Seeing Them Live

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, hosts Charles and Doug welcome Jim, known as the Podcast Sherpa and host of Too Many Podcasts, a podcast dedicated to exploring other podcasts. Jim shares his unique experiences attending various concerts, beginning with his first concert in 1980, where he saw The Police at Madison Square Garden during their Zenyatta Mondatta tour. He reminisces about the electrifying atmosphere and how the concert left a lasting impression on him as a high school student.

The discussion also touches on other memorable shows, including Tina Turner's powerful performance as the opening act for Lionel Richie in 1984, where her high-energy stage presence captivated the audience. Jim also recalls seeing Elton John at Madison Square Garden during the Leather Jackets tour in 1986 and dispels a rumor about the singer allegedly assaulting a fan. He goes on to describe the experience of attending Billy Joel’s record-setting 12 Gardens residency at Madison Square Garden, which also happened to be his wife’s first concert, highlighting the shared joy of live music.

The conversation takes a humorous turn as Jim recounts some lighter concert memories, including a prank involving "pre-concert mooing" at a Joan Jett concert in 1983 and a surprising encounter at a Samantha Fox show in 1989. Charles and Doug also share their own concert anecdotes, with Doug emphasizing the consistent quality of Billy Joel’s performances and Charles recalling a chaotic food fight during a Joan Jett set at a Police concert. The episode is filled with entertaining stories and insights, reflecting the hosts' and guest’s deep appreciation for live music and the unforgettable moments that concerts create.

BANDS: Bare Naked Ladies, Billy Joel, Clint Black, Coolio, Elton John, Joan Jett, Lionel Richie, Prince, Samantha Fox, Sheila E, The Police, Tina Turner, Wynonna Judd.

VENUES:  Jones Beach, Madison Square Garden, Manchester Apollo, Orpheum Capitol Theater, The Marquee Club.

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In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles welcomes award-winning writer, director, and producer Eric Green. They dive into Eric's concert experiences, starting with his first concert at age 12 when he saw Debbie Gibson thanks to his mom. Eric reflects on other notable concerts, including several Lollapalooza festivals in the 90s, and iconic shows by Green Day, Aerosmith, and Ringo Starr. The discussion also covers his most surprising and disappointing concert moments. Eric talks about his background in filmmaking, highlighting his documentary 'Life on the V,' which explores the story of the short-lived Boston music video TV station V66. He delves into the significance of V66 in promoting local music and its addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's library and archives. The episode concludes with Eric sharing insights about his pop culture blog, Greens Party, where he reviews concerts and features interviews with musicians.

BANDS: ACDC, Aerosmith, Beck, Ben Folds Five, Black Crows, Body Count, Brian Johnson, Butthole Surfers, Claypool Lennon Delirium, Cypress Hill, Debbie Gibson, Del Fuegos, Dinosaur Jr., Eagles, Eddie Van Halen, Elastica, Extreme, Foo Fighters, Garbage, George Harrison, Ghost of the Sabretooth Tiger, Green Day, Hole, Horde, Ice T, Jake Giles band, Jane's Addiction, John Bonham, John Lennon, Kiss, Letters to Cleo, Lilith Fair, Living Color, Lollapalooza, Metallica, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Moby, Nine Inch Nails, Paul McCartney, Pavement, Pearl Jam, Primus, Ramones, Rancid, Ringo Starr, Rolling Stones, Rollins Band, Ruby, Screaming Trees, Sonic Youth, Sound Garden, The Beatles, The Cars, The Clash, Vans Warped, Yoko Ono

VENUES: Avalon, Boston Calling, Box Center, Citi Field, Fenway Park, Hat Shell, House of Blues, Madison Square Garden, Mansfield, Massachusetts, Orpheum Theater, Paradise, Wilbur Theater, Worcester Centrum

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In this episode of Seeing Them Live, host Charles welcomes Amy Hill, a nurse and avid music fan, to discuss her rich history of attending live concerts. Amy shares the story of how she first met Charles at a bar before a Jonathan Van Ness show and discusses her lifelong passion for music. She reminisces about her first concert experience seeing Poison, a love for music that she surmises began even before her birth, and her diverse musical tastes ranging from Goth industrial to Luke Bryan.

Amy talks in depth about her unique experiences on Gothic music cruises, her encounters with bands like Combichrist and Empathy Test, and the close-knit community that forms on these trips. She also describes taking her mom to concerts, including a memorable 30 Seconds to Mars show in Lake Tahoe. Throughout, Amy emphasizes the unifying power of music, sharing personal stories that underline the joy and connections sparked by live performances.

BANDS: 30 Seconds to Mars, Aesthetic Perfection, Amy Hill, Anthrax, Bauhaus, Beyonce, Combichrist, Empathy Test, Freddie Mercury, God Module, Gothsicles, Jane's Addiction, Jonathan Van Ness, Luke Bryan, Ministry, Motley Crue, Nine Inch Nails, Pantera, Pearl Jam, Poison, Project Pitchfork, Queen, Sisters of Mercy, Skid Row, Skinny Puppy, Social Distortion, Steven Perkins, System Synning, Taylor Swift.

VENUES:  Alpine Valley, Bottom Lounge, Carnival (cruise line), Four Seasons Hotel, Lollapalooza, Mira Luna, MSC (cruise line), Norwegian (cruise line), Royal Caribbean (cruise line), Soldier Field, Vic Theater.

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In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles and Doug welcome Stephen Pitalo, a music video historian and creator of the Music Video Time Machine. The discussion explores the golden age of music videos from the 80s and 90s, touching on Stephen's website, magazine, and blog that highlight iconic music videos and upcoming events. They reminisce about Stephen's first concert experience with Ratt and Bon Jovi in 1985, his fascinating encounters with musicians, and the influential music video directors he has interviewed for his upcoming book. The conversation also delves into memorable concerts attended by Stephen, from an unforgettable Joey Ramone show to a spectacular Prince performance, while also addressing the surprising disappointment of Billy Bob Thornton's Boxmasters. The episode offers a compelling look into the historical and cultural significance of music videos and live music experiences.

BANDS: Alice In Chains, Bad Manners, Big Country, Billy Bob Thornton, Blondie, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Crazy Town, Criss Cross, Dixie Chicks, Duran Duran, EMF, Fontaines D.C., Foo Fighters, Garbage, Guns and Roses, Guns N Roses, Henry Rollins, INXS, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Joey Ramone, L7, Lap Daddy, Madness, Marshmello, Morris Day and the Time, Motley Crue, Primus, Queen, Ratt, REM, Rick Springfield, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Spector, Soraia, Spin Doctors, Taylor Swift, Tears for Fears, The Boxmasters, The Dictators, The Independence, The Knuckle Sandwiches, The Meters, The Pristines, The Ramones, The Runaways, Twisted Sister, U2, Whitesnake, Whitney Houston, ZZ Top.

VENUES: Bowery Ballroom, Brownies, Continental Club, CBGB, Coast Coliseum, Coney Island High, Continental Club, Continental Club, Gulf Coast Coliseum, Hank's, Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum, Pussycat Lounge, Starplex Amphitheater, Starplex Amphitheater, Tramps, Westbeth Theater, Westbeth Theater.

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In this episode, Charles welcomes Paul Peterson, a retired technology manager and lifetime audiophile who created, hosts, and produces the podcast "An Avid Listener" available on Spotify. Paul shares his experiences attending concerts since 1969, starting with his first concert seeing The Doors at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. He reminisces about the vibrant music scene of the late '60s and early '70s, recounting memorable performances by legendary bands like The Beatles, The Doors, and Paul McCartney and Wings. Paul vividly describes the concert atmospheres, such as the excellent acoustics of the Auditorium Theater, and the more challenging sound environments of larger venues.

Charles and Paul discuss various concert experiences, including Paul’s attempt to attend Woodstock and the Kickapoo Creek Rock Concert, which ended in unexpected adventures and challenges. Paul humorously recalls falling asleep at a Deep Purple concert and shares an anecdote about receiving a cigarette pack from Paul McCartney at a Wings concert. They also delve into Paul’s memorable experience at Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon tour, highlighting the unique and powerful visual and auditory effects of the show.

Charles and Paul exchange stories of their favorite concerts, mentioning notable performances by artists such as Pink Floyd, REM, Jane’s Addiction, and The Lumineers. They reflect on the evolution of live concert experiences, noting improvements in acoustics and stage production over the years. Paul talks about his podcast, "An Avid Listener," where he connects musical dots by exploring the interconnected histories of albums and artists, providing listeners with fascinating insights and lesser-known backstories. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the value of sharing music and concert experiences, emphasizing the enduring joy and connection music brings to fans and audiophiles alike.

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In this episode of Seeing Them Live, host Charles Zona introduces a new segment called Ticket Stub Stories, inspired by his memoir, Ticket Stub Stories: A Memoir of Live Music. Charles recounts a vivid memory from a U2 concert he attended in 1985 at the UIC Pavilion, where Bono lost his voice mid-performance. He delves into the background of the concert, detailing the unique perks for UIC students and sharing his personal experiences leading up to the show. Charles also highlights the editorial process that unearthed a bootleg recording of the concert, offering a fresh perspective on his memories. By featuring these segments, he hopes to encourage listeners to share their own concert stories. For those interested in becoming a guest on the show, Charles provides an open invitation and details for participation. The episode invites listeners to reminisce about live music and the powerful memories that concerts create.

Link to audio recording mentioned in this episode (U2 - Live In Chicago - March 22nd, 1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJAcaN2SMBI

VENUES MENTIONED: UIC Pavilion (Chicago)

BANDS MENTIONED: U2

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In this engaging episode of Seeing Them Live, hosts Charles and Doug welcome ZouZou Mansour. Along with drummer Brianna Sig and bassist Travis Smith (both musical and visual artists in their own right), ZouZou is the dynamic lead singer and lyricist of Philadelphia's rock band Soraia. Among other artists, ZouZou has co-written songs with Steven Van Zandt and Jon Bon Jovi.

Join Charles and Doug as we explore these and other topics with ZouZou:

- What was ZouZou’s first concert?

- What artist influenced ZouZou to change the course of her career?

- What happened when she and her band met Alice Cooper backstage at a Bruce Springsteen concert?

- What is it like to work with Steven Van Zandt?

- What is Soraia’s methodology for naming their albums?

- What influenced the naming of their “Bloom” album?

- Why is ZouZou attracted to the horror genre?

- Why does Soraia like to record cover songs?

- What is the Soraia “Vault”?

- Why does ZouZou love hot dogs?

The discussion charts ZouZou’s musical journey, beginning with her early concert experiences seeing Hall and Oates to a transformative Iggy Pop performance that reshaped her artistic approach. We delve into Soraia's unique blend of 90s influences and 60s garage rock, their evolution over three impactful albums produced under Little Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records, and the band’s dedicated fan base. ZouZou shares insights into her songwriting process, the raw, uninhibited spirit of rock and roll, and her penchant for horror-themed music videos. Fans can also look forward to Soraia's re-release of 'Shed the Skin' on vinyl and upcoming shows. The light-hearted conversation wraps up with a fun note on ZouZou's love of hot dogs, and where fans can find Soraia's music and merchandise online.

BANDS MENTIONED: Alice Cooper, Bee Gees, Billy Falcon, Brianna Sig, Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Concrete Blonde, Daryl Hall, E Street Band, Elvis Presley, Hall and Oates, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Jon Bon Jovi, Nirvana, P. J. Harvey, The Pretenders, Prince, Soraia, Steven Van Zandt, Stooges, The Kills, Travis Smith, Tropical Fuckstorm, ZouZou Mansoor.

VENUES MENTIONED: CBGB (New York), Le Poisson Rouge (New York), Liar's Club (Chicago), Spectrum (Philadelphia)

PATREON:
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Please help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.

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Visit the Seeing Them Live website and click on the link to fill out a form so we can consider you as a guest on the show.

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In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles and Doug welcome members of the eclectic New York City band Mad Meg: Ilya Popenko, Dan Vexler, Jason Laney, and Igor Reznik. The conversation starts with an introduction to Mad Meg’s unique sound, characterized by a blend of various music genres and fronted by Ilya's distinct vocals. The band members recount their formation story within the Russian-speaking community of New York City, with Jason humorously describing his determined efforts to join the band despite not speaking Russian. 

The discussion then shifts to the band’s concert experiences, highlighting an unusual and memorable performance at a women's correctional facility in Lithuania. Charles praises the energy of the live recording from this concert, drawing a comparison to Johnny Cash's iconic Folsom Prison performance. The band members reflect on the spontaneous nature of the prison show, which was organized in just a few days due to a canceled gig, and the exceptional audio quality captured by their sound engineer, Augustine.

The episode also delves into the band's live performance history in New York City, specifically their residency at New Blue 151, where they have built a strong local following. They talk about their 2022 album, Who Deserves Balloons and Medals, which was notable for having videos accompanying many of the songs. Ilya shares insights into the creative process behind these videos, emphasizing the importance of maintaining artistic control and integrating visual elements to expand the dimensions of their music.

The band’s creative versatility extends beyond their music to filmmaking. Ilya, a skilled filmmaker, directed several of Mad Meg’s music videos and completed a feature-length documentary about Jeffrey Lewis and the antifolk scene in New York. This film, which premiered at SlamDance Film Festival and was nominated for Best Documentary, showcases Ilya's multifaceted talents and the band's commitment to creative storytelling across different mediums.

Throughout the episode, the members of Mad Meg share anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, offering listeners a deep dive into their artistic journey and the dynamic synergy that fuels their innovative work. This conversation not only highlights the band's musical achievements but also their ability to merge music with compelling visual narratives, making for an engaging and multifaceted artistic experience.

BANDS MENTIONED: Adrian Baloo, Blonde Redhead, Frank Zappa, Genesis, Iron Maiden, Johnny Cash, King Crimson, Kino, Lounge Lizards, Mad Meg, Nine Inch Nails, Rolling Stones, Social Distortion, The Bears

VENUES MENTIONED: 930 Club (Washington, D.C.), Gramercy Theatre (New York City), Happy Ending (Lower East Side, New York City), New Blue 151 (New York City), Penevėžys Women's Correctional Facility (Lithuania)

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In this episode of Seeing Them Live, eight-year-old Emma and her father Barry delve into their concert escapades, sharing their experiences as a father-daughter photography duo. Barry's profession as a professional concert photographer provided Emma with opportunities to experience various concerts from a different angle. Barry started his career as a freelance photographer in 1997 for JAM TV, which quickly became a partnership for the Rolling Stone Network. This was where he eventually became the first photo editor for Rollingstone.com, working there through 2001. His freelance photography work also includes wire services for Getty Images and the Associated Press. He also contributes to live music publications as well as other areas of interest, including portraits, food, restaurants, and special events.

Emma’s adventure begins with a memorable experience at City Winery in Chicago on Father's Day, 2021. Emma brought her Polaroid camera along, capturing special moments and collecting souvenirs. At the concert, Emma received an autographed photo from the singer Tiffany, marking the start of her souvenir collection. Later, Barry surprised Emma with tickets to see Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs at Park West, where they enjoyed a front-row experience and received guitar picks as additional mementos.

The excitement continued as Emma attended an Olivia Rodrigo concert at the Aragon Ballroom, discovering the artist through a video game. Barry's surprise tickets to the concert delighted Emma, who received memorable souvenirs, including a guitar pick and flowers left on stage. Emma also attended her first Duran Duran concert at the United Center in Chicago, although she couldn't enter the pit due to technical constraints. Despite this, Emma enjoyed the show with Barry and their writer, adding a unique perspective to Barry's concert photography work.

Emma's presence during concerts added depth to Barry's work, capturing moments that might have been missed otherwise. Their adventures culminated in Emma's attendance at Lollapalooza, where she met band members backstage. Emma and Barry discuss other live music experiences, including Guns N' Roses at Wrigley Field and Al Jardine's performance at the Schaumburg September Fest. Emma shares her excitement about receiving a guitar pick from Duff McKagan at the Guns N' Roses concert after catching his attention with the rock and roll sign.

Transitioning to Al Jardine's performance, Barry highlights their special connection with the artist and their collaboration on photography. Emma, using a Canon digital single lens reflex camera, captured memorable shots of Al Jardine and his band, learning the importance of composition and technique. Barry emphasizes the significance of focusing on key band members and anticipating moments to capture compelling shots.

Their conversation also touches on Emma's evolving photography skills, from using a point-and-shoot Polaroid to a professional-grade camera, guided by her father's expertise. They discuss Emma's approach to concert photography, including her focus on the band and strategies for capturing dynamic moments. Additionally, they share insights into concert souvenirs, including t-shirts and vinyl records, and reflect on the unique experiences of attending concerts and red-carpet events together.

Overall, the episode showcases Emma and Barry's passion for live music and photography, their shared experiences, and the joy of creating lasting memories together.

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Visit the Seeing Them Live website and click on the link to fill out a form so we can consider you as a guest on the show.

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Charles welcomes Rick Onstop who hosts the Rock Talk Studio podcast. Rick is a seasoned veteran of the music industry with a rich history in music distribution, blogging, and podcasting. Rick shares his journey from working in a record store in Hollywood, experiencing in-store appearances by big names like Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Patrick Swayze and Itzhak Perlman, to attending iconic concerts, including an unforgettable KISS concert at the young age of 14. Rick’s deep-rooted connections within the music scene unfold as he describes his personal encounters with music legends and one near encounter with Bob Dylan.

Among the live music experiences Rick delves into, he recounts the electric atmosphere of U2 concerts that deeply moved him, leaving a lasting impression. Rick's narrative brings to life the profound impact these live performances had on him. Additionally, Rick reflects on his near encounter with Bob Dylan, sharing a candid story that nearly brought him face-to-face with the music legend in an intimate backstage moment, further illustrating the unpredictability and excitement inherent to the music industry.

The conversation shifts to Rick's podcast, "Rock Talk Studio," where he shares his passion for rock music through book and documentary reviews. Rick explains his unique rating system to help listeners gauge the depth of content suitable for casual fans versus enthusiasts, underscoring his commitment to providing insightful and honest reviews. Through discussions on various topics, from music books to documentaries, Rick and Charles illustrate the vast landscapes of rock music culture and its enduring legacy, highlighting the storytelling aspect of Rick's work that captivates and educates his audience.

BANDS:

Alice Cooper, The Band, Billy Idol, Blind Melon, Bruce Springsteen, Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Geddy Lee, Guns N Roses, Harry Styles, J Giles Band, James Brown, Kiss, Lindsey Buckingham, Little Richard, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Suicidal Tendencies, The Allman Brothers, The Immediate Family, The Violent Femmes, Tina Turner, Tommy Lee, U2, Yes, ZZ Top.

VENUES:

Aragon Ballroom, Athenium Center, Belly Up, Bushnell Theater, Chicago Theater, Greek Theater, LA Sports Arena, Solider Field, Springfield Civic Center, UIC Pavilion.

PATREON:
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Please help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.

WEBSITE - BECOME A GUEST:
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Visit the Seeing Them Live website and click on the link to fill out a form so we can consider you as a guest on the show.

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