I ran like a rabbit from the rifles...

On my 16th birthday, from the advice of a friend, I decided to bring a few of my friends to a show at the Black Cat in Washington, DC, instead of having some kind of sweet-sixteen-frilly-party. That night, about 5 of us went to see Velocity Girl, Chisel, and Edsel. Needless to say, this was actually my first indie rock show. Little did I know how in the not so distant future, that Ted Leo became a repetitive figure in my life in college.

I didn’t pick up my first Chisel cd until I was digging through a bargain bin at Borders, and bought it for a few bones. It was '8 am all day'. I gave it a few listens, easily hooked. ‘Looking Down at the Great Wall of China…’ became my jam, despite having a bum out message about not settling down.

I did not end up going to the last two final Chisel shows, however, I did regret it at the time. Ted Leo began to branch off onto his own thing with the early incarnation of The Pharmacists with Jodi from Secret Stars, and James Canty. I remember seeing them at the Black Cat backstage and totally psyched, especially with their long white lab coats and jamming out–but that was the last time I ever saw them in those outfits.

When I finally went to college in Massachusetts, I was super psyched to go to so many shows. I was very excited to learn the first time since I moved there, that Ted was going to play his solo stuff. Man, was I stoked when I got to see him play ‘Dog In Me’… track 2 off '8 am all day'. From then on, every time Ted played a show, I was there… my friends were there. My friend Corey and I followed Ted quite a bit around Boston. I recall at one show at Tufts University where Corey was yelling (in Corey fashion) for Ted to play 'King of Time'. I don’t think he did, but at another (not in Boston), after a few yells... he finally did.

What came after this was Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (sans Jodi) in the middle of junior year. After hearing a preview of the song off ‘The Tyranny of Distance’ called ‘Under the Hedge’, I knew this would be my new favorite album. This was when ‘The Summer of Ted’ happened. My friend Kimberley was visiting a whole lot from Cleveland and this album was on repeat. Kimberley came down to DC while I was back home for college for the summer. We saw Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (Rx) at Fort Reno.

When I came back to Massachusetts the fall of senior year, I heard that Ted would be playing again at the Middle East Club the day I moved back to school. I went there that night only to be disappointed that the show was sold out. I looked over to this kid I know, who had ‘discreetly’ rubbed his hand against a stamp from another person. On top of that, he wrote little ‘x’ in sharpie on it. Apparently it worked, so I tried it. Unfortunately, I got caught for having it on the wrong hand. I was kicked out of the club.

After college, I guess my fascination for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Ted Leo faded away all together. Maybe after the fact I lent ‘The Tyranny of Distance’ to the girl who lived downstairs from me senior year, or maybe that I lent ‘8 am all day’ to a friend and never got it back, so I couldn’t listen to these records like 12 times back to back. I think I just ‘moved on’. I still can’t think about college memories without that damn Ted Leo… and maybe the crappy mosh metal shows I was dragged to.

Tonight is the first time I have listened to this track in 4 years. I downloaded it off one of those free mp3 sites. Go figure.

Anyway, when I first heard ‘Under The Hedge’, I thought it was about heartbreak from a girl he had been with for so long. Then I read an interview with Ted a little later on that the song was actually about love/hate relationships for punk rock and the scene. I still think that’s pretty chill.

Speaking of punk rock, at one point, my friends Zac, Zack and Andy thought it would be the best idea ever to approach Ted and ask him a simple question: ‘Would you like to be in a Citizens Arrest (demo) cover band with us?’

Ted said 'Yes'… however, it never happened. They were going to name the band Colossus.

Ted Leo and The Pharmacists - Under the Hedge