Well…it’s going to be a dream summer of music for me in 2009.  There are more concerts that I really want to see going on in my area than ever before.

Let me just set this up: I live in a city of 100,000 people.  Not very big…but not overly small, either.  We don’t get too many concerts.  In the Maritimes (which is made up of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) the total population is roughly 1.8 million people.  Not too shabby, I suppose…but that’s three provinces, not cities.  So needless to say, we don’t get huge concerts very often.

So this year’s announcements are really surprising.  Not only are they surprising, but they’re exciting because there are a LOT of bands that I want to see.

The sh*tty thing?  I’m going to each one alone.

BAH!!  Whatever.  I’m an adult.  I just need to suck-it-up.  I mean, who’s to say that I won’t meet somebody between now and then?  Right?  AMIRIGHT people???

Anyhoo…here’s what’s coming up:

• KISS – I’ve already gone off about just how excited I am about this particular concert.  Without re-telling my entire post all over again, let me just say that this particular band is my all-time favorite.  I grew up with them.  Their music speaks to me.  I don’t think I can ever tire of my favorites.  So without even caring about who is opening up for the band I went out and bought two tickets to the show.

Wait...I've got TWO tickets??

• Yeah…two tickets.  See, I was originally going to go with my girlfriend at the time.  Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out so that means I’ve got two tickets burning a hole in my pocket.  Ahhh well.  This is KISS.  I’m going regardless.  I don’t care where I park…I don’t care if I’m there by myself…I don’t care if it takes 10 hours to get home…I don’t care if I can’t sell off the other one of my $100 tickets.  I absolutely NEED to see this band.
• The second concert that was announced a few weeks ago was the incredible AC/DC.  Now, right after KISS there is only one band in the world that is on my “concert I need to see before I die” list…and that band is AC/DC.  I can’t tell you the pure joy that their music brings me.  I’m a head-banger at heart…which is a little odd since I never had long hair (except that mullet phase I went through in the early 90′s…but thankfully there’s NO photographic evidence of that), and it doesn’t get much more “head-banger-esque” than AC/DC.  I know all of their songs…I know all of their lyrics (well…most of them)…and much like KISS songs, I can listen to my favorite DC songs and never, ever tire of them.  This is another $100 out of my pocket without knowing who the opening act(s) are, but it’s money I feel I simply have to spend.
• The third concert for the area that was just announced yesterday is another of my all-time favorite bands, Bon Jovi.  Sweet merciful crap, people.  This is yet another band that I grew up with.  I listen to Living on a Prayer at least once a week on my iTunes.  I can rattle off twenty of their songs right now from the top of my head.  But y’know what?  This is another $100 ticket…and I don’t know if it’s really worth it.  I love the band, but I don’t know if I love them that much, especially knowing the other two concerts that are already receiving my money.  On top of it all, I’m not keen on their opening acts…at all.  So yeah…this one may have to be put on the backburner.

You would think that these concerts would be more than enough…but they’re not.  This is only HALF of my concert wish list (why isn’t Santa around in the summer??).

• Disturbed is playing in a couple of weeks.  I’ll admit, I wasn’t a tremendous fan of this band when they first came on the scene.  And then I remember watching Dawn of the Dead in theatres and sitting through the end credits (I was told to pay attention to the very end).  My heart was already racing from the movie itself and the killer ending, but was just getting more and more pumped by listening to Down With The Sickness.  Soon after I was amazed by all of the great songs they had, with Prayer topping the list.  Not only that, but they had some kick-ass covers of classic 80′s songs like Shout and Land of Confusion.  I think the concert is sold out or close to it…but it doesn’t really matter because I’ve got my son that night and he’s my top priority.
• What’s next?  How about a couple of bands who ROCKED the 90′s combining for a 2-night rock show!?!  Live and The Black Crowes are playing back-to-back shows next month.  I’ve never been the biggest fan of both, but I’d dare say their debut albums were both absolutely awesome.   And really, what rock song wouldn’t love to see this and/or this live??  At $45 per show or $70 for both, it’s not a bad deal for a 90-minute drive.
• Jeez…I’m not even done YET.  There’s the big Chickenfoot concert.

Wait…who in the blue f*ck is CHICKENFOOT??

• Chickenfoot is a new rock “supergroup” that features Sammy Hagar (of solo & Van Halen fame), Michael Anthony (from Van Halen), Joe Satriani (rock guitar god), & Chad Smith (drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers).  I’ve only heard one song of theirs so far and it’s alright, but I find it hard to believe that these guys are frickin’ headlining a show?!?!  I know they’re a “supergroup”, but there best be a TON of Van Halen tunes in order to make this worth anything at all.  Luckily, this concert also has the best all-around line-up of any concert this summer: Our Lady Peace (Canadian rock group extraordinaire), Finger 11 (another great Canuck band), & Sloan (yep…another great Hoser rock band).  At an early-bird price of $65 and a regular admission price of $75, this may also be the best “bang for your buck” concert.  I’m still TOTALLY up in the air on this one, though.  Just don’t know if it’s worth the 6-hour round trip.
• Okay…last one (if you exclude the John Fogerty concert next week or the country music festival later in the summer).  This one is a festival that lasts quite a few days, from June 27th thru July 4th.  I’ll be honest…if this was one big concert, I still wouldn’t be 100% convinced to go (although Daughtry would be pretty decent, I think).  Having them as separate concerts gets one giant “meh” from me.  Having said that, there are a couple of pretty good bands.  I mean, Simple Plan has a couple of hits, right?  And then you’ve got Nickelback wannabes Theory of a Deadman (who are getting lots of airplay this way because of this song).  Ummm…then there’s Marianas Trench?  Yeah…I think I’ll pass on this one.

Whew!!  Got all that??

Needless to say, this has got to be one of the busiest summers ever for my little neck of the woods.  And while I would absolutely LOVE to be seeing it all with the love of my life, that’s just not in the cards for me this year.

That’s alright…I’ve got my blogger peeps to keep me company.