So I'm the "lucky" recipient of free tix to see Ok Go this Saturday night. Never seen these guys, don't know a damn thing about them (except aren't they the ones that did the kitschy little treadmill video that made the email circuit recently?). So... shall I brace myself for an evening of multiple drinks trying to drown out teenyboppers or what? Anybody seen them? Come on, 'fess up.

The operative word here is FREE as I'm on a self-imposed spending hiatus at the moment.

i know french kicks are opening for them on some dates. is this one of them? i saw okgo a few years ago and thought they were alright live. they're pretty fun, if that's your sort of thing. french kicks are also alright live. neither of these bands will leave you wanting more, but for free, why not?

nah, the openers are Quit Your Day Job and the Mediam(???). Looks like the show is sold out too. The unfortunate aspect of all of this is that it's at an all ages club, so I'll be sure to bump elbows with the pre-pubescents, and clearly I'll need to get my drink on beforehand.

eh, it's free. might be more entertaining than you expect

you could say the same thing about hitting yourself in the head with a hammer.

I saw 'em as an opener a few years back and remember thinking they weren't very good but I've conveniently blanked what they sound like out of my memory. I want to say they sound like cake or a kitschier weezer with some horns thrown in the mix. They really weren't my thing at all, but i do remember a few obners (actually probably cmj'ers at the time) that don't normally have bad taste liking 'em though so what do I know.

All I know of them is the instrumental theme music they did for the NPR show "Odyessy" with Gretchen Helfrich. And it was an awesome little pice of music.

Based on that alone, I would be curious to see them.

Request it, if you can!

what else would you do if you didn't go?

if they pull out the treadmills then you've gotten your parking dollars worth.

I've seen them several times. If it's for free, go. Half their songs are good, the other half not so good. I'm not a huge fan of theirs, but they do have a huge kid following, so be prepared.

I doubt that I'll ever spend money to see them headline again. Though, I have friends who absolutely love them.

This is a remarkably astute observation on your part. Yes, I'm going.

Another experiment I plan on trying next week? going to a show by myself... have never done that before.

I've only heard that current single on the radio and it is sugary pop goodness. Definitely go.

Like any candy, too much can be bad and I"m sure I'll hate that song later but right now it satisfies my sweet tooth.

i think it's baffling how some people have never been to shows by themselves. it's not necessarily a bad thing, but there's no way i'd've been to nearly as many shows if i always went with someone else. in fact, some of the best shows i've seen have been when i'm alone in a crowd.

I'm hoping this is the case with me too, Z. I agree, I've missed too many shows as a result, and I'm trying to become a little more self-sufficient these days.

I agree, but I hate the shows where there are tons of young couples and I'm just standing there...alone...again.

I hear a violin playing in the background.

you know what? fuck that noise. There have been times I've gone to shows--with my husband-- and I ditch him in the back so I can get closer to the stage. Typically my husband doesn't like the bands I like, so I usually go with other girlfriends.

Yeah, but you can have that even when you are at a show with someone.

I saw the Pernice Brothers about three years ago, alone, and stood behind a couple that made out the whole time. I mean, from opener to last song of the last act. Talk about violins in the background... haha...

the same thing happened a few years ago when i saw trail of dead. two ravers made out through at least the whole second half of the set. trail of dead?!

ha, yeah, when I think of true lurrrrrrve, Trail of Dead ALWAYS comes to mind.

You know, I probably wouldn't mind the makeout couple as much as the loud, drunk, obnoxious girl that always talks about shit during quiet numbers.

Th hubby doesn't support your musical habit?

He doesn't begrudge me going to shows, no, but typically, we don't like the same kinds of music. It sucks sometimes, believe me.