Just about everyone's doing top five lists this time of year, so I thought I'd join in. The problem with that is, I run the risk of doing what everyone else is doing. I could give you the top five albums of 2004, or top five artists, or top five songs or whatever, but let's face it - you can find those lists in forty-three thousand other places. Instead, I'll give you:

The Top Five Seven Days of 2004

It's new, it's hip, it's really neither of those two things. Funny, most of my top five days actually do center around rock concerts, but what are you gonna do. Like many others out there, I'm nothing if not obsessed. Plus, um, I came up with seven and didn't want to chop off the last two. Again, what're you gonna do.

1. July 17. This day should live in infamy. It probably won't, but it should. There'll probably never again be a day where I reserve an entire bar and hire a major Chicago band like The Detholz! for my own birthday party. It was by far the best Detholz! show I've seen yet. That has nothing to do with the fact that much Guinness was consumed, although that fact has a lot to do with why this is my number one day of 2004. Old friends, good friends, a great band, great beer. Good times.


2. February 14. No, it doesn't make it on the list because of romance or anything like that. The Detholz also played this night, but they're not the reason either. On this night at Subterrannean, Sybris opened for the Detholz, and they blew my mind. Since that night, they've become one of my favorite Chicago bands. Tons of other bands since then have made such an impression, but I think Sybris was one of the first since moving to Chicago, and thus this was a defining moment for me.
   Unfortunately, this night could also make Chicago's worst day of 2004 list. Days later I'd find out Chris Saathoff was killed by a hit and run. I didn't know much about him or his band Chin Up Chin Up at the time, but I'd later appreciate the hole he's left in the Chicago music scene.


3. June 17. I went to the Metro to see the Ponys, because I heard good things about them. However, I wasn't ready for the band that came after them. Once again, my mind was blown away; the Fiery Furnaces were and are unlike any other band I've ever heard. And I love it.


4. January 10. A few days before this, Cafe Ballou opened. I first set foot inside on this day. Coffee Nirvana.


5. February 7. After several years absence, the Poster Children made their spectacular return at the Empty Bottle.


6. November 17. (Sorry, cameras weren't allowed that night.) The Pixies at Aragon Ballroom. C'mon, it's on your list, too.


7. July 30. I rode with Critical Mass through Chicago. Bikes. Lots of bikes. Bikes stopping traffic. Bikes pulling boats. Naked people on bikes. What's not to love? Unless you were in a car, and I wasn't, so, uh, yeah. Then later that evening, Troubled Hubble AND the Detholz! played the Metro. How can anyone contain themselves?

You may have noticed, as I did, the number of times the 17th came up in this list. Weird, huh. Realize, too, that this is my top seven list, not yours. Had I gone to see Arcade Fire at the Logan Square Auditorium Thanksgiving night, or the Futureheads, or many other missed opportunities, those may have made my list too. But I didn't, and I'm a loser for that. So there.

listening to: the flaming lips, the poster children.
in my sink: 1 bowl, 1 spoon, 1 cup.