davidvanwert.com

One week ago, the American electorate sent the Republican Party a message.

Apparently, the Republicans think this message was “More Trent Lott, please!” as they’ve just named him Senate Minority Whip. Though Lott’s history proves him the senator most likely to whip minorities, that actually does not make him a good choice and should, in theory, work against him for this leadership position. He was forced out of the Majority Whip position four years ago for the pretty darned valid reason of being an unrepentant racist. And they say elephants never forget…

The Triumphant Return of Trent Lott: Back in the ‘hood, Wearin’ a Hood!

Tonight (well, last night at this point) I ran the light board for Built to Spill’s concert in a tent out back of the Pyramid Alehouse in SODO (south downtown) Seattle.

This was the coolest rock-show light-board gig to fall into my lap since running the board for Tool at the (gone, sadly) Avalon in Chicago back in ‘92. I also ran the Avalon board for a little group called Pearl Jam that same year. Everybody at the Avalon was really excited about this Pearl Jam combo. I thought, “Yeah, they were okay…” But I didn’t get really excited about anyone we hosted there until Tool. Though Tool has a pretty solid following, and I prefer them to this day, this little story is a lovely example of how David can’t see a sure winner when it plays “Jeremy” right in front of him.

Oh well. Built To Spill was a great show, Tool was a great show, and Pearl Jam have done okay for themselves… so everyone wins.