NBA players spending $500 for glasses that don’t work? Yeah, seems about right.

As some of you may know, there’s a fashion trend among many idiot posers of the world  pro athletes and actors in which the point is to apparently look as stupid as humanly possible. I’m talking about ugly clothes, junior high backpacks and glasses without lenses. That’s right, I said glasses without lenses. This fashion trend is called “Nerd Chic”, which is an oxymoron if I ever heard one. Speaking of morons, here’s Dwyane (my mother didn’t know how to spell Duane) Wade after a recent loss to the Celtics.

9 Things I Hate at Rock Concerts

O.K., I know the title to my post sucks. I tried to think of something witty, to no avail. So, I just went straight to the point, which is my usual modus operandi anyway. Here’s the deal though. I have been attending concerts since 1973. That’s over 40-years for you math-challenged folk. My first show was Brownsville Station, with Redbone opening. Again, for you younger kids Brownsville Station did the original, and infinitely better, version of “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” some 15-years before Motley Crue attempted a lame cover. Redbone is best remembered as a band of Native Americans, dressed in full native regalia, who sang “Come and Get Your Love.” Politically correct? Not so much. Great show though. The main point of my post is that concert etiquette has changed tremendously over the years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a believer that almost anything goes, especially down front. But still . . .

Here’s a list of my beefs:

• People who sing the words to every single song. Hey, I enjoy a good sing-a-long as much as the next guy, but when I go see Paul McCartney I don’t want to hear some 65-year old wannabe groupie singing “Let It Be” louder than Sir Paul. Pick your spots people. These tickets were $274.00 bucks . . . each. It actually hurt to type that.
• Camera phones. For the love of God, put down the freaking phone. I’ve been behind guys that have videotaped the whole damn show. Are people really going home and watching the concert again on a 2″ by 2″ screen? (For the record, I just got out a ruler and measured my camera screen. Truth in journalism kids.) Also, news flash for ya. For those of you who phone your buddy and yell “Listen to this! I’m at Neil’s show right now!” then hold up your phone so he can hear? He can’t. He can’t hear a damn thing except a bunch of white noise. Stop it. Now. Note: It just occurred to me that you can upload the video to your PC or TV and watch it on a bigger screen. Disregard previous bitch session. On the other hand, upon further review it’s still annoying.
• Those who bitch about people standing up. You’re at a concert, wackbag. People stand up. A lot. You know it’s a good show when you stand the entire time, right? Are you with me, people?
• People who bitch about others passing a joint around. Newsflash: You’re at a concert. There will be nefarious activities taking place around you. I actually saw a lady summon an usher at a Paul Westerberg show a couple years ago after witnessing the demon weed being passed around. It’s Westerberg, damn it! One of the Replacements! Ignore the doobie and enjoy the show.
• Idiots at General Admission shows who get there late and try and muscle their way up front. Advice – if there’s an attractive 60-ish 6″2″ 215 pound bald guy in front of you, that’s where your journey ends. He got there early for that spot and you ain’t gettin’ by.
• People who constantly text their friends during the show. What could they possibly be saying? You’re insulting the band and those around you, plus the light from your phone screen is distracting as hell. Cease and desist.
• People who headbang or mosh to the wrong type of music. Buffett? Wrong crowd dude. I mean, “Fins” is a great song, but c’mon. Unless of course you’re drinking tequila, then anything goes. Then again, I guess everyone drinks tequila at a Buffett show. Disregard.
• People who automatically hate the opening band and rip them to shreds. Listen, I know you’re here to see Nickelback but those boys up on the stage just might turn into somebody important down the road. Remember that Hendrix once opened for The Monkees. Ya never know . . .
• People who pick up on a band only after they hit it big and scream constantly for one song. I went through this with R.E.M. I’d been going to their shows since 1983 and they finally hit it big around ’91. You have no idea how disgusting it is to want to hear some of the old stuff like “Radio Free Europe” and the dolt beside you keeps screaming for “Shiny Happy People.” There should be a quiz required before entering the venue. That or an IQ test.

Finally a non-concert relateded thought. Most of you know that there’s a big trend in vintage rock T’s nowadays with the young’uns. Hell, you can get a Ramones T in WalMart for the love of God. Well, I’m a teacher so I see tons of kids a day, and I’m fighting back. I, my friends, have a policy. Whenever I see one of these T-Shirts, I pull the kid over to the side. The conversation usually goes something like this:

Me: “Nice shirt.”

Kid: “Thanks.”

Me: “Pink Floyd, huh? Can you name three of their songs?”

Kid, squinting eyes, looking upward thoughtfully: “No.”

Me: “Do you even know what that triangle and prism thingy on the shirt is?”

Kid: “No.”

Me: “Go to the locker room and turn it inside out. When you know more about Pink Floyd I’ll let you wear the shirt.”

Gotta fight the good fight fellas. Remember – they gotta know at least three songs.

Originally published on April 12th, 2012.

Worst part? I know people like this.

Hey Buckeye fans, hear what Central Florida Coach O’Leary said about The Shoe?

Assclown.

Not me of course. I’m “Shoe”, also known to some as “The Shoe.” In this case I’m talking about Ohio Stadium, where Coach O’Leary will be bringing his mighty Knights tomorrow. Apparently Coach O’Leary is a dumbass. Read on . . .

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Central Florida head football coach George O’Leary is grabbing the attention of Ohio State fans after comments he made Thursday night during his call-in radio show.

O’Leary said he did not prepare his Knights to deal with noise during their game at OSU Saturday because, in his view, it’s not a loud stadium.

“I tell you what, it’s like Michigan. It’s not a loud stadium. I mean, they sit on their hands in that stadium. I’ve been there before, and you take Wisconsin, you take Iowa, you take UCF… it’s much louder than that stadium. It really is as far as the noise is concerned, because it is so far away from the field. But a lot of stadiums are a lot louder than that place. I didn’t even bring in music this week, or any type of noise (in practice) because I think we should be able to execute without it.” O’Leary said.

OSU hosts UCF at Noon Saturday in the Horseshoe. As of 1 p.m. Friday, tickets were still available. Click here to listen to Coach O’Leary’s full comments.