Black Crowes…and other stuff

Tuesday, August 7, was one of the hottest days of the year in Baltimore. The Heat Index was over 105 degrees. It just so happens that Donkey got us tickets for the Black Crowes at Sonar in Baltimore. Sonar is a small club that is trying to be a concert hall type of venue. When he got the tickets, we were both surprised that such a big name was playing in this type of place. So we get there and it is obviously hot, we were hoping for AC inside. I guess there was AC, but it only worked to a certain extent and it wasn’t enough once 300 people got to rockin’ to the Crowes! They started right on time at 8:30. As you can see from the pictures, they found the 70’s look and are sticking with it. A lot of facial hair going on. I think the pictures give you the sense of the hot, gritty vibe of the show. Other then everyone having a cell phone, this gig could have easily have taken place 30 years ago. They did put on a great performance though and I would recommend catching these guys if you get the chance.
It was tight and hot. And of course the beer was flowing too. So this lead to the next incident.

Tuesday Nights alright for fightin’….
So I am trying to get some decent pictures of the band. It was a hard shot with a lot of back lighting on the band and people are packed in tight. The Donk and I am are managing to move up a little at a time as the show goes on, but the pictures don’t get much better. I finally step to one spot that opens and it seems okay and I start taking a few pictures.
A guy from behind me says something to me. I was taking pictures and I thought he said, “How many does that take?” I turn around and tell him, about a thousand. This isn’t what he was asking. He pokes me in the chest and says, “Aren’t you Mr. Funny!” I slip my camera into my pocket and tell him, “That’s not called for…” At this point I also notice that he is rather drunk, and has an attitude.
He says something like, “…I don’t like people standing in front of me, taking pictures when I’m trying to watch the show!!!” and shoves me (hard). The Donk is noticing this by now (and maybe some others). I don’t know what came over me, but I just swung and hit this guy with a round-house and clocked him in his jaw. He went down like a sack of potatoes! I didn’t think I could punch that hard.
His buddy grabs me from behind and is trying to wrestle me to the ground. The Donk had my back and grabs this guy from behind. This is a full brew-haha at this point and everyone is paying attention! The three of us (Donk, the buddy, and I) all fall to the floor, knocking over the drunk who was just getting back on his feet. Security and some other people are pulling us apart now. One of the funnier aspects of the whole thing, I didn't loose my glasses and I didn't damage or loose my camera.
Security took the four of us back the security office to cool off. The head security guy gets us all in the office together. Cooler heads are prevailing at this point. He asks us if he should call the cops. None of us did. The guy that I hit fell more of shock, then injury. We got to talking and he apologized for pushing and starting the whole thing, and I apologized for hitting him. He said what he originally asked was “How many pictures are you going to take with that?” When I said a thousand, he was already a little drunk, hot, and had a horrible day at work, he lost it. Basically we shook hands and let it go. Security warned us to keep our heads cool, and we all went home.
On the way home, Donk and I felt great! When the whole thing was going on, we both admitted that we were real nervous and scared, but now, like a million bucks! I can see why old boxers keep getting back in the ring!