The Magic Numbers Don’t Add Up to Portland Appearance, by Knute Rimkus

Did I say it might take me a while to keep up with a thread? I just wanted to respond to your comment, most excellent Theophilus, that I was really happy to get excited about a new band in this case. Unlike you, I liked the new music coming out in the ’90s, but I’ve been increasingly less engaged with music over the last few years. I had an initially jaded response to Headrest too — the self-absorbed sulking grated a little — but the anthemic choruses started to grab me. The thrilling churn of sound at the show thrilled me. Yes, I was thrilled by the thrilling thrill of rock’n’roll!

It happened so easily before. So glad I could get it up for music again without pills or reunion shows.

Speaking of, I was ready to go to the Croc the other night to see the Magic Numbers, a British band that hasn’t played the states in 12 years. But they cancelled their shows in Seattle and Portland! Buzzkill!!! When Beyonce cancels a show, the media’s watching and we learn what happened, but when a small-time band taps out, there’s nowhere to turn for answers. Social media’s useful until it isn’t. The Magic Numbers have Facebook and Twitter pages where they thank Mexican fans for turning out to a late October show in Mexico City and they urge fans to come to UK shows in December. Any messages about cancelling on the Pacific Northwest? Not a one. I even sent a message and posted a question, along with other people. Still, just radio silence.

Maybe someone’s really sick — not a prime-time message — but the band went from cult heroes to fuckwads in no time flat for me. Without social media, I’d just wonder what happened. With it, I feel personally dissed. Shit, the thrill is gone again.

– Knute Rimkus