All, NO ALL! My experience with the Descendents.

In 1991 or 92, I went with a friend of mine to the Scrapyard in Buffalo to see the band ALL. I really didn't care for ALL that much, as a girl I really liked had the "She's my ex" cassingle in her car and it would play on repeat over and over and over. I probably hated the band because she payed more attention to that tape and that song than she did to me, but this blog is more about my experience with music than it is with girls. ANYWAY, he promised. "they'll play Descendents songs." So without hesitation, I went.

I thought ALL's set was boring, But the 8 or so Descendents songs they played were the highlight of the show. The energy of those songs spoke volumes and the mish-mash of skaters, hardcore kids and punkers singing along and getting into those songs specifically showed that those were the songs they truly came to see.

I don't remember when I first got into the Descendents. I know I liked a song here or there from hearing on WBNY and eventually bought "Somery" their "best of" collection. But when did I actually decide I liked them? Searching my mind and the soup that resides within it, I have decided that at some point in the mid 90's, when after girl after girl shot me down, I LOVED THE DESCENDENTS. Sour Grapes, Clean Sheets, Silly Girl, Hope... Not to mention scores of other great songs that had little to do with girls! The Descendents are one of the few pop punk bands where I believe what they're selling me and not trying to make a quick buck before stating college and a career. It always has the honest sound of guys just being themselves.



Eventually, The Descendents got back together after a long hiatus and returned with the album "Everything Sucks." Which, at the time, I hated (I have since changed my mind on that) and when they came around to Buffalo on the tour supporting the album, I never bought a ticket to go. I was working at Radio Shack at the time and decided after work, on the night that the show was in town, to go. On my arrival in full button up shirt, tie and sweater vest, I found out the show had been sold out for WEEKS. Out front was a collection of kids who were hoping to get in and we struck up conversation. They were all bummed that they couldn't gain entry even though they had more than enough money for tickets(had they still been available) but all attempts to convince the door guy to let them in had failed.

Now, every now and then, luck and absurdity come into our lives and we must seize what they give us. That night was one such night when the owner of the club, Pete, walked out front and asked if any of the 20-30 kids out front were "over 21." I was 22 at the time and chimed up. The conversation went like this:
"How much money do you have?"
"Five Bux."
"Do you plan on drinking?"
"Well, I don't drink, but I may buy a few for the ladies."
"Ok, give me the five bux."

Just like that I was in. He either wasn't paying attention to the fact that I had just given him my last five dollars, or thought I was lying to him to have more money to spend on the aforementioned "ladies." Either way, that's how I got in and saw the Descendents. Their set was awesome and the place was definitely oversold by A LOT. But, my friends, luck is a double edged sword; as that night, for their encore, they brought up Scott Reynold's to the stage and performed "She's My Ex" as their encore. Damn the luck.