The Way We Were
by Stiffy Biceptz

The 2004 Lollapalooza tour was recently canceled. Apparently, the ticket sales across the nation were pretty anemic, and everyone involved was in danger of losing a lot of money. So it was a good business decision. And it doesn't surprise me.
 
The lineup for the '04 version was to feature a reunited Jane's Addiction as well as the Pixies, playing together for the first time in over 10 years. There were some other cool, older bands on the menu, none of which I can remember right now. It sounded like the kind of show I would have liked to have seen, as long as it was 12 years ago.
 
The fact is Lollapalooza was a great idea whose time came and went awhile ago. The idea that a "mature" alternative music crowd would shell out money to see their favorite bands in a field somewhere in the hot sun for a hundred hours was a bad miscalculation. I'll definitely see the Pixies when they come around here and play in a small club, but forget about the festival thing. Hello, we have kids! We also have jobs, and yards to maintain, and lots of other things we need to do.
 
In terms of the younger crowd, why would some 19 year old skate punk want to see an oldies show? Get me to the Warped Tour!
 
The original Alternative scene, the one we spell with a Capital A, is long gone. There is a generation that will always love those bands and the times, but time moves on, and unless you want to look as silly as a hippie did in 1988, you'd better move forward too. Enjoy your favorites when they come to town and play in little clubs, like the way the Psychedelic Furs did back in April when they played at the Hard Rock Café. It was absolutely amazing, and there wasn't anyone under the age of 35. I felt young again.
 
As for Jane's Addiction, its time to retire. Let it go. Or at least play in AC so I can get a comfortable room for the night. And please wrap up that show by 10, some of us need to get to get a good night sleep.
 

©2004 Stiffy Biceptz