[LEMONS] 4.22.2002
Pictures of You
This past weekend was one of those that makes me realize how much I love San Francisco, and what a wonderful place it it. Friday night we went to go watch Jeff and Ezra play at Cafe International, and Rampy work the drum machine robot and MC. Afterwards we split to go see one of my favorite bands, of Montreal, at Cafe Du Nord. I'd never seen them before, and was excited to do so. Particularly because I lived (briefly) in the same house as the bass player, Derek. When we arrived, I was surprised to discover that Marshmallow Coast was playing (see my friday seven). What surprised me even more, though, was how good they were, particularly the bass player, who looked like a bigger version of Derek with longer hair. He was blistering. I couldn't believe that the guy was in a straight up pop-band.Of course, it was Derek, Marshmallow Coast being an of Montreal side-project. And Of Montreal was spectacular. Rob and I have this joke about them, "okay, enough with the flugelhorn, already." Not that I don't love their music. But. Well. Sometimes you think they're showing off. But I didn't feel that way at all seeing them live. Even on a song that switched time signatures about six times. I got to chat with Derek afterwards, and I was surprised to see that he remembered me (sort of... "Mat Honan... How do I know that name? Did you always have a mohawk?") Anyway. They were just amazing. One of the more interesting and upbeat shows I've seen in a few years, and to see them at tiny-ass Cafe Du Nord, well, gravy.
Saturday, when we were off to get something to eat, we stumbled into the middle of a massive anti-war protest. The paper said 20,000 showed up (see below). It was phenominal, and invigorating. The protest was dominated by Palestinians, and it was one of the most moving displays I've ever seen. Ever. It's one thing to see a bunch of middle class white kids protesting Chevron. But it's something altogether different to see people begging, pleading, hoping, for peace. Particularly when those people and their families are in the line of fire.
On Sunday, we went to an Earth Day festival down at Precita Park. We got there late, and headliner Michael Franti was playing. I've seen Franti twice before (once with Spearhead) and the man can flat out work a crowd. I have quite literally never seen anyone get a crowd as energized as Franti did during that closing number. For a finale, he brought Bob Weir, Wavy Gravy, Woody Harrellson and a host of others onstage with him for an extended jam. (I also heard him call out "Flea and Anthony," but I didn't see them onstage.) The park went A.P.E.S.H.I.T. I'm not as into energy as Harper is, and I don't really get into all that new age stuff. But the energy there was incredible and imposible to ignore. The crowd was sharing a collective euphoria. It was truly jaw-dropping.
Meanwhile, there's a NORML convention in town this weekend, and I've been seeing NORML and 420 flyers everywhere. San Francisco. I love it.
(Click on any of the images to enlarge them.)
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