Welcome to the year 2012

 

February 2012

 

On February 26, 2012, a Sunday night concert was performed. It was the third concert of February, and the concert totaled 25 songs. Gary continued his Concert Madness plan, which has been fairly successful in its third edition, while Andy played several songs from 2011, specifically Fall 2011. Bob Moulds and Sugar have risen in February, and their presence was felt again today. The performers continue to be on their typical spring sides in the basement, and flickering lights have been added, as well as a variety of guitars and props. Gary at one point during this concert, opened the window for the first time in 2012, but since it was so cold outside, it was only kept open for a few songs. Saliva and Limp Bizkit continued to be staples in Concert Madness 2012, as is Green Day and Fort Minor. Third Eye Blind surprised with "Red Star", a B-side from 2009. This was the first Third Eye Blind song played since March 2011, and the first time this specific song was played since Spring 2009. Coldplay and The Decemberists also made returns, as they were played in the February 1st concert as well. There was such a vast variety of music played in this concert that it was viewed as one of the most interesting of the year so far.

 

On February 1, 2012, the first February concert was performed. It was the sixth concert of the year, and it was on a Wednesday night. Most of the concerts in 2012 have been on Wednesday nights, with the exception of two Sunday concerts. There were 25 songs played in this concert, with again, more in the way of classics, but this time on both sides. Gary's playlist was well-received, especially with the much more familiar sound of alternative rock from the years 2005-2006, and also 2010 and 2011. The first Third Eye Blind song of 2012 was played, and it was a new concert song, "If There Ever Was A Time". Another interesting part about this concert was that there were two Sevendust songs played, one by each performer. It was part of a tribute to an African American they spotted at the Brown basketball game on the weekend prior to the concert. Andy announced coming into the concert, via Twitter, that he would be playing a  Sevendust song, but Gary did not, and surprised with the follow-up "Live Again" on his side right after Andy's song. The Decemberists continued to be heard in this concert, but with much more presence, especially with the beautiful finisher "California One Youth and Beauty Brigade". This song generated a huge and glowing response after it was played. The Dandy Warhols and Arcade Fire also were highlights as contenders for 2012 best rookie songs. Coldplay was another big contributor on the night, and even had a new concert song, "Careful Where You Stand", which was one of Chris Martin's most longing and passionate moments. The WAV of the night was probably Josh McDaniels' "WHAT the FUCK are you DOING??".

 

 

January 2012: The New Frontier Begins

 

On January 22, 2012, the fourth concert of 2012 was performed. It was a late Sunday afternoon concert that was actually split into two different shows, in between watching the AFC Championship Game between New England and Baltimore at 3:00pm. The first segment of the concert was only three songs each, but the second half was much longer, and in ways was better, as more classics and a longer set was run. Sugar made their 2012 debut in the latter segment, with their song "Your Favorite Thing", which was actually a new concert song from the 2011 juggernaut. Also of note was the return of The Offspring by Gary, and the continued play of Green Day. But he also remained firm on his 2012 plan music with Runner Runner, FM Static, and other new bands of the year so far. Andy continues solid classicism in his playlists, especially with Sun Kil Moon, Blur, and Keane. This combination of Andy's and Gary's 2012 plans and visions has made a very successful duo this year.

 

On January 18, 2012, the third concert of 2012 was performed. It was a Wednesday night, and the performers did 10 songs each. Gary had first turn and going into the night, the discussion on his side was a tribute, which he decided on Green Day, which turned out to be a huge success. Andy's most prominent artist of the night was The Whigs. The band has come back in 2012, along with other bands around the same general timeframe. Overall, there has been more classics played in 2012 on both sides than new songs, but there has still been a least a measurable amount of new material. The tribute of Green Day was very memorable, and Gary says he will stick with tributing an artist per month, or around that rate. A nice surprise in this concert was the addition of a new prop by Andy, a plastic guitar that he used throughout the show, and a guitar that looked like a real one. Gary said he would get one as well soon. The new prop worked out much better than the inflatable guitars tried in early 2010.

 

 

On January 8, 2012, the second concert of the year was performed. It was a Sunday afternoon concert, beginning at roughly the same time as the two December regular season Sunday concerts were performed. This timeframe seems to work really well, and this is one of the things taken into the new year from the end of last year. Andy went first in this concert, and continued his plan idea and theme of playing older, middle-years classics, classics that didn't necessarily receive multiple plays, but songs that were still very important. This was similar to Andy's formula in 2011, but in 2011 he played more-known classics. In this concert, he played songs from the bands Keane, The Bravery, Radiohead, Throw Me The Statue, etc. These were bands from 2006-2008. Note also that he is still maintaining at least a small influence of indie rock in the music, but these bands are definitely more alt rock. Gary, in this concert, also further established his 2012 plan and ideas, which have been revolving around playing new concert songs, all of which consist of sunny, summery alternative pop/rock. In this concert, he also played classics, but they were from very recent years of 2010 and 2011. The energy and passion on both sides was almost identical to the 2012 debut night.

 

On January 4, 2012, the 2012 Concert Year Debut was performed. There was a set number of songs for the concert (10 each), and the concert started at about 6:00pm. The debut was originally scheduled for Sunday January 1st, but since the performers were able to do two peep rallies, including one on New Year's Eve, the debut was re-scheduled to a Wednesday night. Gary was awarded first turn in the debut, for winning a coin flip that was conducted on New Year's Eve. Andy was in his spot where he was in most of 2010, in the middle of the pool table on the side of the blue pump. Gary was next to the furnace and set up stage in a similar position as the start of 2011, start of 2008, 2009, and 2010. The palm tree was present, but it wasn't lit due to some of the lights no longer functioning. The flickering lights were kept up from the pep rallies, as well as the posters and the microphone stand. A new prop was used during this concert, and it was Gary's use of the office chair. Andy has wheeled around on an office chair in the past as well.

 

The debut itself exceeded the 2011 debut, as well as exceeded the 2010 debut. The performers were on the same exact page in this 2012 debut, and the music also was on similar pages, in that it was very rock-driven, and there was a uniform melodic sound. Both performers' energy was very high in this concert, especially with Gary's stage antics. He ran around, spun on the chair, wheeled across the room, went on the stairs, stood up on tables, and sat in the trunk against the far wall. Gary's heightened and humorous energy was one of the signatures of his debut. Overall in this debut, Andy played far more classic songs, and in fact finished his concert with 7 straight classics in a row. Gary only played one classic ("Surround" by American Hi-Fi). The exuberance experienced on both sides during this concert was the leading storyline, as there was a legitimately positive and uplifting flow to the concert.

 

 

 

December 2011 - Holiday Season and Pep Rally period

 

On December 31, 2011, the final concert of 2011 was performed. It was a Saturday afternoon, home-alone pep rally, the final pep rally for the year 2012. The concert consisted of 28 songs, as the performers continued their mix of old and new songs. During the final song, which was "Here's To The Night", the performers sat at the pool table and talked while the song was being played in the background. Also, the second to last song on Andy's side, "Sons & Daughters", also brought both performers on stage during the middle of the song, with Gary diving into the balloons on the pool table. There was a very celebratory, positive tone during this concert and especially towards the end. Andy also read a speech he had written, from his iPhone, before his final song. Overall, the December 2011 concert month ended very differently than how it began, with two Sunday afternoon concerts in a row, with minimal decorations and no lighting effects, and a much more eclectic blending of music. The performers were very satisfied in this final concert of 2011, and expressed their satisfaction and happiness about the year overall afterwards. They also discussed the 2012 Debut, which will be next week, and even did a coin flip to see who would go first, with Gary winning the flip.

 

On December 26, 2011, there was a pep rally performed. It was a Monday night concert, with Andy going first, in a rapid-fire format. This was the first concert since December 11th. The concert, which was supposed to start at 5pm, didn't end up starting until around 6pm. The basement was decorated with the typical pep rally items such as balloons, lighting effects, and wall posters. The performers were on the same sides as they were at the beginning of 2010, and during the original Jamboree and Jamboree 3. The concert totaled 34 songs overall, with the performers playing 17 songs each. There was an anything-goes format to the music, very similar to 2005, 2010, and 2011, in that, there were many classic songs played from the first several years of concerts, as well as new concert songs. The concert ended at 8:30pm, and after that there was a Monday Night Football game, Atlanta at New Orleans.

 

The most distinguishing attribute of this pep rally was the blend of new and classic songs, the colorful and heightened appearance of the basement, and the continuation of what the performers did in the 2011 concert year: the use of classicism in the music, humor, and strong performance. The performers do not believe that much will change in the year 2012 in these regards.

 

On December 24, 2011, it was Christmas Eve, and the performers expressed their readiness and excitement for the week ahead, which will have at least one pep rally, and also the 2012 debut concert on the weekend.

 

The performers have agreed that Tributes could be called upon in 2012. The extent of them, or when they will be, remains to be seen. And the concept of the tribute could be different than how it was in 2010. Tributes in 2012 could come in the form of a song or two in a concert, or they could be whole concerts as in 2010. Of note, Gary did have tributes in 2011, albeit early on in the year and featured far less prolific artists as the 2010 ones. In 2012, tributes could be yet again another weapon in the performers' arsenal.

On December 20, 2011, the performers had a meeting and continued to discuss scenarios and opportunities for pep rallies the week of New Year's Eve. They still have Sunday evening January 1, 2012 as a tentative start date for the 2012 concert year. They agreed that January 2012 should and will begin the year with the same level of urgency as January 2010, but will be experienced at even higher levels. They know that January is the starter month and will go a long way in paving the 2012 identity and aura.

The performers have spent a great deal of time separately and individually preparing and designing for their 2012 music and concert plans. November-December 2011 was not a very active concert period, and it allowed the performers to prepare on their own for 2012. There has been a good sense of confidence and hype for 2012 even though there has not been many meetings or announcements to this point in the lead-up period, not nearly as much as late Fall 2009 going into 2010. In ways this is better because even with only a week away from the 2012 debut, the performers still don't know exactly what is going to happen musically or plan-wise in 2012. There have been minimal leaks and announcements, but more in these regards may begin to occur as early as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when Gary recently hinted at releasing his plan name and website on those dates.

On December 16, 2011, the performers' sides had been switched and speakers plugged in and set up. The amplifiers also were piled up (similar to the pep rally of a year ago) to give the appearance of a real concert. A new palm tree to replace the old broken one has been ordered. It is the same make and size as the original one in 2010.

 

On December 11, 2011, another Sunday afternoon concert was performed. This would be the final regular season concert of 2011.

 

On December 4, 2011, a rare Sunday afternoon concert was performed. This was the first concert performed since November 9th.