 'Burbs put on an 'OK' show but missing Halliday's energy on bass took some away from it. They opened with "Waiting" and played many of the 'classics'. What was disappointing is their encore....instead of having Beej 'Drinking with an Angel' or playing "Drinking"....they played some goofy mellow song in a big group hug moment with warm up band "The Suicide Commandos".
I came to do some slam dancing and was left a bit flat by some of their song selections. Would rather have seen a little more of the songs from In Combo...but we did get some of the good slamming songs out - Tape Your Wife to the Ceiling, Cows, Goggles On, Baby Heartbeat.....and others. I don't know if it is just an act or not....but Beej looked pretty toasted all night. Not sure if he could have belted out another song as he vacantly stood staring and drueling at the crowd for an uncomfortable two minutes at the end of the gig.
Not the best 'Burbs show ever....but they are getting older too. Today, my body is sore....my ears hurt. Can't wait until I'm 70 and slamming to the 'Burbs with my replaced hips and hearing aids turned off. 'Burbs forever!
Best Bar Band ever??? You decide
Did you miss the fact that Beej was completely wasted and couldn't carry his parts all night? The guy was as absolute train wreck on stage and embarrassed the rest of the musicians who should be given credit for picking up his slack. Very disappointing show...
ReplyDeleteReread my post. Beej was a mess all night...almost looked like he was going to pass out onto the moshpit a few times.
ReplyDeleteHell....Beej was always screwed up at Cabooze gigs back in the 80's....so I just accept Beej as he is. What the heck is a Beejtar anyways???
Beej was sober for many years - he quit drinking from the mid 80's until just recently. Does anyone know when he started drinking again? It must be recently cause he was sober a couple years ago. Sad deal I think.
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