For some bands, it's not difficult to see how they might age gracefully into their golden years. Nobody should be surprised to see Springsteen still bring down the house, or John Cougar Mellencamp, but I wouldn't have guessed Cheap Trick.
If ever an alien holds a laser gun to my head forcing me to give a top ten list of songs that will most easily rock his brains out, I am reasonably certain I would have to give Cheap Trick's anthem "Surrender" the nod on my list. "Surrender" is most of the reason I felt the need to watch Cheap Trick. It is one of those songs I so badly wish was written for my generation specifically, as if I can claim it is part of my own. Something about that chorus just makes me wish I could see that show with my best friends near the front the stage, aggressively pumping our fists in the air, chanting that chorus as loudly as possible. There are some pop tunes whose charm or power even I can't resist.
Thankfully, they had a hit featured on the 90's teen movie "10 Things I Hate About You," or else I would not have successfully dragged my wife out to see them. "I Want You to Want Me," the hit I am reasonably certain no young woman in the seventies couldn't love, gave my wife just enough interest to drive 15 minutes for the show.
Cheap Trick is a band I never knew what to think of. Their album tracks have a lot of really innovative and rocking solos and psychedelic jams. They have one of the most definitive rock anthems ever written ("Surrender"), followed by one of the worst soft rock jams ever recorded ("The Flame"). They definitely didn't care where they stood with either crowd, and they just played what they liked, which is the other half of what piqued my curiosity to see them when they came to town.
Cheap Trick still sounds and looks great. They didn't trade their loud street-wear for a more contemporary daddy look. They pretty much come on stage with the same look, energy and talent of their former selves. To my surprise, it still works – they were really on their game, and worth the price of the ticket.
Sure, they played mostly music that was captured on vinyl 25 to 35 years ago, but they seemed as good as they ever were, no more, no less. (To be fair, I have only watched taped concert footage before this point.)
However, I am firm believer rock music should not be enjoyed sitting down. Sitting down is for people who either have no choice or have lost their sense of rock n' roll. I made the bad decision of not acquiring the floor area. Nothing can be more frustrating than watching a band really shake the walls and having to sit in seat R92. Seeing the show sitting down was only slightly better than watching it on TV.
My recommendation: if you are fan of Cheap Trick on any level and have an opportunity to see them live, go to the show. It won't disappoint, but do not get a chair. There is nothing more uncool than being the only guy who stands in your row to pump your fist in the air to "Surrender." Had I been in the front, I would have lost myself in the glory of Cheap Trick and had a night never to forget. Cheap Trick puts on a really rocking' show, and most of us in the chairs will never know it.
