As far as music stuff I've been missing tons of good shows and I don't feel bad at all. One show I had been looking forward to was Brandtson. I was actually excited that a band I love and have never seen before was coming. In grand style I show up late to an early show. The Orlando Weekly said 10pm when they meant to say was 6pm. Whooops. I was pretty bummed.

Not to worry. I knew in two days Brandtson were going to be in St. Petersburg. Also on the bill was Denison Marrs and My Hotel Year. Talk about a good lineup! I knew I couldn't miss that. I convinced Karen to drive out with me. The show was at a place called Goldstar Lounge, around the corner from Janus Landing and The Refuge.

I may be the only Orlando person to not have been to a My Hotel Year show. I knew who they were for a long time. Ryan from Peterbuilt joined sometime unbeknownst to me. They have a good energetic show with nice shared vocals. They were more rocking than "emo" like the couple of songs I know.

Then Denison Marrs rocked. I've already given much praise to the Marrs boys. Does anyone listen when I say their new album is the best record I've heard all year? And doesn't anyone listen when I say their shows are just as good? I like them a lot. Good music.

The last time Brandtson came through was when they were with The Appleseed Cast in winter 1998 I think. Thing was I didn't like them until a week after they played. Isn't that terrible? So I had to wait a couple of years for a return. That EP from last year gets nonstop play on my stereo. The songwriting and arrangements on that are perfect. I was pleased with the show. They did a good mix of old stuff like "Breaking Ground" and "Summer In St. Claire". From the EP they did "Grace Thinks I'm A Failure" "Boys Lie" and "Sic Transit Gloria". I was hoping for "Leaving Ohio" but no go. And the new songs were really good. I wonder when something new will come out.

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