Riot Fest Chicago.

[robbyk]

Hello everyone, been reading this forum for years. I missed out on the Mats first time around (I was born the year 'Tim' was released) but caught the bug when I was 14. Anyhow, when I heard the news about the reunion gigs I just freaked out and booked flights to Chicago. From Ireland. A pilgrimage that has to be made!!!

[monkeytot]

Welcome, Dude. Wish I was going to Chi and we could hang.

[GtrPlyr]

Now that is a true adventure. Chicago is a fun town, I'm sure you'll have a great time. There's a big Irish presence in that city so you should feel right at home.

[Deleted]

Born the year Tim came out?? Holy crap, do I feel old! Enjoy Chicago!

[monkeytot]

Talk about feeling old, I was born the year Led Zeppelin I came out. Yikes! But I didn't become a "fan"/start buying their cds until about ten years ago. Talk about late in the bloomers. Anyway, a fan is a fan. Glad to hear The Mats are timeless and like LZ will be relevant for generations. Glad the kids are still finding comfort in PW's message.

While in Chi check out The Metro, The Empty Bottle and the Green Mill if you get time.

[TomT]

Aug 1, 2013 8:18:33 GMT -5 robbyk said:

Hello everyone, been reading this forum for years. I missed out on the Mats first time around (I was born the year 'Tim' was released) but caught the bug when I was 14. Anyhow, when I heard the news about the reunion gigs I just freaked out and booked flights to Chicago. From Ireland. A pilgrimage that has to be made!!!

This is where being young is way cooler than being ...well, middle aged like myself. It's that spontanaity like this that I do miss. Good for you man and have a great time in Chicago. BTW, I live about 40 miles out of the city and have decided NOT to go. The thing is - I'm fine with it. I've seen them 3 times and will definately catch them in a smaller venue but being older now I just have no desire anymore to hang in a crowd like that. But YOU will find a way to make it memorable I'm sure. This is where being young kicks the being old-er guys ass every time.

[FreeRider]

that is awesome, robbyk. And as TomT said, you're at the right age to be doing stuff like that and guys like us have to make concessions to other responsibilities in life.

And indeed, you will have a blast and have fond memories of the Mats and Chicago years from now.

[robbyk]

Thanks guys! Can't wait to get to Chicago. I'm really psyched to be catching Guided by Voices, Rancid, Smoking Popes, Dino Jr, Bob Mould, Lawrence Arms.....just Superchunk were on the bill! I'm gonna be staying a week. I predict serious mischief haha.

[bside]

Superchunk is touring the month before! I was hoping Wurster would be behind the kit with Mould anyway but it looks unlikely given their schedule.

Welcome and I will be seeing you in Chicago.

[brianlux]

Have a great time in Chicago, robbyk, and anyone else going! As for the age thing... just don't call me "gramps" Not yet anyway, please. hahaha! :-)

[Deleted]

Monkeytot, I was born the year the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan. I was already 5 the year Led Zepp I came out. Anybody older than me out there ? Please feel free to come forward!

[ishcabible]

Hmmmm, I guess I'm a "gramps" on here too,,,born in 1968, and going through my first ever toothache---I kept playing "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" all the way to the oral surgeon!!! I'm definitely going to the Toronto show, but I'm so liking the lineup in Chicago (besides the Mats, of course), that I may do some kind of last minute 'what the hell' trip. Robbyk, you're going to have a blast! Is this your first trip to the states?

[robbyk]

This will be my second time in the states. I worked on Cape Cod last summer. I went over on a student visa. Solo trip. I was on the verge of a serious meltdown if I stayed in Ireland last summer! I started off in NYC but lasted a week. Tough town when ya don't know anyone! By luck I got some work painting a house on Long Island for a week...I cut my losses and ventured up to Boston, then on down to the Cape...Had a fuckin blast there for the summer

[TomT]

I'm one month younger than Paul. Ageing is a double edged sword. One the one hand you slow down and don't have the same endurance, more aches and pains, eyes start to go - shit like that. But on the other hand there is that thing called experience and sometimes even wisdom that hops on the bandwagon. That's a pretty cool thing.

It's weird how a lot of people when they're young they don't respect the aged and a lot of older people just can't stand the younger mainly teenage age group. If we all could just see that we all are on the same path here. I think the Native Americans knew this but our culture certainly doesn't celebrate it like we should.

This message brought to you by Papa Nicholas. Providing dark rich coffee beans to the TomT household for years.

[FreeRider]

well, i always kind of felt that I'm still young enough to kind of know what's going on, but old enough to know better!

but true, we're all on the same path and journey---it's called life. we'll all get to the places where everyone else has been.

[Deleted]

Thanks, TomT-I'm NOT the oldest one here!

[TomT]

Aug 5, 2013 1:18:51 GMT -5 @waitressinthesky said:

Thanks, TomT-I'm NOT the oldest one here!

I know of more than a few older geezers than me so we are both safe.

[towilmusic]

Born 3 days before the Beatles' last concert (on the roof of Abbey Road studios).

Looks like you got into the band at the right age, I was 14 when I picked up "Let It Be", you're good to go.

-"Youth" is wasted on the young.

[Deleted]

It just occurred to me that this thread should be renamed "How young are you? How old am I?" Sorry I kind of hijacked things with my age tangent. My apologies to anyone actually hoping to find a Chicago discussion here!

[jd]

Hi! I'm new to the board but have been following this website for years! I will also be at the Chicago show! I am taking that Friday off just in case The Mats are scheduled for that day. September can't come fast enough!