Who’s the Boss? Part I

“We're here to re-dedicate you to The Power, The Passion, The Mystery, and The Ministry of Rock and Roll.”-- Bruce Springsteen, 1999

If you read my last post, you know I take music very seriously. It would not be much of an exaggeration to say that it is my religion. Music sustains me in a way that I think prayer does for some people. In my faith, Bruce Springsteen has become the patron Saint of Benevolent Messages.

I began listening to Bruce Springsteen in university, but really, his music had always been there, in the background. I had previously only known him from ‘Born in the USA,’ and I thought of him as a stadium rocker, nothing more. I didn’t know he had had a whole career prior to his massive 1984 hit. I discovered an artist of great versatility (the bombast of Born to Run, the bare bones of Nebraska), capable of writing songs with social value (‘Murder Incorporated,’ ‘Streets of Philadelphia’) and songs of introspection (see especially Tunnel of Love and Darkness on the Edge of Town). I admire him as a person as well. Unlike other artists (Bob Dylan, Franz Ferdinand, The Beatles, etc., etc.) he has never allowed his music to be used in commercials. Although he is a millionaire many times over and lives in a big old mansion, I don’t think he’s very comfortable aligning himself with the ‘haves’ (who have too much). I see him as someone who never forgot his working-class roots. In this way, he reminds me of my parents. My father instilled in me a healthy disdain for anyone whose only goal in life is making money, a value I’d like to think Springsteen shares.

Anyway, I’m trying to tell you that his music is important to me, and for about seven years now, his music has taken on an unusual role in my life. Have you ever been listening to the radio, thinking about a certain song, and then the song will come on? It happens to everyone, right? Since 2003 or so, I’ve noticed that if I’m in a store that’s playing music, or listening to the radio, a Bruce Springsteen song will come on when I’m feeling sad or anxious.

The first instance was when I was an undergrad at Dalhousie University. I had just come from my abnormal child development class, where we watched a disturbing documentary about young psychopaths. I was sitting on the bus, waiting to go home, literally worrying about the fate of humanity—when a Springsteen song came on. I don’t remember which one, but I do remember the instant feeling of calm. Since then, these moments come at such a rate that I’ve almost come to expect them. The last time it happened was Saturday, March 6. I was driving back to Halifax from my parents’ house, and I was having my daily crisis (although on some days it’s hourly). I was asking myself “Can I do this (academia)? Can I handle it all?” No sooner had these thoughts scrolled across my brain than ‘Glory Days’ came on.

Now, I’m not a complete flake, but I’m not a total cynic, either. Sure, I guess that if you look at how often I worry, and how often Bruce Springsteen songs are played on the radio, those times are going to overlap. Yeah, fine, it makes sense. But maybe… something, I don’t know what, is telling me that everything is okay. Maybe everyone receives such messages, but perhaps not everyone is lucky (or cursed, depending on your tastes) to receive their messages in the form of Springsteen songs. Whether it’s coincidence or divine intervention, I’m glad I get to experience his music in this way. Has anything similar happened to you? I’d love to hear your stories.

I’ll leave you with one of my favourite Boss songs, from his Tunnel of Love album. Soak up the 80's goodness!

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Wilco will love you, baby—to the max!!!

Concert Review: March 3, 2010, Halifax Forum (Multipurpose Room) Opening Act: Bahamas
By: Heatha

Warning: Extreme dorkiness ahead (which is why you’re here, right?)

I am from the school that thinks a great rock concert is what church should be like; a renewing, uplifting, collective experience. It should feed your soul. I took communion at the Church of Wilco, and it was good. I left baptized in sweat, my soul replenished. I didn’t quite get the sense of community I was hoping for (I will write about that in another post), but it was one of the best concerts I have ever attended. I went with my friend D and her husband J, who put up with my unbridled enthusiasm. Thanks, guys. The following clip is from the concert. I am aware of Wilco's policy on videotaping, and I did not take this video, but since it's out there, I might as well share...



Wilco are amazing live. If you aren’t impressed with their recorded material, you would change your mind once you’ve been to a show. This was my second time seeing them. My first Wilco experience was in 2008 when they opened for Neil Young at the Metro Centre. I had never heard them before that night, but after that, I was hooked. “Do you guys come here often?" lead singer Jeff Tweedy asked us, "It’s a multi-purpose centre, so what else do you do here?” Someone yelled out “bingo.” To which he replied “If I had a nickel for every bingo parlour we’ve played on this tour, I’d have a nickel.” The Multipurpose Room is kind of rinky-dink, but with only 1000 people and general admission (standing only), it felt very intimate and I soon forgot that on Sundays the room hosts a flea market.

The band seemed relaxed yet energized. I was worried that because it was the last show on their ‘Frozen Tundra’ tour, they would be ragged, tired, and Jeff Tweedy would be surly. I can’t believe I ever thought that. There were two stops and starts , and they didn’t play ‘Sonny Feeling’ because a guitar wasn’t properly tuned, but these were amusing blips, and the band took it all in stride. As J said to me, and I agree, Wilco is a well-oiled machine.

It is a joy to watch all the band members play, but especially guitarist Nels Cline and drummer Glenn Kotche, they are obviously doing what they were born to do. Nels gets lost in the music. On the Ashes of American Flags dvd, he says “I never want to think about my body when I’m playing…I just want to levitate.” Glenn appeared to be having the time of his life on stage. I never saw anyone pound the drums as hard as he did at the end of ‘Misunderstood.’ During the intro to ‘I’m the Man Who Loves You,’ Glenn stood up on his seat, arms outstretched, reveling in his glory.

Jeff Tweedy appeared to be enjoying himself as well. I’ve seen some performances on You Tube where he exudes a quality that I can only describe as poisonous…



But that was a long time ago, and I did not see that at all in Halifax.

Also, Jeff doesn’t look as grizzled in person as he does on video. I wasn’t super close (I was in the middle of the crowd) but he looked good. I think he’s good-looking, regardless (there, I said it, so what? who cares?). I like his brain, too. I think one of the reasons I love Wilco is because Jeff comes off as incredibly intelligent in interviews, and it shows in his songwriting.

On the Wilco website, you can request songs for whatever concert you’re attending, and I requested ‘Passenger Side’ because it reminds me of my gloriously misspent youth in rural Nova Scotia. They didn’t play it, but they did play another song from their first album (A.M.).



Other fun concert moments: Jeff said that they spent the afternoon ice-skating with lumberjacks. Funny, and a dead give-away that they’re Americans. Canadians would never add ‘ice’ before ‘skating,’ amiright?

He also showed off some knowledge of Halifax; “Thank you for keeping your shipping routes open during WW II!” You’re welcome!

He changed the words to ‘King Pin’ in honour of our city, it was cute:

Original lyrics:

I wanna be your King Pin
Living in…Pekin*
I wanna be your bigwig

*According to Wikipedia, Pekin is a small city in Illinois.

Halifax lyrics:

I wanna be your King Pin
Living in…Halifax!
I wanna love you to the max!

I had a great time. I basically grinned like an idiot for 2-plus hours, bopped around, and sang along when appropriate (‘Jesus, Etc.’) and we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the merch guy Andy twice. The first attempt was a dirge; Jeff remarked that it was the “eeriest version of ‘Happy Birthday’ I ever heard.” He then passed a cake, plastic forks, and paper bowls back to the merch table. Later on he said Andy wasn’t there the first time we sang it, so we did it again, this version was much happier.

He said they’d be coming back!!!! But I’m totally tempted to go see them in Scotland this September, because they only come to Halifax every two years, it seems. Since this a blog where dorkiness is encouraged, I will admit that I have always secretly envied Dead Heads, Phishheads, Ears With Feet, or anyone who has the time, means, and passion (foolishness?) to follow a band/artist on tour. I’m not slavishly devoted to Wilco, at least not yet, but they are so damn good, I would love to do a road trip of the U.S. and become a regular church-goer.

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