Concert Review: Blues Traveler, Hollywood Race Track, CA

Note the guys in ties, they were born w/o the fun chromosome. Obviously, our friends in the foreground each have a healthy helices.

Last weekend I saw Blues Traveler! I know, remember them?!? Were they giving me the run around? Ok, sorry for the bad puns, but there were several things that made the situation awkward/awesome. For starters, we were at the horse races in Compton, that part of LA that all of the gangster rappers reference as "the hood". Apparently it is considered to be a pretty unsafe neighborhood. Not to worry, we were traveling in a large group, and we were armed with Sparks and Captain's. We had collectively had enough to drink to kill a menagerie of vermin before we entered the grounds. We arrive at the races, and watch the horses run...it was moderately entertaining. We used the time valuably to drink beer and take sips from the plastic flask (because obviously a metal flask sets off metal detectors) in preparation for the impending wild dance party that is a Blues Traveler's show. Except that we had missed the memo that it was a wake. I'm not sure if everyone was sour because their horses had lost, but never have I encountered such an uptight crowd at a Friday night concert. Our little troupe (of 8 people) was set to party and we did, much to the chagrin of the people around us. Whatever they were mourning we were desecrating.
The actual concert was a blast, the band was completely rocking out, and it was one of those shows where every song melted together (or not, and that was the Captain's I was feeling) and we just danced like crazy for the whole show. I think it was Colin who equated it to a Dan Deacon show, that same level of crazy dancing...except it was just us. Needless to say, I now have a warm spot in my heart for both LA and Blues Travler.