In August 1999, four friends and I went to Chicago Illinois, to see two of Braid's Last shows. A few of these pictures were used in a partially finished travelogue on the old site, but it got deleted by AOL. So this is basically just a photo album with commentary thrown in for good measure.

While we were there, Chicago was running this cow-themed arts festival. There were gaudily painted cows scattered all over the city, each done up by a different artist. If I had unlimited time and film, I would have tracked down all of them and taken a picture because I'm a dork like that. Anyway - this one on the left is someone's 'Kurt...I love you, man' Cow. Pictured are Nirvana, Courtney Love, The Smashing Pumpkins, and that pink blob on the udder is Henry Rollins. Har. In the picture on the right, Chris, Ryan and Erik pose with the now-defunct Chicago rawk club, Lounge Ax.

The picture to the left shows the result of a Sunday stroll through a park along Chicago's 'Magnificent Mile:' Ryan standing behind a woman with a large balloon bicycle on her head. You would have taken a picture, too. To the right is Braid at the Metro in Chicago on Saturday night. Obviously, these pictures are not in chronological order. Also on the bill were the Alkaline Trio and Sarge. Let me just say that the Metro is by far the coolest venue I have ever seen. The only michigan venue that is remotely comparable is the Majestic Theatre, but it's never used and it has a crappy P.A. But I digress. Braid rocked the house.

Bob and Chris from Braid, the night before the Metro show.  This show was at the Fireside Bowl.  It was hot as hell inside, and everyone was waiting on the opening band (!).  When Braid finally took the stage, though, it was worth the wait.  Bifocal (The people who did the 'Actuality of Thought' video) were there taping.  Another thing about Chicago venues:  We Detroiters were kind of taken aback at the ability to simply walk from a venue to a fast-food outlet or record store. Nice.

  

Virgin Megastore Hijinx! Below right: Just a dumb joke picture. Erik got cut out and was actually mad. Below left: Chris does the collapse. Let me take this opportunity to remind everyone that just because you write a LOT of songs, it doesn't mean that they're all good. (Hint: I'm talking about Guided by Voices.)

Below left: The infamous fireside bowl. The colors in this picture kind of make it look like a postcard. The lanes weren't even open, and they crammed a billion people inside. Below middle: The line-up for the Fireside show on Friday. Below Right: I just thought this picture was kind of cool: Bob of Braid standing over a packed Metro house. Sure it's blurry, but it was taken from the balcony. Give me a break. This was also taken at the Saturday Metro show.

Below left: This is another art-cow.  I wish I could put one of these on the lawn of every vegetarian in the world. Below right: This is that classy Metro place I was talking about before.  A marquee even.