 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am a huge Grateful Dead fan! - but, I am a bigger fan of my girl Robin - and her tremendous "hey nanny nannies!" Saturday May 17th, Brett and Robin hit the town for "One More Saturday Night!"
|
|
There is an old saying that goes something like this: “If you love something, set it
free. If it comes back, then it’s meant to be!” I’ve never been one for “sayings” or
“catch phrases” – they just seem easy and cheap. I do love my girl Robin, but she was
smothering me during our past relationship, so I sent her packing. Yet unlike like most
chicks, there was something special about Robin. When she left I tried to hide my true
feelings buy burying them in “lap dances!” at “Crazy Girls” on Le Brea. Having a
Meth-addicted stripper grind on you like she’s trying to put out your genital fire
is one way to ease the pain. If “Outshined” by “Soundgarden” is also playing
while she dances that helps even more! The truth is that most nights I went home alone
driving my car up to my house in the hills while I listened to James Ingram’s “Just
Once” over and over again. I wept like a baby each and every time. God Bless Rick Rubin
for bringing Robin back into my life last week at my surprise party. I guess fate has
corrected the awful wrong that was our “breakup.” Robin and I have been back together
since that night…
On Saturday night I took Robin by limo to an early dinner at Kate Mantelini’s on
Wilshire. Our window booth table was held for us, while filmmaker Michael Bay waited
for 20 minutes to be seated. Smoke was coming from his ears as we were escorted ahead
of him! We had a quick meal and made our way to the Wiltern Theater. We arrived at
8:45pm, just 15 minutes before show time. I hate being early – it just looks bad.
I warned Robin that the crowd here would “be unusual” – as in HIPPIES! I told her
that I would “have to show who’s boss” and set the tone with these clowns. Sure enough,
15 seconds after leaving the limo we were accosted by a “dead head” who “demanded that
we give him money!” I don’t know about you but I work hard for my green! He claimed it
was for “food!” Sure it was… I pretended to reach for my wallet, but quickly pushed
Robin aside while I flew into a full on “dirt buster” spin-kick. He was knocked cold
quickly and fell to the ground like so many rags – landing in an empty parking space
like an “old used car!” I forced our limo driver to take a picture of Robin and I
standing next to our triumph. She was upset, but she is young!
We were escorted inside and rushed backstage past the losers in the lobby who where
“toothless, ticket-less and filthy.” One of them screamed at me “I need a MIRACLE!”
– a secret ‘code word’ used by hippies who are lacking a ticket. It looked more
like he needed a “DENTIST!” I said - (lol)!!! Robin wasn’t laughing – as in, she was
still worried about the guy I knocked out in the parking lot. Again, she’s young and
doesn’t know the cold hard truth about people. I had to send a message. We made our
way backstage. I was getting hungry and made my way to the “buffet table.” Apples?
Bananas? Tea? “Where’s the fucking beef, dude!” If there’s not gonna be food,
at least have a mayonnaise jar full of cocaine like they did 22 years ago at Radio City
Music Hall! No one backstage was eating food! Yet, they were taking marijuana – and I
was starting to get a “contact high!” I made my way to the stage…
The band was getting ready to take the stage. Ratdog’s manager, Chuck, asked me to
help clear the stage and get rid of the “riff-raff” – my pleasure! As a rock journalist
with over 21 years in this business, I can tell you that there is no greater moment than
the five minutes before the band takes the stage. Trust me, I have been in the eye of
this ecstasy many times – the ritual that a band does before they perform. My mind
flashed back to many memories –“KISS” at Cobo Hall, “Aerosmith” at Nassau Coliseum
in 78, “Hall and Oates” at Central Park, etc. I made my way into the shadows and gave
Bobby a hug. We formed a circle and held hands and chanted together: “Get on my back
for a piggy back ride…” Robin was in awe watching me pump the band. The crowd was
on fire! Literally? No, but I wished (lol!) Bobby gave me a “high-five” as he passed
and walked into the bright lights like so many rock stars…
This was the last show for Ratdog in the USA for 2003 – and the band gave its all!
The band’s set-list was smoking, here it is (exclusive for the first time anywhere!):
Set 1: Jam>help On The Way > Slipknot > Cassidy > Birdsong > Lazy Lighting >
Supplication > Little Red Rooster > Jam > West L.A. Fadeaway > She Says > Liberty
Set 2: Me And Bobby > Friend Of Devil > Victim Or The Crime > Eyes Of The World
> He's Gone > Standing On The Moon > Jam > Bird Song > Cassidy > One More Saturday
Night, E: Franklin's Tower
Robin and I hung out backstage watching the show from the “dream seats!” – onstage
right!!! The sound was awesome. Comedian Dennis Leary asked for my autograph and I
obliged! He is very funny. I also met some fans from the Grateful Dead message board
on deja.com. My main bro Steve Lenier was in the front row dancing up a storm! Way
to go, Steve!!!
After the show Bobby “requested” that Robin and I pose for a “special” photo with him.
I hate doing this kinda shit – but its freaking Bob Weir!!! What was I going to say,
NO??? We posed for the photo and made our way towards the celebrity exit and to the
limo. The whole “contact high” from the “hippy weed” was starting to win the battle.
I WAS HIGH and paranoid! Also, I getting hungry… The limo drive made his way west down
Wilshire Boulevard like a giant black car. When we approached the “WENDY’S” restaurant
on Sunset and Le Brea, I demanded that the driver pull in. The weed high made me hungry.
I wanted a 20-piece chicken nugget meal. Robin wasn’t about to eat – as in, her mouth
was full! The limo driver pulled in and asked me if I “could just run in and get the
food?” “No way, Jose!” I said. BTW - His name was Jose! Like I said, I hate
“catch phrases!” I was too stoned to walk in public – I get paranoid. I made him pull
the car thru the drive thru window and order the food. His car barely fit, but I was
starving! After he got the food he passed it back to me. As I was counting the nuggets
in the back before we pulled away I heard a ‘knock’ on the window. Robin rolled the
window down. There stood a homeless dude who said his name was “Willy!” He looked in
the car and smiled, “Well looks like you got yours!” he said. “How about sliding me
five bucks?” Seriously, I had no cash on me - and the way he was eyeing Robin’s chest
balloons made me nervous. “Dude, I’m sorry,” I yelled from the back of the limo. “I’m
broke!” The lime began to move. Willy punched the roof of the car like a mallet and
screamed, “Merry Christmas, mother fucker!” “Merry Christmas???” It’s almost June, I
thought! I demanded the driver to halt. Willy had just given me the “greatest idea in
marketing history”… (to be continued...)
- Brett Meisner
The "Hollywood Hills"
May 19th, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
