By Jimmy Stevenson
I decided to drive 3 hours from Pittsburgh to Columbus to see my ladies rock the house. And that they did. I had a few encounters with them, and even met Corin twice. I was at a loss at where to park at the venue ? so I went around back and low and behold there the tour van was, and Corin, Carrie and Janet were unloading. I realized I was in the wrong parking lot ? the one reserved for the band and employees, so I found another place to park. I was tempted to yell something out the window, but I wasn?t feeling that obnoxious yet. I was there about 2 hours early so I checked out all the sights of downtown Columbus. Really cool vintage shops and an amazing indie record store across the street ? where I picked up Cadallaca?s ?Out West.? I stopped for a beer across the street, and then for a cup of coffee to re energize myself after that hellacious drive. It was FREEZING outside, but the doors opened at 8, and Little Brother?s loaded the sold out crowd into the club. The club is really cool ? quaint and clean. I grabbed another beer and bought a few stickers at the merch table. After awhile, Corin came over to the merch table. My heart sunk. I?ve had a little crush on her for a while. I went over, bought two stickers from her, had her sign my copy of One Beat, and told her she was agoddess. She scrunched her nose up, laughed and said thanks. I felt like a huge dork, but it was exciting.
The Black Keys opened.They were REALLY good. I bought their album after they?re set, and have been enjoying it since. It wasn?t one of those opening bands where you?re looking at your watch tirelessly; hoping to God they?d depart the stage, or hoping the roof would crash in on them. They were an excellent guitar/drum band.
Finally at around 9:30 or so, Sleater ? Kinney took to the stage. Corin looked SO cute. She had on this black ruffled skirt, fishnets and heels of some sort. Janet and Carrie were as equally hot. I?m trying to paint a vivid image for ya?ll, seeing how my pictures came out rather shitty.
I don?t remember the setlist EXACTLY, but they played a set that looked something like this:
Start Together
Faraway
Oh!
Get Up!
The Remainder
Light Rail Coyote
Turn It On
One Beat
The End of You
O2
:new song:
Combat Rock
YNRARF
Sympathy
Words & Guitar
Hollywood Ending
Step Aside
————-
Joey Ramone
Little Babies
: JAM:
Dig Me Out
The whole show was amazing. I know people were talking about Corin supposedly being sick or whatnot, but it didn?t really show at the Columbus show. She was spot on, and the entire band was very tight. A LOT of jamming, dancing, and the band looked like they were having a ton of fun. The new song is really animated ? so many different components and changes in the song. I can?t wait until it?s recorded. Carrie sounded great. Janet rocked on drums as usual. Her stamina and gift for rhythm blows me away every time. The crowd went NUTS when they played Turn It On, and Corin tried to get the crowd to sing the slow parts on Words & Guitar, but everyone was a little shy. A few seemed to sing out (myself included),which seemed to make everyone happy. My favorite number of the night was probably Sympathy. Corin throws so much soul and emotion behind it. Carrie urged them to put the disco ball on (and they did) for Step Aside. The crowd, and the band dancing to no end. The encore rocked as well ? with a really long, intricate drum solo by Janet straight into Dig Me Out. What a show.
I got one more beer after the show, and as I was walking around, Corin came around the corner. They were giving out free posters ? she signed mine, and I was finally more loosened up, and less nervous about talking to her. I wanted to tell her from the get go how much her and the bands music means to me, and what an impact it?s made on my life. I commented on One Beat, telling her what an eclectic masterpiece it is, and how Sympathy is my favorite song. I wished her luck on the Pearl Jam tour, and told her how I try and sing like her in the car and my friends tell me to shut up. She laughed, and was so warm and receptive. We talked for a good five or so minutes, but I was still sort of nervous so it seemed like forever. The fact that I actually excused myself to leave made me laugh ? she was actually interested to talk to me. She wasn?t in some all fired hurry. I asked for a hug, and got another as I left! Corin, if you ever read this?you made my night. Thank you.
The only thing I regret is taking all my pictures during the set. I didn?t have any film left over for a picture with her. Bummer. Maybe next time. My pictures came out foggy ? damn Fuji film.