2022 Heathens Homecoming Thread - April 6, 7, 8 & 9

[schlanky]

I really like the direction of the new album after hearing a bunch of it in person. I liked everything I heard, and The Driver absolutely smokes.

It was a cathartic weekend, and it was fabulous to see y'all at The Rock Shows and events.

I hope the Gomer Pyledriver thing sticks. It suits them.

[beantownbubba]

This and that:

The bro contingent was vanishingly small. This may have had to do w/ the UGA calendar, with which I am not familiar, but it may also be that tickets went so fast that casual fans were shut out (otoh anybody who REALLY wanted a ticket seemed to be able to get one).

Not coincidentally, the number of "incidents" in the crowd and the number of overinebriated fans that had to be escorted out could be counted on the fingers of one hand and that's for all 4 nites total.

The 40 Watt looked and sounded great. I'm not sure exactly what all the changes are, but they worked.

Fans who have been to multiple homecomings are very familiar with the phenomenon of the crowd getting larger and larger each night to the point that by Saturday nite it could be claustrophobic and difficult to move. This was particularly mysterious when multiple nights were sold out since that number should be fairly consistent throughout. This year the crowd size was consistent throughout and it made a huge difference to everyone's comfort. Thanks to whoever apparently made the decision to keep to the actual capacity.

I have said a number of times in the past that it would be good for the band's overall prospects and fortunes if it could increase the number of its female fans. The music industry has changed a lot since I first started saying that so I don't know what the financial impact may be at this point, but there was no doubt this week that the number of female fans in the audience was consistently way up across all 4 nites. Perhaps even over 40%. Hopefully it's not too stereotyping to say that this may also have affected the number of "incidents" noted above.

The number of Heathens gathered for the traditional Saturday nite picture was astounding. I'm pretty certain that there is no way that everyone's mug made it into the picture(s), though I haven't seen any yet.

XXXxxx

[Zip City]

I have said a number of times in the past that it would be good for the band's overall prospects and fortunes if it could increase the number of its female fans.

More female and younger would be a good skew for their fan base, but I'm not sure that matriculates into anything beyond future streams/album sales. Most of the band are in their 50's, so unless their collective constitutions are other worldly, the band themselves will need to slow down before they outlive their fans.

That said, for a band that leans hard left, supports important political causes like BLM, etc., and remains one of the most affordable tickets around, their fandom is disproportionately old, white and male

[Cole Younger]

Does anyone know what time, typically, DBT will go on for Fri & Sat? Gonna be cutting it close from Atlanta...

Also, how's the recording situation? Might bring my rig if it's not too much of a hassle.

Cheers!

I vaguely recall something like a 10pm (ish) walk on for Wed/Th and close to 11 for Fri Sat.

However, recollections are very hazy and I'm not getting any younger. Cole is. He is getting Younger. I hope I see Cole.

Hey brother. I wish I had been there. Had a conflict with a buddy coming into town that I’m only able to see a few times a year. Glad to see everybody had a great time and I will see y’all next year.

[brettac1]

I had such a wonderful time and was so glad to meet and chat with some *terrific* people for the first time and also was thankful for opportunities to get more time to connect with others who I already knew a fair amount.

Saturday was legitimately one of the greatest days I can recall and I'm still walking on air thanks to the weekend in general, even though I've gotten less sleep over the past week than I normally would over about two days in real life.

[Tequila Cowboy]

This and that:

The bro contingent was vanishingly small. This may have had to do w/ the UGA calendar, with which I am not familiar, but it may also be that tickets went so fast that casual fans were shut out (otoh anybody who REALLY wanted a ticket seemed to be able to get one).

Not coincidentally, the number of "incidents" in the crowd and the number of overinebriated fans that had to be escorted out could be counted on the fingers of one hand and that's for all 4 nites total.

The 40 Watt looked and sounded great. I'm not sure exactly what all the changes are, but they worked.

Fans who have been to multiple homecomings are very familiar with the phenomenon of the crowd getting larger and larger each night to the point that by Saturday nite it could be claustrophobic and difficult to move. This was particularly mysterious when multiple nights were sold out since that number should be fairly consistent throughout. This year the crowd size was consistent throughout and it made a huge difference to everyone's comfort. Thanks to whoever apparently made the decision to keep to the actual capacity.

I have said a number of times in the past that it would be good for the band's overall prospects and fortunes if it could increase the number of its female fans. The music industry has changed a lot since I first started saying that so I don't know what the financial impact may be at this point, but there was no doubt this week that the number of female fans in the audience was consistently way up across all 4 nites. Perhaps even over 40%. Hopefully it's not too stereotyping to say that this may also have affected the number of "incidents" noted above.

The number of Heathens gathered for the traditional Saturday nite picture was astounding. I'm pretty certain that there is no way that everyone's mug made it into the picture(s), though I haven't seen any yet.

XXXxxx

There are definitely more women at the Homecoming shows now than in the past. 40% sounds right. I think there are several reasons for that. One is that the majority of men are married and at least 60% of those attend with their spouses. Another is that it's become much more social with activities every day so that there's always something to do besides sitting with their spouse at a bar discussing arcane bullshit, also most men in the community marry music fans even if not always DBT fans, and many of those women warm to the band over time. Lastly, many of the female fans are part of their own group now, the ShEathens, who have their own page and an annual event. I mean, my first Homecoming was 2009 and seeing children was unusual, now we see babies from time to time. All of it is a product of growing up, as individuals and as a fan base.

[beantownbubba]

and many of those women warm to the band over time. Lastly, many of the female fans are part of their own group now, the ShEathens, who have their own page and an annual event.

I'm pretty sure that virtually all the women at the shows were fans in their own right. I also think that was not always the case. I'm guessing or maybe projecting on both counts but I'm pretty confident about those guesses.

my first Homecoming was 2009 and seeing children was unusual, now we see babies from time to time.

Several years ago I suggested that parents plan to bring their older children (I think that I said teens but it wasn't intended as a hard and fast rule) and that, accordingly, specific events could be planned for them. My kids had already "aged out" of that group but I thought it was a good idea and still think it's a good idea now. Younger kids are trickier but I personally would love to see more families and if there's enough demand perhaps some quality daycare could be arranged for certain targeted times. Anyway, I'm clearly the wrong person to pursue this but I hope someone will take it up.

many of the female fans are part of their own group now, the ShEathens, who have their own page and an annual event.

I'm really glad that the Sheathens group has jelled. It's good that female fans have a place to go because many apparently find this place to be unwelcoming. I greatly regret that. It's not a mutually exclusive thing, though, so it would be great if some of that group, whether returning or new, showed up here. If any women DBT fans have suggestions about how we might change things in ways that would encourage them to participate, I for one would love to hear them.

[Tequila Cowboy]

Oh, I want suggesting that the women aren't fans just that there are many fan couples.

[Flea]

I'm really glad that the Sheathens group has jelled.

I petition for inclusion on a routine basis, but am always denied. Women!

[Beaverdam]

I bet the Sheathens are just jealous of your beautiful, flowing locks!

I'm really glad that the Sheathens group has jelled.

I petition for inclusion on a routine basis, but am always denied. Women!

[Beaverdam]

Oh, and I have lots more jokes…

My wife is having me isolate from her and the kids for a few days. She acts like I was around a bunch of complete HEATHENS over the weekend!!!

I bet the Sheathens are just jealous of your beautiful, flowing locks!

I'm really glad that the Sheathens group has jelled.

I petition for inclusion on a routine basis, but am always denied. Women!

[phungi]

Hey brother. I wish I had been there. Had a conflict with a buddy coming into town that I’m only able to see a few times a year. Glad to see everybody had a great time and I will see y’all next year.

You were definitely missed, Cole... as Gary stated on FB, it was odd not to see Rod perched by the Tiki Bar... I had a similar though as I generally would run into you on the side of the room near the bathroom. Hope you are well, and hope to see you next year.

[Mundane Mayhem]

Not much to say that hasn't already been said, other than to express my appreciation that I was able to come out of the shadows a bit at this Homecoming and meet some of you fine folks in the flesh. To those I either didn't meet or only got to chat with in passing, I look forward to remedying that down the road.

Special thanks to Bubba for doing the yeoman's work of bringing me into the fold with a dinner on a frigid Colorado evening a little while back. Having that "in" was invaluable to someone like me who tends a bit toward the introvert side of the spectrum.

My Homecoming regrets, for purposes of future accountability:

-Showing up too late to actually bid in the Nuci's auction. Rookie mistake.
-Missing the Cine gathering (this was an excused absence as I was not in Athens on Friday)
-Being too hungover on Thursday to be pleasant company

Overall, an amazing experience as always. Can't wait for the next opportunity to see the finest band (and the finest fanbase) in the land.

[beantownbubba]

Special thanks to Bubba for doing the yeoman's work of bringing me into the fold with a dinner on a frigid Colorado evening a little while back.

It was a tough, dirty job but somebody had to do it.

[beantownbubba]

One more thing:

Patterson did a "roll call" of those who are gone too soon as part of "Grand Canyon" on Thursday. It fit perfectly there and did not at all diminish the tribute to Craig.

Presumably, that's why Patterson did not do that "roll call" as part of "People Who Died" on Saturday and I think that worked out better all the way around.

[beantownbubba]

Very excited to make it down for my first HeAthens Homecoming! Been a fan for almost 20 years now, but never had the chance to make the trip down.
While I always have espoused the always go to the show mantra, the last 2 years have reinforced that mantra! Hope to meet many of you down there. Hope to make it to the Nucis bbq on Saturday too. Any tips for a 1st timer would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry we didn't get the chance to meet. How did your first homecoming go?

[brettac1]

Not much to say that hasn't already been said, other than to express my appreciation that I was able to come out of the shadows a bit at this Homecoming and meet some of you fine folks in the flesh. To those I either didn't meet or only got to chat with in passing, I look forward to remedying that down the road.

Special thanks to Bubba for doing the yeoman's work of bringing me into the fold with a dinner on a frigid Colorado evening a little while back. Having that "in" was invaluable to someone like me who tends a bit toward the introvert side of the spectrum.

My Homecoming regrets, for purposes of future accountability:

-Showing up too late to actually bid in the Nuci's auction. Rookie mistake.
-Missing the Cine gathering (this was an excused absence as I was not in Athens on Friday)
-Being too hungover on Thursday to be pleasant company

Overall, an amazing experience as always. Can't wait for the next opportunity to see the finest band (and the finest fanbase) in the land.

Always go to the show and always go to the dinner with Bubba.

[Mundane Mayhem]

Not much to say that hasn't already been said, other than to express my appreciation that I was able to come out of the shadows a bit at this Homecoming and meet some of you fine folks in the flesh. To those I either didn't meet or only got to chat with in passing, I look forward to remedying that down the road.

Special thanks to Bubba for doing the yeoman's work of bringing me into the fold with a dinner on a frigid Colorado evening a little while back. Having that "in" was invaluable to someone like me who tends a bit toward the introvert side of the spectrum.

My Homecoming regrets, for purposes of future accountability:

-Showing up too late to actually bid in the Nuci's auction. Rookie mistake.
-Missing the Cine gathering (this was an excused absence as I was not in Athens on Friday)
-Being too hungover on Thursday to be pleasant company

Overall, an amazing experience as always. Can't wait for the next opportunity to see the finest band (and the finest fanbase) in the land.

Always go to the show and always go to the dinner with Bubba.

Words to live by.

[pearlbeer]

As much as I enjoy the Rock Shows at Homecoming, I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with Athens. What a lovely town - we always have such a great time.

This year, I'm confident that my entourage stayed at the coolest spot in town. The rock show never stopped...all weekend....

[blessedcurse]

As much as I enjoy the Rock Shows at Homecoming, I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with Athens. What a lovely town - we always have such a great time.

This year, I'm confident that my entourage stayed at the coolest spot in town. The rock show never stopped...all weekend....

Love this - I've always hoped to stumble across this groove while in Athens. Would love join in with an informal jam, especially one that goes all weekend!

[vt3pinandy]

My first Homecoming and still on Cloud 9. Not going to say I was overly social by any means as I was blown away by this great band(has become the norm) and scene that I stumbled across about ten years ago but have really just seen 20 odd shows and lurked around on here. You all are tight and that is really cool to see. Bubba, It was nice to chat more and hope to see you again real soon. Dr. John, It was a pleasure to chat at Nucci's and thanks for all those awesome DVD's I gotten behind on the last few years and am catching up on. Thanks to Jon from CT that I met at Beer Testing and the list goes on. And to those I did not meet I hope we get a chance to talk at the next Rock Show!!!

Happy Spring to you all from NE VT!!

[brettac1]

Out of an abundance of caution, I got a PCR test yesterday afternoon after a few days of some minor cold symptoms (started with a sore throat when I woke up on Tuesday/Wednesday AM, morphed into the most insane runny nose I can recall, along the lines of terrible allergies - unlikely considering it’s still about 20 degrees here) since I do have Easter plans with my family tomorrow. Pleased to report that I came back NEGATIVE, though I still generally feel kinda like trash. Hope everyone else who attended is doing well.

[scotto]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

[beantownbubba]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

x2

[brettac1]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

Me, too. I was not optimistic. I look forward to when those paranoid feelings are gone.

Was nice to see you a bit at the shows, etc.

[pearlbeer]

Love this - I've always hoped to stumble across this groove while in Athens. Would love join in with an informal jam, especially one that goes all weekend!

For sure! I'm sure I'll be back to that spot and will figure out a jam session!

[Tequila Cowboy]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

We’ve been symptom free too and Beth tested negative. With Omicron having a 33-72 hour onset so I’m assuming we’re good. We wore N95 masks religiously at the club but we went maskless in social settings like at the hangout. It was a risk but one we were willing to take to properly hang with y’all.

[beantownbubba]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

We’ve been symptom free too and Beth tested negative. With Omicron having a 33-72 hour onset so I’m assuming we’re good. We wore N95 masks religiously at the club but we went maskless in social settings like at the hangout. It was a risk but one we were willing to take to properly hang with y’all.

You are a superhero. You ought to be a spokesperson for transplant stuff.

[Clams]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

We’ve been symptom free too and Beth tested negative. With Omicron having a 33-72 hour onset so I’m assuming we’re good. We wore N95 masks religiously at the club but we went maskless in social settings like at the hangout. It was a risk but one we were willing to take to properly hang with y’all.

You are a superhero. You ought to be a spokesperson for transplant stuff.

Yes it was a goose bump moment that made a lot of people happy when TC left side stage and moved front and center during, I think, Uncle Frank on Saturday night. It was obviously a moment that meant a lot to TC and lurleen, but also to the band and everyone else in the 40W who was paying attention.

Overall, I think the weekend was a huge success. The shows were awesome, the get-togethers were fun, a shit ton of money was raised for Nuci's, and it sounds like everyone managed to stay healthy despite 4 straight nights of partying and shows which stretched past 100am each night. I even managed to get in a good day of fly fishing at Hatch Camp in the mountains on Thursday (though kasy and pearlbeer were missed on the outing), and my wife made her homecoming debut on Fri and Saturday nights. I also won an item at the auction- Jason Thrasher's signed photo of the band playing at the 40W - the same pic that was used for the DBT jigsaw puzzle.

Some more notes: I thought Cracker's set on Saturday was fucking phenomenal, from the opening notes of King of Bakersfield to closing with Patterson joining for the duet on Friends, they were IMO the best opener of the run by a longshot (Pilgrim and Jay G were good too, Motrix not so much). DBT highlights were World of Hurt closing out the first night, which I thought was on par with Montclair NJ circa 2011 (if you know you know) and an amazing Grand Canyon to close out night 2. I also appreciated Cooley playing One of these Days a few times and I loved his extra stonesy/raunchy version of Kinky Hypocrite. Plus Steve McQueen - That mustang had six hubcaps, Clam knows what I mean! I also thought the new songs sounded great throughout the weekend. Night 4 with both Cracker and the Truckers was flames from the tipoff to the final horn. As usual it was great to see so many friends at the shows and around town but I would be remiss if I didn't mention all those who were conspicuous by their absences - those who couldn't make it for one reason or another but more so those who were regulars but, as of the last year or two, are no longer with us - Smitty, Hank, Rod, Jimmy C and others - they were remembered and we toasted them but honestly the weekend just wasn't the same without them. All in all, just a great weekend and I'm already looking fwd to HC 2023.

[brettac1]

I've been symptom-free, but paranoid of every little cough and tickle in my throat since returning. So far so good. Glad you're negative.

We’ve been symptom free too and Beth tested negative. With Omicron having a 33-72 hour onset so I’m assuming we’re good. We wore N95 masks religiously at the club but we went maskless in social settings like at the hangout. It was a risk but one we were willing to take to properly hang with y’all.

So glad to hear! It was fantastic to see you there. I wore a KF94 about 98% of the time in the club and also went mostly maskless at everything else when I felt generally comfortable re: ventilation/air movement. I apparently just had really crazy allergies due to the 40-50 MPH winds were had here all last week, as my boss also came down with the exact same symptoms. I switched anti-histamines yesterday and everything cleared up. I did a home test last night and was still negative.