A friend of a friend thought that they saw Billy Idol in attendance at Holmdel. A very tall, very white-blond fellow in an all-white demin outfit was in attendance. I did a double-take when I saw him walking around myself, but the fellow at Holmdel was younger and taller than Idol, who was actually playing a gig out in L.A. (Thanks to all those on the evil Facebook who told me about Idol’s show in L.A. when I asked.)

“Scattered” and “Dancing With Myself” – Green Day at Mansfield, MA – August 16, 2009

I have no idea who the fellow in white was, but I chuckled when I saw this wonderful clip of “Scattered” leading into “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol from Green Day’s show in Mansfield, two days after Holmdel. This clip is shot from above and focuses well on Tre’s drumming. Last year I posted some clips that were shot from above trying to focus slightly more on a view of Tre at the drums, and while the ones from last year weren’t that great in video quality, this one from above is clear and crisp. [For other clips shot from above, see, Johnny B. Goode, St. Louis, 2009; Song of the Century and 21stCB Intro, San Jose, Ca, 2009]

I saw Green Day perform “Scattered” at the MSG2 soundcheck, but I think that has been the only time live on this tour that I’ve heard it. The band sounds like they are having fun, and really get into the “Dancing With Myself” part. Tre offers a steady bridge throughout and sounds awfully good, while Jason White gets so into it that he jumps the highest up that I’ve ever seen him go! Nice!

Green Day (presumably Billie Joe) said that Mansfield was their favorite show so far on this leg of the tour, and if this video is a witness, it sounds like it was a blast.

I’m going to finish up my post about Hartford and Holmdel in the next day, and then… I’m sneaking across the border with a passport and Nicole and we’re going to see Green Day in Montreal. Sacre bleu! This makes up for missing out on what will be the epically crazy show in Irving later this month. Green Day’s shows in California, their home state, are crazy affairs. I will be heading to Chula Vista and San Francisco, but work timing and other factors prevent me from hitting Irvine. I have never been to a concert in Canada before, even though I lived close to Windsor, in Ontario and across the border from my hometown of Detroit, while growing up. I love Montreal, and if I could have pulled it off, I would headed for the Quebec show as well. I’ve spent previous time in both Quebec City and Montreal, and love them dearly. It will be nice to see Green Day in Old Montreal, at the Jacques Quai Pier. It’s open air, and if it doesn’t rain, it will be way rad. Haha, I said rad. I’m pretty sure I won’t be dancing with myself, but with a bunch of crazy French-Canadians, in the next few days. OUI!