Most pointless 4+ hours of my life ever

Just got back from NOT seeing the Shins play at the Corner Hotel. I missed out on tickets, but I decided to go down there on the night on the off-chance that someone might have a ticket to sell, like if a friend had pulled out or something. Hey, they say these things happen. Buy their album, Chutes Too Narrow, and you'll understand why I was prepared to clutch at such straws as these.

Anyway, despite encouraging noises from the bouncer, nothing came up, and I spent the three hours between doors opening and their set in the front bar, reading Beat from cover to cover. I ended up listening to their first couple of songs, including the majestic Kissing the Lipless, while eating pizza out on the footpath, but self-consciousness got the better of me in the end and I headed home.

Moral of the story: pick your indie bands while they're still reasonably indie, and not featuring in the record collection of every floppy-haired boy who saw Garden State. Or get your act together and buy tickets as soon as they come out.

P.S. Go here for a much more entertaining (but equally idiosyncratic) review of a Shins show.

P.P.S. Get well soon Ben!