Not-so-Random List: Favourite Zaphod's Moments

To mark the 20^th anniversary of Zaphod Beeblebrox, in no particular order, these are six of my favourite Zaphod’s moments.

1.- Supersuckers, April 22, 2006.

Eddie Spaghetti played a 40-minute country set to open.  Then the full band came on and the rollicking party began.  I had heard from friends of Supersuckers’ reputation for being a high-energy live band and this was my first time seeing them, from 8 feet away no less.  As an added bonus, that night's concert was a complete revelation to my concert-hopping buddy Tom, who had surprisingly never heard of Supersuckers, and whom I had dragged to the show that night.  He still regularly brings up that night.  Score one for me!

2.- Robyn Hitchcock, November 16, 2007.

A veteran of the English quirky singer-songwriter scene, Hitchcock is not that well known in North America.  He played on a Friday night to a crowd of about 25.  The show was solid, Hitchcock playing guitar and singing his uniquely crafted songs.  The highlight was the encore, for which he unplugged his guitar, stepped down to the floor and played a couple of tunes inside the small circle of attendees.

3.- Heard Before the Herd: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, September 4, 2005.

I cannot quite recall what made me decide to catch CYHSH on that Sunday night. Surprisingly, the room was quite full, so they must have had a following with the college kids.  Listening to their set evocated memories of halcyon days listening to The Smiths and The Cure as CYHSH had a similar sound. I figured they were going to make it big.  A few weeks later, a very favourable write-up in The New York Times seemed to confirm it. Man, I was on the ground floor of something huge!  I still knew hip music!  I wasn't completely disconnected! Well, seven years later, CYHSY are still around (they just released their third disc), but are not the juggernaut I thought they would become.  It was still a bitchin’ show.

4.- Danko Jones, October 7, 2004.

Seems the rest of Ottawa concert-goers were at Metallica at the Palladium/Corel/Scotia Centre that night, but about 50 of us witnessed the better show, as the Mango Kid put on his usual high-energy, rockin' show.  And anytime you can rock out on the eve of your birthday, it is a great time.

5.- Rolling Stones, August 29, 2005.

I spent at least an hour hanging out in front of the club, giggling at the rippers who had to detour around the production crew and trucks to get to the Fax, with the faint hopes that the doors would open for a surprise Stones club gig.  That did not happen, but I did get to see the lads walk out of the club, first Charlie, followed by Kiff and Ronnie and finally Mick, who posed for us for a quick pic.  Was there a gig? No.  Did I feel like a 40-something fanboy?  Yes.  Was it worth it? Yes.

6.- Electric Ballroom, Sunday nights, circa 1992-1994.

Hanging out at the bar, drinking (too many) beer and/or shooters, talking to the amazing bar staff, listening to the DJ playing Pixies, Rage Against the Machine, Lemonheads, Pearl Jam, etc, occasionally dancing (!), surrounded by all manner of patrons who all seemed to feel equally at home and welcome as I did (and still do) at The Nightclub at the Edge of the Universe...

Thanks Eugene!