The Gruetzmachers Turn One!

A day after Kasia turned two, the Gruetzmacher family turned one. It was a year ago that Kara and I both said "I do" in the presence of our parents at the Pagoda in Norfolk. Actually, Kara said "I do" twice because she didn't know that the first time she was supposed to say "I can."

The one year anniversary is the "Paper anniversary" and so to incorporate paper into the celebration, we bought concert tickets. They were paper. A band named Flogging Molly was playing on March 3 at the Norva in downtown Norfolk. Kara and I had seen them once before and had a great time at the show. They also happen to be Kasia's favorite band (no joke. She will throw a fit in the car until you put on some Flogging Molly. I almost feel guilty that we don't play more kid-friendly music for her. Almost). So despite it not being considered the most romantic way to celebrate, we thought it was a memorable way.

We go their early to meet up with Bill and his son John. We got in early and got a great place to stand and watch the show. Kara and I had been talking about how it was sad that you pay a huge amount of money for the ticket, then pay Ticketmaster charges on top of that, only to get to the show early and have to wait around for a few hours. Then you have to sit through the "special guest" performers who always stink and finally, just as you're about to pass out from exhaustion, the act you wanted to see gets on stage. There was a slight twist to all this though. The "special guest" opening acts were actually really good.

First we saw a band from Dublin called The Mighty Stef. Just like Flogging Molly, they were an Irish rock band. They were very good. They played for about 30 minutes and did a great job of setting the tone for the night.

Then came the second act. My god. It's hard to describe, but when they first walked out stage the first thought that went through my mind was that the mountains had lost a few hillbillies. They were Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. Go ahead and Google them and you'll see some pictures. You had the Reverend Peyton playing guitar. He was a rather large man with an even larger beard. His brother was this small, scrawny guy playing drums. Actually, he played one drum. His set up was a snare drum and an upside down plastic bucket. He also had a bunch of cymbals to add variety. And lastly was the Reverend's good wife, "Washboard" Breezy. Why was she called "Washboard" you ask? Because she plays the washboard. And only the washboard. The whole scene was so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh. Then they started to play. Oh. My. God. They were amazing. I mean, simply amazing. This guy played guitar better than anyone I've ever seen with the possible exception of Brian Setzer. The kid on the drums? Amazing. His arms flailed everywhere and you couldn't believe that all that beat was coming from just a drum and a bucket. And boy oh boy did Breezy play the hell out of the washboard. She even had a washboard solo. There sound was like bluegrass/punk. Shockingly amazing.

Then Flogging Molly came out, and I swear that it is impossible for them not to put on a great show. They even spotted Bill in the audience and dedicated a song to him. It was "Drunken Lullabies" and I don't think the band knew just how appropriate that song was for him. I'm pretty sure that Bill got spotted because he was probably the oldest guy rocking out in the entire room. It was quite amazing.

We got home just before 1 am. We were exhausted, but we couldn't have been happier. A whole year has gone by since we got married, and I couldn't imagine it being any other way. We have a beautiful house, a beautiful daughter, and a beautiful life together. I can't wait for the year ahead, and to celebrate our second anniversary (which is the "cotton anniversary." What to do, what to do...).