• Weezer
• Teenage Fanclub
• that dog.

This is the first time I saw live bands play. I'd just turned fifteen a couple of months prior to this and we were going to see Weezer! They had started to get fairly popular at this time when 'Undone' and 'Buddy Holly' were on heavy radio and video rotation. We were seeing them play at the Tennessee Amphitheater in the World's Fair Park, right next to the Sunsphere. We had a pretty good size group, probably around six or seven of us and we got there early enough to get some pretty great seats. It was general admission, so you just go wherever the hell you wanna go. I think we were in the first couple of rows on the left hand side of the venue. For some reason I recall there being four bands on the bill, but I can only name three of them.

I immediately recognized the, now iconic, Weezer 'W' metal light-up sign hanging behind the stage. Already getting chills for what was to come that night. As I said before, I really believe there was another opening act, I just don't remember who it was. Regardless, That Dog came out and rocked. I think they had a single out at that time, but I'm not too sure. I recall having a good time with them, but what I remember the most is meeting the lead singer, Anna Waronker, after their set. I got an autograph, but I think I was too awestruck to remember the interaction. Next, we got to see Teenage Fanclub. They're Scottish and you're not. I really don't remember much of their set, I do remember liking it though. Weezer came out and destroyed. Their sign lit up like a Christmas tree and it was just over. It was loud and I remember jumping a lot. My buddy crowd-surfed for the first time, too! I can only remember very small snippets of songs. I remember a bit of 'Jamie', 'Susanne', and 'Only in Dreams'. I also remember when they were playing 'Undone', at the beginning when it's just talking, Brian Bell kept saying Bearden High School. He had gone to the high school in Knoxville, so that was pretty fuckin' rad too!

It was just such a rush to be out with little supervision and having such a great night. Even then the whole night seemed like a blur. It was definitely a great first experience. Looking back on this, I just wonder how I got a hold of tickets at such a young age. Haha! This was way before you could go to an app on your phone and purchase tickets within a matter of seconds. You had to physically go somewhere and stand in line. It was a process.

In each post that I do, I'm going to try and include as much memorabilia as I can. I have recently started making a lot of my old concert t-shirts into quilts, so there will be quite a few pictures of shirts in a square fashion.

My first concert ticket!

Signature courtesy of Anna Waronker from That dog.

First concert T-Shirt. It is now a part of a concert quilt.

Back side of the shirt. Rock fuckin' Music!

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/weezer/1995/worlds-fair-park-knoxville-tn-73de1ee1.html

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/teenage-fanclub/1995/worlds-fair-park-knoxville-tn-6bde1ee6.html

I hope this is somewhat readable. I am, by no means, a writer. I guess I just want to share all this shit I have and this seemed a fairly uncomplicated way to do so. Enjoy!

josh