I hate New Year’s resolutions. It seems best to cut right to the facts, and that is fact 1-A, as far as I’m concerned. I think they’re stupid, and nobody sticks to them; all they really do is give you something irritating to bother your friends and co-workers with for the month of January.

“Oh, Phil, what’s your New Year's resolution?”

“I promised to stop cheating on my wife! And you, Dan?”

Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I decided to let go of my hate of resolutions for the time being, and make a bold statement that actually has a chance of happening in 2005. My New Year's resolution for this year is to see Broken Social Scene and Built To Spill live. No, not on the same bill (though that would be great). I just want to see both bands. That’s it. That seems perfectly acceptable, doesn’t it?

I want to see Emily Haines in a non-Metric state, and see if she’s as exciting (I’d bet not). I want to figure out who does the vocals on the track “K.C. Accidental,” among other things. Most of all, I just want to see how those fantastic songs from You Forgot It In People sound live.

As far as Built To Spill, if I could hear their amazing cover of “Cortez The Killer” in person, I’m pretty sure that would be my crowning achievement in life as a spectator. That’s all I’m asking – just 20 minutes of guitar wankery from Seattle’s best non-coffee product.

Anyway, if I don’t see both bands live this year, I can always wait till next year. After all, it’s only a New Year’s resolution. What bands would you readers out there like to see for the first time in 2005?