TV Smith (left) and Jay Reatard (right) Photo by Big Takeover– not from the show, but same tour.

Three years ago today was July 3, 2009, a great day in KLYAM history. KLYAM had just started a week prior and so we KLYAMERS were hungry for some good old fun rock and roll shows. At the time, I didn’t know too much about Jay Reatard, but Glen was starting to delve into his discography. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t one of the better live moments I have witnessed, but something about his (and the whole band, which included Stephen Pope on bass and Billy Hayes on drums) performance shook me up from head to toe, so much so that I picked up Matador Singles’08. Which by the way is rare for me to do in general- that is purchase an artist’s music immediately after hearing/seeing them. I went home that night and put on Matador and the rest is KLYAM history. Legendary punker, TV Smith and local power poppers, Prety and Nice opened. Six months later Jay passed away, within that time we had the privilege of seeing him three times. Amen.