FICTIVE FRIDAYS : #17

THE TROUBADOUR and SAM

When Sam the Friendly Artist was growing up, our father-son thing was going to see live music. He wasn’t yet five when we saw Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band at the Universal Amphitheatre. Before he moved to Chicago for college we saw over a hundred shows at all kinds of venues—clubs, giant arenas, parks, tiny cafés, outdoor festivals—any place where kids were admitted. By far our favourite venue was The Troubadour in West Hollywood.

Every town has its magic spot. Back in my NYC days it was the Ritz. There was/is the 9:30 Club in DC, Maxwell’s in Hoboken, the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, First Ave. in Minneapolis, the Garage D’or in Chicago, the Casbah in San Diego, and so on. There are lots of great venues in Los Angeles, but there’s something about the Troubadour that makes it the best. Great sound, great sight lines, not too big, balconies to sit in if you feel like it. And LOADS of history. STFA and I went there about 20 times and saw 35 different bands and opening acts. These were our favourites; in chronological order.

Know Your Onion! – The Shins (23 November 2001).

Sam was only seven on his first visit to the club. I loved taking him to shows; there were never any other kids, and I was as often as not the oldest guy in the crowd. The Troubadour has a little round apron in the centre front of the stage, and Sam was small enough that I sat him right on it so I could keep an eye on him. When James Mercer walked out, he took a look at Sam and said, “A kid! That’s so cool!” and handed him a guitar pick.

Bob Hope &. Charity – Mekons (7 September 2002).

From his familiar perch on the edge of the stage, Sam shouted “What’s that?!” as Lu Edmonds strolled on with an electric saz. Sam was already learning to play guitar by then and all stringed instruments caught his attention. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Lu. He not only knelt down to talk to Sam, but he unstrapped the saz and handed it to him, explained what it was and how it was tuned, and let him have a go on it. “Nice to meet you, Sam, but I’ve got to play this gig now.”

Battle Scar – The 88 (17 June 2003).

The 88 were a tremendous L.A. power pop act. When Ray Davies decided to start touring again they were his backing band. We saw them many times all over town, at least three shows at the Troubadour. At this particular one, Brandon, one of the guitarists, took an interest in nine-year-old Sam and stopped to have a little chat before their set. When Sam told him he was also a guitarist, Brandon handed his to him Lu Edmonds-style. He was impressed that Sam could finger pick.

Hey Sa-Lo-Ney – Detroit Cobras (3 July 2004).

Sam was still only 10 but he knew without needing to be told to stay the fuck off Rachel Nagy’s stage. The band were touring the Seven Easy Pieces EP and were at the height of their considerable powers. Nagy, who would die under mysterious circumstances a few years later, sang like a hurricane.

I Can See For Miles – Petra Haden & the Sellouts (25 May 2006).

Mike Watt of the Minutemen gave Petra Haden an 8-track recorder and dared her to do something with it. What she came up with was an all a capella version of The Who’s first concept album. To perform the songs live, she enlisted a group of women, including her very pregnant sister Tanya, to sing all the parts standing in a semi-circle. None of them seemed to mind Sam sitting back in his spot at front centre stage.

Walking With Thee – Clinic (3 February 2007).

This was a great show with solid performances by openers Earlimart and Sea Wolf. Then the Liverpool quartet went on in their top hats and surgical masks and slayed. I see from the master list that by this time, Sam and I had already seen over 50 shows together.

Good Weekend – Art Brut (21 April 2007).

Sam now had a band of his own, and we brought his drummer, Alex, along for his first concert. Not too many other dads took their kids to shows; most of Sam’s friends saw their first gigs with us. I don’t know why—the bands always loved seeing kids in the crowd, and folks were usually protective and friendly to them when they turned up.

Ever Lovin’ Man – The Dirtbombs (17 May 2008).

First up on the night was Dan Sartain, now also sadly departed. Then a smokin’ set by Detroit’s Dirtbombs, led by former Gories frontman Mick Collins. They have a unique sound: two drummers, a bassist and a baritone guitar, plus Collins on guitar and vocals. Being a true garage rock band, Ko Melina plays that baritone through a haze of fuzz pedals.

Blankest Year – Nada Surf (6 September 2008).

For the life of me I can’t understand why Nada Surf aren’t megastars. They have the songs, they’re solid players, and they really deliver in concert. At this show, they invited as many of the crowd as could fit on the stage for the encore. Originally released on their 2005 album The Weight Is A Gift, this live version is from their 2012 album Live at the Neptune Theater in Seattle. Sam had the time of his 14-year-old life shouting “Fuck It!” along with the band and 30 other people.

Bess St. – White Denim (11 August 2012).

The second to last gig before Sam went off to Chicago was the fabulous quartet from Austin, Texas. The final one was two nights later: the reunion of Grandaddy at the Fonda Theater on my 49th birthday. Shows 134 and 135 on the master list.

As mentioned above, Sam is an accomplished guitarist. He’s also a classically trained bassist. So, when his friends’ group, Dilettante, snagged a coveted spot at the Troubadour and needed a bass player, Sam got the call. That’s him up top, playing a borrowed Fender Jazz. He was easily the happiest guy in the place. When the set ended Sam was exuberant:

“Dad! The Troubadour! I can finally cross that off my bucket list!”

“You’re not even 18 yet, Sam. You don’t have a bucket list.”

“”Yeah, well, when I do, that’s not gonna be on it.”

My boy.

Bonus: