I always figured what my mom said was true.  That one day I would out grow rock and roll and I would find myself being interested in more sophisticated things.  This is partially true.  I've learned to love the classical music that was forced on me while I was growing up, I've learned to appreciate jazz and I have developed a love for world music as well.  But, to this day (9 days away from my 40th birthday), I've found that my love for rock music only grows stronger and my need for live rock music has become a necessity, not just a decadent pleasure.

 

Something else I've discovered is that as I get older, the less I have to actually pay to see live shows.  Having an intense love for the actual music and its process has lead to ties throughout different levels of the business that have their perks from time to time.  Anymore, I rarely have to pay to see a show.  For instance, Ken's good buddy Jon got us on the list for the Clutch show at Headliner's last Friday.

 

I love Clutch.  I've always loved Clutch.  My oldest niece's first show was in my sister's womb at a Monstermagnet show where Clutch opened in late 1993.  Clutch is just great heavy metal and they are relentless.  They are a '90s band that hasn't lost anyone to drugs.  They've been touring forever and it doesn't look like they're going to stop anytime soon. 

 

After a terribly stressful week filled with car troubles, the beaurocracy of higher education and the accusations of an out of touch boss I was more than ready to see Clutch Friday night.  We got to the show 10 min before they went on and I disappeared, easing my way into the crowd, while Ken networked and drank beer. 

 

After getting hit in the head with an empty beer cup, I removed my jewelry.  The crowd was rowdy and I apparently wasn't the only one who needed to let off some steam.  Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I was able to text message Ken to let him know where I was and when the show started I found myself in the perfect spot.  Not so close that my eardrums were wrecked and right outside the pit.  A pit filled not only with youngsters, but people my age ~ and a beach ball, which I found very amusing.

 

After inquiring about his age, I commented to a young show goer, who was very excited to be there, that he was six years old the last time I had seen Clutch.  He loved it.  They are older now, but their music has only gotten better. 

 

When I emerged from the crowd during the encore (Ken texted me ~ it was time to go   ), my t-shirt was completely covered in sweat (some of it was mine, some of it belonged to the people around me) and my hair was matted to my head.  Jon, who was networking all night, seemed bewildered at my condition. I guess he didn't expect someone my age to be in the thick of it.  Ken didn't seem surprised.

 

He commented with pride, "Good! You needed that!" ~ I couldn't have agreed more