Long Day's Journey into 2024 Where have the guys been? Part 1

After the concert in Texas, 2022, I was not able to see Seether in concert until April of this year.   They were busy with new babies (Shaun and Dale) and although I missed them, I certainly don't begrudge them the time. My youngest "baby" turned 31 this year. We were watching TV and the show pictured a small baby. She asked me if I missed my kids as babies. I shut my eyes and could feel the weight of a small body on my chest, the smell of a baby's hair, the uncontrolled giggles and looked at her and said, "Yes. Yes, I do." It's all over so quickly.

I did take my husband to see Shinedown at our local venue in 2023. I liked them so much the first time. It was partially successful. The lineup was Spiritbox, Papa Roach and Shinedown. We were in the second row back in the first section which was fine until the rather tall couple in the seats in front of us, who were Papa Roach fans, arrived. They stood up to dance and we were unable to see Papa Roach even standing up. I enjoyed the music, I always do. Interviews on YouTube is great to get a feel for the people in a band and what they are like as human beings. Although I personally don't really enjoy heavy metal type of singing, think Lamb of God, Korn and in this case Spiritbox, I certainly respect their musical ability. Spiritbox was delightful to watch. Lead vocalist, Courtney LaPlante, showed charisma and energy and sung very well. The interaction between band members was warm and positive. They were having such a good time, it was impossible not to like them.

As I said earlier, I had a better view watching Papa Roach turned sideways and looking at the monitors than I did trying to see through the people in front of us. But they were having such a good time and the young woman obviously loved the band that I just couldn't say anything to bring them down. Besides, part of our problem was standing up with a bad knee (me) and bad hip (my husband). We couldn't see Shinedown too well either, but it was better and certainly the pyrotechnics were easy to see and the piano stored 20 or more feet in the air above the stage until it was needed was a sight. Quite a wonder.

I learned two things from this concert. Try to get seats in the first row of a section so you can see. Not always a guarantee. I had seats in the first row at a concert and the view was blocked by a gentleman in the next section down who was over 6.5 feet tall. Everyone stands up as soon as the bands start playing anyway. Maybe if I get a knee replacement I can get pit tickets! The second thing I learned is that although I thought I knew Papa Roach songs, I really didn't know very many at all. I hadn't heard any Spiritbox songs. Of the Shinedown songs I knew most well enough to sing along. And part of the live music experience is singing along as part of the audience connecting with the band that is playing. By the time Shinedown got to Simple Man the spiritual connection between the music, the band and the audience singing together was achingly powerful.

We also saw Saint Asonia, Theory of a Deadman and Skillet at the end of October. I went to see Saint Asonia particularly because of Adam Gontier and Mike Mushok, thinking they were the headliners. Well, they were to me. But Mike had Staind commitments and they turned out to be the opening band. I was a little disappointed about Mike Mushok at first, but realized the guitarist with the long, blonde hair was Tavis Stanley from Art of Dying. I know those guys! Another one of my "seven degrees of separation" from Seether. I ended up doing a spreadsheet type of table to keep track of the musicians as they moved around to different bands, including playing with Seether. (Keep your comments to yourself, if you please). Add that to the bands that Seether toured with over the last 20 plus years and there is no end of the bands and music to explore. Again, I wasn't very familiar with the Saint Asonia songs, but I sure knew the Three Days Grace covers. I can do a pretty mediocre and voice cracking rendition of 'I Hate Everything About You.' But I do have enthusiasm and stay in tune. More or less.

I really only know two Theory of a Deadman songs, Rx and Bad Girlfriend. I sort of missed Bad Girlfriend because I had no choice but to go to the ladies room and realized when I was, um, seated, that I they started playing it. I could still hear it, not to mention feel it, through the bathroom floor. But I was still bummed because it's my favorite song of theirs. I find it funny as hell and sort of empowering. We finished out the evening with Skillet, who I'd not really heard of much less heard. I was very impressed. A very strong band, together and individually. Each member was interesting to watch and listen to as separate elements and part of the whole as Skillet. I had a very good experience that, unfortunately, culminated in having to take a week off work because I picked up Covid, I suspect, from one of the thousands of people hauling themselves up and down the stairs using the handrails at the venue. I should have brought hand sanitizer. I should know better.

So 2024 rolled around and I started seeing adverts of the Tailgate Tour with Staind, Saint Asonia and Seether. I debated. It's too soon, I just went to two concerts a couple months ago. There are no venues close to me. I'd have to take an airplane and take off work after I'd already taken off two weeks to see the Eclipse in Arkansas. But Staind! And Saint Asonia, again! And Seether! I haven't seen the guys play live in two years. And there were more points of contact courtesy of YouTube. Aaron Lewis singing a cover of Everlong that is stunningly beautiful. Interviews with Mike Mushok in which he shows himself to be a very likable and down to earth man who can really play guitar. Interviews with Mike and Adam Gontier on a previous Saint Asonia tour. I think they were in Canada at the time. I knew Seether would be playing a similar setlist from two years ago and perhaps I should wait until the new album comes out in the fall. But.

What clinched the decision was the opportunity to visit Tennessee. Shaun's home state and the city of Franklin, where the venue is located, has historical significance as the location of a Civil War battlefield. I have an interest in 19th and 20th century history and did research on this battle after reading a fictional, and somewhat surreal, account called The Black Flower by Howard Bahr (c1997). I felt compelled to go to Franklin, as if on a pilgrimage. And I knew I needed to go alone, to prove to myself that I could do it. That I could still rely on myself apart from anyone else. Closing in on 40 years of marriage, three grownup kids and set on retiring from a job I've had for over 30 years with people I've seen as much as my family, could I still function as just me?

Stay tuned for part 2