That Band

File Under: Why, after all these years, they matter to me

This is a selfish post. I'm entitled to one ever so often. Read on if you wish.

I've been a fan of The Go-Go's for a really, really long time. The first time I saw them in concert was in 1982, on their Vacation tour. On Saturday April 25th, I saw them again, my 30th concert.

At first I would go to shows, stand there, dance, scream my little teen head off and pretend I was at the best party I'd ever been to. Then I got wise and started bringing a camera with me to shows. So I'd scream and dance and take blurry pictures. The best (blurriest!) were the ones snapped with my Disc camera. Remember those?? Digital photography came along and my pictures got a little better. Perhaps if I stood still when I took pictures they would get better.

The nice thing about my digital camera is that I can now capture video. I've become really good at standing still and keeping the camera stable. I've been able to compile some great song clips that capture the band doing just what it is that makes me a fan.

The show on April 25th was special in a lot of ways. The House of Blues was strangely lax on their "NO PHOTOGRAPHY" rule. So, I'm going to share the fruits of my labor with you, and share a little story with you about each.

My first video was for a song called "Forget That Day," a song that was long rumored to be the one that broke the band up in 1984. Jane wrote it, wanted to sing lead on it and it was decided that Belinda should. Jane's backup vocals are prominent in the original recording. They haven't performed the song live in 25 years. Jane explained that they don't get together often enough to record new songs so they like to treat their fans with some of their lesser-performed songs from their catalog and this song was chosen. Excellent choice because the performance was haunting and beautiful. The lyrics are so sad. Mind you, I had just decided that it was safe to take video so I only have the second half of the song, but you get enough of a feel for the song. My lens setting was a little close and once taping starts, it's fixed for the entire recording.

Charlotte is the blonde, off to the left, she plays keyboard and lead guitar. Gina's in back, on drums. Kathy works just to the right of Belinda, she plays bass. Jane is the little firecracker off to the right, on rhythm guitar. As you'll see later on, she's very active and moves around a lot on stage.



This next clip is a song that Jane brought to the band. She recorded the song "Cool Places" with new wave band Sparks. A couple years ago, The Go-Go's added it to their set. It's a true duet between Belinda and Jane, and they have fun performing it. Check out Charlotte's groovy synth in the song. Totally 80's! And in the total rockstar move, after Belinda finishes her strut at the start of the song, she gets behind her mic stand, turns and tosses her hair with a flip of her head. HOT!



They often bring to each new "tour" a remake, and this time they did their own version of the Rolling Stones song "Mother's Little Helper." This showcases the talents of the entire band. Dig Belinda's ittle walk during the instrumental bridge. LOL



This next song is one they've been performing in concert since they began as a band, it's one that they made their own. "Walking in the Sand" was originally done by a girl group called the Shangri-Las and when the Go-Go's introduce it, they always pay homage to them, giving credit where credit is due.


(note to Joy, if you watch this video, notice that she's swiveling her hips, she learned that on DWTS! Len would be proud.)

Finally...I promise this is the last one, is their song "Our Lips Are Sealed." This was a hit for them back in the winter of 1981. It's one they have to do in concert and one that they enjoy doing, as evidenced in this video. Forgive the opening couple of lines, Belinda was having problems with feedback in her monitor so she was distracted and off-key. She gets right back into it. BUT...the part of this video that totally sums them up for me is after they last line is sung and the band just jams for another minute or so. Belinda's banging her tamborine, Jane, Kathy and Charlotte are bouncing around on stage and they play with one another. It's the fun that I saw the first time I saw them in concert, 27 years ago. It's the fun that brings me back again and again. It's my happy place. :)


(note the extra lyric in the live version. This was written into the original song but not recorded on the album. They always perform this version in concert)

Well, if you made it this far, whether you watched the videos or not, I thank you. I don't expect that a light bulb will go off above your head and you'll suddenly be a life long fan. I just hope that perhaps you'll find it cool or it'll make you smile. And smiling is good.

xoxo

More Music That Makes Me Smile

File Under: Therapy Music

Today I was commuting between offices, listening once again to "Unforgiven." I decided to listen to the next song on the CD. It's a song called "Apology," and the lyrics meant more to me today than they ever have. While the entire song doesn't precisely describe my situation, they're pretty close. This is the first lyric and the chorus:

I will find a way to move on.
Discontent has had its stay,
the pleasure's gone.
If you asked me to describe,
what I could want with all I've got
I'd say "good days, and thank-you's"
Instead of all these question marks.

When I found you, I thought my life
was charmed and we'd be safe from what
has happened now, has happened now.

Apology - I'm sorry
Apology - Oooh, I'm sorry
Apology - I'm sorry but I have no regrets.

Music and Lyrics by Valentine/Heatherton

Now a couple notes. The name Heatherton, above, is actually a close friend of mine. She lives in Los Angeles. She was in a band, their first batch of songs were produced by Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's. Heatherton brought a song called "Train" to the studio. Kathy loved the melody and the song and asked Heatherton if she could rework the song for the Go-Go's upcoming album. Heatherton was honored and of course let her use the song. It's one of my favorite songs on the CD.

I mentioned in my letter to Matthew that we failed to communicate. The Tuesday before he dumped me, I found myself questioning whether the relationship was worth all of the unanswered questions and the constant wondering what was on his mind. So when I was listening to the song today and singing along with the lyrics, I realized how much I could relate to those words. :)

I'm doing better. I'm processing stuff, getting past it all. Blogging has helped. :)

Less Than 24 Hours

File Under: Musical Obsessions

Tomorrow, I'm seeing The Go-Go's. Again. Tomorrow's show will be the 25th time I've seen them. Yes, I said 25. I'm as excited about seeing them tomorrow as I was when I was a pimple-faced 15 year old, when I thought I had a crush on Belinda Carlisle. :)

Over the years I've been so fortunate to have made great friends and through those great friends, I've made some connections that have allowed me to get a bit closer to the band. Now, before you go and call me a starf**ker, I've earned my place. I helped conceptualize and develop a page on their website back when they were embarking on promotion of "God Bless The Go-Go's." What a delight it was when The website was discussed on the Fox News Network about how it had enraged the Catholic League.

I've had so much fun meeting the band and they've all very nice. Jane is by far the most outgoing of the group and even after a couple of years between seeing them she still remembers my name and goes out of her way to give me a hug and kiss.

Why have I hung on as a fan all these years? Who knows. But it's fun, and it's relatively harmless so I don't see any reason to quit.

Now, as I've been prone to do with my posts, I will share with you some pictures.

May 2001, photo by Jim Ginter

Hangin' with Jane and Charlotte, March 2001.

Photo op with Belinda, May 2001.

Stalking the band, March 2002.