7/17/99 Boy Sets Fire, Garrison @ 17 Nautical Miles
Exactly one week after returning from a 2-week trip to Europe I got the exciting news that Boy Sets Fire would be playing in Portland. Boy Sets Fire is one of those bands that gives me shivers every time I listen. I can list off a bunch of bands that I like and listen to a lot, but Boy Sets Fire is truly one of my favorite bands. So yes, I was pumped for this show. But because I'm an idiot, I forgot my camera and thus, no pictures were taken.

If you've never been to 17 Nautical Miles, I'll give you an idea of what the place is like. During the day, it's a deli. A really tiny deli. The floors are dirty and concrete. The stage is maybe 2 feet off the ground and is made out of very thin boards that keep you wondering if they're going to hold. It is the most ghetto venue I've ever had the pleasure of seeing a show at.

Five Cent Refund, much to my chagrine, was supposed to open, but apparently they're too good for the likes of Boy Sets Fire and didn't show up. In their hometown, no less. Instead some arty noise band who's name I don't care to know played some, well, noise and hurt everyone's ears.

Garrison was the band on tour with Boy Sets Fire and they played next. Quite good emoish rock. Clear vocals and an occasional soft, quiet guitar strumming. I really dug these guys.

At this point I was standing there, right in front. Boy Sets Fire, in the flesh, was setting up there instruments a few inches from my face. I was in total awe. I couldn't believe it was finally happening. A Boy Sets Fire Show. AND I DIDN'T HAVE A CAMERA.

Needless to say, they were all I wanted them to be. They played every song off of The Day the Sun Went Out and a few new ones. It seemed as though everyone in the crowd knew the words. Those of us in the front row were bracing ourselves on the monitors and putting our feet on stage to prevent us from being folded in half. The mic was held out into the crowd and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, had to have a shout in it. Several, if they could help it. I've never seen that much crowd participation in ratio to the number of people anywhere. I hit my head on the bass guitar (or did the bass guitar hit ME on the head?) knocked over a micstand and had to keep pulling back the one monitor that we kept pushing on. The band is just as great live as it is on CD and if you're into their music at all, I highly recommend you see them live. This show cost all of $5, so don't even try telling me you can't afford it. It was an incredible show and I feel truly proud to have been a part of it.