Introduction/What to expect at MMJ showin Lancas?

[JK]

This is my first post.  I have fallen in love with  MMJ's music & would like to make it to the show in Lancaster, PA at the Chameleon.  I have a couple of questions.  One of the reasons I love their sound is that it seems timeless;however, it seems that they have a very young crowd.  I am a 30-something(Christ, I never thought I would use that phrase-yech) mother of 2 young boys.  While I am not a total loser, I am also not a belly-button, ring-wearing, tatooed hipster. Also, with 2 younguns - I do not get out much.  I have actually been to the Tin Angel in Philadelphia - is the Chameleon somewhat like that? I guess my question is - how wild are these shows?  I would just like an idea of what I am in for.  Sorry for such an asinine question, but since having kids, I think about really bizarre things - like making sure I buckle my seat belt & that I am not killed in a mosh-pit!  In any case, if anyone can help me out here, I would greatly appreciate it.  You all seem very nice so if you are any indication of the type of people at the shows, I'm sure I would feel comfortable.  Thanks for the help (& reading this dissertation, if you have gotten this far-whew)!

JK

[Lieven]

Hi JK, welcome to the forum!

Like you said "you all seem very nice"... Can't add much to that, except that i believe you can replace "seem" by "are".

Seen them 3 times live, and was 3 times beautiful performance. Sometimes really moving, some songs rockin. The bandmembers are very sympatico and just bring beautiful music... People at the gigs and over here at forum like good music and are VERY friendly too. That's it.

So there's no shame in having your 2 kids wear a MMJ-tshirt, if they like it.
I didn't see any tatoed-pierced-ringwearing-drunk-headbanger at all, so no worries!! Hmm, well maybe i did see a drunk person, but that's all.  ;)

If you're new to MMJ, the first two albums are really emotive, while the last one is more rockin, more "happy". Jim himself also explained the title in that point of view (but in a better way than i do here): "At dawn"... sun coming up, less dark...

Enjoy the music and this unique forum!

[JK]

Lieven:  Thanks for such a quick reply.  I started out a little backwards with "It Moves" & loved it so much, I got "At Dawn" & Tennessee Fire".  My nephew (who is into techno music) actually made my Christmas by giving me their Christmas CD.  Mostly, I just love the music, but was pleasantly surprised by everything I have read on them.

Lieven said "I didn't see any tatoed-pierced-ringwearing-drunk-headbanger at all, so no worries!! Hmm, well maybe i did see a drunk person, but that's all"  
---I have absoloutely nothing against such a person, & sadly have nursed many a hangover & enjoy my booze as much as the next lush (well in my pre-baby/pre-nursing life-sorry too much info), but as long as their nice, easy-going partyer's-I'm good!  Well, I will risk feeling out of place for such beautiful music.  I think I will buy my kids those t-shirts since they are little fans themselves - they are lulled right to sleep by "One in the Same".  It is nice to know they have such great taste in music so early in their lives!
Thanks again & take care,

JK

[ycartrob]

JK, I have seen the boys 3x and I'll be spending my 40th birthday with them in Knoxville. The crowds have been very friendly and appreciative of music (especially the Louisville Headliners Saturday night show). If you love live music, then you won't feel out of place. Just feel free to let loose and enjoy the show. Trust me, no one will really be wondering what YOU look like or what YOU'RE doing there. MMJ has a welcoming vibe. Let it go! ;D

[danilove]

Hey JK!
Welcome aboard! I just wanted to echo what the others have said...MMJ crowds are awesome and typically awed by the boys, and the boys do a fantastic job of making everyone feel welcome. Also, you'll probably be surprised to find  folks in the crowd much older than you rockin' out at the show. In fact, back in September I took my 50-something year-old Mom to a show...BTW, she never goes out to shows, let alone to bars, and she had a blast. Even though she had to stand for the whole show, which she was dreading, she loved every minute of it! So, git yer ass on out to see 'em and take all of your closest friends with you. Lord knows, you'll be glad you did! ;)

Love.

[JacketNation]

JK,

Go, go , go see them live.  I am 43 and have dragged my 41-year old wife to see them twice.  It has been said here and written a million times that they are much different live than on CD (although ISM captures their live sound better than their first 2).

The crowds in Louisville were very respectful and nice, people definitely enjoy the show but nobody's gonna body surf and land on your head or anything.  Their live shows draw people that are nicer than average just as this board does.

I have to say one mean thing however...Pete Rose is a dumbass.  Sorry.

[doug s]

JK:

The Chameleon is not like the Tin Angel (it's much bigger and is a standard rock/dance club), but you should be nice and safe there. I doubt there will be any moshing. The club has a nice balcany where you can watch the show. Lancaster is a pretty safe city, and there is a parking garage right across from the Chameleon.

Definitely check it out. MMJ is great live. Any other questions, let me know. I was raised in Lancaster.

ds

[JK]

Dear yeartrob, danilove, Jacket Nation, & Doug S:

Thanks for all of the replies (not to mention the encouragement)!

I have purchased my tickets & am ready to roll.

I was a little thrown off by the change in the band.  You are all so lucky that you got to see them as they were.  I am a little sad that I will miss that.  Since I have never seen them live, my expectations are a little different.  I am pretty impressed with the way it was handled & presented.  I will go with an open mind, open heart, & open ears, & have a great time.

Thanks again,
JK

[SMc55]

Well? Did you go? Was it great?? I'd be amazed if you didn't have the best time. I saw them in London last night for the second time :D I'm quite a bit older than you and didn't feel a bit out of place. You just do what you wanna do girl and have fun!

[JK]

I did get to the show.  I thought they were incredible.  I have to say that I did feel slightly out of place (maybe a little more than slightly).  It seemed like it was mosly college kids (but, I guess everyone can like good music).  I just felt rather old.  I have to confess that I was not real in to the opener.  I guess it is confession time.  The truth of the matter is - I love good, for lack of a better word, hillbilly music (read: not today's top 40 country).  I try not to get into labels.  I love all kinds of music.  To give you an idea some of my most favorites are Hank Williams Sr, Hank III, Merle Haggard, Fred Eaglesmith, & goes as far the other way as Sara Vaughn & Dinah Washingon.  I did have a great love of Led Zep as a teenager, & still enjoy them from time to time.  So it was a bit of a surprise to me to be so overwhelmed by MMJ, but it is such beautiful music.  Once they took the stage, I was completely lost in the music.  I loved it all, especially Jim's voice & lyrics, and oddly enough for me (I have never been a big drum person), I am enthralled by their use of drums & think Patrick is incredible.  Most of all, I was very deeply moved by their obvious joy in what they do.  Those "kids" loved them & I can see why.

Lastly, I took my friend who is about 7 years older than I.  She really felt old.  As we were leaving the parking garage (in the old lady SUV with car seats) I said to her, "Look at those poor kids walking in this cold".  Her reply to me was "Of course they are walking, they don't have drivers licenses yet"!  (She was also worried that the band members were going to develop brain damage from all the head-banging & the sanitary issues surrounding Jim's barefeet:  "Someone needs to tell that boy that he could catch a disease walking around like that"! ....Thank God I am not that old yet!  One last benefit was when all my nieces & nephew found out where I went, they not think I am incredibly hip (well, hipper than I already was.

Joanne

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

Hey JK
Glad you had a good time.  As an older/wiser person myself, I can say you are not alone in the crowd when it comes to ages.  In fact, I haven't seen such a diverse crowd age-wise since I last saw Morphine a few years back.  After 45 shows, I can say that MMJ welcome all to their shows.

The vibes at these shows isn't like what you'd get at say...a Blink 182 concert (hahaha), rather, it's more of an old fashioned, rock n' roll experience.  I gather you've already figured that part out.  

Welcome aboard, BTW, and drop me an email if you're interested in downloading live MMJ.  

[JK]

John,

Thanks for the welcome.  I am supposed to be getting my own e-mail account at home soon.  I cannot download that much at work. I will definitely be interested in down-loading when I get my own account in order.  Thanks for your generousity.

Take Care,
Joanne