High Covidality: My Bucket List Concert

Written by: Ash Catcher 
Last week I had a thought, Ash…. What is your bucket concert? Like last wishes final goodbye to the human race and all that is and was music, who would be on that list? Well in the great still very much alive  words of Eminem Here is the order of my list: ​

Opening Band: Tigers Jaw, every time I mention this band I feel like the room splits in two, it's either oh yea I am remembering them from like 2012 I saw them with that one band TitleFight, or I get a what band now kinda response. Think more moody Matt and Kim, or a straight heterosexual Tegan and Sara. They are just all around some feel good tunes, I put them on a lot when I am in the car and driving around. 

Why did I choose them? Their music just does something for me, I am not sure how else to describe their sound really. Their music videos are really fun and highlight some local places that I have actually been to, so it's easily super relatable. They seem like someone who would be real genuine friends. Their stage presence is humble, and I am always excited when they do a tour, which is really not that often. It makes it all that more special. I feel like they’re a great opening band, they got the years to prove it and have opened for some cool ass bands in the past. Always going to be a favorite band that I reserve a space for. Plus I got their whole discography on vinyl, translation: I am more of a fan of them then you. 

My fondest memory of Tigers Jaw: I’ve seen Tigers Jaw a few times, they had a few different band members, and have really transformed as a band, I am happy to say that I am about supporting more local artists in Philadelphia, I have even managed to run into Ben, one of the band members a few times, when I go out around Northern Liberties. They’re just normal people, and something about that really appeals to me. The last time I saw them back in November was great, it was just kinda weird to go to a concert alone, I had a good time but I know it could have been better with a friend. 

#2 Fugazi, I have never seen Fugazi live, but if I did I would insist that they play with Suicidal Tendencies. Fugazi is just one of those bands, I don’t know that like you wouldn’t bring home to meet your parents at least right away, you got to take your time, and feel out that shit. Fugazi was one of those bands that I had to kinda grow to like. I had a lot of friends play their shit when we hung out, and I just about fell for any punk rock guy who can play a bass line or 8. So why did it take me a bit for these guys to grow on me, and my daily playlist. 

Why did I choose Fugazi? Because I want to deck the shit out of somebody before I go, and I feel like that if Fugazi is not playing in the background for at least 10 to 15 minutes, well then just take me here. They are like one of the best examples of more avant garde-ish punk, just like them as all. The DIY scene has always been near and dear to my cold dead ass heart, and I am a true believer that it's better to do it yourself, or try to and fail then shell out an arm and a leg for something you can do yourself. Yes I go to expensive ass stores, take pictures of it, think about it really hard, then walk out of the store and do it myself. If you’re not making something, and creating are you really doing anything with your life, or are you just a complaint negative POS? 

My fondest memory of Fugazi was in high school, I am talking like 2007 or maybe 08. I was younger and someone put them on while we were in one of my art classes. It stuck, and struck a chord with me I guess. Didn’t help that I was neck deep (lol) in my Hot Topic “phase”. I feel attacked. 

#3 My Chemical Romance ( Height of the Black Parade, but I am a huge fan of their first album) My Chem was not only my first Electric Factory show, it was also the first time I was going to a show with a bunch of friends. The impending social pressure when I was 15 was astounding let me tell you. I wouldn’t say I am the poster child for addressing the impending mental illness collapse that was about to ensue. But let's just say I am aware of the stereotype of liking this band. It's just a thing about me idk let me have this shit. 

Why did I choose My Chemical Romance? They’re my fucking favorite, when I heard they were having a reunion tour, ummmmmm I am not gonna tell ya what I did. 

My fondest memory of My Chemical Romance was when I owned a signed copy of The Umbrella Academy Graphic Novel. Also, lots of late night drives listening to their albums. I love their early stuff. The new stuff is also hard, just okay with me. It's a mixed bag. 

#4 The Beach Boys, I have seen 2 of the original Beach Boys, I am kinda proud, and also that's probably not what a lot of people know about me. But wouldn’t it be nice if people did know that Ash. I am always going to the beach, so naturally I play the Beach Boys, I like them a hella more than any boy band in history, they are a huge guilty pleasure of mine. 

Why did I choose The Beach Boys? They remind me of my grandpa. He’s still kicking, him and my Grandma are still kicking it and love each other very much, it's a great story of how the two of them met, The Beach Boys have always kind of solidified in that, it's the kinda stuff I imagine playing in like a soda shop or something bizarre and on the west coast at the time. Reminds me of summer, romance, throwing all fucks out the window and breaking from the norm, at the the time the Beach Boys were punk as fuck. 

My fondest memory of The Beach Boys: This summer actually, I did the drive from Philly to Belmar in under an hour in 10, a good portion on that ride, the Beach Boys kept me in some much needed company. Shit is the best to cruise to when you're hurling through the Pine Barrens. 

#5 Headliner: Coheed and Cambria. I don’t even need to explain myself it is fucking Coheed and Cambria, I have seen them play every summer for almost 10 years, I have seen them on all kinds of stages, on all kinds of substances, with a bunch of different kinds of people.  

Why did I choose Coheed and Cambria? This is a band who really helped me thru some tough fucking shit. I am not going to pretend like my life’s not a bit chaotic, that I have trouble maintaining a normal sense of a handle on things, Coheed was just a band that literally floored me with their stage presence. The visuals at their show are awesome, and I am so pissed that this was almost the first summer in just about a decade that I wasn’t going to be seeing them.  It felt weird, just saying. 

My fondest memory of Coheed and Cambria: When they played with Mastodon and they played Crack The Sky in its entirety from start to finish I was on a tab and a half of acid at the time, and had literally one of the best nights in the pit of my life. It was something I'll never forget. 

I am gonna be kinda sorta busying myself with a few photography projects in the next week or so, but I am very excited to post my next piece next week! Big thank you to my editor Todd, he is a great dude! 

-Ash Catcher ​