I learned last night that I should never leave my camera in my car simply because I don’t want to have to carry anything on me at a concert. When I locked up my car, I had my friend, Jeanalee put my ID, money and keys in her pocket. At the last minute, she changed her flight to leave Oakland with me and return to LA on Saturday night. Jeanalee agreed to come with me to see Los Liquits (sorry, we missed Los Abandoned) at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, and I know she’s glad she made the choice.

I could have taken some great shots of Los Liquits guys in action. The Knitting Factory is a small venue, and the show wasn’t too crowded so even though I arrived a couple songs after they had started, I still could have made my way to the stage with no trouble. Los Liquits’ shows are just like their music: fun and a little weird, but the fun kind of weird. The guys have a great stage presence. Photos of Los Liquits would have been nice, but their music is good enough for me.

I really missed my camera when a minute after entering the room, I found myself standing next to Enrique “Quique” Rángel. Yes, the bassist from Café Tacuba. When I saw him, he looked really familiar, but he looked too normal to be a major rock star. He was just standing there watching the show, drink in hand. He wore an off white sweater vest, a white shirt underneath, dark pants and carried what looked like a camera bag. His hair is what gave him away. He had long bangs to the right, a little curly. He actually looked younger than I thought.

When some other kids came up to him, I realized I was right. He was Quique. I told Jeanalee who thought it was cool. A little later, Quique went back to the bar and I was surprised once again. To my left walking near the stairs to the second floor I saw a man dressed in black with shoulder-length hair straight hair. His height and lanky frame gave him away. It was Emmanuel “Meme” del Real.

Once again, I yelled in to Jeanalee’s ear while dancing to “Desde Que” that Meme was here too. It made sense, I told her since Meme produced some of Jardín and two years ago when I saw them in San Diego, Los Liquits opened up or them and Maldita Vecindad. Behind me, other kids had noticed los Tacubos and were snapping pictures with them. It was then that I felt dumb, but I tried to rationalize leaving my camera in my car by telling myself that I already have a photo with los Tacubos and seeing them at the same small show was great enough.

The night only got better. Los Liquits rocked, of course, and played all my favorites. And Joselo showed up with a woman (his wife? girlfriend?). He stood a few feet behind Jeanalee and I. Quique and Meme stood out somewhat simply bsaed on age… and the fact that people kept pointing at them and asking them for photos. However, Joselo can’t really hide. He has glasses and dreadlocks, something not common among Mexican and Chicana/o kids in LA. Once again, I pointed him out to Jeanalee and she noted that the other two could be a little incognito, but not Joselo. She was right.

A few songs later, Liquits ended their show, but most people didn’t empty the room. Would you leave the room where your favorite band was just chilling and having drinks?

I didn’t know what to do. Should I talk to them? What would I say?

I got the nerve to talk to Meme (at the time Joselo and his girlfriend were with Quique and they were talking to some guys). This was the best part, of course.

I was so starstruck, which I’m sure didn’t help my pocha Spanish, yet Meme was totally chill, nice and rather humble. I introduced myself and tried to introduce Jeanalee but momentarily forgot her name. She stood by my side as I asked Meme a few questions and then proceeded to gush on about how their music means so much to me.

I asked Meme about when they would release their next album. He confirmed what I had read and said that they were currently working on something which would be released next year. I was confused, did he mean 2007 or 2008? He cleared it up, 2007. I then asked when they’d be on tour again and he said after the release of the new album (duh). I told him that my year felt incomplete without seeing them play.

I told Meme that Café Tacuba’s music really means a lot to me. I don’t think I can voice the impact it’s had on my life, either in English or in Spanish. In particular though, Meme’s words have touched me even more. He wrote “Las Flores” a rather short 2 minute and 12 second song that oozes pure high-energy happiness. I love Las Flores, it’s my favorite song of all time, just as Re is my favorite album. I told Meme about my love of “Las Flores” and he just nodded. I continued in Spanish, “I don’t know if you guys know what your music means to your fans, how it makes them feel.” Meme replied, “we don’t know what you feel.” I hope he does now, at least from me.

I thanked Meme again. Mucho gusto seemed like an understatement. My knees were weak (really, they were), and I was still so amazed. I’ve met Café Tacuba before, but it was so rushed. All we got was a picture. Cool enough, but this was better.

Thanks to Jeanalee who found a friend from school in the audience, we got a picture with other Tacubos. A friend of a friend took a picture and soon Jeanalee and I will have a photo to remind us of the night we found ourselves enjoying the same music in a small venue with the greatest Mexican rock band.

On my way home, I called anyone I thought would appreciate the excitement of meeting Café Tacuba. I called my cousin Rene, roommate Isa who was with Gabby, another good friend. I called Lori and Adrian and left messages. Gabby was funny, “that would be like me meeting Chris Martin at McDonalds.”

Jeanalee and I listened to Re on the way home. We were tired, but so happy. I dropped her off at her Westwood apartment and then went home, still with the goofy smile on my face.

I was almost home when I realized something. I didn’t get to see Café Tacuba play, but meeting them and actually having a short conversation with Meme was better. My year is complete.