3:00am, first night out with M., riding our bicycles, Cherry Chapstick on the phone’s speakers, to the outdoor pool Max Frisch built in the 40’s, climbed over the fence, took a swim, lay down on the still warm concrete, then fell in love.
I am Marco and I am from Zurich.
Only one show on this date, and it’s in 1997 at the Garage in London. As exciting as it was to play in Europe on our first visits, that’s how bad a time we had in England. It got to the point where we tried to avoid it altogether (our 1991 tour with Eleventh Dream Day ended in Amsterdam–they went on to London, jealous that we got to go home). At some point, the combined efforts of City Slang, Matador, and as of 1993 a new European booking agent convinced us that this was not long-range career planning at its finest. Over time, our fortunes in the UK improved, and the venue I associate with that improvement is the Garage. We started playing there in 1994. Was it our second appearance of that year, on July 4, that was murderously hot and packed? Maybe that was the July 25, 1997 date with Movietone . . . or maybe both. I can say without a doubt that after one of our shows there, I tried to walk a guest backstage, and was rebuffed by security, which had probably never happened before or since. A fun show regardless–we played “Rocket #9” with Kate and Rachel from our Planet labelmates Movietone, and ended the encore with “Borstal Breakout.”
Twenty years ago today, Georgia and I were on vacation in San Francisco, and decided to play as a duo at the Bottom of the Hill. The lineup also included the Softies and American Music Club, and it was packed. Looking over the setlist, I’m shocked by how many songs we did, and Georgia–who was just singing–had nothing to do with her hands except drink. So as we prepared to play an encore, she was distracted by other concerns. I suggested that she see to them, and I could take the much-voiced request for “Speeding Motorcycle,” there being nothing for Georgia to do on that one in this format. It seemed like she was gone for a long time, but then again there were lots of people there, and no backstage bathroom. When at last she returned, she looked shaken, and quickly told me she’d tell me all about it later. We did a couple more songs to finish, and then I heard her story. On her way to the bathroom, Georgia had been approached by her mother’s estranged older sister, Tulip, who she had never met. I didn’t need a description–as crowded as the room was, the out-of-place older woman toward the rear with the neon orange dyed hair was unmistakeable. While Tulip tried to apologize or explain or rationalize all the rotten things she did to Georgia’s mom, Georgia was concentrating more on extricating herself than listening. Finally successfully pleading her need to get to the bathroom and return to the stage, she got away and was navigating the crowd without any difficulty. But that’s not how Tulip saw it. Admittedly, her experience with rock clubs was probably limited, but she identified a situation that called for assistance, so at the top of her lungs hollered, “LET THE STAR THROUGH.”
Our first official act as official Matador recording artists is to perform at the label showcase, 21 years ago today, at Irving Plaza during the New Music Seminar. We have a warmup show the night before in Philadelphia, where we try out our Irving Plaza set, plus some covers. I guess it goes ok–at least we don’t get dropped. Two years later, we headline a dream bill outdoors in Union Square Park, going on after Antietam and Cyndi Lauper. We don’t get to jam with Cyndi, but Tara Key joins us on the final encore of “Speeding Motorcycle.” What has been a beautiful day turns ominous; while we play we can see storm clouds rolling in quickly from the south. Seconds after we finish, the sky opens up and torrential rain sends everyone scurrying.
Lest you think Megan from Denver doesn’t love all her children equally, I’m the one who decided to assign the email she sent us back in January to July 22. YLT’s music has been involved in a few very big moments in my life. I remember working at a coffee shop in 2000 and hearing a YLT song chosen by a coworker, and was hooked ever since.
I was married August 23, 2008 in Colorado and Our Way to Fall was our first song.
Fast forward a few years and I’m in the delivery room of a hospital in Denver on October 3rd, 2010. I had a playlist of my favorite songs rotating and clearly remember I Heard You Looking playing as the doctor held my first child up for me to see for the first time. What a moment!
I had a second child July 22, 2013 and out of superstition I tried to be sure YLT was playing as she was born (my first baby was so easy!) but I’m not sure what song was playing.
We were out for the Bell House show a few weeks ago, flying from CO as my 30th birthday present.
Our family purchased a record player for Christmas 2011 and now my daughter dances around the living room to her new favorite record, saying “Mommy, play the tree one!” when I’m flipping through our vinyl.
Thanks for all the great memories, you have been a part of some really great times for both me and my family!
Emily Hubley – Delivery Man (1982)
If these looks backward had been inspired by our 29th anniversary, I’d have had nothing to write about this day. But one year ago today, having dropped in on the UK for a few hours prior to our arrival in Chicago, we helped warm up the crowd for R. Kelly at the Pitchfork festival. Without the past acting as distraction, we can all relax with Saturday’s Washington Post crossword.
