I haven’t been to nearly as many shows in my lifetime as I’d have liked, but then again, I spent my teen years poor in small town Iowa. I’ve tried to make up for that since, but the main factor slowing me down now is that I’m pretty picky and just plain not interested in seeing most acts that pass through. Concerts are so overpriced these days, I have to either be a huge fan of the artist or truly believe they’ll put on a great show before I’ll plunk down ticket money. Here’s the eclectic history:

The Dresden Dolls: October 15, 2006
Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: The Red Paintings

Sufjan Stevens: October 13, 2006
Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: My Brightest Diamond

The Coup: August 2, 2006
Berbati’s Pan in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Boom Bap Project

Les Claypool: June 2, 2006
The Roseland in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: none

theXplodingboys: November 12, 2005
The Fez in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: The Gentry

Broadcast: October 29, 2005
Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Gravenhurst

theXplodingboys: October 15, 2005
Porky’s Pub in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: The Human Genome Project, Submarine Fleet

The Arcade Fire: September 20, 2005
Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Belle Orchestre, Wolf Parade

Dead Can Dance: September 17, 2005
The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington
Opening Act: none

The Cancer Fags and theXplodingboys: July 30, 2005
Porky’s Pub in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Ruby Starfruit

Mary Timony: July 29, 2005
Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: LKN, Viva Voce

M83 and Ulrich Schnauss: April 27, 2005
Holocene in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Talkdemonic

theXplodingboys: February 4, 2005
Sabala’s in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Railer, Kuma

Neko Case: November 29, 2004
Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Dexter Romweber Duo, The Sadies

The Dresden Dolls: November 15, 2004
Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: The Ditty Bops, Count Zero

Interpol: October 24, 2004
Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Hail Social, Secret Machine

Siouxsie Sioux: September 26, 2004
The Showbox in Seattle, Washington
Opening Act: none
¤ see review here

Diamanda Galas: September 12, 2004
Newmark Theatre in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: none
¤ see review here

The Cure: August 31, 2004
Everett Events Center in Everett, Washington
Opening Act: none
¤ see review here

Death Cab for Cutie: November 20, 2003
Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Nada Surf
¤ see review here

Goldfrapp: October 2, 2003
Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Brookville
¤ see review here

The B-52’s: August 25, 2003
Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon
Opening Act: none
¤ see review here

Broadcast: May 9, 2003
B-Complex in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: ADULT.
¤ see review here

Tori Amos: December 11, 2002
Chiles Center in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Howie Day
¤ see review here

cranes: May 11, 2002
Berbati’s Pan in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: The Swords Project, For Stars
¤ see review here

Kerosene Dream: July 7, 2000
Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon
Opening Act: Stephanie Schneiderman

Tori Amos: July 18, 1998
CY Stephens Auditorium in Ames, Iowa
Opening Act: The Devlins

Gwar: October 31 (Halloween), 1996
in Chicago, Illinois
Opening Act: I forget

Live: July 1995
in Knoxville, Tennessee
Opening Band: I forget

Bob Dylan: November 5, 1994
Tennesse Theater in Knoxville, Tennessee
Opening Band: I forget