Before you read the rest of this entry, think about the title, and what song it's from.

Don't worry... if you were born after 1990, you might not recognize it. :lol:

Give up?

I just got back from a concert from one of the most improbable reunion tours in music history: The Police.

For a dedicated metal-head like myself, I have a surprising number of non-metal bands that I respect. Genesis (with Peter Gabriel as singer), Marillion (with Fish as singer), Queen... the list is actually a lot longer than even I really care to admit. :?

The Police are there for the complexity of their lyrics, the energy they conveyed in their music, and the volatility of the band itself. I was surprised to learn just how much friction went on in the background shortly after they broke up in the late 80's... and put them on a list of bands I'd always wish I could see in concert, but never could.

At least... they were on that list... :D

When they were announced for the concert season at Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer, I was genuinely surprised. "These guys imploded badly," I thought. "This must be an elaborate prank!!!" When they began selling tickets, I really started believing they wouldn't make it to the end of the tour... and we were second-to-last in line. When I found out that we might actually be going... ooooooohhh... :D

Of course, there was drama involved. I didn't mention I'd be going because I didn't want to hope too much, and jinx it all. I'll explain:

***NOTE: IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DRAMA, SIMPLY SKIP TO "ANYWAY"***

My friend was dating a woman in another state. She bought the tickets in April (or so) and was planning on flying in for the show. As a special surprise, she bought 4 and was also going to bring my wife and I (I guess to thank us for being there for my friend... I'm still a bit fuzzy on it all...). My wife was excited, I was... cautiously optimistic.

Last month, in one of those fluke occurences that leads me to believe that God has a wicked sense of humour, my friend got a call from his fiancee's friend, who somehow dialled it by mistake, asking if she should bring the car back now or if she needed more time with the guy she was... um... you get the picture. :(

So there was drama, tears, and a few angry long-distance phone calls... and in my mind, no Police (furthest thing from my mind, actually... I knew we could still buy them online, and avoid some nastiness in the process).

Monday, an envelope arrived in the mail. In it: the Police tickets.

:0 I'm lost at this point. My wife won't read me the letter that came with them, but said something about a "Thank you for being understanding about the situation."

Oh... and we were supposed to bring my friend and "His new girlfriend" along with us... which wasn't happening, since he doesn't have a new girlfriend... and that's how ticket #4 went to our son. :lol:

ANYWAY...

The show was fantastic... but one thing really stood out for me: how much Andy Summers looked like he really didn't want to be there.

The musicianship was incredible, Sting worked the crowd with ease (I'd seen him on the "Soul Cages" tour in 1991, and he really looks at home on stage; even 17 years later, he hasn't lost a step, and his voice is incredibly well-preserved), Stewart Copeland (one of only 3 non-metal drummers I have any respect for) was a madman on the stage... but Summers just sat in one spot on the stage, played guitar well, and looked remarkably like a man with a large gun to his head. It took most of the 90 minute set for him to eventually smile... and I'm sure that was just because we cheered at the mention of his name.

They played most of the songs they're best known for (with the surprising exceptions of "Spirits in the Material World" and "Synchronicity II") and a few obscure tracks ("When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around," for example), and really put on a show I'll treasure for years to come... because in my heart, I know that's it for them (maybe Copeland and either Sting or Summers will work on something in the future... but I highly doubt all three would coexist in a studio for long).

(The title, by the way, is taken from "King of Pain" from the "Synchronicity" album. If you don't have it, or have never listened to it, find a copy and treat youself. If you guessed correctly... have a cookie on me. :D )