Hi everyone, remember me? You might me remember me as the guy who occasionally used to write about metal for Pastepunk and eat pho with Jordan! I’m sorry I’ve neglected you, but we can kiss and make up, right? I had a good reason; I was inspired to follow Jordan’s path in life and have gone to law school. So, that has pretty much consumed my life. But, at least I am sans rugrats (not to say that Jordan’s lil’ dudes aren’t awesome…).

So, Jordan’s recent interview marking the occasion of Pastepunk’s thirteenth anniversary made me quite nostalgic. Not only about going to shows and talking about music obsessively, but also writing for this site. Racking my brain to come up with ways to express an idea about a particular album or song was always very satisfying. However, as I intimated, law school can be all consuming (nevermind what happens when you join a law journal…). Still, the nostalgia overwhelmed me and I thought it was time I started getting involved again with Pastepunk. Well, in order to fully realize that idea, I have reproduced some thoughts below that I posted originally on Facebook.

A few weeks ago, on the way to school, I started to think about the best shows I had seen over the years (mostly because I was sick of thinking about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act at that present moment.). There have been plenty of shows that, at the time, I expected to be great and, indeed, those expectations were fulfilled (of course, there were some let downs to). However, I started to realize that those shows that were truly memorable were those I did not expect to be so. So, here is a non-exclusive list in no particular order of some of those bands that I have seen and did not expect to be blown away by.

• SAVIOURS (opening for WITCHCRAFT) at the Black Cat—I had never heard of SAVIOURS up until this point. They came out and started blasting out some serious riffs, and I don’t think ANYONE at the Cat that evening expected it. I just remember sitting in the back and commenting to my girlfriend at the time that this band is SERIOUSLY good. Several albums later, that still is the case.

• COLISEUM at the Black Cat Backstage—I was fan of COLISEUM before this show, but I did not expect the crazy tempo and energy that they took to the stage with. Most bands play a bit faster than on the album, but this was something else. I remember being somewhat exhausted towards the end given the way they tore through that set.

• BARONESS at the BORF House—For those DC folks who have been around the last few years, you might remember that death trap of an art collective on North Capitol near Florida and New York Aves. It was also there that I saw BARONESS for the first and, as of this date, only time. BARONESS was about to release the Red Album, which I had received a promo copy of several weeks prior, and I had not stopped listening to it. So, I was excited to see them, but I think the rest of the crowd was there out of curiosity. However, at the end of the show, I think the entire crowd realized they had witnessed something special—an up-and-coming band that could straddle the line of crushing heaviness and light, almost gossamer, melodies and moods. I felt particularly privileged to have seen Baroness in such a setting—I was eye-to-eye with John Dyer Baizley, the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist—because I knew I would never see them play such a venue again.

• BLACK COBRA opening for THE SWORD at the Black Cat—Okay, I admit that I only saw them playing like two or three songs, but I was pretty amazed at how much noise and energy two guys could generate. This was another case of a band I hadn’t really heard of but knew they were going to get better and better. I think they have a new album coming out this year or early next. I’m stoked to see how they’ve grown

• PROPAGANDHI at the Ottobar—I knew this was going to be awesome and it totally was. But, I think it was unexpected because I didn’t think the songs could be replicated so faithfully and passionately. That is in no small part due to the fact that Chris Hannah is the best guitarist I’ve ever seen in a punk band. Hell, I think he is probably one of the best guitarists I’ve seen period.

What about you, faithful readers? What are your unexpectedly memorable shows?