Wee Hairy Beasties

Thanks to Lou's generosity, I made it to the kids' show at the Hideout yesterday despite its sold-out status. The whole thing ended about an hour earlier than projected, but I got there in time to see Jon Langford, Sally Timms, and Kelly Hogan's band - the Wee Hairy Beasties - which was my main goal of the afternoon. My favorite of their songs was the tale of a Karaoke ... squirrel? A karaoke something. And his wife, who was a bee. Named Marjorie. They ended with Langford's take on "The Fox", and I wished my nephews could have come down, because they like that song.

The Blisters followed with an excellent set of songs, as usual. "Sweet Home Alabama" is always a crowd pleaser, but I think my favorites are their opening original composition, and "She Don't Use Jelly." It's always fun to see people who haven't seen them before realize that this band of elementary school kids is going to bust that one out. I might add that one Blister, and his younger sibling, are quite good at snowball fighting as well. Sheesh.

I was planning to attend the night show at the Hideout, too, with Chris Mills, Califone, Edith Frost, et. al, but that didn't end up happening. Instead Paul, Chandler, and I enjoyed a superb gourmet dinner and dessert prepared by Sooz and Laura (well, Paul peeled potatoes and chopped sage) and then hung out in a happy food-induced stupor rather than driving over to the Hideout. Ah well. At least Gary Schepers got my ticket money regardless.

Colin Meloy at the Park West tonight.