"Let me introduce you to MICHAEL!"

Oh, what a night...where do I begin?

I just returned home from an amazing concert at the Showbox featuring Mike McCready's cover band, Flight to Mars.

So much to say, so I'll just launch into it...

I heard an ad on the radio today for this show...lately I've had a lot on my mind and completely forgot about it, but when I heard the ad I thought to myself HOLY SHIT I HAVE TO BE THERE. After a series of rampant phone calls (on very short notice) I couldn't find anyone to go with me but I simply had to attend...so I rolled solo. I thought that would suck...but as I came to find out, I didn't give a fuck.

There's just something about being surrounded by Pearl Jam fans that creates unbelievable energy while at the same time has a calming effect on you. I arrived at the Showbox around 10pm tonight and dropped some of the best 20 bucks I've ever spent...before the set I spoke briefly with a guy who came all the way down from Alaska. That's heart. We talked for a couple minutes about great guitarists, and obviously the name Jimi Hendrix came up. Unfortunately I never got to see him play...but I argue that there is noone (Hendrix, Vaughn, shit...you name it) that enjoys rocking his ass off more than one Mike McCready. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times...and while he's the nicest, gentlest guy in person...holy shit, does he just transform when he's on stage (I know, I know...sounds like a man-crush...and maybe it is...what can I do).

Now, I've never experienced the kind of drugs that allegedly inspired the PJ song Severed Hand....but I'd argue that those first few notes that Mike hits on his Flying V produce a pretty similar experience for anyone lucky enough to be in attendance. Beer in hand...simply put...I was in Heaven.

It's a funny thing about Mike McCready...anyone who really knows music would never give him credit for being an innovative guitarist. Let's face it...he's not. A lot of people would say he's very generic, or he's a copycat, or whatever...but again, I contend that there is noone else out there who commands the stage the way he does. It's crazy. I stand 5'11" with shoes on...and I've met Mike a couple times and he is definitely shorter than me...but when he's up there in his own stratosphere on stage, it seems like he's eight feet tall. Technicalities be damned...I would struggle to name a "better" guitartist, all things considered.

As a music fan living in a music city, I've seen plenty of live shows...far more than I can count, to be sure. There simply is not another guitarist I've seen that can even touch Mike McCready. Something just clicks when you see him walk out there (stage left...or is it stage right?) and you're fucking ready to go. *On a side note...nothing against Stone Gossard, but I'm always disappointed (a little) when my PJ tickets put me on his side of the stage.* The first time I ever saw Pearl Jam was at Key Arena in '96...I battled my way to the first row right in front of MM and I was absolutely blown away. Years later when I first met him at a University of Washington women's basketball game (of all things) I was blown away even further. What a nice guy! We chatted for a couple minutes...he asked my name...he was genuinely interested in connecting with his fans (not like many of the "holier than thou" rock stars out there).

I don't attend church regularly...but I do try to make an appearance every now and then. I am always, for lack of a better word, frightened by the folks that raise their hands to the air while singing gospel tunes. That said...every time I watch Mike McCready play guitar I find myself unable to lower my hands beneath my head. It's an unblievable feeling. I'm not saying he's a deity or anything, but he just has that special something.

OK...this has probably gone on long enough. Props to anyone who has read this whole thing - I know I tend to ramble. In conclusion, if you EVER have a chance to see Pearl Jam or Mike McCready in concert, DO NOT pass it up. Many people dismiss Pearl Jam is being part of the grunge era, which has long since come and gone...but they are so much more than that. Great music is timeless...and years from now I believe that Pearl Jam will be remembered along with names like Tom Petty and Aerosmith (well, Aerosmith's older stuff anyway). By the time they finally retire, PJ may very well be remembered as the greatest rock band of all time. Deservingly so. And Mike McCready will have played no small part.

Happy Easter, everyone. Go Dawgs.

Nice.

very nice

PS: that's stage right btw

yeh thats really cool post. iv met a few guys in bands in random places, and i find they tend to be much more open for talking there than if you wait for a couple of hours after a show or whatever.

last summer when i was in london to see alice in chains, i bumped into the comes with the fall singer, who has been singing for aic. had a fantastic chat with him. i can't imagine how great it would be to bump into MM randomly at a womens basketball game!!

yeah sounds great, you sound so excited

..lol i meant bammer sounded excited

my bad, its late.

PJ's been my religion for a long time.

Bammer just used up all of his words for the next year in this post.

Sounds like a great time.

...love that Showbox...

Agreed.