the chicago show. it’s a tough one. i think this was one of those kind of concerts you had to be at to totally understand. but before i get into that, can i just say The Riviera is a shitty place to see a show? of course i can. beause it’s damn true.

also, i don’t know but are chicagoans too cool to move? because for about half the show i thought i might have been stuck in a painting that was rendered to look like a paul westerberg concert. i wanted to kick the guy in front of me in the back of the knees just to see if he was a live or a statue. i’m sorry, but i gotta dance. i’m dancer when the rock and the roll starts up. i have a hard time sitting still. and to see so many stock still statues, it was sort of unnerving.

but the show. oh the show. it was one for the record books. at one point paul brought a big tv and tossed it onto the stage, then started smashing it with his guitar. after the destruction, the band picked right up where they left off and dove right into “Making Me Go” and while they’re playing, some big roadie comes out on stage and starts sweeping up the mess. it was hilarious.

there was some stage diving, a shot to the balcony from paul on stage of “don’t you walk out!”

there was no I Will Dare, and i didn’t collapse in a heap of tears on the floor. i thought i handled myself quite responsibily.

i think my favorite moment of the show was him standing on stage in the spotlight and letting the crowd take over the singing of “Swingin’ Party.” when it was done, he said “thank you.”

the show was just bizarre. with stage dives, a phone smashed on stage and an aborted cover of “Cat Scratch Fever.” nowhere near the tight rock and roll show of Milwaukee. But i think that’s what made it so rad. that the chicago show the very next night was like seeing an entirely different band.

and then i think i was out of sorts. because i was anticipating going backstage like some weird westerberg groupie. it’s a miracle i even got the passes because the will call lady was the bitchiest bitch this side of kansas. man i’ve never met a meaner woman in my life.

but i got the passes and after the show, i broke the news to the westernerd contingent that i had some business to attend to.

or at least i thought i did.