Ok, yay!! Matt has played Nebraska numerous numerous times before, but they were all 21+ shows! grr! So, finally he came but he'd be opening for a local band [Echo Farm] at their CD release party. Well, Jenn and I didn't care [again, Jennii, my partner in crime joined me for another excursion], it was Matt Wilson! Oh how we waited to paiently to hear him live!
We arrived at Sokol appx. a half hour before doors opened and there was Mr. Benak, one of my wonderful Academic Decathlon coaches. You see, i am deeply indebted to Mr. Benak because he got me a pass into the show, isnt that just a superb thing for him to do for me? [Send him an email and let Mr. Benak know how superb he is! Rickratt@aol.com]. Ok, anyway. There were 2 more opening bands before Matt so we were like "LA. LA. LA." but we also met up with a really cool dude named Derek who spotted Jenn and I prancing about the Man Or Astro-man? show. He was way rad, he held our cameras for us! Derek rules!
Alas! Amy spots a Matt Wilson supporting band member! [Hi Jacques!] But neither
of the AmyJennii duo has the guts to say anything to them...oh
my...we've spotted a Matt. Now, you see, Jenn and I are both a
bit self-concious and shy when it comes to approaching people
we really really look up to. We both were screaming at each other
to say something to him and just as I was about to, he departs
for the restroom! We found that a bit funny. But he reappears
and again we have to go through the
"You say something to him!"
"No you!!!!"
ordeal again [Ask Derek. he thought it was
hilarious].
I finally give in, tap him on the shoulder introduce us and the hard part is now over. We chatted for quite sometime about the venue, all things great and Semisonic, and we asked if we could interview him for an online 'zine and take pics. Which he said yes to! Woo-hoo! He must depart to get ready for the show and it's all just really exciting. y'know how things are. He tells us he will give us 'the signal' [i cant even begin to go describe the signal. basically, rub the bridge of your nose, near the eye!]
The show was awesome! Tons and tons of lights and smoke from the smoke machine. Matt put together an incredible band. Steve plays a vibraphone ran through guitar pedals which has this really incredible spacey, trippy sound. Jacques is an awesome guitarist! Todd [the bassist] rocks. All hail to Todd. And there is Eric [drummer]. He's got the most ass kicking harmonies ever. And he's got an awesome coloured drum set. They had a rather long show. prolly around an hour.
But i do know the set list and it reads:
a really cool song i do not know the title of
Searchers
Descender!
Deep All The Way Down
Sun Is Coming
Raking Service
Hello Caller
Travel Plans
Blue Elektra
Now, how awesome is that....they played Hello Caller! Ye-hoozers!
There was lots of smoke and awesome lights and it was just awesome.
Really captured the music!
So the set ended and now we had to find Matt. We walked around Sokol a brazillion times and no such luck. So we decide to go see if he was outside and *poof*! there he is! We walked up to Burger King to see if we could do the interview in there, but no such luck. Burger King was not open. boo. So, we go walk around the back of sokol and find an old school room which looks like it should do us good service. We sit down and horde him with questions which he ever-oh-so-polietly answered. We had a few cassette recorder problems which i fixed and felt really embarrassed about! stoopid radio shack. So we wrapped up the interview and made him pose for pics. We went to see if Echo Farm was satisfactory while Jenn went to find her Dad. Matt and I grooved and some weird lady came up to Matt...screamed "Matt!" and left. uhh. ok lady. It was late and we had to go back to Lincoln so we said our g'byes and departed on our way. the end.
want more pics? Click here and your wish shall be granted.