Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, Installment #2

This time I have surveys from Monica Myers Shelton, Jordy Birch, and Jane Greathouse.  FYI, Jane was my BFF in high school and she and I recently re-connected via facebook.  People love to slag facebook, but it is good for some things and that is one of those things.

I’ve got more of these coming, but please let me know if you would like to participate and I will e-mail you the questions.  You can reach me at karen [at] karenbalcom [dot] com.  You can write as much or as little as you want.  Also, there have been some strong reaction to the question of best make-out song.  I had no idea it would ignite such a powderkeg of adolescent emotional scars, but it has for some people.  From now on, that is an optional question.  I don’t want anyone walking down memory lane if it isn’t fun.

Band and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: U2’s War album (yes album) takes me right back to high school- that’s the record that turned me onto U2, the song New Year’s Day in particular.  Yes, they suck these days but there was a moment in time that they were brilliant, sincere and relevant. Boy, October, War, The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree were amazing records. Then came the hate part of my love-hate relationship with them and it’s been downhill since.

Favorite piece of music memorabilia (poster, t-shirt, etc.) in high school: My husband! He started playing drums around the time we started seeing each other the first time around and he’s the most kick ass metal drummer ever. I’m still in awe of his talent and power.

Band that you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love: Madonna and/or Bon Jovi. I felt like the only one that hadn’t been turned into a pod person when it came to these bands. How could otherwise sane, intelligent people think either one was anything other than total crap? I still don’t get it.

Best high school make-out song: You name it!  I remember everything from Joy Division, Bauhaus, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, U2 and more all setting the mood nicely.

Best show or concert you saw in high school: I saw so many great bands between living here and in Southern California during high school but the standouts are probably The Dickies, DRI and Bad Brains. I know I’m forgetting some awesome shows. (Say no to drugs kids, you might forget seeing your favorite bands.) I was so excited about seeing Black Flag until meeting Henry Rollins and seeing what an arrogant, rude, misogynistic prick he was- at least that day. That sort of killed the Black Flag thing for me.

Rio?

Kiss Alive1 poster and a Cheap Trick concert t shirt.

I kind of liked everything, but Huey Lewis and The News seemed kind of like old people music to me.

I didn’t get into having a make out soundtrack until I was about 30, but I guess High Voltage.

Best show or concert you saw in high school:

David Bowie and The Thompson Twins

This guy we worked with at Target made Karen this awesome mixed tape that she copied for me.  Any time I hear those songs I think of high school.  What was on that tape?  The Jim Carroll Band, Johnny Cash, who else??? (editors note: Wall of Voodoo, Black Flag, Romeo Void, and some other stuff) I can’t remember the bands but when I hear the songs it takes me right back.

And for sure, Love is the Law!

I don’t have anything left.  Where in the hell are all my records?  My brother probably stole my t-shirts.  I know I had a lot of buttons.  Man, now I’m bugged.

Band that you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love:

Creedence Clearwater Revival was awful, horrible, dreadful.  I didn’t get Bob Dylan AT ALL, although now I do.  I can do a great Bob Dylan version of Raspberry Beret.

Best high school make-out song:

This question really sucks.  Thanks for reminding me that I didn’t make out in high school.  (editor’s note:  uh, not true, you just don’t want to admit who it was with)

Best show or concert you saw in high school:

Do I have to pick just one?  When I was in 9th grade I saw Hall and Oates in Duluth, MN.  It was my first concert and it was awesome.  There were no chairs on the floor.  It was an open dance floor.  I totally loved them and I still do but don’t judge me please.  I remember getting a jersey shirt with the H2O graphic design.  It was the shit.  I wore it out!

In 10th grade I saw Duran Duran.  That was pretty awesome.  I think we were in the 17th row for that concert.  Did we wait out for tickets?  Karen, help me out?  (editor’s note:  it was the 18th row, Smudge and I waited out for the tickets, and we were on the opposite side of the stage from John Taylor, much to my chagrin)  I do remember the concert program.  Those guys were beautiful in their eye shadow and mascara.

There were a lot of great concerts…REM, U2, New Order, INXS, Billy Idol, The FIXX…but the BEST concerts of all were:

1) The Violent Femmes Hallowed Ground Tour at First Avenue.  Gordon Gano spit on me.

2) The Suburbs…I don’t remember where but it was the concert where we kept screaming, “Play Cig Machine!”  At one point, Beej stopped, looked at us, and said, “Oh yea, Cig Machine!” and they played it.  Friggin’ awesome.

3)  Any Urban Guerillas all ages show at First Avenue.  Remember when Larry Sahagian would tell us to lay down on the ground and he would walk around us singing.   Whatever happened to him?  (editor’s note:  no idea what happened to Larry but I do remember laying down on, ie. sticking to, the floor in the 7th Street Entry.  Good times.)