The Bees Knees (In Defense of Tribute Bands)

Not Morrissey (It's Jose)

Morrissey is a drug.

 

 

I think you probably know what I mean. Its just that once you see him perform live, you have to go again. It becomes an addiction. And during this Morrissey drought of not playing for a few months, you have to get your fix.

This is where tribute bands come in.

 

 

May 22nd is Morrissey's birthday. For a Morrissey fan his birthday is what Christmas is for a child. I can't explain why. Its not like you get presents. But you just feel giddy and happy and perhaps try to get up to something related to Morrissey to celebrate.

Every year, The Smiths/Morrissey cover band, The Sweet and Tender Hooligans, plays somewhere on Moz's birthday. This year they played at The Fonda Theater in Hollywood. Unfortunately, it was a school night so I wisely bought tickets without consulting Roland and I think he was quite happy to go even though he knew we'd be tired the next day.( I say "wisely" since if I'd given him the chance, he'd have said no). 

Okay, I know it's not REALLY Morrissey, but its still fun. If you are somewhat snobbish about your music, you might think that the band will suck and it will be lame-to generalize. You might think of them as a cheap polyester suit. But it isn't so! And the only thing worse than being snobby about a tribute band, is BEING SNOBBY ABOUT A TRIBUTE BAND!

 

At the Fonda Theater May 22, 2013

While I have only merely dabbled in playing guitar, I can say that Johnny Marr's tunes are rather complicated and to reproduce his and other Morrissey collaborators' authentic sound must take a lot of tireless skill. I can also say that Jose can perform Morrissey's vocal gymnastics flawlessly.  
When you really think about it, tribute bands sacrifice a lot for the music. They are accomplished musicians and singers but because they are performing someone else's material, they sacrifice much of their own egos just for the love of the artist. I mean, why else would you be in a band? Don't people join bands because they want the women to love them and the men to want to be them? Don't they want to hear the crowd chant their names? You don't necessarily get that being in a cover band. With such a sacrifice in mind, you know that they are truly dedicated to the music.

Another important aspect is artistic representation. The first time I saw this band, I was frightened that they would try to emulate Morrissey and/or The Smiths complete with Northern accent-very scary! But not so. They are themselves. In contrast, Jose has a lot more boundless energy than Morrissey does. (Although I still love Moz and his more stoic performances). His excitement is undeniable in his performance. You sense he's truly enjoying the songs he's singing and its infectious.  

It was great to hear songs that Moz has not played live for many years such as "Sing Your Life," one of my favorites.

The band covered the wide range of Morrissey's career:


The First of the Gang to Die
Still Ill
You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side
Irish Blood, English Heart
Jack the Ripper
What Difference Does It Make?
Speedway
I've Changed My Plea to Guilty
Sweetie-Pie
Everyday is Like Sunday
The Boy With the Thorn in His Side
Scandinavia

Jose with Mikey on keyboards (not my photo)

A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours
Action is My Middle Name
How Soon is Now?
The Loop
King Leer
Sing Your Life
Hairdresser on Fire
Let Me Kiss You
Pretty Girls Make Graves
Suedehead
Bigmouth Strikes Again
Encore-There is a Light That Never Goes Out

A special moment was when Mikey Farrell (former Morrissey collaborator) came on stage and played keyboards with the band on a couple of the songs he wrote with Morrissey. Mikey played along with the band to, "I've Changed My Plea to Guilty," "Sweetie-Pie," "Everyday is Like Sunday," and the encore, "There is a Light That Never Goes Out."

I think the only complaint about The Sweet and Tender Hooligans came from the band themselves because the ticket prices were pretty high-it was $30 per ticket and they didn't set the higher price themselves or benefit from it. Although, it was nice knowing that part of the proceeds went to a local animal charity in honor of Morrissey. Because the price was steep, the band thought it might drive some people away, but for people like Roland and I, who just want a good night out guaranteed, it was worth it.

Seeing a tribute band can temporarily satisfy your musical fix. You just have to put aside the need to be a musical snob and sing along!



Another great shot I can't take credit for!

By the way, Morrissey recently announced confirmed dates for several shows in South America this summer. While I may still need my "fix" at least there is some hope he will be here, in North America, in the future.

I Hoarsely Cry

Roland and I at the Moz Convention

The Smiths/Morrissey event at the Avalon was another great time. Okay, it was awhile ago, I know. But I have been trying to catch up on all the events that I have attended up to this point. I was glad that Roland came along. I've noted before how he likes The Smiths and Morrissey but he would be happy usually to simply just stay home and I don't think if you told him how awesome it was he'd really mind too much that he was at home grading papers. He's much more optimistic than I. He would probably just be content on how many school papers he'd graded or what a great movie he'd watched.

 

I, on the other hand, would be anxiety-ridden. Like a child who doesn't want to go to bed no matter how tired he is just so he doesn't miss anything.

 

I appreciate the fact that he came along. I even convinced him to sign up for the Moz Karaoke contest. He did a great job on "Interesting Drug." I am attaching a short segment of his song. Excuse the poor video quality, please.

 

 

 

 

 

We did not go alone. As you may know, I am an English teacher and Roland is also a teacher at high school. One of our students, who is an avid Morrissey fan, wanted to go to the convention so we offered to take him along with us.

 

A funny moment occurred when Elias said, "Mrs. Willoughby-Jones," to get my attention and I had to stop him and say, "We are at a club together. Please call me Andrea." I did not like the mixture of my work life with my Morrissey "life."

 

Another highlight was running into Ricardo who I met at the convention last year. I really wanted to chat with him more but I was kind of back and forth a lot. While I love Roland's company, I feel guilty leaving him somewhere in order to talk to the people I know when he'd rather do something else rather than tag along with me. So I had to leave Ricardo to check on Roland and when I came back to speak to Ricardo, he was gone.

 

Before he disappeared he told me he has read my blog but does not like the name-My Life Without Morrissey-because he thinks it sounds like I don't like Morrissey. Personally, I think its too late to change the name even if I wanted to. But I like it.

The convention is just overall a fun time to mix and mingle with other fans who are just as crazy or even more crazy than you. Its good to be among them.

 

I am letting my photos speak for themselves although if you know me you will recognize these shots from my Facebook page a few months ago. Hope you enjoy them.

 





Paint a (not so) Vulgar Picture at Moz Art

Moz Art April 16, 2013

It seems like a hundred years ago since attending this Moz-related event. It's just that it was an all-around great night. It was in East LA and I took my oldest son, Jovanny, with me since it was all ages.

 

 

Looking back on March and April and the state of things, I think its kind of sad that Morrissey seemed to be riding this wave of renewed success with the Staples Center show and then the Hollywood High show, but it just crashed down when his health betrayed him.

 

And where does that leave us, his fans, who were also riding that awesome wave? We are getting by. We do this by attending events such as Moz Art and seeing each other. We talk about how unreal Morrissey's last two shows in LA were and consider ourselves lucky.

 

 

They say "a picture's worth a thousand words," so today I won't say much. Just let the photos speak mostly for themselves.

 

o

 



I have discovered that I enjoy taking pictures of tattoos. Perhaps it stems from the fact that I don't have any myself. Sure, I could go out and get a tattoo, but it just isn't my thing. It doesn't stop me from admiring tattoos on others or else going for the old pen tattoos in their impermanence.

 

Please Keep Me in Mind

Moz Art

I realize it has been several weeks since I last wrote. If I had the opportunity to take pictures of what I do all day everyday, every week in my real life, I think you would be exceedingly bored but at the same time, astounded. In that realization, you would forgive me for not having the time to write more frequently.

 

 

I promised to write about the Johnny Marr gig at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas last time, and I shall. Just remember it has been over a month since the show. Bear in mind, that it was also a New Order headlining concert and remember that I had met Johnny Marr just hours before the performance. I was as high as a kite in a purely joyous sense.

 

Roland and I are not really big New Order fans. If this seems sacrilegious to you, then you need not read any further. Being a teen music fan of the 80s and 90s, I listened to New Order and I truly enjoyed it. But it just played. I couldn't really tell you the names of any particular songs. I would know them if I heard them. but it just played in the background when I wasn't listening to The Smiths or Morrissey. It may seem unbelievable but its true.

So, we enjoyed Johnny Marr of course. Roland, being a sound man, felt that the sound wasn't so great but stated that it was most likely due to the fact that Johnny was the support act.

I nearly punched a man when Johnny came on and the man said loudly, "What the hell is THIS?" referring to Johnny. Wow. I was speechless. I was.

I took as many pictures as I could having snuck in my digital SLR again. Most of the photos were from far away. I tried to get closer to the stage but a security guy saw me and was ready to leap over people to destroy me and my camera, at least that's what his body language and eyes said to me.

In any event, the photo I took from so far away was one of the ten winners in the Johnny Marr tour photo contest on Facebook. I won a vinyl LP and a rockin' poster of his new album The Messenger.

He played twelve songs:

1. The Right Thing Right
2. Stop Me if You've Heard This One Before
3. Upstarts
4. Sun & Moon
5. There is a Light That Never Goes Out
6. The Messenger
7. Lockdown
8. Generate! Generate!
9. New Town Velocity
10. I Fought the Law
11. Getting Away With It
12. How Soon Is Now?

My favorite Smiths cover was How Soon Is Now?. My favorite new song is New Town Velocity. It was a great set. The excitement was real. It wasn't like seeing Morrissey, but I didn't expect it to be like that anyway.

Another highlight was meeting Jose Maldonado of The Sweet and Tender Hooligans-a tribute band. He hosts the radio show Breakfast with the Smiths on Indie 103.com. Its just because I have conversed with him via social media and it was special to meet him briefly at the show.

I don't like how I look in the picture-the four mile ride shows in my hair-but what the hell? It got Jose in it!

Tonight is Morrissey's birthday and Roland and I are off to see Sweet and Tender Hooligans in Hollywood tonight.

I still have to write about Moz Art but I think that can be done in pictures. Also, I want to write about the Smiths/Morrissey Convention. Again, these will mostly be pictures-and many of my friends have already seen them, but ah well.

One of my students wrote Morrissey's name on my arm with a fountain pen, but I can't get the pic to go the right way round.

 

 

 

 



 

 

Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before

Me and Johnny at the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

The Trip

Roland and I decided that we would see Johnny Marr play in Las Vegas when the opportunity arose. He was opening for New Order and playing outdoors in the pool area at the hotel. It took a bit of maneuvering to arrange babysitters on a weeknight-Thursday-but we pulled it off thanks to good friends.

As we were packing, I quickly grabbed my Louder Than Bombs album and a sharpie so that if I were to meet Johnny Marr, he could sign this item of my youth. I was kind of joking because I knew it was unlikely and Roland thought it was funny. Of course, I left the actual vinyl in a nice, cool place at home since the heat would warp it. 

We stayed at a fairly new hotel called the Vdara, which is right next door to the Cosmopolitan,  where the gig took place. The Cosmopolitan was just way too expensive to book a room and the feature we liked best about the Vdara is that it has a little kitchen so you can prepare your own food. Its not that we don't like eating out but its nice and romantic to share and prepare a meal without the kids around. It can also be expensive to eat out. 

The Vdara also does not have a casino in it, which makes it nice if you like the quiet, and aren't bothered about not gambling.

The ride from Orange County is about four hours. Roland and I just played music and sang along the whole time. Its not really cool that we were blaring music in a mini van but if you have to be undignified, why not do it in style, eh? We listened to the likes of Johnny's new album, The Messenger, as well as Morrissey (of course), The Smiths, Buddy Holly and New Order among others. 

Arrival

Once we arrived and had a quick nap, I realized that although I had remembered to bring Louder Than Bombs, I had forgotten to bring my make up. Now, if you are a guy, you might think this is a minor thing, but if you are a fairly vain woman (approaching fifty), in all likelihood you know how important it is to look as good as you can if you are going to a concert to see your favorite guitar hero.

So we went make up shopping on the strip and then for a drink. (And to look for Johnny Marr).

Roland did not want to have a drink at The Cosmopolitan because the last time we were there, it was kind of crowded but I insisted since it was my belief and hope that Johnny would be there. Somewhere. I was kind of joking because I did not think it was really possible but I had my LP in my bag anyway.

I had a Bloody Mary, Roland had a beer and we enjoyed watching the bartender make tourists amazing drinks. I kept looking around for Johnny and joked with Roland that he might just come in the bar to order a drink, see my album in my large bag and ask, "Miss, is that a Louder Than Bombs album you are carrying in your bag? May I sign it?"

I realized I needed to head back to the make up store for an eye shadow brush so we left the bar and headed back outside the hotel. I said to Roland, "Keep an eye out for him. Remember what he looks like. He kind of looks like that guy over there." As I said so, I realized it WAS him. 

The Meeting

I picked up my pace leaving Roland in a cloud of dust and approached him. "Johnny? Johnny Marr?" and he kind of looked at me as if he were unsure. I said, "Are you Johnny Marr?" and he said yes but he was looking towards the direction he was heading so I was afraid I was interrupting whatever he was doing. Perhaps he was looking for an escape route.

It made me think that I don't know what is going on in his life. Maybe he was having a bad day, maybe he was anxious about something. I wanted to make sure he had a way out if he did not really want to engage.

I said, "I just happened to have my album here. Would it be okay to ask you to sign it?" (Although I thought it was odd that I was carrying an album cover, he did not indicate that it was at all strange.)

He said, "Yes. I'll sign it."

I said, "I really like your new album."

He looked me dead in the eyes and said, "Thank you." But it made me think it was nice for him to get positive feedback on something he has been working on more recently. 

He dropped the pen and picked it up and began to sign my album. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Andrea."

My heart was going so fast, I began to feel kind of shakey. I just could not believe he was signing it and I was here with him. He was holding just an album cover which probably did not mean so much to him at the moment but to me, it was the very album I would run home to and sometimes literally hug for comfort during some of the toughest days of my life. The sound of Johnny's guitar signaled the songs I would sing that brought me joy in knowing that someone else in this world understood me. Many tears were shed on that album. That album that Johnny was signing at that moment for me. It was almost like a recognition of what we shared but I don't think Johnny really had any idea. Strange to meet the person who seems to have written the soundtrack to part of your life, but you don't know each other. 

He asked, "Are you coming to the gig tonight?"

Roland said yes.

I said, "If my legs don't give out." My legs really began to feel weak and rubbery. I felt like the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.

I think he smiled at that.

Then he asked Roland where he was from. Roland told him and they had a conversation about the production of the album. He told Roland that the only band he never sang with was The Smiths. 

A woman approached and I said, "Hi. I'm Andrea," and we shook hands. She also asked if we were going to the gig. I said yes, and I told her that I was really overcome. I think she thought it was sweet because she said, "Aww." I assumed this was Johnny's wife. The last thing I wanted to do was ask her. 

I reached in my bag for my camera and she offered to take my picture with Johnny. She took two shots, which came out very well. In my vanity, I wish I had worn shades but you can see I had no time to think about being cool. I was too happy.

There were a couple of guys that had seen us and wanted to meet Johnny so I knew that our time was up. We said good-bye and thank you very much.

As we rounded the corner, a man asked, "Who is that?"

We said, "Johnny Marr." But Roland had to explain who exactly he is.

How do you express in words all that such a talent has given you? How do you express the amazement and the love you have for the songs? Its not possible. You can only grin like a fool.

When we got back to our hotel, I realized I hadn't even read what he wrote:

"To Andrea. Good luck. Johnny Marr"

They seem like such simple words but how true. I already had my good luck, Johnny. Thank you!

Coming Soon: The show at The Cosmopolitan

Seasick Yet Still Docked



Bonnie posing for MozStickerProject assignment (she IS alive)

I've been struggling for the past few days trying to think what the hell to write about. Here is the situation:

1. Morrissey was too sick to continue his tour-all US dates were cancelled as well as his performance in Mexico City.

2. Morrissey appeared in an interview on a Mexican radio show in which he explained how very disappointed he was and how he was "cautioned" not to perform anymore.

3. He was photographed at an Irish football game with his cousin Robbie Keane.

4. It was announced on True-To-You that Morrissey will be performing in seven Mexican cities in June and in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Chile in July.
5. The Hollywood High show is going to be released on DVD.

So, that's Morrissey news for the past few weeks or so. Of course, it was heart-breaking when he had to cancel the rest of the tour. We were so set for Las Vegas, but I think most fans were understanding of the health problem. We would not want Morrissey to do something that would make him feel worse down the road or cause a more serious issue. 

And to tell you the truth, I think he felt horribly about it. On his website, he left the following message:

"It takes a lifetime to find the right words, and at the moment I haven't got them. I've been a colossal pain where this continuously unpredictable illness is concerned, and now the physical limits have been reached.The tour had, in fact, been fantastic for all of us-a new slice of life full of concentrated power. The audiences everywhere have given so much, although I know that neither of us will ever receive our due. I hope this isn't the end and I hope there will be other chances minus the heavy burden of illness.Knots of grief today, but full of resolve for tomorrow." Morrissey, March 16, Mexico

Something to look forward to

At this moment, I am happy he is planning to tour again yet sad that its not as likely that I will be able to see him unless one of the cities he plays is Tijuana.

I have lots of things going on in my home life at the moment. Raising two teenagers and a nine year old is a challenge, teaching is a challenge, and I don't have time for any more challenges. Part of my fascination with Morrissey probably is a means of mental escape. But not all of it. And now that I am not planning to see him currently, it forces me to look at these things more closely. And I don't want to, to be truthful.

I suppose a positive to come out of this is that, to me at least, it seems like the Twitterdilly friendships are strengthening through Twitter (duh) and MorrisseysWorldChat. Its a wierd time trying to transition from the news over the month and adjust our minds.

Like many other fans, I find myself keeping occupied by attending Smiths/Morrissey-related events. This I shall do, and write about as it seems fit. (Truely my life IS without Morrissey at the moment!)


On a side note, probably the best thing that I heard at school all week was a student who said, "Ms. Willoughby, I bought my first Smiths album. Its the one with 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out'."


Ah, to fall in love again!

Memories:

 

 

 

 

 

Always True Part 2: Hollywood High School

Morrissey in the shadows of Hollywood High

Something unusual happened to me Saturday morning. I can only compare the feeling to that which you might feel after you've gone out on a date and you had such a good time you KNOW you are going out again. And you can't wait. You wake up smiling, eager for what the day will bring. In my case I KNEW I was going to see Morrissey again.

The sun was shining quite literally, and figuratively.

I just felt like crap. 

Perhaps it was excitement from the night before, perhaps it was dehydration, perhaps there was something extra in the beer I had at The Staples Center. Perhaps it was because I'm approaching fifty. I don't know but it was tough to get out of bed. 

My mom babysat for us since Roland was coming to this gig. He is not as big a fan but he knew this was going to be a great show and he was excited as well. Besides, we got to go out together which isn't so common. Before we left he said, "You are in charge since you seem to know how to have more fun than I've ever had at a concert." I have said in the past that Roland is much nicer than I am. He is a perpetual rule follower. In pop music terms he is the Paul McCartney and I am the John Lennon in the relationship. So that was a big step for him.

Luckily, Jasmine (@Morrizzy) and Johnny (@johnnyinacoma) arrived at Hollywood High early since the seating was either orchestra (pit) or balcony (upstairs). Other than that, there was no assigned seating so it was important to get a good spot in line, therefore a good seat in the venue. They held us a place in line with Angie (@vulgermkala) and @jimi_james and his nine year old son, Devan. 

The drive to Hollywood was far less crazy than I thought it would be, so we arrived around 5:45. We thought that the earliest we would be able to get our tickets from Will Call would be 6. But such was not the case. We were in line for a few hours. It was in line we discovered that the event was being shot for a DVD release possibly. 

We entertained ourselves in line with our enthusiasm. Of course, this was the first time I had met Angie or @jim_james. I felt a little shy as I always do when I first meet people but both Angie and @jimi_james were fun and easy to talk to, as you may recall, Angie was the one who gave Moz the ring from The Blue Rose Society. She also has a lot of Morrissey tattoos and whenever a photographer came by she said, "Morrissey tattoos right here." So, as you could imagine, Angie was not hard to talk to. She is what they call the life of the party. Devan (nine year old) was extremely excited since he had been at the Staples Center on Friday and was eager to see Morrissey yet again-this time he knew he'd be closer.

After a quick pizza at a nearby pizza place, the line began to move. The line outside Hollywood High now stretched at least three blocks. Here is a picture of us with a balloon we wrote on as members of the Blue Rose Society. 

While in line, we saw a young girl who was about sixteen but she was as tall as my nine-year old son, Oliver. She was carrying a portrait of Morrissey she had drawn herself and wanted desperately to give it to him. She had been waiting in line since noon but security would not let her in because her grandfather had purchased her ticket and you could not get in if you did not have the ID and credit card that was used to purchase tickets. This poor girl was crying so sadly trying to get her grandfather to come and help her out. I felt so badly and could not think of any way I could have helped her. Perhaps I could have given her my ticket, but she ended up getting in after her grandfather came to clear the ticket with will call.

Me, Jasmine, Angie, James and Devan

I had decided to try and bring my digital SLR camera into the show. I had wrapped it into my sweater and put it in my bag along with two lenses. The one on the camera was a telephoto lens. I figured the worse that could happen would be that I would have to walk the camera back into the car which was parked nearby. 

When we got to the bag check I ended up having to come clean with security after she asked me to shake my sweater out. I just said, "I can't do that because it will break my camera. I was just trying to keep it safe here."

She said, "It isn't exactly a point and shoot camera."

They ended up letting me take the camera in after all though since I think they just couldn't be bothered trying to figure out how to get me back in with a huge line and some anxious people. "Just don't take it out," they said. Sorry but asking me not to take pictures of Morrissey is like asking a fat kid with a jar of cookies not to have any.

Jasmine and Angie were working on getting into the orchestra section even though they had balcony like me. I know they would have taken me with them in but Roland was in the balcony and the last time he went with me in San Diego I basically left him on his own while I got into the pit. I just thought it might be bad form to just invite him along and leave him, plus I had my camera and I wanted to take pictures since I had such a great view from my balcony seat.

I oddly did not envy Jasmine and Angie once they got in and waved from the pit up to me. I waved and just was grateful for the ability to sit in a seat and still see well. 

Kristeen

Kristeen Young is the opening act. I think she has an amazing voice, fashion sense and artistic integrity. I enjoyed her performance as I usually do and I think playing in a smaller venue was good for her. It felt like it was pretty supportive. You have to bear in mind the enormity of her task. She has to entertain people who are basically not there to see her. I've said before that she is kind of a cross between Kate Bush and Bjork. Very different and esoteric.

Then it was time for Morrissey-almost. Russell Brand was in charge of the introduction and eloquently said he was there for the same reason that we all were-because he is a big fan. Also he basically said that there are no stars like him. He's like a Garbo or a Bette Davis. He also referred to him as Lord Mudslide before Moz came out. 

I can't probably effectively convey the contrast between the show at The Staples Center and compare it to the intimacy of the gig at Hollywood High. It felt like we were a closer family. I felt like people were just so happy to see Morrissey and see him feeling well and happy that that happiness infected the entire audience. We knew this was a special night. 

Here is the set list: 
Alma Matters
Ouija Board, Ouija Board
Irish Blood, English Heart
You Have Killed Me
November Spawned a Monster
Malajusted
You're the One For Me, Fatty
Still Ill
People Are the Same Everywhere
Speedway
Asleep (a capella during Speedway)
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
Meat is Murder
Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
To Give (The Reason I Live)
Everyday is Like Sunday
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Action Is My Middle Name
Let Me Kiss You
Encore:
The Boy With the Thorn in His Side

Mic Whipping

There was not a bad seat in the house. We could all see Morrissey's expressions and the musical skills of the band. I guess you could say it was like we were at Russell's house in the living room-just a bit bigger than that and with some great lighting. You could not get such a great view in a larger venue like the Staples Center unless you were hung from the ceiling to almost eye level with the band. I would not recommend that! 

At one point he asked, "Where are we all going after this?" Someone yelled, "The Cat and Fiddle!" I know full well everyone there and their dog probably showed up there. Except Morrissey. 

He saw Devan in the audience sitting on his dad's shoulders and asked him his name. "Devan."
"Kevin?"
"Devan."
"David?"
Security: "Devan."

I doubt I can adequately give the night justice but I can say that I was in heaven. Taking "illegal" pictures and singing along WITH Morrissey to his songs. I felt like he put his heart and soul into every line.Many people will find this hard to accept, but Morrissey exuded happiness and positivism. I know the media like to refer to him as "the pope of mope" blah blah blah, but if you are a true fan you most likely see the other side- his humor and wit.

When "Meat is Murder" came up and the video of "Meet Your Meat" I looked around to see what people were doing. A lot of people were still standing and some of course looked down. I do! I don't eat meat so I feel okay with that.
 However, I think just by looking around that some people in the audience were moved by it and were really paying attention to the suffering we put animals through. If you can't look you MUST know that there is something wrong with it. It is an incredibly powerful song that has changed many lives-mostly the lives of animals!

Meat is Murder

The encore was "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side." During this song, Morrissey picked up Devan from the crowd, took him by the hand to one end of the stage and carried him back to his dad. I think this had to be amazingly special to him and his dad, a Blue Rose Society member and big time fan. I got the impression that attending Morrissey concerts with dad was kind of a rite of passage. He looked a bit shocked and shy but happy. Of course this was amid Oohs and Aaahs from the audience. It just solidified the love between Morrissey and his fans. Again, it was this feeling that nobody understand us but we get it. We get what Morrissey is about.( Well, at least we think we do).

Moz and Devan

Just as the previous night had ended, we parted ways with our friends without too much of a good-bye and made our way to our car. No, we did not end up at the Cat and Fiddle. We hit the freeway and went back to the OC and quite eagerly tucked ourselves in bed. 

Next show: Las Vegas, April 20.

On a side note: Morrissey had to postpone a show in San Francisco due to his illness. Hoping he gets well soon! 

More Pictures from Hollywood High