Up from Downunder, ya’ll

Just over a week ago we had our first visitor from downunder. We were very excited when Dad first called to say that he may be stopping by at the tail-end of a business trip. The possibility turned into an itinerary and it worked out really well because he was here from Friday afternoon through Sunday night, giving us a full weekend to give him a taste of the American south.

Some preperation was required. For example, we had to expand on our “minimalist” life-style and expand our crockery from 2 plates to 4. Combined with our 4-person cutlery set, we are now set to hold some gala dinner parties…..as long as guests can cope with wine out of glasses that could survive a drop from our second storey apartment.

It was great to see him. At the airport, we had our camera ready for when he made an appearance, but so did he – I think each of us has a photo of the other taking a photo! After dropping off his luggage, we headed straight out for a pint in our favourite local beer garden.

Despite his insane jetlag (he’d been in the states for a grand total of like 6 days) he managed to survive as we dragged him from place to place forcing him to try local beers and iconically southern cuisine (a feat for any stomach and arteries to manage). Dad did really well for only 2 and a bit days in NC, trying grits, biscuits (like scones), hushpuppies, pulled-pork BBQ, brunswick stew and gumbo.

Fortunately, Dad got fantastic weather (which has only gotten worse since he left). It provided us a great afternoon exploring Chapel Hill / Carrboro topped off with dinner and drinks at the Carolina Brewery. On Sunday, a walk in the beautiful forest of Umsteadt Park lead to a canoe ride (last chance for the season) around one of the larger lakes.

It was fantastic to have a visitor from home. We packed in a lot in our short time, but eventually we had to do the sad sendoff (although I think Dad was looking forward to sleeping in a more familiar time zone). Saying goodbye at the airport was like a weird reversal of Tullamarine 8 months ago. At least he got to come though, and even better that worked payed for most of it!

Fraggle Rock

I know it’s been a while, but I’ve had a case of blog block.

So after a dozen years of waiting, I finally saw Built to Spill perform. They have never toured Australia (although they probably will while we are over here) so i jumped at the opportunity to see them.

I was really looking forward to it and in the weeks leading up to the gig, I’d put together my own BTS retrospective on the iPod.

However, the day got off to a bad start. Both Mrs Antman and myself had been doing field work all day and were pretty stuffed by the evening. But, at the club we were feeling much more alive and ready to rock. The downfall was two support acts. I’m all for the concept of support bands; the up-and-comers get a go and we get exposed to some new tunes. But on a week night, when I’m tired, I really just want to hear the band I came to see (geez, i’m an old man!).

The first act were, to put it plainly……shit. The next act was great, but in my opinion took great liberties in playing for 1.5 hours. They actually played longer than BTS who didn’t come on until midnight.

When Doug Martsch from Built to Spill came on, the crowd fairly beserk. If you didn’t know better, you would have to wonder why such a figure would garner so much attention – he had long, unruley hair encircling a bald patch that was compensated for by a beard that wouldn’t look out of place on the Man from Snowy River. Throughout the gig, he would run a towel over his sweaty head, causing his wispy hair to float around in the stage lights making him look like a crazed Fraggle. His vocals seemed out of place emerging from such a figure.

Great gig – with close attention paid to covering their moderately long career and not just the new album.

One problem – and I’m going to sound old saying this – but it was too loud. Probably not surprising given the 5 piece set up, including 3 guitars.  However, it was difficult to make out the melody at times. The solution came in the form of moving back, through an archway, with the stage still in sight, but standing near the toilets.

Obviously not prime position, but it allowed the BTS songs and Doug’s voice to sound as good as we know they are.

The same, but different

Thanks to Seebs for showing me how…