On Friday night I went to check out the Afghan Whigs in Austin, a band I’ve loved since the early 90s but never got to see live.  Greg Dulli’s voice is one of my favorites and I’ve often said if I had the chance to sing like anyone, it would be him.  His voice is so raspy and powerful, it’s just killer.  I was really excited to check them out at a venue I’d never been to be before.  

And then the waiting started.  I’m usually pretty good about calling a venue and finding out when the actual start time is for a show, but I didn’t do that this time so I had to wait an hour for the opening act.  And it was one of those guys that seem to be everywhere right now.   A solo artist who uses live loops as backing band. You know, he’ll beatbox into a mic, loop that, then play a riff, loop that and then sing and play guitar to the mess he’s created.  He was fine, even talented but so fucking boring.  So I sat down on my step and read a book.  Good god, I’m lame.

By the time I stood back up, the solo artist had made a painting while one of his loops was playing, I guess.  Whatevs.  Eventually the Whigs came on stage and played a great four or five songs.  And then I left.  I was tired and I was cold and I had heard the songs I wanted to hear.  Well, enough of them to justify me leaving when I did.  Seriously, I was cold and the show was outside.  What was I to do?  A younger Lance would’ve kicked my ass for a leaving a show early.  Oh well.  Times they are a changing.  Like for instance, in the 90s I couldn’t have watched the Afghan Whigs perform a live set whenever I wanted… but now I all I need to do is perform a Google search: