If You Had a Time Machine
 

Forget about exploring history or trying to prevent disasters, if you had a time machine what bands would you go see and under what circumstances? A few that come to mind for me:

Bauhaus—I'm a huge fan of these guys and I've seen them before but it was only on their 1998 reunion tour. I'd love to have seen them at some small, smoky club in London in 79 or 80 at the beginning of their career.

Art Blakey Quintet—I wish I could go back and see them in New York at Birdland on the night in 1954 that they recorded A Night at Birdland because I am absolutely in love with volume 1 and I can't even imagine what it would've been like to be there for that show.

The Pixies—I'm not the biggest Pixies fan in the world but I do like them a lot and the really big thing for me here is that I'm from Boston but I'm about a decade too young to have seen them at their peak in their hometown. I wish I could have. I wish I could go back to 87-88 and see them at the Rathskeller because not only would it be great to see them but also because the Rat closed when I was 18, so I just barely missed out on that Boston musical landmark.

Prof. Longhair—I don't know how many people on here know this guy, but he was this amazing New Orleans pianist. He had a minor hit or two, but his fear of traveling outside of his hometown prevented him from ever doing a national tour (though I think he eventually did when he was "re-discovered" in the late 60s). I wish I could go back to about 1949 and see him in some seedy little dive in New Orleans. I've heard recordings of his shows and I think he would've been amazing to see in person.

The Beatles - Just to be able to say that you saw The Beatles

The Strokes (2001) - Before Julian ruined his voice

what has julian done?

These are bands I would've loved to have seen @ the height of their careers, or just to say I was one of the "lucky few" who got to see them:


The Smiths
Joy Division
Bauhaus
Lords Of The New Church
Sex Pistols
The Clash
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Led Zeppelin
Camouflage
A Flock Of Seagulls
Icehouse
Journey(w/Steve Perry and Gregg Rollie)
KISS (w/Eric Carr)

Mineral and or The Gloria Record - I love Chris Simpson so much. His music is just amazing and I would kill to have seen them live.

American Football - Just a great band and would have been killer to say "Ya, I got to see them live."

Refused - Right after The Shape of Punk to come came out. That would just be an amazing show. Those guys had a huge influence on most of the music I listen to and if they hadn't done that then I wouldn't have a lot of the bands I listen to now.

Elliott Smith - I mean come on that would just be great.

Blink 182 - I know most of you guys are gonna make fun of this but I grew up listening to Blink and they just hold a huge place in my heart. Also, if you have ever listened to The Mark, Tom and Travis Show you would know how dumb and retarded they are on stage. Its like an actual show not just a band playing music. Yes, you might hear some of the worst poop and **** joke ever but its just hilarious to me for some reason.

I would go back and watch Frank Zappa go NUTS on stage.

Hmmm... I'd really want to see The Butt Hole Sufers back when they we're doing crazy shit.

Got the t-shirt. :cool:

The Smiths concert is the one that stood out the most because I was dragged along by a friend and wasn't a fan.
I actually knew very little about them other than seeing Morrissey on TOTP's and thinking he was a twat.
I also remember thinking it was the stuff students would be drawn to, which turned me off them straight away.
I'd been to the Apollo, Manchester on countless other occasions (10 minute bus journey up the Hyde Road) to see countless other bands, but within 10 minutes of being in the theatre it became obvious to me that the atmosphere and general vibe around the place was something I'd not experienced before.
And that was before it had even started!
By the time the gig ended, I knew I'd seen something unique.

Seen Bauhaus loads of times, but the most memorable was the reunion at The Academy, Manchester a few years back.
They even ended with a version of 'Transmission' which brought the house down. Incredible concert.

David Bowie at the Wembley Empire Pool in '76. I know a few people who went to that gig, which makes me kinda jealous.

Talking Heads on their Expanded Heads tour would've been a giggle. I'd love to been able to see the Birthday Party at one of their Hacienda gigs too. Would've been some experience to see Happy Mondays before they released Yes Please too.

Pink Floyd in February 1972 at London's Rainbow Theatre

Guns N' Roses on the 13th of July 1993 at Palais Omnisports de Bercy, Paris, France

Jeff Buckley on the 17th of August 1993 at Sin-é, New York