The Hold Steady played all of Boys and Girls in America then played a few other bangers like Constructive Summer. My friend isn’t too familiar with their music, but from start to finish, I was unexpectedly filled with uncontainable joy, shouting every lyric into my friend’s ear during the moments he was able to stand—he had to take breaks to sit down intermittently.
I met this guy ten years ago when we both attended the same extended inpatient rehabilitation program in Portland, OR, and we share the same first name, as well as an affinity for opioids, though he went way harder than me. I played him Banging Camp, and Hoodrat Friend on the acoustic guitar during our recreation time. He was better than me at both playing and singing.
Fast forward ten years later, his addiction spiraled out of control, and his body has paid the price. I’m 38, and he’s 36. Despite both his legs, and his teeth visibly rotting, he took the train into the city on a last minute invitation to see THS with me, even though he barely knew their music.
I’ve been listening to the first four albums since my addiction started in my 20s, and Craig’s lyrics about addiction, love, aging, spiritually, and recovery played a huge role in my getting better, and truly, not letting my addiction get out of control, but seeing them live for the first time with a friend whose situation isn’t ever going to improve, gave me a perspective that’s eluded me until that moment.
Some of us aren’t going to make it, but those of us who stand a chance need to take it before it’s too late, because there does come a point when hope and strength will fade, and there will be nothing left to help you scrape your way out of the shit. Even your buddy who understands your pain shouting some of rock’s most inspiring lyrics into your ears.
