Blue (Meanies) Christmas

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 22, 2004 4:44PM

It’s been three years since third wave ska band Blue Meanies has been on active duty in Chicago. Anticipating the re-release of their classic Full Throttle album on Thick Records, they’re playing a pair of shows tonight and tomorrow. It’s bad enough that we’re near broke and still trying to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done, but trying to scrape up the cash to make it to both shows is killing us. Sorry Grandma: no presents for you this year.

Unbelievably, tickets for both one of these shows have has not (yet) sold out.* How is this possible? People, we lost them once before! We must now welcome them back like heroes from the Crusades (and considering that John Paul Camp was living in Terre Haute, IN recently that’s not far off). Tonight’s Double Door show is 18+, starts at 9:00 and is $15. Tomorrow’s Metro gig is 21+ (dag), starts at 6:30 and is $16 (let’s hope that extra $1 “facility fee” goes towards extra bathroom cleanser).

If we had to make a choice, we’re tempted to give highest marks to the Metro show since MU330 (who may be pulling out their Christmas set), The Methadones and labelmates New Black are opening. But we generally prefer the Double Door as a venue for this kind of show and you’ve got the Tossers and the Cougars opening there. We're torn. Either way we’re planning on taking in the free after party at Smart Bar tomorrow where members of the Meanies and Methadones will be spinning.

* UPDATE AS OF 12/22/04 12:50 PM: Tickets are still available for the Double Door show tonight but the Metro show is completely sold out.