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Review:

The other thing I didn’t share about emmet swimming was how I found them. Three fraternity brothers of mine had started a mostly used CD store called Digital Exchange near the Outback Steakhouse in Springfield the previous year, and I’d go over there frequently. There was a company called Local Music Store that would get CDs and cassettes from local bands on a consignment, and stock them in a store, along with listening copies (the store had 2 CD players you could listen to on headphones in addition to the main sound system).

Two popular CDs were from emmet swimming & The Excentrics. Without the internet, I found out by reading the CD booklet my former classmate was in emmet swimming. Since that was such a good show, I decided to give The Excentrics a try after buying and loving “Why the Long Face”. It turned out that they were putting on a Kiss tribute at their home base of Nick’s Nightclub, so me and the guys from the store went and had a fantastic time (I don’t believe they did the fire or blood trick though).

It was also about this time that my job writing tax software ended (the division was sold), and I got a big bonus to help write the transition software. I used that money to buy out John at Digital Exchange and started working there.

Indiangiver:

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The Excentrics:

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I was a huge Dennis Miller fan when he had his HBO show. This was a funny show, but most significant for introducing me to Jon Stewart. I watched all of his MTV show, and when he got The Daily Show, started watching it too.

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David Spade:

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Dennis Miller:

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Bender Arena is basically the gym at American University. They plop the stage at one end and pull out the bleachers, and they’re done. Which seemed appropriate for a grunge-y lineup. The main thing I remember about Tad is their singer was very large, and every time he threatened to jump in the mosh pit, a giant patch of floor became visible right in front of the stage. I had Eleven’s second album, and liked them – this was the first time I saw drummer Jack Irons, and I knew he was different because he was wearing nothing but tinfoil. Soundgarden crushed it with the whole crowd getting into it. They mostly played songs from then album Superunknown, but had plenty of hits from Badmotorfinger as well.

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Eleven:

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WHFS was doing free shows at Franklin Park at lunchtime, and “Selling The Drama” and “I Alone” had already been singles and I really liked the band, so I went to DC. I even brought a handheld tape recorder, but it was for speech and the whole show was distorted. That was too bad as it was a nice little acoustic show outside in nice weather.

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Līve:

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Oh HFStival, I miss you so. A year earlier, it wasn’t on my radar, but then WHFS exploded as the home of alternative rock and while 1993’s HFStival wasn’t sold out, 1994’s definitely was. I went with a crowd from Expulsion – my first show with my best bud Chris. Favorites of mine that day were Greenberry Woods, Violent Femmes & Counting Crows. During Violent Femmes’ set, they played “Blister In The Sun” and all of RFK Stadium was shaking with people jumping up and down. I think I got a sunburn while going from stadium stage to outside stage and back again.
MTV News report
Washington Post review

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Pavement:

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Meat Puppets:

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The Greenberry Woods:

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The Afghan Whigs:

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James:

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Gigolo Aunts:

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Violent Femmes:

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Madder Rose:

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Toad the Wet Sprocket:

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Rollins Band:

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Counting Crows:

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Cracker:

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My last review for a newspaper was also my first review of a Rush show.
According to Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth, Geddy and Alex were both sick, so they dropped “Force 10” and cancelled the next night.

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Three song set? Sure, I’ll write a review of it.
I also got my first musician autograph.

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Sheryl Crow:

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I had a lot to say about this show, but I already said it in my review (and then followed it up).
If you’d like to hear even more, these guys break down the whole show.

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Mudhoney:

Pearl Jam:

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I stand by my review.

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Kevn Kinney:

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I still like my review, but what it leaves out is that drummer Tamer Eid was a grade above me at W.T. Woodson, and we were in the marching band drum section together for three years, and when I figured out this band was his, I wanted to see them. The music being good was a bonus, and it opened my eyes to other local bands in the area, and really changed my life.

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Wood N Steel:

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emmet swimming:

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