On Tuesday night the Whigs' frontman Parker Gispert came out kicking before a sparse but engaged audience at the Firebird. Literally kicking.

For most bands, a standing ovation comes after a stellar performance. However, if that band is Crosby, Stills and Nash, the first standing ovation comes, already earned, before a note has been played -- and such ovations reappear throughout the concert.

He with his naked soul shall pierce into the other naked souls… - Plato, "Gorgias"

It's not often an opportunity to see a band with multi-platinum record status play in a small rock club. Make it South African rockers the Parlotones, and it's even rarer an opportunity.

Mike Ness seems tired, or maybe just bored. I saw him about this time last year at the Pageant and walked away thinking I had seen one of the greatest shows. But after last night's Social Distortion show at Pop's, I cruised back home over the bridge a little more than underwhelmed.