Recently while drinking some beers with friends, the topic of concerts came up and brought back a flood of memories tied to music. The combination of music and emotion in the past really makes the scenes more vivid, like a good soundtrack bringing a movie to life. From the stress of personally performing in front of a faceless judge to the joy of watching amazing talent, music has always played a part in my life.
Making music
First of all, I am not afraid of being a band geek. From 6th grade until the end of high school, I was in orchestra and marching band. Bassoon was my primary instrument for symphony season. I did my duty and practiced daily, ultimately making all-state orchestra. I also did all the usual solo competitions, performing for judges who sat behind a partition and then provided feedback on a sheet of paper without revealing themselves. The discipline involved was right up my alley, giving me something to focus on when school wasn’t necessarily so fun. I think my fingers may remember Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 better than my brain.
When football season was underway, I would switch to percussion for marching band, starting with bass drums and moving up to quads. That was a lot of fun, essentially providing the equivalent of a slightly cool side to counter the very uncool months of bassoon. I quit bassoon when I went to college but kept playing drums and doing open mic nights. I even joined a band in rural Japan during my two years there, playing at random festivals to lots of kids and old people who had no idea what we were playing.
Enjoying music
There have been plenty of good shows through the years, but two stand out. The first is Reverend Horton Heat. We saw them at the Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS, and they were amazing. Not just because it was just such a frantic display of energy, but because they somehow channeled that energy into every person in the audience and kept everyone going for so long. And I swear they personally consumed all liquor in the entire bar but didn’t miss a beat.
The other was Adrian Belew doing a small arts venue fundraiser in Tulsa, OK. I’m a big fan from his time with King Crimson but what inspired me most about this show was that these artists showed me that they were just cool people, and were willing to help out when a community requested their help. I specifically remember my friend Brad coming out the restroom saying ‘Oh my god, I just took a piss next to Tony Levin.’ There was no special treatment – just fans and artists hanging out.
Future music
Now there is less concert going and music playing by me, but I continue to enjoy music’s impact through my kids. My daughter is now in her fourth year of playing and she is starting to really develop her skills. And my son seems to want to follow, but he has time to decide.
I’m curious to ask them 20 years from now what they remember from their childhood and how music played a part in strengthening those memories. I’m also wondering which artists might start the potential parent-child disagreements; I remember being scared that my mom wouldn’t appreciate Beastie Boys.
What’s going to become my kids’ music of rebellion? What songs will inspire them in their lives and relationships? What artists and songs from my past will they enjoy as their own? Regardless, I hope to provide the means for them to appreciate music as much as I have, even if it means having to take someone to a boy band concert.