We practiced once a week, during the weekends, or whenever our parenting and professional responsibilities allowed. Even the DCM jammed with us occasionally. Soon we had a full rock band: the two original amigos (my wife) the visa chief as our lead singer the office management specialist as our lead guitarist the public affairs officer on backup vocals and a Canadian neighbor on drums. As we talked about how much fun it was to play together, the word spread rapidly in the embassy more colleagues came out of the woodwork, dusted off their musical instruments, and joined us. Mid-Life Crisis had formed just a few months prior to the show as a jam session between two friends, a consular officer with vast musical experience and me, the ESO logistician who had just bought an electric guitar as an attempt to revive my high school years of rock ’n’ roll glory. Everyone was dancing and singing at the top of their lungs in the crisp night air. ” As the guitar player hit the first power chords, the crowd went wild for the song, “De Música Ligera,” one of the all-time rock classics in Spanish by an Argentinian band called Soda Stereo. With one more surprise for the crowd, Mid-Life Crisis returned to the stage and told the audience: “ Tengo una buena canción para ustedes. Music allowed us to forget for a moment about our next assignments, employee evaluation review (EER) deadlines, visa wait times, public affairs crises.Īfter almost two hours of show, the lead singer wrapped up the performance by reminding the crowd that the show was the result of a group of colleagues and friends coming together to decompress and have fun, and at the end of the day we should all take the time to “pursue your passions, don’t ever forget who you really are.” Though the band played their closer, “Gigantic” by the Pixies, the euphoric fans were not ready to go home and demanded an encore. The DCM, boosted by the crowd, joined the group and delivered an electrifying performance of “Song 2” by Blur, bringing everyone to their feet. The band continued with a set list that took the crowd through rock classics of the 1990s and 2000s, with songs from the Black Keys, the White Stripes, Weezer, and the Strokes. They screamed and clapped when the lights dimmed, and the band began to play their opener, “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. The crowd burst with excitement when the sound of the first strident notes of the bass floated across San José’s serene night sky. Guitars were tuned, drums were set up, sound equipment was equalized, and the band was hyped and ready to rock and roll. Foreign Service members, local staff, contractors, and even the ambassador were ready to enjoy the show. Embassy San José’s own rock band, Mid-Life Crisis.Īs the sun set behind the mountains, intrigued guests were lining up at the security checkpoint. The residence was ready to receive the embassy community and local friends for the long-awaited debut of U.S. On a late April afternoon, the dark clouds dissipated after an unseasonal thunderstorm showered the banana trees and the tropical gardens of the deputy chief of mission’s (DCM) residence in San José, Costa Rica.
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