If I made one important realization this weekend, it was that I really love the phrase "safe as houses."

Saturday I went to see Black Celebration, which is a Depeche Mode cover band (well, what else would they be?). They were playing at the Catwalk, which isn't at all like I had always pictured it. I suppose I was expecting, well, catwalks. But it's pretty much like any other club in a converted industrual warehouse-y space.

The crowd was great fun to watch; there were the requisite mostly nekkid girls (I think they come with the liquor license or something); a few aging goths, one of whom had extended his sideburns with eyeliner into pointy spiraly things; a very granola-ish girl in all floral prints; and several guys in baseball caps who looked like they'd been dragged there by their girlfriends.

The opening band, Kuma, was okay, but not terribly engaging. The singer had a Siouxsie thing going on, but I think it's going to take them another six months or so before they meld well. There was one girl up by the stage, dancing her heart out and obviously having a great time. Everyone else was hanging around the edges, chatting and contributing to the smoky haze. It was sort of like a middle school dance with booze.

Then Black Celebration came on, and everyone crowded up toward the stage. They were really good, too: the singer really had the whole attitude down. They did most of my favorite songs, which made me happy, although Somebody was noticably lacking. The set list was very Violator-heavy; I was hoping for a little more of the earlier stuf. I did think they ought to have ended on Enjoy the Silence, but that's just me. I mean, think of it: "Enjoy the silence..." Bam, blackout, house lights up.

On the way to the car afterwards, we got accosted by slimy boys making kissy faces. Does that ever work? I mean, is it supposed to bring out some primal urge in me? "Ooh, you're a misogynist halfwit, fuck me now." Because I just hadn't gotten my daily dose of yuck...

Stephanie and I discussed our favorite Depeche Mode albums, and we both settled on Some Great Reward. Write in with your favorites; I'll post the results if I actually hear from anyone.

Sunday was also exciting, but now I have to get back to work, so you'll just have to wait for that.