After a bit of a summer hiatus, I’ve been trying to get out to see more bands play at some of the local venues. I guess I’m getting old, but staying out until the wee hours of the morning is just not on the top of my todo list these days, especially with a busy summer schedule and a 6:30 wake-up call by my young son. But summer is over, and it’s time refocus a little.

Over the summer, one of the new bands that has popped up on the scene is Rainbow Spit, who I saw for the first time at the Frankford Art and Sound Festival a couple of months ago. When I saw they were playing down at the pub this past weekend, I had to go see them again. I believe this was only their fifth show ever (maybe sixth… but you get the point), and they have just added a new keyboard player, which sounded incredible.

I’m the type of guy that really likes to listen to music, especially live. Whereas most people at a concert are there to get crazy in one way or another, I’m always the dude sitting off to the side listening and enjoying a Coke (straight up… yeah I’m a wild one). I’m also a musician, so I pay meticulous attention to what’s being played. It’s always a little strange when I find myself cringing at the same time as the drummer when he misses a beat or the guitarist misses a note in the solo. When the band members shoot that look at each other after messing up, I often look around at others in the crowd with that “did you hear that” look on my face.

An interesting thing that I’ve noticed about when I shoot concerts is that I get into a weird zone. When I shoot, I am still paying very close attention to what’s being played and what’s going on on stage (perhaps more so than usual). To catch the perfect moment, you’d better be paying attention. But I often can’t remember the details of the songs played after the fact. I’ve often finished shooting and thought “wow that was amazing”, but couldn’t tell you what songs they played.

Then again, I often put the cereal in the fridge and go to the wrong drawer to get my socks… hmmm…. Either way, Rainbow Spit is definitely one of the bands that I walk away from thinking “wow that was amazing”.

Next time I go see them play, I may just have to leave my camera in it’s bag.