[Rioja]

Okay here goes... The last time I posted in these forums was, I think, 2003. At that time, the site was simply Dirty.org, I believe, and Scott Warner ran it. The boards themselves were collectively known as RTSR. ("Ride the sainted rhythms", of course. Please excuse the ignorance, but is Warner still around?)

I don't know if there's anyone still around who would remember this, but there was an RTSR CD compilation made late 2002 with a bunch of the regulars who fancied themselves musicians. I was one of the ones on there, going by "Lifedownstairs" back then with a track called "Romancandle Vox". The peeps that put together the disc were the same ones who did "Bootleg Babies", I think.

And I know this really, really dates me, but I guess the reason I'm rearing my curious head again is that I only somewhat recently discovered that there were some of us still around, as evidenced by the new (at least, new to me) BornDirty boards. And of course this inspired a pleasant reminiscing in me old bonce.

So, yes, I know - long winded. My point here is that I was absolutely thrilled to find that Dr. Smith and Mr. Hyde (and the new Darren, of course) had reserved a night of music at an L.A. theater despite being booked 2 weekends back-to-back in Indio at Coachella. (I tell you, it's indeed a wonderful thing to be a west coast Underworld fan this month.) I've actually seen UW 2 or 3 times at previous Coachellas back when it was just one weekend, but I haven't been to that festival in a while because it's just too damned packed nowadays and -- no offense to anyone -- but I really don't have too much of a desire to be packed like sardines with Guns 'N Roses fans. Again, no offense, but you know I really have a bit of trouble getting past the nastiness (the bad kind of nasty) in a GNR song like "One In A Million". Forgive and forget, yes, I know, but that can be a bit of a challenge in certain cases.

All right already! I know, I know. Ok so I don't know how to say this without sounding a smidge creepy, so here goes. After being a very big fan of UW for about twenty years, I can't help but wonder if Rick or Karl have ever met fans before or after a show. I know they're both very intelligent and fairly private people, but I guess what I'm asking is if those arriving quite early have ever been invited into soundcheck or that kind of thing.

Again, I feel kind of silly asking about this because, of course, I don't know Rick, Karl, or Darren from Adam. I would, however, think it be something to be able to thank them in person for all the years of a world made better by the art they've made. (Both as UW and as part of Tomato.)

You know, I really respect and admire Jason Bentley a lot, and am particularly grateful for him having more than a little something to do with the fact that I -- along with thousands of other fans -- have been able to see UW at the legendary Hollywood Bowl both in 2007 and 2015.

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't quite envious of Bentley since he's one of the relative few who have been able to personally express his gratitude to 2 of the very best musicians who have ever graced this globe.

Any thoughts from anyone would be more than welcome, and again, I hope my lack of preference for GNR didn’t offend.

With enormous love for all the Dirts new and old,
Atys.