[taitgr590]

If it wasn't for The Hip, I probably would never have come across The Weakerthans. I was lucky enough to meet John K. Samson at their recent show at The Underground in Hamilton. They are a great band, and from the three or four new songs I've heard, they're new album is shaping up really nicely.

[direwolf74]

The Weakerthans are one of the best bands this country has ever produced, and they're freakin' amazing live. They also happen to be my second favorite band in the world next to the Hip, and the fact that they're currently opening for them is a dream come true for me (too bad all the good shows happen in Ontario. Lucky bastards!)
I'm absolutely disgusted that people would boo them. As mentioned earlier, the Hip hand pick their opening acts, either because they're friends with them or because they simply love thier music. When you insult the opening band, it's like you're insulting the Hip. God, People are idiots.

"This song is dedicated to assholes who throw shit at musicians!"

-Gord Downie, Barrie, ON '94

[Chris Tanz]

It's all well and good to be indignant (and bravo, cuz, yeah, booing the opening acts is ridiculously bad form), but you know we can't use the "It's not the band I hate, it's their fans" line anymore, after Gord's acceptance speech at the Junos. Right?

Makes you sound like a fascist.

However, after catching the end of the Weakerthans set on Friday night, I am now going to go out and purchase an album -- suggestions as to which one to start with?

Thanks,
ct

[das_hips]

I think the Weakerthans only have three albums, but definitely get 'Left and Leaving'... that's a comment for everybody in general. Just go out and buy 'Left and Leaving'. I wasn't at the shows in Toronto (400KM never felt so far away), but this band, and in particular, this album, is something special.

[Problem Bear]

I remember reading about a concert where Gord told the crowd, "The Hip chant sucks!" because the crowd was rude to an opening band. Then somebody who was at the concert wrote asking what the band had against the online Hip chat.

Oh, well. Every crowd has its Idiot quotient.

Cheers,
John

[The Horrible Esthete]

Every crowd has its Idiot quotient.

This is true. Very true.

Unfortunately, the I.Q. (Idiot Quotient) for a typical Hip audience is embarrassingly high.

:roll:

[chris]

Every crowd has its Idiot quotient.

This is true. Very true.

Unfortunately, the I.Q. (Idiot Quotient) for a typical Hip audience is embarrassingly high.

:roll:

Sometimes... I think that the Idiot Quotient has a direct correlation to another IQ (Intoxicated Quotient) which seemed to be much lower (which is better, in this case) at the Saturday show. The beer garden was 21+ and required 2 pieces of ID. Friday it was the usual 19+ and ID only if you looked young.

[NMAS]

Anyone remember Molson Park in 1994? People were throwing empty water bottles at the stage at Daniel Lanois. Daniel Lanois....one of Canada's most talented artists ever. How disrepectful. He actually stopped in the middle of a song and said that if the crowd didn't chill out, he'd walk off the stage. Unfortunately he too, was the act right before the Hip. How stupid are these people....if you disrespect the acts the Hip choose for openers, in a sense you're also disrespecting the Hip guys.

I hope its not like that tonight.

That was one of the most embarrasing things I have ever witnessed. I grabbed that guy in front of me just as he was about to throw a bottle, I probably very nearly broke his arm, I didn't let go until I had given him a little history on Mr. Langois, needless to say he didn't through a bottle the rest of the night.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Sometimes... I think that the Idiot Quotient has a direct correlation to another IQ (Intoxicated Quotient)

Also true. Good point.

Then I suppose I would argue that the "Intoxicated Quotient" of a crowd at a typical Hip show is higher than that of many of the other bands I've seen live. And I've seen lots of bands.

A run-of-the-mill Hip audience is without question a "B.D.A." (Beer-Drinkin' Audience). And they don't just sip on their Molsons & LaBatt's, they pound them.

Without question, a "P.S.A" (Pot-Smokin' Audience) is a much more respectful, polite, and overall well-behaved lot (which often makes me wonder why alcohol is legal and weed is not, but that's another discussion).

Many, many audineces are B.D. / P.S. hybrids, but from my extensive observations, I would submit that as the P.S. contingent increases, the behavior of, and the quality of interaction with an audience improves.

JMI (Just My Impression)

[troublewithnames]

I haven't been to very many of The Hip's concerts, but I've always been soo impressed with their opening bands. It's awful to hear how totally obnoxious people can be.


I thought The Sadies and The Weakerthans were great! I'm really embarassed for people that would behave so rudely.

[SirMatticus]

I always give the opening band a chance even if I've never heard of them... particularly at Hip shows since they've been known to pick some great ones.

I got into bands like the Headstones, Rheostatics, Sam Roberts and others after seeing them as openers.

[direwolf74]

Without question, a "P.S.A" (Pot-Smokin' Audience) is a much more respectful, polite, and overall well-behaved lot (which often makes me wonder why alcohol is legal and weed is not, but that's another discussion).

I couldn't agree more. The crowd at Sasquatch was a big pot smokin' crowd, and people were very laid-back and respectful during the Hip's set. The fact that you didn't have to worry about drunken dipshits slamming into you, or getting kicked in the head by a crowd surfer made the show that much more enjoyable.