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OK, we all make
mistakes, and it takes a special person to admit when they're wrong.
I for one think we all owe a rather large apology for instigating
the creation of some of the less flattering pseudonyms for the 80s.
There was "The 'Me' Generation", the "Era of Excess", "Greed is
Good", and so on, and so on. . .
Anyway, amends must
be made. Thankfully, in the spirit of the holiday season, two bands
set about the task of righting the wrongs. On the night of December
14th, a few thousand merry music lovers streamed into the Roxy
Theatre to warm themselves by the stage lights, sip a few pints of
the "extra special" nog, and enjoy the sounds of some very eccentric
carolers.
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To put the "give"
portion of the holidays through a test run, this night marked the
first ever "Past For Presents" benefit concert. Net proceeds from
the show were donated to Atlanta's Habitat for Humanity, Atlanta
Community Food Bank, and Toys for Tots. On the "receiving" end, the
generous concertgoers were treated to a fantastic show featuring the
hyper-energetic quintet comprising That 80s Band (mention Abbot &
Costello routines and you get a lump o' coal, I swear) with their
special guests Dead Letter Office.
With the considerable amount of early arrivals for the show, the
night was foreseeably shaping up to be an intimate yet energetic
time for everyone. Almost precisely an hour after the doors opened,
North Carolina residents Dead Letter Office took the stage to
welcome everyone and kick the evening into first gear. The group
more than did their namesake justice, performing impressive versions
of R.E.M. classics including "The One I Love", "Stand", and closing
out with "It's the End of the World As We Know It". The band also
interjected several surprise covers for the crowd, such as The
Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" and the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your
Right to Party". Like an early present, the openers were made to
feel like headliners thanks to the enthusiastic response from a
large group of their biggest fans. Who says poster board
declarations of affection should be limited to pro wrestling? Dead
Letter Office brought the Roxy to a steady simmer with a great
performance before the curtain closed, and the anticipation built
for the main event.
20 minutes later, the crowd was on its feet, and the stage was
(literally and figuratively) set. The curtain parted, the lights
flared up, and That 80s Band let everyone know how they wanted to do
things: "Any Way You Want It"! From "Sister Christian" to "Jessie's
Girl", the group turned the Roxy into one outrageous "Love Shack".
The band rarely stopped, pausing only for such hilarious moments as
lead guitarist Frak's folically-abundant impersonation of axe-god
Slash before busting out "Sweet Child of Mine". So that's what's
underneath that hat.
The only other brief break of the night came as That 80s Band
welcomed their new playmates from Dead Letter Office back on stage
for a monster jam session on Modern English's "Melt with You". How
do you fit 11 musicians on a stage with 4 guitars and a half-dozen
mic stands? The answer, my yuletide friends, lies in a deodorant
commercial. For
a solid 75 minutes, That 80s Band sustained an "Eruption" (Cheap
Trick, baby!) of high-energy classics, culminating in a finale that
made one so dorky and pasty as I nearly faint: "Separate Ways". From
the squeal-inducing keyboard intro, through the furious guitar solo,
pausing for a pit stop at the drum solo, and arriving at the
piercing high notes of lead vocalist Craig, no one has done a song
this difficult justice since the real Journey. I swear I might have
been conceived to that song.
Leaving the crowd breathless for a scant few minutes, That 80s Band
returned for an impressive 15 minute encore, before saying goodnight
and wishing everyone a happy holidays. We streamed out into the
chilly December night, and the band must have beelined straight for
waiting set of oxygen tanks.
The holidays are a time when everyone takes some satisfaction in
doing goodwill toward their fellow men and women. Thanks to That 80s
Band, Dead Letter Office, and the Roxy, many needy individuals' days
are just a bit merrier. Additionally, we did our part to make our
generation seem less like a "Brat Pack". Thank God we don't have to
make up for disco.
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