*Round 2*

   We had travelled thousands of miles, taken in the beautiful scenery of Boston, made a few memories and watched drunk chicks (sorry, drunk ladies) scream at each other over cigarettes at 3am on a dirty street corner.  All of it was leading up to this one moment, this sliver in time…the reason I was put on this earth, my destiny.  I lovingly embraced my wife and pulled her close to me; she lovingly told me to “Stop being so clingy” and romantically told me that this is “her spot and she ain’t moving”.  Nothing could top this moment!

  9pm, House of Blues, Boston, Massachusetts:  The entire House of Blues is now pitch black.  On the loud speaker plays, Irish legends Thin Lizzy’s hit song, ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’. The crowd starts to cheer as green lights flash left & right in unison.  The bagpipes sound and a 12 foot banner descends as the lights come up and the band takes the stage.  The entire building goes insane.  These are their hometown heroes, the band who is going to put them on the map…again.  (let us not forget the sheer beauty and talent of the actual band, Boston…that band ripped!).  As the crowd literally loses their minds, the band cuts into the first track off of their new album, ‘Hang ‘Em High’; a song dedicated to the Wisconsin Union Workers and their recent struggle.  The moment the music started they had us all in the palms of their hands. 

  Fun Dropkick Murphys Fact:  The band also runs an organization called The Claddagh Fund that supports many Boston-based charities.  As well, they recently spent time with a terminally-ill Cancer patient and had shirts for sale at the show that read, ‘Dropkick Cancer’ to help her pay some of her medical bills.

   As the show progressed, the Dropkick Murphys unloaded an arsenal of hits from their entire discography which included ‘Captain Kelly’s Kitchen’, ‘Barroom Hero’ (the first song of theirs I had heard and loved as an acne-aced teenage boy who just wanted to find his one true love), ‘The Gangs All Here’, ‘Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya’, ‘State of Massachusetts’ and crowd sing-a-long favorite, ‘The Dirty Glass’.

   Some notable moments in the show came when lead singer (and founding member…whom I would later nervously meet briefly backstage) Ken Casey dedicated their cover of 1913 Irish ballad, Peg O’ My Heart to his Grandmother in the crowd.  On their latest album this song is done by the Dropkick Murphys and some random musician (who must be new to the music scene?) named, Bruce Springsteen.  Another blog-worthy moment came when they played their cover of traditional Dubliners ballad, The Auld Triangle.  This was the song that my wife and I chose to play as we entered our wedding reception.  Not a love song by any means…but bloody amazing. (the original & the cover).  The evening also included an on-stage appearance by Boston boxing legend, Micky Ward.  Micky Ward was the premise behind the 2005 Dropkick Murphys album, ‘The Warrior’s Code’, as well as, the inspiration behind recent Hollywood blockbuster movie, ‘The Fighter’.  We would later stand beside him in the VIP lounge but would be too scared to approach him.

  Fun Micky Ward Fact:  He is surprisingly short and does bear a resemblance to Mark Wahlberg. I was tempted to tell him, ‘Say hi to your mother for me’…but realized that it would not only be stupid and get me seriously injured ; it was also a joke that didn’t really make much sense in the end and also hasn’t been relevant for quite some time. I’m lame.

  As the show ended the band closed their set with ‘Shipping Up to Boston’ and the crowd (as expected) threw a fit.  As we waited patiently for them to return to do their encore you could hear witty chants such as, ‘Yankees Suck’ echo threw the building.  When the band did return they went straight into their drunken battle hymn, ‘Kiss Me, I’m Sh*tfaced’ and as Ken Casey wound up the crowd, he slowly started to pull people up on stage.  Eventually the entire stage was full of crowd members dancing and singing along.  This would lead the band into the politically charged (and very intense) song, ‘Citizen CIA’ which saw many of those people on the stage jumping into the crowd and/or creating music-induced havoc.  The set abruptly ended and I exhaled…insanity ensued.

  Fun Bruce Springsteen Fact:  During the March 18^th performance, The Boss did make an actual appearance to play ‘Peg O’ My Heart’ along with his song, ‘Badlands’ and the Boston anthem, ‘Shipping Up to Boston’.  Rumor had it that Max Weinberg was also at this show.
  10:45pm, Thurs. March 17th:  Just witnessed an amazing show and now we are back at the VIP Lounge chillin’ like villians.  At times, even making it so-called rain with bundles of cash and popping Cristal with the other high-class folk.  Well maybe not that elegant but wouldn’t it had been cool if we were?  We have a few more quick drinks and cab it over to Ken Casey’s bar, ‘McGreevy’s’ for the after-party.  It is one of the places I had wanted to see while in town and all-in-all is a great little sports bar just off the beaten path.  The story behind its name is quite interesting as well… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessie.  We head back to our hotel after a few more drinks to let the sounds of drunken fist fights, cop sirens and Irish diddies lull us to sleep.
  8am, Fri.  March 18th:  We both wake up a little too early and are not feeling 100% as we had the other mornings.  I don’t quite get why but I am sure one day I will figure it out. Since we aren’t in the proper state of mind, we also decide that the best idea for today’s adventure is a three-mile trek throughout Boston.  Realistically, it was quite the adventure and we did see lots of local attractions and unbelievable architecture but it probably wasn’t the smartest idea when your body wants to shut down.  Don’t fret, we survived and maybe if you’re nice I will share some of our photos with you one day.  I bet you can’t wait!  The evening was nice and relaxing with a supper at Jose McIntyre’s; a restaurant going through a terrible identity crisis with Irish themed decor and drinks and a Mexican food menu.  This would also be the place we forgot our camera…the same camera that held over (100) adorable photos of our dogs & puppies.  Whoever found that camera must’ve thought we were weirdos.  We did get it back in the end and were grateful.
  11am, Sat. March 19th:  We voyage through Little Italy looking for a good place for breakfast before planning on heading out to Salem.  At first all we find are elderly Italian men yelling at each other but eventually stumble on a nice little hole-in-the-wall cafe that has bacon & eggs.  Victory.
  3pm, Sat. March 19^th:  We spend the afternoon wandering through Harvard and Cambridge with the fellow elite.  I consider applying for enrollment but my wife soon reminds me that I am far too intelligent and may be considered ‘over-qualified’ for the position.  She also finds it appropriate at this time to inform me that I am also extremely handsome and devishly-funny.  These are just some of my recollections of that day.  We stumble across an emergency station in a park that features a giant red button should any emergency occur.  Someone has written, ‘Batman’ above the button.  That someone is hilarious!

  9pm, Sat. March 19^th:  Our last evening in Boston which is soon to be followed by a 5am wake-up call to catch a plane home.  We decide to ‘go out in style’ and head out for a lobster feast.  The food is delicious and as we march back to our hotel with full bellies and heavy hearts, we are given a Boston send-off worthy of a King.  As we are walking arm-in-arm, lovingly down the street a drunken homeless man takes a glance at my wife and yells to me, “Hey buddy…you got yo’ self some fine taste in the ladies!”  We’ll miss you Boston…in all your drunken glory.  As The Standells so finely put it, ‘Boston, you’re my home!”.

  Fun Travel Tip: If you’re starving while on flight but unsatisfied with the small bag of peanuts you receive…simply do the following to rid yourself of those hunger pains.  When the steward/stewardess asks you which you would prefer; cookies, peanuts or chips just say, ‘all’.   Next stop: deliciousness.

  Thanks for listening to me ramble and I would also like to note that words cannot express our thanks to the fine folks at 104.9 The Wolf for this amazing adventure, it will never be forgotten.  We are forever grateful.

Support local radio.

Slainte!

-Taron Cochrane

  Recently, I was fortunate enough to be the winner of Wolfjet #13(something)…a round trip to Boston that included two tickets to the March 17th Dropkick Murphys concert.  After an hour of crying and whining on the phone, Chad was kind enough to let me take over his blog upon my return.  In true 14 year old girl fashion, I decided to keep a diary of my travels.  I hope you all enjoy!

  3:30am, Wed. March 16th:  Jump outta bed, stumble to the kitchen. Pour myself a large (caffeinated) cup of ambition.  Dogs are fed and hyper.  Still hard to believe that 104.9 The Wolf has given us a prize that Chad and Ballsy would have to work half a year to afford.  I guess they must get by on their amazing personalities…haha.  Bags are packed and the airport awaits.

  8:30am, Wed. March 16th:  Landed safely in Minnesota.  From above, it looked like a quaint little place.  Probably has an unbelievable Farmers Market, a store dedicated entirely to comfy sweaters with Moose embroidery and a huge Barry Manilow fan base.  Wife gets a full body search by another woman.  Not as I had imagined.  Kinda let-down.  Off to Detroit…a little scared.

  4pm, Wed. March 16th:  our feet plant firmly on American soil.  Luckily, found a ‘stab-free’ zone while in Detroit and have now safely checked in to ye olde Harbourside Inn, Boston, Massachusetts.

  8pm, Wed. March 16th:  Finally get to taste that sweet, sweet liquor at a small pub called, ‘Kitty O’ Sheas’.  According to signage throughout, dancing is prohibited in this establishment.  Contemplate finding an abandoned train yard so we can just dance!

  Fun Boston Fact:  It would seem that every pub/restaurant and retail establishment is legally bound to play the Dropkick Murphys, ‘Shipping Up to Boston’ at least three times per hour. You can’t argue with the rules!

  9am, The Day of Reckoning (Thurs. Mar. 17th, 2011):
St. Patrick’s Day starts off in true Boston-style as I find myself standing amongst a group of police officers at the nearest Dunkin Donuts.  The streets are filled with drunken Irish, as well as, people celebrating this exciting holiday.

  11am, Thurs. March 17th:  A chance encounter while wandering aimlessly finds us drinking a Guinness while enjoying the music of the Bunker Hill Pipe Band at the Beantown Pub.  The Bunker Hill Pipe Band are the official pipe band of the Dropkick Murphys and regale us with such notable songs as, ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Goodbye Mrs. Durkin’ (an Irish Rovers classic) and ‘For Boston’ (an old Boston College fight song, covered by the Murphys).

  3pm, Thurs. March 17th: We embark back to our hotel to suit up for the night.  My wife gets really crazy and has a nap.  Six Irish Red and another bagpipe performance outside and we are officially ready to roll!

  7pm, St. Patrick’s Day (House of Blues):  With VIP passes in hand and while shaking like a nervous bird, we head up to a ‘Invitee Only’ Room.  Feeling pretty classy as we notice such classy things as carpet on the walls, $10 vodkas and gold lighting fixtures.  (I start to wonder what Home Depot would charge to carpet my walls?)

  8pm: The drinks start to flow and we soon realize that we have missed the two opening bands.  Either way, we drunkenly strut down to the 2nd floor balcony to catch Against Me!.  Against Me! puts on a solid, high energy set featuring songs such as ‘Americans Abroad’, ‘Up the Cuts’, ‘Pints of Guinness Make You Strong’, ‘I Was A Teenage Anarchist’ and their closer, ‘Thrash Unreal’.

  An unreal band with unreal talent! The crowd loved them…and so did we.  There is a reason they get such critical acclaim.

  Fun Random Fact: Against Me! drummer, Jay Weinberg is actually the son of famous Conan O’ Brien/E Street Band drummer, Max Weinberg.

  As soon as Against Me! leaves the stage, the crowd starts chanting…”Let’s Go Murphys, Let’s  Go!”.  Within minutes, the whole building goes pitch black.  

But yet, with all of this, the Japanese have remained strong. It’s a truly amazing country. It seems as if they refuse to let anything slow them down. If something like this were to happen in Saskatchewan…..would we be as strong?

Through all of this, Japan does need our help. The Canadian Red Cross is headed over to help the Japanese people. Do your part by donating here.

CM

10. Limp Bizkit- I thought they were actually dead already. Not so! Have you seen Fred Durst lately. He looks like Colonel Sanders with a backwards hat! Soon, they’ll be singing they did it all for the Bengay.

9. Aerosmith- This may cause an uproar among Wolf listeners, but I’ve had enough of their squabbling. Especially from two ugly dudes who overshot how much poon God intended for them to get in the first place. Come on, they’re ugly.

8. Beyonce- She tries WAYYYYYYYYYY too hard. But Jay Z is her husband. He’s possibly the coolest man on Earth. I say this in fear for my life knowing that he has the power to make me pull a Jimmy Hoffa.

7. Kiss- The past few years, we’ve had a Gene Simmons overload. Enough already. Please…….end it. Plus, Gene’s hair is starting to look like a dead cat found underneath some lady’s couch on “Hoarders”.

6. Poison- Sorry to offend, even though these guys are good party music, they should probably take a final bow. We got close to ending it last year…….but no cigar. Next time.

5. Kings Of Leon- I can’t do it. These guys are causing infertility among our youth as well. Causing them to wear skinny jeans. More sterile than a germaphobic X ray tech.

4. Marilyn Manson- Listen, I went through a huge Manson stage. Antichrist Superstar is one of the best albums ever. HOWEVER, he hasn’t put anything else out up to snuff in years. If your gonna do something drastic like tuck your weiner and wear prosthetic boobies, you better have good music.

3. The Eagles- GO AWAY!!!! The Eagles fu#@in blow! Unless of course it’s Desperado. Then SHUT THE HELL UP! My song is on. Don’t give me this Witchay Woman garbage!

2. Korn- Two of the original band members are gone. May I say…..the two talented members have left. Know when to call it quits. Plus, Fieldy is still beating the hell out of his bass. YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO PLAY SLAP BASS!!!! When will you learn that? It sounds like somebody is constantly hitting the wrong notes on guitar hero. Chick………click….pop…….crack! Like Rice Crispies on meth.

1. Coldplay- Burn in hell for eternity!!!!!! Chris Martin is the reason terrorists hate the modern world. Seriously. If you go through Osama Bin Laden cassette collection, you’re bound to find some craptastic Coldplay in there. Remember……you’re with us….or you’re with Coldplay.

CM

Question #1

What’s the deal with the morning show?

Eric

Answer: Eric, it’s simple. It’s a radio show. Usually on in the morning. Morning + Show=Morning show. Follow along. A show that occurs in the morning is the morning show.

Question #2

I see you at a lot of different nightspots. As do my friends. Aren’t you a little old to be out nightclubbing?

Jessica

Answer: What?!?!?!?! Too old? No. I’m only 27 years old. Is that too old? Maybe. I guess myself and Betty White will just have to stick to shuffle board at the home. I can’t go to far as my medalert necklace will likely be out of range. So……I’ll just sit here and watch “Matlock”. Have fun at the clubs. Whatever. Go listen to Bieber, with your Hypercolor T-Shirts and leg warmers and pic-a-pops and racks of ribs so big it tips Fred Flintstones car over outside the drive in.

Question #3

Does Ballsy intimidate you?

Geoff

Answer: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! (deep breath) BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Yeah a little. Mostly because he likes to do the show nude. It throws me off.

Question #4

When you first started at the Wolf, was there anyone you were excited to meet?

Daryl

Answer: I was basically a Saskatoon kid. I didn’t really know Regina radio before I got here. I was just really stoked to be on the Wolf. I knew it’s reputation and I hear they hand out penicillin to all jocks. The rash isn’t gone……but atleast my crotch no longer looks like Mikael Gorbachevs forehead. Enjoy the visual.

(I lied about the side boob)

http://selleckwaterfallsandwich.tumblr.com/

Email #1

I saw you at Envy with Ron Jeremy. Was he a good guy?

Tammy

Answer: Yes Tammy, he was a great guy. Until I stod next to him at the urinal. Well…….not NEXT to him. I suppose he was a couple feet back. I think he felt a little intimidated. I don’t blame him.

Email #2

Do you like Nickelback?

Jeff

Answer: Yes. They are the Lennon/McCartney of our generation. The single most influencial band of all time. I celebrate their entire catalogue. I don’t even know if I could pick a favorite song. I suppose maybe “How You Remind Me” because it’s so fresh in my mind. I’ve only heard it a couple times, but I look forward to getting to know it.

Email #3

Do you have any advice on life?

Dusty

Answer: Sure. Never forget a “Hungryman” in the oven, never pick the fat kid to be on your team, and never pass up an opportunity to leave an upper decker in hotel washrooms. Oh…….and stay in school.

Email #4

Do you guys pull pranks on each other at work?

Darren

Answer: Of course we do. Just the other day, as Evan was coming out of the bathroom, I f#&%in cracked him in the head with a Louisville slugger. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Didn’t even see it coming. You should have seen his face. All  blank stare lying on the ground unconscious like. So funny! Or one time, I told Ian the engineer to check my computer out and while he was doing it I stole his car, parked it in a dingy neighbourhood and let the homeless people make it in to a ”soup kitchen”. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Then I burned it to a crisp. Too funny. Good times.  We’re silly like that.

Vanilla Ice- To The Extreme

Yeah, I owned it. On cassette none the less. I’m happy to say that I never did own a “University of Miami” sweater. Nor did I shave slits in my eyebrows.

“Dont Have A Cow Man” Bart Simpson Hat

I suppose “The Simpsons” are still around. So the hat is still relevant. But, seeing that it’s flourescent green, I may not be able to wear it out. But it did have that liner on the inside that you could pull down put over your eyes and act like a robot. It was pretty much awesome.

Moon Shoes

Remember those things? They were essentially kleenex boxes with elastic bands in them. I was a fat kid too, so I used to break them all the time. It was supposed to feel like you were walking on the moon, but I think it was just training in walking hammered. What they should really call them is “Fall Down And Break A Fu#$in Ankle” boots.

Kris Kross “Da Bomb”

I know what you’re thinking. “Jump” was an awesome song. I agree. What makes it so bad that I owned this album? Well…….it was their follow up. I was that hard-core about Kris Kross that I HAD TO HAVE the new album. Jesus!

A Fanny Pack

Oh yeah! The fanny pack. The only reason to have one now is to hold your drugs. Seriously! If you own a fanny pack, we know your secret. Unless, you’re a carny. Although, come to think of it, carnies probably have it for the same reason. Oh, and a place to put their dentures. Don’t do meth kids.

Weird Al Yankovic Albums

How did I listen to this crap? Weird Al is the kind of guy you want to shove in a locker and pull his underwear over his head. But, I listened and loved it. “Amish Paradise” was awesome. “Franks 2000 Inch TV” was amazing. You know what? I now know why I loved Weird Al! I gotta go listen to “Like A Surgeon”. Feel free to add to my list.

CM

Old people have to remember this one little thing. The world will not stay the same. It changes. Thank God for that. How many people do you know walking around with Polio? So please, just let the girl do her job and go watch Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes. He may have something you can relate to. Until then, remember this. Today it isn’t always about what’s right, it’s about what’s right now.  

CM

Dave Grohl Studio