I think there’s probably some, if not many, people in So. Cal, that can relate to what I’m about to say here on one level or another, although we may differ in our opinions of bands on the bill, our choices of which bands we would like or not like to see, those we’ve already seen fairly recently anyway, or those that we figure we can just see somewhere else relatively soon instead for far less money and hassle at a more intimate venue, etc..

But at any rate, here we go…

With all of the dramedy surrounding his politics, socio-politics, and semi-frequent cancellations etc. aside, I would still like to see MORRISSEY, as I don’t recall if I’ve ever seen him perform before or not. But I will admit that considering his track record it’s probably likely that he will just cancel anyway… so “whatever”.

I never been the biggest fan of SMASHING PUMPKINS, but I do like some of their material. However I saw them a few times at festivals in the 90’s during the height of their career, so it’s never gonna get better than that for me… so again; “whatever”.

SIMPLE MINDS are great, they don’t come around to play too often, and I’ve only ever seen them once, so I’d love to see them again. However it was only a few years ago when I saw them at an old theater in DTLA, and I was up close ‘n’ personal in the 7th row, so it won’t be better than that either and I’d rather wait and see them somewhere like that again, wherever that might be.

I’ve seen ADAM ANT, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, SOFT CELL, GARY NUMAN and MODERN ENGLISH up close ‘n’ personal to one degree or another, and some of them several times, all in the last 10 years or so, and most of them play around between L.A. and O.C. at least a few times a year at venues that are smaller and more intimate, so I’m good waiting to see them somewhere like that again too.

The MOTELS and MISSING PERSONS play at the Whisky and other local clubs like the Canyon Club, etc. all over town semi-regularly, so I can see them up close pretty much any time.

The DAMNED, BAD RELIGION and sometimes The BUZZCOCKS play venues like The Fonda or comparable sized venues and also at local festivals semi-frequently too, and I’ve seen them all a few times at them in the last decade or so as well, so no biggie either.

I just saw the CIRCLE JERKS up close at an old theater in Gardena, and it ain’t gonna get better than that, so I’m good on waiting until another smaller show like that happens too.

Plus with the Rozz vs. Valor drama aside, I’ve seen Valor’s version of CHRISTIAN DEATH very up close ‘n’ personal at small or medium size clubs a number of times over the last few decades, going all the way back to when he first started doing it in the 90’s and I caught him at The Scream, and I’ve hung out with him and his crew backstage, etc. since then… and so yet again; “whatever”.

I would love to see MANIC STREET PREACHERS though, as I never have… but hopefully they’ll play a venue around town while they are here and I can catch them there instead, but if not then maybe next time they come around instead.

And I would also like to see PRAYERS, albeit mostly just for their whole “cholo goth” angle though, as I kinda relate to that being an old school punk guy that grew up hangin’ around punk gangs and dressing like that, but also being in to deathrock and dressing like that too, and sometimes combining both styles which I still do to this day as my usual “daytime image”… but I’m sure I’ll eventually catch them in a club somewhere instead though.

But I could frankly sort of largely care less about MARKY RAMONE, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, EMF, SPACEHOG, GENE, THE SOUNDS, COLD CAVE, TR/ST, MARIACHI EL BRONX, CHOIR BOY, DECEITS PAST SELF, BENCHES, THE MAINLINERS, RIKI, WARFIELD, PUREST FORM, CASKET CASSETTE, MIGS WHISKEY, ALL THE DAMN VAMPIRES, KIM THEORY, and I FORGET though, and I would honestly probably prefer not to have to stand through most of their sets anyway. So it wouldn’t be worth showing up there early enough to catch them and spend all those extra hours walking around between stages in the sand and sun either, as that just sounds pretty torturous actually… and especially not for something like two hundred dollars for a ticket.

So unless I get in for free through my connections and have some sort of VIP pass to have a premium viewing spot and access to shorter line concession stands and cleaner less used bathrooms, or via my press credentials and have a photo pass, etc. then I’ll most likely just skip the event and catch some of those bands somewhere better, closer, cheaper and with far less hassles and drawbacks.