I’m sure everyone is sick of the rants about “the good ol’ days” of music where bands played shows in “houses” and everyone had a “rad time.” The folks who are actually sick of this banter have probably never been to a house show.
The sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm present at house shows just can’t be beat. No one fights to get a front-row view, everyone sings along (or pretends to) and it’s much more fun for the band to be eye-to-eye with the crowd than singing to what they can only assume is a pitch black void.
I suggest hiding your grandmother’s urn, shoving mattresses against the walls and inviting over your close friends and your uncle’s cousin’s girl/boyfriend for an old fashioned good time. Sure, the cops might show up. Sure, someone might puke in your lawn. It’ll all make for a wonderful story in the end, like the time little Cindy got a red crayon stuck in her ear.
If you just want to test the waters and see what a house show is like, there happens to be one going on tonight at 9 p.m. at The Sunflower House 812 W. Main St. in Urbana. Ben Campbell from World’s First Flying Machine, Dedbird, Kilroy et al, Zach May and the Maps and a new band The Night We Said I Love You will all be playing.
I shouldn’t need to lecture you on being respectful. Remove the crayon from your ears, or leave it in there if you don’t own ear plugs — just have a good time.