It was great. I was so happy to be there. I have wanted to see the Milkmen since I started listening to them in the 7th grade, and now I have. They put on an awesome show. They sounded really good, they played a long and comprehensive set, and the crowd was all loving it.

If asked what I didn't like about it, I could only come up with petty bullshit. Like at the end of Stuart, the "I swear to God!" was not emphasized enough. Or that Big Time Operator wasn't one of my favorite DM songs, but they ended with it. I think Life is Shit would have been better. They didn't play Peter Bazooka. See, crap like that. That's all I can come up with.

This was a memorial show, so there were a number of touching molments. The vibe throughout the night was always positive and happy, never depressing. Between bands someone (whom I did not catch the name of) shared stories and tidbits about Dave. During the Milkmen's set in the extended intro to Bitchin' Camero, Rodney talked at length about Dave. He reminded everyone in the audience that they were legally obligated not to kill themselves, and if they were feeling depressed to call someone. Dave's brother sang his part in Dean's Dream (and also declared his love for Huster Du at another point). A number of charities Dave supported were there collecting donations.

Nixon's Head and Electric Love Muffin were the opening bands. I only saw a song or two of each between runs to the bar. This was the first time I had been out to the Trochadero (shocking!), so I spent a little bit of time familiarizing myself with the venue. I also spent some time familiarizing myself with a shot of rum, a Guinness, a Yuengling, and a double of tequila.

The Milkmen opened up with Tiny Town.. The first song off Big Lizard in my Backyard, and also the first song on the CD of Milkmen tracks I made for the drive out. They played a solid set the entire way through and did a seven or eight song encore. There were only one or two songs where the crowd appeared to calm at all. Rodney was all over the stage the entire night, between songs he was venting vitriol at Rick Santorum (Senate, PA-R). I found it highly amusing that Rodney was wearing a Frontline Assembly t-shirt when they first came out. Based on certain DM lyrics, I'm pretty damn sure they hate that group, the entire genera they represent, and the shirt was pure sarcasm. FLA is one of the industrial groups I've liked over the years, so I found it very funny.

I was there with a group of five other friends. Our NYC and Boston reps cancel out due to work related reasons, but this allowed two friends who were not able to get tickets in time (also due to work related reasons) to come. I cannot easily explain what an unlikely group it was.. At least one massive feud that has been going on for years ended for this show.

After the show Dean, Joe, and Rodney were hanging by the front of the stage signing things for people. I got a chance to briefly address them all and say thanks. I didn't have anything to get signed. I never get things signed, I get brain cells burned in.

I hope someone was recording this show. The Milkmen sounded better then any bootleg or live album of theirs I've heard before.