Something happens as soon as we get out of our car. Me and my mom, yes, my mom, were trying to get to the club, and we were crossing the street, when a limousine pulled around the corner, and practically ran us over! Could it have been ... ???? Nah... it wasn't Semisonic, they came in a cab (because their tour bus basically got ran over by a drunk driver getting to the club. Talk about bad luck.) So don't ask me who was in the limo...

Anyway, after waiting outside, on a chilly October night, we were finally able to go inside the club. Of course I made my mom run up to the stage, and save me a spot, while I bought a Semisonic shirt. (The only reasonable thing to do. :) So after about 45 minutes of waiting by the stage, and anticipating, finally someone came out! It was two guys called The Tropicals. They were pretty cool. The were funny as anything too, singing a song called "The Drilling Thing". After they got off stage, You Am I came up and played with their take-me-back-to-the-70's hairdos, and Grateful Dead covers. Lemme tell ya, they were an awesome bunch of lads. Even though I was RIGHT by the speaker, and my ears got blasted away during the first song.

Time went by, and finally, Dan, John, then Jake walked onto the stage, and everyone went nuts. I forget the set-list, but let's just say they performed awesome! Not in any order, and not all the songs they played, but the ones I know they played were "Closing Time"; "DND"; "Singing In My Sleep"; "California"; "Never You Mind"; & "Down In Flames". Great songs to do live! During one of the songs, a drunken lady pushed her way next to me, and offered Dan her beer. Then rudely blowing smoke into his face while he was trying to sing. He just casually leaned down and said, "Can you please put that out?", after refusing to, the security guard made her put it out. The best part about that performance was when Dan was making a speech about the president before doing "DND", and having them play "Singing In My Sleep", because that's when the bubble machine started going, and the lights turned blue.. not to mention the balloons that were floating about. :)

So, after the show, I realize, "I'm not leaving here until I meet someone" so I go up to the security guard, and I said, sweetly of course, "You don't know if Semisonic is autographing anything, do you?" And he just looked up on the balcony and said, "Well, maybe...go upstairs and you might find them there if they're gonna be anywhere." So I go upstairs, and behold, I spot Jake talking to someone. Then I looked to the right, and Dan and John were there talking to some more people. But the meany of a security guard wouldn't let me go past him w/out a pass. Pooey. Sooo, what better to do, but wave your arms like a maniac and try and get their attention, right?? Let's just say, it worked. Some guy with a pass (my guardian angel as I like to call him) came up to me and said, "Im' too old for this kinda stuff, you take it, and go meet them" after repeatedly thanking him over and over, I went up to John first. He was with a lot of people, so that conversation was limited to, "hi". He stole my sharpie pen too. At least it's getting some good use now. So I look over at Dan, and he was all by his lonesome! Go figure right?! He was about to walk backstage, when I immediately yelled, "DAN!" and he stopped abruptly, spun around, and came trotting my way. He signed my Great Divide cover, and we had a nice 10 minute conversation about an article that he was in (and I was involved in..thank you) from Ohio. After that nice meeting, I said my goodbyes, and started to leave the club. I saw Jake with about 10 people around him, and so I went up and stood next to him, while he talked about "postcards"?? OOOOk...I didn't get to talk to him then. 'Cause our car was about to be towed, and we had to go. But I talked to him a couple of days after the show, which he promised me a drumstick next time i go to a semi show, and he's the sweetest thing. I love you Jake! :) Oh, missed one thing, of course I got my pics with John and Dan! =) cute pics too.

Mandy