New Music For Old Rockers – Concert Edition

I was recently listening to my wife’s old college radio station and fell in love with this song. It’s a pleasant pop song that reminds me a bit of They Might Be Giants doing a softer version of a Fountains of Wayne song. Although I prefer more power pop à la Nick Lowe, this new song is titled “The Power,” so there’s that. Enjoy new Diners music!

I love the simplicity of the song construction and the positivity of lyrics like:

“It ain’t too late to understand, too late to try
Too late to recognize the power that’s inside”

Maybe those lyrics are referring to singer/songwriter Blue Broderick of Diners finding the power inside to transition from Tyler Broderick singing about being “Fifteen On A Skateboard” to Blue Broderick today. Regardless, it’s wonderful new music that caught this old rocker’s ear.

That wraps up a nice short post about new music with plenty of links to old music. But you may be wondering how this post is a “Concert Edition.” Well, if you want to go meandering down a concert rabbit hole with me, buckle up and read on.

I was thrilled to hear that Diners was coming to Chicago for a concert at the intimate and quirky Beat Kitchen for only $14! I figured I could talk my oldest son into joining me for a show headlined by Diners. But that’s the problem. Diners headlines a 3 band show … on a weeknight … starting at 8PM. My son is a research chemist with a long early morning commute, so I can count him out. As for me, the other 2 opening acts don’t thrill me enough to slog through them before Diners comes on probably about 10PM.

I get way too much Emo in my life having a teenage daughter in the house, so Rust Ring is out. It’s not enough for me to see Mairy that I find they bear a faint resemblance to a young Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords.

But that’s a great excuse to take a short break for a refreshing Flight of the Conchords song.

Not exactly Dream Pop as Diners is described on the Beat Kitchen showbill, but perhaps Goofy Pop.

Normally, I would be distressed about missing a band coming through Chicago that I want to see, but not so much with Diners. Why? Because I have a lot of concert opportunities happening.

Tonight, I plan to drive down the mighty Fox River to Aurora, home of Wayne and Garth of Wayne’s World, to see an 80’s show.

But I’m going to see just one of the acts. Can you guess which one? The answer is in this link. And I’m not paying $39. I found a place across the river where I can sit right on the riverbank and watch (with binoculars) and listen for free. Here’s some video from the recent Poi Dog Pondering concert I sort of attended.

After I see The Hooters (with 3 original members) tonight, REO Speedwagon is at the same venue Saturday night. Or, do I want to go see Blue Oyster Cult for free at Schaumburgfest? I’m leaning BOC, probably because I’ve seen REO before, and likely because I expect to see this play out when BOC performs “Don’t Fear The Reaper.”

Wouldn’t that be great to see BOC (with 2 original members from the 60s!) recreate that SNL skit on Saturday night?

And then on Sunday night, the BoDeans play Schaumburgfest. Hey, they could have played at the 80’s show with The Hooters, and I could have seen two 80’s favorites on one night. Come on people, let’s plan ahead for my benefit in the future, okay? It’s not a work night as Monday is a holiday here in the US, but I doubt I will go concerting both nights as I am just too damn old.

And that’s why I won’t be going to see Diners when they play Chicago. But enjoy “The Power,” and may you find your own power within to become the person you want to be.