Once upon a time I was in junior high and like so many other 13-year-olds before me, I went to my first concert. I was hooked. Perhaps that first show was a bit overwhelming in the long run. For one, the music was too loud (my left ear still rings from it til this day). Two, I never saw a mosh pit before and it scared the hell out of me. And three...well...we all know the typical "characters" you meet at rock shows. *Insert your own asshole-concert-goer story here*

Back then I was more of a music snob. I would basically only listen to punk and some alternative, mostly underground of course. I spend the rest of my teens going to all types of shows from the sold out sports venue sized shows, the the small hole-in-the-wall night clubs. However, I always loved the tiny club shows the best. The small stage and crowds made the whole experience seem much more personal.

The first time I saw Green Day live, I was 15; I didn't even like them yet, I went to see their opening act, actually. But my point is back then the average Green Day fan was 13. When I was 21, I saw them again...and the average fan age was STILL 13. That's when it hit me that this whole concert thing for me was starting to run it's course. After that, I stopped going to shows.

I'm 25 now and I listen to a much more eclectic variety of music. Gone are the snobby punk-only days. I've gone to a handle of shows in the past 4 years, but none were rock. Most were singers in a big venue with a wide range of ages in the crowd.

BUT, and you knew there was going to be a "but," this week I went to a tiny club show to see a classic punk bank. I have NEVER felt so old in my life! There were only around 50 people there. Mostly boys...when I say "boys" I mean 15 was the average age. Hardly anyone had on wrist bands...you know, the ones they give out to the fans at the door OLD ENOUGH TO DRINK. The warm up band wasn't even old enough to drink. So right there I felt like I was someone's mother escorting my son to a show or something. There were only a handful of girls there...me being one of the only ones not dressed in a "punk uniform" I went in a blouse...so I guess I was "dressed up" by comparison. It was the strangest feeling I ever had! I already felt like "the old person" back when I was only 21. So now...I don't know...I'm done.

I laughed about it the whole time, though. It was amusing. I was never a club or bar person to begin with...Sooo...I don't think I'll be heading back out for some beers and concerts anytime soon! If I wanted to hang out with a bunch of hyper teens, I'd go to a mall...or a movie theatre...or...Walmart.

The show was great, by the way. Except that loud, pounding sound I felt banging all night in rhythm...I don't think it was the bass.