Friday, October 14, 2016

Hold My Beer

alyssagoesbang

Why is it, when Alyssa gave a list of her "Back to Blogging" prompts, that the "hold my beer" moment is the one that I knew, without a doubt, that I could write?  Is it because I've had a lot of them?  Probably.  Is it because I've drank too much?  Probably.  Is it because I've had a lot of fun during some drunken debauchery?  Probably that too.

Here's a few things I love:  music, rock music, live music, and yes, beer.  I've been fortunate enough to see many of my favorite bands in concert, and believe me, there's been a lot of beer consumed at those concerts.

Stone Temple Pilots is one of those bands that I've seen at multiple gigs in different venues and at different times of their tenure.  The songs are fantastic, the band is always tight, the crowds are always good, and Scott Weiland was always one of the best of all front men.  I feel like I saw him at various stages of his drug addiction, but he still was always an incredible performer.

June 8, 2000 - STP returned to Houston, and a group of friends and I went.  I'd seen them before, and I loved the venue selected for this show.  It was a little smaller than where I'd previously seen them (holds approximately 2500).  The venue for this show was all general admission with a floor section and a back section that had an incline or rise to it. 
by artist Jermaine Rogers
For the opening band (and I don't remember who opened), I sat in the back section on the rise and many beers were consumed.  This was a common occurrence for my group of friends, depending on the opening act. 

We got to talking to this dad and his 13 year old son sitting next to us.  It was the son's first concert ever, and he was so excited to see Stone Temple Pilots. 

(I swear my "hold my beer" moment is coming..........)

Opening band ended.  More beer was consumed.  Lights go down.  Concert starts.  Everyone stands and is getting into the show.  The kid next to us is loving it.  He's so pumped.

Again, I lovvvvvvve live music.  I feel the adrenaline.  I absorb the environment.  I sing.  I dance.  I throw my arms in the air.  I sweat.  I shake.  I love it.  And, I like to be close and in the midst of it all.

At the time of this show, I was 26 years old (almost 27) and in my prime rock show music attending, concert going mode.  I was not going to stay in the back.  The band was pulling me forward.  If you are a fan of STP, check out this setlist that was played that night.

"Wicked Garden" kicked in, one of my favorites.  So, what did I do?  I said "hold my beer" and grabbed the hand of that 13 year old kid, and yelled "c'mon!"  (getting a nod of approval from his dad.)

I dragged that kid up into the middle of the mosh pit, and I just kept dragging.  He was jumping around, singing, going crazy, and his eyes were as wide as saucers with awe and excitement.  Eventually, I got us all the way up to the front of the stage, and he even slapped hands with Scott Weiland.  We remained there at the front barricade for the rest of the concert.

Not only was my concert experience amazing, but I'm pretty sure I gave this kid a story to tell about his "first concert ever".  At least, I hope so.  All because I put down my beer.


Now, if only Scott Weiland could've put down the drugs...........

A review I found about this particular gig:
With a healthy Weiland, STP an untouchable band

Join me with Alyssa and tell your best "hold my beer" moment...


Or...tell me one of your favorite concert experiences.




13 comments:

  1. amen to that last line. what a talent. sigh. but seriously this story is epic! what a great memory. plus STP is AMAZING and i wished i could have seen them live.

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  2. Ah, I LOVE that you did this! I guarantee that kid has never forgotten you or what happened at that concert!
    We love going to concerts. Sometimes the people you're next to suck but sometimes they're the absolute best!

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  3. That is amazing! You probably made that kids night!

    Love the picture, you are damn adorable!

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  4. I love that you took the kid up there with you!!! I am sure it is a moment he has never forgotten. We all remember our first concert experiences!!!

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  5. I can only hope that I can reenact this at the Goo Goo Dolls concert in Dec.

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  6. hahaha! i love that you dragged that kid up there with you!

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  7. the hold my beer one is the one i couldn't think of anything for! i'm sure there have been plenty of moments, but none of them good haha (like hold my beer while i go yell at this person). this is such a cool story and i bet that kid never forgot it. love the photo!

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  8. OMG, this is such an awesome story. You did important work that night ;) I'm sure that kid remembers every bit of that experience and pulls it out himself for his own "omg, this crazy thing happened one time..." story contests. Thanks for joining in!

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  9. That was epic! What a great story!!! That kid is still talking about that to this day!

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  10. Ahhht that gave me chills! I am sure that is a story that kid has told many times as he has grown older!

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  11. I love that story! I have no moments like this so I think this is going to be one of my favorites of other people's to read. Also I have lost track of how many names the Aerial Theater has had (it's currently Bayou Music Center, I think...).

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  12. I love this story! And now I'm so curious to hear the story from the kid's perspective.

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  13. Wow this gave me chills! You definitely made a huge impact on that kid's life as I'm sure he'll be talking about it for years to come and telling his kids and grandkids all about it.

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