Last night was one for the books. My friend Chad (On Right of photo) invited me to Silver Moon Brewing for his brother’s birthday celebration (Trent on Left in photo), and the night unfolded into a trip down memory lane with a concert lineup that rocked my childhood soundtrack. The headliner was non other than Everclear, with Jimmy’s Chicken Shack opening and Marcy Playground bridging the gap. It wasn’t just the music that hit home—it was the raw nostalgia that flooded my mind as the night went on.
The evening kicked off with Jimmy’s Chicken Shack, a band formed in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1992. Their blend of alternative rock with a bit of funk set the tone for the night. As they played their 1997 hit Do Right, the crowd came alive. It was the perfect energy boost to get things rolling. I hadn’t revisited their music in years, but their unique sound instantly took me back to the late ‘90s, reminding me how alternative rock provided a refuge for so many of us back then.
Next up was Marcy Playground, a name that needs little introduction to anyone who lived through the ‘90s alt-rock scene. Formed in 1997, their most famous track Sex and Candy hit number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and was a staple on MTV for months. Hearing it live transported me straight to my eighth-grade bedroom, where I’d sit, glued to the TV, waiting for the music video to play.
It wasn’t just the music, though. It was the feeling of being young and full of emotion, dealing with life’s challenges, and somehow finding solace in songs like this. As Marcy Playground delivered their set, the crowd swayed along, and for a moment, it felt like time had rewound 25 years. We weren’t just listening to music; we were reliving memories.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for—Everclear, led by frontman Art Alexakis. Formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1991, Everclear gained major recognition with hits like Santa Monica and Father of Mine, songs that reflected Alexakis’ own struggles with poverty, family turmoil, and personal hardship. Growing up, these songs spoke to me on a deep level. Father of Mine especially hit hard, capturing the pain of family breakup, something that I, like so many others, could relate to.
As Art took the stage, his presence was magnetic. For someone who’s been on Portland radio for nearly 30 years, he still knows how to deliver an electrifying performance. He connected with the crowd on a personal level, sharing stories and bringing his songs to life with a raw intensity that only comes from years of living those experiences. Santa Monica was a major highlight, the crowd singing along to every word.
The crowd was electric the entire night. Silver Moon Brewing set the perfect atmosphere for this concert, with its intimate setting and great acoustics enhancing the experience. As the night wrapped up, I found myself thanking Chad not only for the invite but for unknowingly sparking a flood of childhood memories. Music has that way of tapping into our emotions and reminding us where we’ve been. This night was more than just a concert—it was a time capsule of the emotions, music videos, and personal growth from my youth.
Whether you were rocking out to Sex and Candy on MTV back in the day or finding solace in Everclear’s lyrics about life’s struggles, this concert was a reminder of how powerful music can be.
I’ll definitely be returning to Silver Moon Brewing for more shows—if they’re anything like this one, it’s bound to be unforgettable.
Chris Piercey – Owner
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