For those of you who know me, I am a devoted R.E.M. fan. I used to be a collector, but that ended with an ex a long time ago. Besides, who can keep up with all that crap.
I got my R.E.M. seats this time, like I did last time, from the fan club. This time, I was in row 8, seats 13/14 (on the outside isle). I was a bit worried about who was going with me. Two weeks before the show I still hadn’t secured a guest.
THANK GOD FOR COUSIN CINDY. The godess said she would love to go. The plan was set, she was going to meet me at Ikea in Berkeley, and we would drive in together. Not only that, she secured us free parking on the campus, a meer 50 yards from where we needed to be. Employee parking, can’t beat that!
Last Friday, the day of the show, I left work early (although I still wasn’t eating much and looking a bit green). It took me all of 1.5 hours to get to Berkeley. Not too bad. It could have been worse. Cindy got off even earlier than I did, and managed to do some shopping before I even arrived. Boo. I would have liked that.
We got in her car and started the drive up to the campus. Believe it or not, we didn’t get lost. Not even once. We easily found the parking and the theatre. It was like a perfect thing.
Once inside, we found some hot tea and a pizza for me. Yes, I know, pizza wasn’t the right food for my tummy, but neither were the garlic fries that taunted me all night, I think I made the better choice.
The first band, was from Athens, GA. I think they were called five eight. The lead singer had so much bodily fluid, it was just gross. He had these lame 1980’s dance moves, and over “moved” everything. I’m not sure if I liked the music or not, but the moves and bodily fluids certainly were entertaining. Gave me and Cindy lots to be catty about. Peter Buck did play one song with them, and the lead singer slimed his leather jacket. We felt bad for him. Oh yeah, the bass player was so excited that he even forgot to introduce himself. It was funny. Now R.E.M. as a rule is always good live. ALWAYS. Cindy knew she was going to have a good time, but she was really not sure. She is a R.E.M. live convert now. I’m sure that I won’t have any problems getting her to join me if they tour next year.
The show started with Michael saying: “We are R.E.M. and we approve of this concert.” Very appropriate for the times we are in, isn’t it?
Michael of course had his make-up on. I don’t understand the make-up, but he has been doing it for years. I remember it on the Green tour for sure. During the show, he found his broken “crayon” on the stage, and gave it to a little girl in the front row. He said to her that if stem cell research is approved they might could have a child. There should be some cells on that he said. Then he asked how old she was. 11. He then said, oh, that would be illegal. If your parents say its alright, you may wear make-up tonight. But only if they say it’s ok. It was really cute.
The show was surprisingly unpolitical. Michael is notorious for spewing tons of political mumbo jumbo. This night, it was simply a Kerry t-shirt. It was a great shirt. Just said Kerry. He did say around I wanted to be wrong that people continue to presume they know who he is, and how he feels. He stated that he is behind our soldiers in Iraq, and that he was an Army brat growing up.
Towards the end of the show, Michael told a blonde joke, about a blonde in a library ordering a meal. It was cute, but I was a bit offended 
. I called my friend Don so that he could hear the political speak, but he gave up before the good stuff. Ok, before the joke.
After the show I was supposed to stay over in Davis with Cindy. We both decided that I should go home. I’m sure I looked like crap. I made it home in 45 minutes. Cindy got stuck in traffic outside of Fairfield. Lets say, I got lucky.
I had a great time, and I can’t wait to see them again.
Here is the set list:
Begin the Begin
So fast, So numb
Drive
Animal
Outsiders
Welcome to the Occupation
Wanderlust
Bad Day
Electrolite
Leaving New York
These Days
I wanted to be Wrong
(don’t go back to)Rockville (Mike Mills sang, I love Mike Mills)
The One I Love
Final Straw
Losing my Religion (Michael always says this song belongs to the fans)
Walk Unafraid
Life and how to Live it
Me, me, me! Why didn’t you call ME so I could profess my love to Michael?!?! I’m so envious. As I told you before, I saw R.E.M. for the first time earlier this month as part of the Vote for Change Tour. They only played (as R.E.M.) for an hour, and I sure wanted more. Given the context of the show I think one of the highlights for me was Michael Stipe singing Because the Night backed up by Bruce Springsteen et al.
I will definitely be attending a R.E.M. show in the future.
Ahhh I am not a huge REM fan, but I love a lot of their stuff. Some of it is really brilliant. I remember when I first heard “At my most beautiful” a few years ago, and I just cried because it was lovely
And so it was with so many other songs of theirs.
LOL about the bodily fluids
>>>>Michael of course had his make-up on. I don’t understand the make-up, but he has been doing it for years. I remember it on the Out of Time tour for sure.>>>
Not to be catty, doll, but after REM’s mammoth tour promoting ‘Green’ (1989), the band released both ‘Out of Time’ and ‘Automatic For The People’ without hitting the road other than the briefest and rare publicity stunts (largely in Europe). Not till the Monster tour (1994) did they properly canvas North America again. But.. maybe you were a jet-setting VIP before I knew ye?
).
Or.. was it ANOTHER tour..?
Now, if bleary memory serves me correct I did shimmy-shake to Stipe & Co. w/you a year ago.. then also way, way back on the ‘Up’ Tour of ‘99..
YEAH- like you didn’t already know I have a head for the trivial (& little else..
ps: I listened to all of Kenneth on your cellphone call..!
Begin the begin is my favorite all time REM song. I’ve never had a chance to see them live, but would love to.