So I'm packed up and ready and the night before I'm leaving (no hotel just a van) I see on the TV that Washington, DC is about to have the largest amount of snow ever in history about to be dumped upon it.I figure what the hell if I pack a couple extra down comforters and a blanket I may be able to stay warm et all and since I had been to the CAP center in '89 for the Phil B-day I'm like a thing like snow ain't holding this freak back so I get on the freeway and head south in the VW as fast as I can get there.įirst night- sick I can't remember where I stayed but I know I slept somewhere.
I went by myself to this run just planning on running the VW van down no matter what just broken hearted and blessed and bleeding needing to do shows back when I was basically finding my entire yearly calendar based around the northeast runs and whatever else I could get my hands on during 'those days'- yes I know BUT this show, being a Dark Star show.I know I'm getting to the show story.anyway here we go. I wouldn't have gone to a second show if the music sucked, but I wouldn't have gone to as many as I did if it wasn't for the experience. I aways felt half the fun of a dead show was the people, venue, weather, and just the whole adventure. ) PS - Too bad to read comments like Scarlet Fire dude, spitting venom on folks who share memories here, and not comment like were are reviewing a piano recital. Fun show to listen to now, as many that I saw from the mid 80's till the end were not so good when played back. I recall he smiled alot this evening and interplayed with the band more than normal, IMHO. That could have been due to our seats located on his side, about 10 rows out, and that his birthday was just two days ago. Phil seemed especially front and center during the second set. The set list was especially solid as a Shakedown for me is a fun way to kick off a show and the jammin was true and really got heavier as the night went on, especially culminating with The other one. It was fun to see them on St Pattys day and the poor weather made us feel "hardcore", lol.
I grew up in the area so this venue was like home and very different than the open air circus that was RFK, and very different then Philly, Jersey, or NYC inside shows. This show stood out for me for the set list, playing that night, the venue and especially the climate outside.