Technology & MSG

Fools & Horses has been selected to play at the MCI Center on February 4th, opening for Bon Jovi. Whether or not you like Bon Jovi, this is an amazing opportunity for a handful of Towson-bred guys.

It’s always been a cool thing to know someone in a band, especially if the band is any good. It’s even better to see their popularity grow after years of hard work, grueling time in the van, and extremely late nights.

Like a fan-turned-groupie, I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen Fools & Horses play. Every once in a while I bring my digital camera, so that I have tangible dates to sync up with my memories. Other times, it’s just what I can remember. Here are some of my memories, in the best chronological order that I can recall:

• I remember making my first trip to The Funk Box — at the time “formerly the 8×10 Club” — with a close friend of mine, to see a little-known band whose ringleader we both knew from high school. We arrived early, not knowing what to expect, and ended up talking to Junipa until they got started. They were first on the bill and the place was empty, but they put on a good set nevertheless. We left afterwards, knowing that the next two sets wouldn’t be as appealing.
• December 19th, 2003 - I remember an evening spent at Sully’s Restaurant in Chantilly, splitting a pitcher or two with Diana Stagnato, her husband, and the guys. As the photos from Sully’s prove, the only other people there were Jim from IDS and the elated Ms. Joy. The night was bitter cold, and the few of us spent a while talking out in the parking lot while our cars warmed up.
• I remember driving 45 minutes south of Arlington to a small town collegiate dive bar, where pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon was on tap for $1; a glass of Knob Creek only set me back $4. The entire bar could have fit in my kitchen, and it was the only bar that I had ever seen with overstuffed couches 10 feet from the stage.
• January 17th, 2004 - I remember one or two dates at O’Brien’s when Kent was still up at school, before he came back down here to do gigs full-time.
• May 29th, 2004 - Around the time of my birthday, I got dropped off O’Brien’s for the night. After a few songs, Matt announced to the then-forming crowd that it was my birthday and that someone ought to buy me a drink. Almost immediately drinks began to materialize at the table, at times so quickly that we had issues with table space. The remainder of the evening was spent doing shots with nameless people, sharing the free drinks with friends, and having a good time; all the while the guys kept reporting that I looked like I could use a drink or two.
• August 4th, 2004 - I got on the Metro and met my girlfriend at Pentagon Row, to see the guys play in an outdoor concert series sponsored by 104.1. Two adorable children danced around to the music, Matt playing to their fascination with things they might have only seen on MTV (if ever). The evening ended with rather stormy weather, but I still remember those children’s smiles.
• September 25th, 2005 - The last show that I attended at The Funk Box was one of the most memorable ones. Somewhere between my first show (two years prior) and this one, the band had gotten a lot more popular and had developed a more-than-a-cult following and a FAHternity. Instead of being first on the bill, they were now headlining. Not only that, they were selling out the venue. Full to capacity (and then some), it made me proud.
• November 11th, 2005 - The Funk Box is now 8×10 Club (again), and Fools & Horses decides to release their sophomore effect, Pop Filter. Not quite a full house, but you would have sworn otherwise had you heard the roar of the crowd when Matt, Bill, Kent, and Tim walked through the rear doors onto the stage. It would also be Bill’s last show, having decided to join us nine-to-five folks; a tough decision that more than a few band members (at least that I’ve known) have had to make.

Recently I’ve seen them at O’Brien’s in Annapolis, Cheeseburger in Paradise in Pasadena, private parties, and other local venues. I don’t come out as often as I should, and I usually don’t close the bars anymore (a fact that Ms. A.M. reminds me off periodically). I still haven’t met the new guy named Steve.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s still cool to know people in a band. Regardless of whether the band breaks up or restructures, the premise is the same: you want to see good people aspire to their dreams. Quite a bump up from that first evening at The Funk Box — the MCI Center seats 20,000 people — it’s an opporunity that most bands would fight for. I won’t be making the concert, but I’ll certainly be there in spirit.

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