The Final Countdown

CHICAGO (Skeletor) -- I awoke from my dream and looked around the room. It took me five seconds to remember where I was and why I was there. Then it hit me, I was in Chicago and it was the last day of Lollapolooza. Tonight I was going to see one of the greatest rock bands in history, the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

We breezed through the morning knowing that we didn't need to arrive at Grant Park until 3:30, when we would see Andrew Bird perform. After a morning filled with videogames and television, we finally decided to face reality and get ready to leave. Another long train ride put us five minutes late for the Andrew Bird concert, not to mention that we missed the song that was the whole reason we were going to see him. Seriously, who leads with "A Nervous Tick Motion of the Head to the Left?"

Nevertheless, Crano and I next split concerts between The Shins and Matisyahu. After both stimulating performances, we headed over to the Playstation 2 tent for more videogames.

We were fortunate enough to try the demo for Guitar Hero 2, this new game features a co-op mode with guitar and bass. Tragically, our ten minute wait proved unpurposeful when we found ourselves failing Rush's "YYZ" mere seconds into the song. Not to mention being at the butt-end of some whispered humor of the other gamers waiting in line. Daunted but still resolute, we set down our guitars and quickly walked out of the tent.

We had a brief run-in with other DeWittians (townspeople of DeWitt, Iowa) before heading to our standard location at the intersection of X, the right end of the stage, and Y, the sound booth. After arriving at the central location we used our patented locating technique of raising an arm extended upward into a fist with your index finger pointing up, a.k.a. "Holding up a One," to find the rest of the Rucki. We enjoyed a exceptional Wilco concert before headed down to the RHCP's stage.

Some may think that arriving 45 minutes early to a concert would be more than enough time to get a good spot. Well if you believed that this was true, then obviously you have never been to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert.

By the time the band took the stage and Frusciante's guitar screamed an intro jam that included the heavy licks of "Warlocks" the crowd had gone wild. Immediately, the body surfing started and everyone was having the time of their life. Even Crano and I had our share of bodysurfing, and I will tell you personally that it is indeed underrated. You let the music take you in, and I couldn't help but play the air guitar to "By The Way" while being passed to the front like beach ball.

After the scheduled time passed, 90 percent of the crowd stayed for a two-song encore that included "Give It Away." It was over before we knew it, but it was extremely awesome.

I now have experiences that I will remember my entire life and have learned many things about bands and life. Bottom line, Lollapolooza kicked ass for three days straight.

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