I had the pleasure of seeing Travis open for Ben Folds Five at the Flood Zone in Richmond, Virginia. I had bought the CD just a week before after seeing and being thouroughly impressed by the premier of "All I Wanna Do Is Rock" video on MTV's 120 minutes. After having soaked it all up, it made me the only person in the crowd who was not only up full front for their set, but also mouthing most of the words. This caught Fran's eye, and he even laughed at some parts that I knew...
The set was great, but the mostly adolescent crowd was ready for Ben Folds Five, so I trotted upstairs to the second story (albeit to get a beer) and luckily saw the rather solitary Fran sitting on a chair just chilling out, and being basically unnoticed/ignored by the crowd. My friend Brian had managed to snag me a set list, so I figured I'd try for the autograph, but what ensued was so much more important.
Fran actually immediately noticed that I was "that guy" who had known all the words (odd, considering the album had only been out for a week or so in the States) and he seemed impressed or at least flattered. We managed to have an incredible conversation, nothing of terrible importance, but a real down to earth chat over a beer about America and perceptions and an English bands' acclimation to the American scene. For most of the set I hung with him, eventually joined by Dougie (and only momentarily by the others). We spent the Ben Folds Five set talking and admiring Ben's prowess at the piano and Travis' future (and my life in USA's state of Virginia). My momento was that Fran and Dougie had a bit of a drawing contest on my set list, Dougie doing a rather accurate caricature of himself. They signed, dated it, and then for my friend who had managed to snag it for me, (who was weeding through the 13 year old pits downstairs with Ben Folds Five) they signed and drew up a dollar bill really comically.
It was an awesome night. By that point I had seen 66 shows, and over 150 bands, and this show was so particularly special becasue it proved my instincts right on a great new band, and then, more to the point, I managed to really get a feel of what great, straightforward guys they were. It was really nice, and I hope I get the chance to thank them.
Setlist:
All I Want To Do Is Rock
The Line Is Fine
U16 Girls
Good Feeling
Tied To The 90's
More Than Us
Good Day To Die
Happy