Woo-hoo! Maisie and I went to a GREAT Rob Thomas club show tonight, at the Avalon near Hollywood and Vine. Maisie's evening was made that much better when Fabio's cousin slipped the old "you look familiar - have I seen you somewhere?" pick-up line on her. (Note he didn't try to pick me up. It's as if the wedding ring or the marriage phermones create this fortress around me. What's up with that? I'm sure DJ is happy).

Aside from Fabio's cousin, couples holding each other as if they're at a junior high dance, and the woman in front of me with the big hair and big fake eyelashes who was obviously on a first date, the concert was rocking.



Rob thomas has three stage personas: the i-don't-give-a-@#$% persona, the i'm-so-angry-i'm-going-to-kill-someone persona, and the i'm-mr.-nice-guy-in-love mood. There is one more, which is the tragic heartbreak mood (à la "push"), but now that he's happily married, i don't think we'll see that anymore.



Interspersed with material from the new album, released today, were older favorites like "3am" and "push" toned down on the whirli (above) and guitar. He even ventured to do a Sting cover during the bridge of "smooth", which was recognized only by the older members of the audience. This guy can write songs, sing better than most rock leads, play all sorts of instruments, AND he's hot. (Maisie's observation). What more can you ask for in a musician??


They have this strange gnome thing that stands watch at the sound board. And then when Rob comes back for his encore, they make the gnome dance.