Last night I saw The Offspring for my first time ever. As someone who’s seen 42 Metallica shows (soon to be 45), the vast majority of which have been in the past year and a half, my view of concerts is unique.
I’m not as jaded as someone who actually does it for a living, but I’m a lot closer to that than someone who’s gone to 20 concerts of different bands in their life.
As I watched the show and soaked up the wonderful music (while fighting off the assholes), I realized something. There is a subtle purity in seeing a band you really like for the first time. There is an innocence, an ignorance, a blindness, an inexperience. Perhaps the best word to describe it is virginity.
There is no song that you know they play every show and have heard live 42 times. There is no part of the show where you know exactly what they’ll do or say between songs, or how they’ll move or what effect they’ll have. Each piece is new. Each song is a surprise. Each movement is new toy for your senses. The whole time you’re innocent and learning. You’re new and inexperienced. It really is quite exhilarating.
That said, just for the record, no concert experience compares to Metallica. The Gods of Metal do more work in 2-3 hours (depending on the show) than most bands do in a whole tour. Their energy is unparalleled and their dedication is unfathomable. I will continue to tour with them when and where I can.
But it was really neat watching the show last night – it brought me back to my first few Metallica concerts when I didn’t know any better. When I hadn’t heard enough Sandman or One to make me not miss them, enough shows to know what songs they’ll always play, or guess which phrase James will use between each song, or which way they’ll run at each solo.
The virgin imagery aside, The Offspring put on a stellar show. They were stoked to be back in their home town and they gave it 110%. Their set was awesome, their energy was high and I had an incredible amount of fun. And, as I said, it was a great experience to be a first-timer.
Thanks to KC for being the only other person I know who likes The Offspring.
PS: The highlight of the show was during Bad Habit when the entire crowd yelled at the top of their lungs, “Drivers are rude, such attitudes, but when I show my piece, complaints cease. Something’s odd, I feel like I’m God, You stupid dumbshit goddamn motherfucker!!!” It was loud, and beautiful!
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