Precipitation and Vulcan-inspired Mike Patton Rock

I wanna sleep in, too! Lucky!

Today is the first day of crappy weather we've had in a long time here in Reykjavík. I shouldn´t complain as it's been the nicest summer anyone can seem to remember, but still, I wish I could just sleep in with the kids, y'know? They're having a rainy-day tent party right now...

I'm a bit tired because last night I fulfilled my personal obligation to make sure to see some live music. Basically, I had been scouring the bands on the Smekkleysa (Tasteless) label which was strated by Björk and pals ages ago -- and I think it had something to do with punkers Flux of Pink Indians? Correct me if I'm wrong....

Anyway, I show up at Bar Dillon at 10pm ready to rock -- and th ebest part? FREE CONCERT. Enthusiasm aside... A very geeky opening band set up and played a fun set with some nifty syncopation and whatnot. But, I can't really claim to have had the best vantage point, as the bottom floor near the stage was so packed with Icelanders that I wormed my way up to the second floor where a projection screen of the show beneath had been set up; much more cozy up there, anyway.

I bought myself one drink. I made it last through the whole first band. Feeling dejected with nothing to do but stand like a moron gaping at the projection, I said to the bartender:

Heyrðu, ég er skiptinemi og ég er ótrulega peningalaus. Eitthvað ódýr?

... which in very broken Icelandic basically means: "Hey, I'm an exchange student and I'm scary broke. Something cheap?" ... so the bartender took pity and gave me a freebie. Yay!

Anyway, let me tell you about Dr. Spock, the main band. Very crazy. They have a synth guy, but they're mostly a Faith No More/RHCP amalgamation with more balls and more theatricality. For those of you who worked at Sierra Summit, imagine a 6' tall Jeremy Trotter with shoulder-length hair growling into a mic... and that's just the first lead singer. The other guy is maybe a few inches taller and twice as heavy, shaven-headed and menacing (though I hear he's really nice offstage). All these guys have been members of various famous Reykjavík projects... like Rass, for example.

I met a gregarious American named Ryan. He chased off the girls that I think were hitting on me before he buddied up to me, said offensive things to them, and chased them away. Haha. My luck. I got home a bit late after a very roundabout stroll around downtown and some serious willpower in not purchasing a pylsa from Bæjarins Beztu.

Today I aim to see the parliament, an art museum, and my pillow.






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