The ’90s – The Concerts: Poi Dog to Blondie and Back to Poi Dog

During the ’90s, escapism was survival. And, so, school, work and life responsibilities aside, I spent my time at various concert halls, enjoying the creative expression of many talented people. I kept many of my ticket stubs, which can be found here.

Unfortunately, some stubs went missing: Depeche Mode, Sting, Eagle Eye Cherry, Alabina, Grateful Dead, De La Soul at the Wash U Wild Fest in St. Louis (with Jacob) and Bob Dylan opening for Santana. Also, James and Tom Tom Club opened for The Soup Dragons.

Concerts were my Oz. Concerts were (and still are) where I came to life.

Of all the bands I saw, the one I saw in concert most was, of course, Poi Dog Pondering. I eventually lost count at how many shows I attended, as between the paid ones, the free ones and the opening act ones, if they were on stage, I was right there in front of that stage.  Frank Orrall and his crew drove my demons away.  At those concerts, I danced harder than I’ve ever danced before or after, increasing my heart rate and releasing all the confusion in my head, instead synapsing and synchronizing the heart and mind into one joyous soul.

And for this, Frank, I thank you.

This material is an excerpt from my new novella: The ’90s. Diary of a Mess, now available in Kindle edition!