fall out boy, 14.04.2008

LINE-UP: Hey Monday, All Time Low, Cobra Starship, Metro Station, Fall Out Boy
VENUE: Fillmore Auditorium

I hated how we had to choose between this show and the Devil Wears Prada. TDWP are SO incredible to see live; neither my sister nor I wanted to give up the opportunity to go see them, but alas, Fall Out Boy is one of Nora's ultimate favorite bands and we chose to see them instead, which was absolutely fine with me, despite the show being at my least favorite venue. At least it wasn't in an arena, so we seized the opportunity.

Like crazy-ass fanatics, but not the maximum extreme, we get down to the venue at about 7 in the morning, whip out our sleeping materials and lie down on the pavement behind only five or so people (which DO multiply by the end) to sleep and wait and wait and wait. Way later into the day, as I'm laying on the pavement, I glance up to see a guy on a scooter with a Glamour Kills shirt. I find this funny and decide to check him out, then I see a girl behind him. IT'S HEY MONDAY. (FYI, I love Cassadee, and she's my theoretical girlfriend... but I don't swing that way.) I freak out a little bit on the inside as I watch them ride away on scooters. How darling.

The ten hours of waiting actually go by pretty fast. Despite all the early-entry assholes and line-cutters, Nora and I make it about second row, in theory inside the venue. I start to feel really, REALLY sick and don't know if I can make it through the hour wait. I want to so badly, but I feel so ridiculously ill that ten minutes before Hey Monday comes out, I have to bolt to the bathroom and forfeit my spot. I am so, SO sad about this but feel a whole lot better afterward and venture back into the crowd. I make it about "fifth row" and I can see really, really well. Cassadee can't see me, but that's okay. They open with Run, Don't Walk (badass, I tell you, badass!) and only play a few songs, but my girlfriend looks damn good and sings SO well! Pete Wentz even comes on stage to sing with them and people go crazy! I even go crazy!

All Time Low comes on next, and they of course, perform they're typical-ass songs, but despite this, they perform well. They always do. They keep the inappropriate comments to a minimum (probably because Alex knew Nora was there!), which is actually quite nice. After their set, I leave, and meet up with Nora at the merch area, miraculously. We wander around for a little while, looking for someone to meet, but we find no one. Instead, we find the Summer Set standing around in the middle of the pit. A day off, we figured, and decide to venture near them when Jess is alone. She says hi to us and confirms that we were at their show the night before. We reintroduce ourselves, and she tells us that they had gotten in free, but didn't get to see Hey Monday or All Time Low, even though she wanted to because they had just arrived. Sad day. We part ways, saying we'll see her next time.

Even though Gabe Saporta can't shut his mouth, Cobra Starship is still a really fun band to see live. I like his morals and speeches; they move me, and they're good for a dance. Gabe starts talking shit about Cassadee and how she had agreed to sing Snake on a Plane with them until Fall Out Boy asked her to sing a song with them. "Fuck you, Gabe!" he quotes. He then says that they asked Alex Gaskarth the same thing. He, too, agreed, until Fall Out Boy snatched him up, too. "Fuck you, Gabe!" he says again, "But you know what? That's okay because WE DON'T GIVE A SHIT." I find this hilarious, but in the middle of Snakes on a Plane, Alex runs on stage out of nowhere to sing William Beckett's part. "I heard you talking shit about me from downstairs," Alex tells Gabe. It's all quite a sight to see.

Both Nora and I are dreading the moment Metro Station comes on stage. And I really don't give a rat's ass if you say you like them, because THEY SUCK. They're horrible. There's nothing good about them. Sometimes, yes, they have decent beats, but those needs dudes who actually know how to sing if they want to turn it into a good song. They're SO nasty. At one point, Trace Cyrus takes his shirt off "because it's so hot", girls scream, and I almost throw up on myself. I kid you not. He is the epitome of disgusting, but luckily, their set is over soon before I go through with suicide. Thank God.

We go and stand with my mom a level up on the side of the stage to watch Fall Out Boy. It may not be in the pit, but it provides a really good view. And let me tell you, I don't really go out of my way to listen to Fall Out Boy, but seeing them live is always so amazing! Plus it doesn't hurt that I can see Cassadee sitting on the side of the stage watching and waiting for her turn to come out. They start with an introduction projected on the screen and come out in business attire and wigs. A little later on, they do another segue way video and change into another set of unified outfits. In total, I believe they play about an hour and a half, almost. They perform some songs from Take This To Your Grave (definitely Saturday and Grand Theft Autumn) and my favourite song from the news record: Headfirst Slide in Cooperstown. I was so thrilled when they played it; Alex came out during Grand Theft Autumn, and after, when they perform What A Catch, Donnie (which was really awesome, especially when Gabe came out to sing and the other members who sing in the song were projected on a screen; that was pretty BA), Alex leaves the stage, and I try to hunt him down from the back, but I don't find him. Not a big deal.

I head back to my mother and sister and continue to watch Fall Out Boy. They really are amazing performers; even that silly little Pete Wentz that drives me crazy sometimes (in a negative manner). Cassadee also comes out and performs a song with them towards the end... but I don't remember what it was. I have the worst memory ever! After Fall Out Boy's spectacular performance, we head back to the merch and spot Gabe Saporta off to the side being hounded by girls who have no idea who the hell he is! Fun! I decide that I want a picture with him just for memory's sake, so after a good while of waiting we get our pics. We also see Alex Suarez from Cobra, but we don't talk to him and instead head outside to the back where all the buses are.

We find Alex Suarez again and a shitload of people against the wire barricade waiting for someone "famous" to come that they could hound. Alex has a badass necklace of a Pokeball around his next, so I decide to get a picture with him at this time (my pictures with him always turn out so cute!) and ask him, "Where do you get necklaces like that?" He tells me that a fan had just given it to him. It was such a cool necklace; I couldn't even tell you. At that same moment, Alex Gaskarth hops off his tour bus and people freak out, so we freak out, too and head against the mob of people to get our turn. We hadn't realized it until then, but Rian, Jack, and Zack had all been out there meeting people already, and we missed out opportunity. Oh well.

Instead we have to focus on getting our time with Alex. We trace him back and forth behind the line of people, trying to find an empty space against the wire too jump in and talk to him. Eventually we make our way through, and after girls hound him for a good while, he turns in our direction, comes over - ignoring everyone else, mind you - and says hey... to Nora, mostly, but I'm trying to get over that. Way to remind myself. And I'm such a douchebag because I can't remember any of the conversation! =( I do remember that he was talking to Nora for a good while (maybe I'm just trying to block it), and I just stood there, only half listening. Randomly, Alex says to Nora, "I love you," all sincerely, which takes us both aback a little bit, but of course, she replies with, "I hate you." "Why?" He basically whimpers, but laughing, he adds, "I didn't do anything."

I know my mom joined in, he asked her how she was. I was standing there awkwardly, but Alex realized that I was with my sister, so he smiles, does a polite little wave, and says hi. We do all get pictures, but I really wish I remember more of what we talked about. =/ I know he gives Nora a farewell hug, then proceeds to hug my mother and I. He asks us if we're coming tomorrow, but we say that we don't know, but we'd definitely be going to the in-store at the Park Meadows Mall. He's glad we'll be going and says he doesn't know how many people are actually going to be there so they could hang out, but it'll be a good time. =) Content, we leave a little bit after, just as Trace Cyrus is walking off his bus (good timing) and head home.

That was basically the majority of the night. I didn't get to meet Cassadee, but it was okay because Alex knows who my sister is. Heh.

guys, guys, guys tour, 13.04.2009

LINE-UP: The Summer Set, Artist vs. Poet, the Morning Light, The Friday Night Boys, Sing it Loud
VENUE: Marquis Theater

This was the first show I had been to in a long time where I knew hardly any songs by any of the bands. I knew who they all were, and most of the songs by the Morning Light, but otherwise, these are bands I should probably listen to but don't. Anyhow.

My sister and I are the only ones going to the show - going without my mom is scary! - and we get there pretty much as doors open. We go to sit on the stools and wait for the show to start as we watch Nate Flynn from Sing it Loud wander in and out of the crowd to converse with the people and promote his band. It's kind of cute to watch. And it's pretty awesome that they keep passing this awesome dance music while we're waiting, almost as if it's preparing us for prom. They even threw in some Jonas Brothers's Burnin' Up. That made the day quite a bit more lovely.

The Summer Set has a badass girl drummer, and they perform really well live. I didn't particular enjoy their music on Myspace, but live, they got me really interested in their music. Artist vs. Poet is also a fantastic band to see live. Their music, sometimes, strikes me as a little generic at times, and the singer reminds me OF SINGER, but Nora thinks the guitarist (whose name I don't know) has a really amazing smile, so I hop off my stool with my camera, run off to the side of the stage, and snap some pictures of him just for my darling sister. She, too, finds this amusing.

The Morning Light, on the other hand, perform for a ridiculously short time, which bums me out because I love them a lot! It was weird seeing them without Harrison, but overall, they were really great! After their set, Nora and I venture back into the merch area to see who we can scope out and meet. We find the bassist of the Morning Light (name?) and get a picture. Nate walks up to us and introduces himself after asking our names. He tries to see his CD - we already have it - and tells Nora he likes her shirt (purple Sing it Loud). Did she get it the last time? he asks. Yes. With Forever the Sickest Kids, right at the Gothic? Yes! Excellent memory, dear child. Well, they have new bracelets, he points out, but Nora tells him she hates those bracelets (the thick rubber kind) , while I tell him I like them, so I'll keep them in mind. I tell him I like his sweater, he says thanks, and hopes that we enjoy the show before walking off.

We linger for a moment, but find no one else and decide to head back to watch the Friday Night Boys, which... I'm sorry... weren't that impressive. I bought their EP because I thought they were good, but if you want to see a band that's full of cliche hooks and lines, it's them. Maybe I'm being over judgmental, but I really didn't think they were that great. Maybe next time around, it'll be better. At least I'm hoping they will be.

Nora and I go back to the merch area and meet the singer of the Morning Light. We spot Nick, the drummer, a little while later, so we go and ask him for a picture. He tells us he remembers us from all the past shows we've been to. What a sweetie! And Nora tells him he's her favorite drummer, and humbly, he thanks her. (He's so cute!) I tell him that I was really bummed out that they only played, like, negative seven songs at which he laughs but explains that Bobby hadn't been feeling well; his vocals weren't at their best, so they weren't able to play for too long, unfortunately. It's understandable, I tell him. I think that's about it for the conversation with Nick, but he is a very thoughtful individual.

We head back to the stage as Sing it Loud takes the stage. We watch, and even though, I rarely listen to them on the record (yes, I know I should, and I've started) I enjoy watching them. The singer is kind of weird to watch because he has this sad, sad look in his eyes, but he's still a good musician. They don't perform too long, which is good because I have school the next day, so we head back out to the merch to scope out whoever we can. We meet Jess from the Summer Set, and she's super, super sweet and adorable! She asks us our names and tells us they'll be back sometimes in the summer, but she can't tell us with who. She's a freaking badass! We also meet the guitarist, John, of the Summer Set, who is equally sweet and polite. He, too, asks us our names, and I tell him I like his glasses. He was very cute. =)

My sister and I also meet two other members from Sing it Loud and the guitarist Nora finds pretty in Artist vs. Poet. He's also very nice. We get a picture with another member of AVP and with Nate. We had been trying to avoid the singer of the Friday Night Boys all night long because something inside the both of us just KNEW we wouldn't even have to go up to him to talk to him. Lo and behold, he approaches us, and asks if we enjoyed the show. Of course. Do we want to buy the EP? he asks. No, we already have it, we answer, AND HE FREAKIN' HUGS US. =/ We unintentionally relay really short answers, but he doesn't catch the hint. I feel bad and ask him for a picture just to make him feel better. Poor guy. He tells us they'll be back in June with Hey Monday, and finally, Nora and I show a little enthusiasm and excitement. We'll be there, we says, and he gives us yet another hug. Ew.

We don't stay excruciatingly long after the show like we normally do. There's no one really to stay behind for, but it was still a really fun night, overall, and I'm glad we ended up going. =D

the ap tour, 08.04.2009

LINE-UP: A Rocket to the Moon, Hit the Lights, the Maine, Family Force 5, 3OH!3

As it turns out, we weren't able to buy tickets to actually go inside the AP Tour because they sold out about 30 minutes after they went on sale, I kid you not. I was so bummed out at first: I had really wanted to see A Rocket to the Moon and the Maine because they are two of my favourite bands, and I love them to death. But once the day actually rolled around, I realized that I actually DIDN'T want to be inside of a venue in 3OH!3's hometown. I imagine it would have been hell, and things wouldn't have turned out as great as they did if we had gone in. I really think God was doing us a favor by having the shows sell out, now that I really think about it. We take this opportunity, however, to head down to the Fox Theatre anyway just to see if we can find John O, and I AM NOT LEAVING UNTIL I MEET NICK SANTINO.

The doors are pretty much open by the time we arrive in Boulder, so Nora, my mom, and I decide to explore the surrounding area, which wraps in a rectangular formation and we even go into the alley where the backstage exit is (awkward) and end up waiting right at the end of the alley by this weird fence. It's a little awkward and obnoxious standing there, but I am determined to meet Nick Santino one way or another. The sun is beginning to go down after about a half hour of waiting. We hear that A Rocket to the Moon has finished their set, and Hit the Lights is making their way onstage as we continue waiting. We finally see Nick Santino walking up in our direction, BUT HE'S ON HIS PHONE. We watch as he makes his way up the sidewalk and turns in our direction, but I don't want to walk up to him while he's on his phone, I think it's rude, nor do I want to miss the opportunity. However, we let him go, but he walks around behind the fence - we can see his fedora - and wanders for a little bit as we still around awkwardly.

That's when a group of five dudes all synchronized in black come walking towards us - it's the Maine! And they all look so beautiful; really, they do. So beautiful, they have all three of us gaping. John O(h my God) waves at us and says hi. I think Kennedy and Pat sort of smile at us, too, but I could totally be wrong about this. In response we just smile as politely as we can without freaking out. He keeps walking because he has to go onstage soon, but he tells us that he'll see us in there. Right.

All three of us have a miniature freak out. Did John Oh (HOW DO YOU EVEN SPELL THAT?!) really just say hi to us? Hells yeah he did! So we keep on waiting for Nick Santino, and now John Oh because we can't just walk off without talking to him after what just happened. Nora leaves to go to the bathroom in one of the surrounding restaurants, and when she comes back, she tells us that she can see the Maine performing from right in front of the venue. I hesitate to go over there because I don't want to get yelled at nor do I want to miss meeting Nick Santino, but I'm eventually persuaded to go over there, and we watch the Maine perform the rest of their set from outside. It's pretty funny how you can actually see into the venue, and completely awesome at the same time.

Afterward, we head back to our stalker positions and keep on waiting. It's pretty dark outside now, and you can barely make out the people in the darkness. But there are a group of guys huddled around the Maine's van as it loads its gear from backstage in the alley. A couple minutes later, three guys come walking up all dressed in black, and it's Kennedy, Pat, and Jared from the Maine! Hooray! Our group and theirs sort of falter when we make eye contact, unsure of what to do, but I guess we both make some sort of gesture that causes them to come toward and us and say hello and ask us if we enjoyed the show. Ha. It is all truly quite priceless. I can't help but tell them that I really liked the coordination of their clothes. I tell them I know it's kind of weird, but they all look really good. They says thanks, and Pat says, "We thought of you two when we picked it out." Okay, odd child. Jared walks off at some point, which makes me very sad, but Nora and I get pictures with Kennedy and Pat anyways. Pat makes a joke with Nora saying how he never shows up in pictures, which confuses us both, but we just nod and laugh. (Flirting, maybe?!) After a little more chit chat, they head off to their van, but it was quite a nice, unexpected experience.

What is even more priceless is when another group of three guys come walking in our direction. Even in the dark, Nora and I can tell it's Nick Santino AND John Oh walking together towards. I have a little mental freak-out as I'm unsure of what to do, but spotting us again, John Oh steps back from the group, which includes Garrett (bleh), to come say hi to us. I don't want John Oh, I think, I want Nick, so I make this weird outstretching movement with my arms towards Nick so we won't walk away. He turns to me and says, "Oh, you want a hug?" He comes over toward me and hugs me (score!), but I blurt out, "No, I just want a picture." My bad. "Oh," he answers, "Well that's okay because I'm cold." Good cover, dear Santino, and we take a very cute picture together. Nora gets a picture also, but afterward, I occupy myself with talking to Nick only, and ignoring poor John Oh while Nora's stuck in between listening to me talk to Nick and listening to John Oh talk to my mom! Ha ha ha. We also take pictures with John Oh, and as I'm taking the one of him and Nora, Nick Santino comes to stand behind me to watch me take the picture through the viewfinder, and makes fun of John Oh. He didn't do this to Nora, oh no, odd child.

Nick starts to talk to me about my hoodie, and how he likes it. I look at John Oh, and he smiles at me because I think he remembers the last time that I wore that hoodie and the little joke I made. Well, at least I hope he does. Nick goes on and on about the hoodie. He asks me if I got it online or at a show. Online, I tell him, and he adds that a lot of the online merchandise is better because the printing is better. I agree with him. He tells me about the one they're selling inside. It's purple and the print is smaller, but he says he likes the one I have on better. "Was I in there?" he asks. I don't want to lie to him, but quickly he continues, "Have you seen it?" The hoodie, he means, and I can answer yes to this without lying, so I do. He really does not ever shut up about the hoodie. "Is it just red and yellow?" he asks, "Or does it have green in it, too." It's your hoodie, you should know, I think, but he doesn't even give me time to answer. Instead he tells me to step into the light so he can see it. (;]) "No, it's just red and yellow," I try to answer, but for some reason, I step towards the streetlight with him anyway. It was kind of weird, but we step back into the group after a few seconds.

My mom and sister are asking John Oh about how they thought the fans were, and he says that they were a lot better than they expected, but Nick adds that they tend to get worse with the neighboring states (of Colorado). "Yeah," I agree, turning to John Oh, "Like them chanting 3Oh!3 during your set." Laughing, John Oh nods. "Did you read that on my Twitter?" Nick asks me. "Noooo," I say, and turn my eyes away, which means, yes, and he knows this. A little more chitter chatter goes on, but finally they both say they need to go and find some place to eat. I mention that this area is great because there are so many good surroundings food locations. I reach out my hand toward Nick to introduce myself, "My name is Sarah-" but I have to pull my hand away quickly as he wraps his arms around me yet again. "Nick," he answers, and goes around to give half hugs. John Oh also goes around to give everyone a hug. "Thanks for following my Twitter," Nick adds, and I just nod.

They take off, and we go back to the front of the venue to watch what we can of Family Force 5. I wish we had been inside for their set at least, but if we had been, things wouldn't have worked out so perfectly, and ultimately, I'm thankful that the show sold out.

craig owens, 01.04.2009

LINE-UP: VersaEmerge, Ace Enders, the Color Fred, Craig Owens

IT'S A FUCKING BLIZZARD OUTSIDE THIS DAY, NO FREAKIN' JOKE. It's terrible outside, the roads look bad, but we pray that the bands will still brave the frontier and make it to the show. Nothing is looking up as we wait in the car for a very long time. Finally, ONE van drives by, it's fifteen minutes past door time, so we get off of the car and go inside the venue. Craig Owens and the Color Fred have arrived, but that's it. They make us wait for freaking forever before they get this guy to play a couple of his songs for everyone acoustically. He wasn't terrible, just not what I wanted to hear.

At this point, we're still waiting and I'm freakin' pissed. No one's announced what's going on and I'm getting more and more upset by the minute. Fred finally comes and stage and tells us that Ace Enders canceled on them, and VersaEmerge was stuck in a 30 car pile-up about an hour away from venue. No April's Fools Joke here. He plays well, and I enjoy his performance as he jokes about losing the windshield wiper and calling VersaEmerge wusses for not pressing onward for the show. They almost had to cancel, but they made. It made me feel a little better when he performed my favorite Taking Back Sunday song, New American Classic. But even then, I was beyond sad.

When Craig Owens and his posse come on stage, Nick from Underminded announces that they will not be using any electronics or microphones, so everyone must close in around the stage and sit if they want to hear the performance. Craig sits on the edge of the middle of the stage, Brian and Nick on either of his sides as he starts singing and talking to everyone. It's so ridiculously intimate, it's almost unbearable. He performs for a good while, moving from his spot only twice, and even sings us a song about his beautiful girlfriend, Joanna. The entire experience was absolutely incredible, SO incredible I can't even describe it to you in words. Everyone sits silent and attentive, it's wonderful. I wish more musicians were like Craig Owens and willing to pull such an experience.

I wish it could say it made up for VersaEmerge cancelling, but it didn't. The entire thing was so lovely and unexplainable, but I really had mainly gone to see VersaEmerge and I don't know why they had to cancel like that. It still hurts me to this day every time I think about it. Afterward, however, we meet Fred, who is super genuinely sweet, and I buy an "I heart Craig Owens" t-shirt, and we shoot a fast picture with Craig when we spot him. Unfortunately, I don't get to tell him what an amazing musician and person he was because he says he is super tired and wants to leave, but is still amazingly genuine about it. Still, I can honestly say I was glad I went to the show; I've never experienced something like that in my life, but I am still really upset, so I can't write about anything else in a positive matter. Dear, dear me.

cute is what we aim for, 25.03.2009

LINE-UP: Anarbor, Meg & Dia, Every Avenue, Breathe Carolina, Cute is What We Aim For


Shaant, I fucking hate you.

None of us, and I mean NONE of us want to go to the show at all. But for some stupid reason, we had already bought tickets and couldn't let them go to waste. Ughhhhh. We get to the venue an hour or two before doors are supposed to open. There's hardly any line, but frankly, we don't give a shit and decided we want to wait it out in the car the entire time. We get there early, and sit in the car; that's how much we really don't care.

But since there is a KingSoopers only about half a block down from the Gothic we decide to head on down there to waste time. Our worst fears come true as we turn the corner at the end of the street and run into none other than our good ol' buddy Shaant Hacikyan. All of us, including Shaant, just stare at one another awkwardly as we all halt in our tracks, unsure of what to do. "Hi," he says, "How are you guys?" We all give him short, simple answers and continue to glare, but we return the gesture, he tells us that he honestly wants to go home. He's going to record a new record as soon as he's back. (Oh cool, douche.) He asks what we're doing, and tell him we're heading down the KingSoopers. "Oh right, the pharmaceutical store!" He snaps. "It's a grocery store," Nora clarifies, and proceeds to ask how he is because, "We didn't get to see you last time." He doesn't answer to this, but decides it's time for him to head off. I guess even he sensed the awkward tension. He tells us that we have to meet Sebastian, his dog, stating, "I'll probably see you guys afterward." BULLSHIT. Shaant waves off, and we just stand around for another minute, asking ourselves what the hell had just happened. The entire conversation had pretty much consisted of, "Huh? What? Huh?" on both ends, and it was really fucking awkward; there's no other word to describe it.

After our trek to KingSoopers, trying to erase from our minds what had just happened, we come back to the venue and wait in the car until doors open. We get in and wait for Anarbor to play. They were the only band that I DID want to see, and were probably the only upside the entire night. It felt like I had been waiting years to see that band, and my finally the chance was handed to me, and they were SO amazing live! I can't even begin to describe it to you, but it was absolutely fantastic!

Meg and Dia are up next, and poor, poor Dia has an obnoxiously high pitched voice when she talks, and surprisingly, despite the fact that we hate Meg's guts (I KNOW WHO YOU'VE DONE!) they performed really well! Their "Halloween" song totally gave me goosebumps; it was great. Every Avenue, whom I don't really like, almost don't make it to the show due to van troubles, but unfortunately, they show up, and we have to sit through them playing. We have to sit through Breathe Caroline, too, which was absolutely horrible and practically unbearable! Like seriously, learn how to sing and make real music. I don't know what people see in them.

Cute is What We Aim for actually perform really well! (I still hate them, nonetheless). Shaant goes off on this monologue, explaining how no matter what anybody said, we could do whatever we wanted with our live as long as we had a dream, a heart, and the willpower to accomplish even the most obscure dreams. It was actually really touching, and it hit pretty close to home, but I don't really have much else to say. He talked in a "gay" voice for the first time, and it was pretty freakin' hilarious, to be honest.

Afterward, we try not to press the matter too far, but we end up meeting 3/4 of Anarbor, and they were all very genuinely sweet. I bought their newest EP, too, finally. We meet Jeff, as well, but that's it. We go outside in hopes of scouting out Shaant, but we get nothing, only serious doubt that we should just let go of the friendship. We ask their merch guy (who let us in last time, he points out) if he could get him for us. He tries, but tells us he's on the phone with their tour manager, and won't budge. We wait. And we wait, and we wait pointlessly. FINALLY, he comes out of the bus to meet a couple of girls, and he sees us; HE FREAKIN' SEES US, but ignores us, goes off behind the bus, comes back, despite the knowledge we are standing right there, and goes back on the bus. Here, all of us are asking ourselves, "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Dave Melillo comes off the bus to meet the same girls, and after they leave he tells us we look like we need something. We ask him for pictures and brave it, asking him if he can go get Shaant for us. "No fucking way," he says. Later, as to avoid hurt feelings or something, he explains to us that one, he didn't want to go waste his time looking for somebody who was most likely not even going to come and meet his fans, which was his problem and his fault, not ours. He goes off a little longer on his tangent, sort of offending us, sort of just offending Shaant BECAUSE HE'S AN ASSHOLE, and eventually heads off. I wish I remember more of what Dave said because he's my new hero because of it. =)

I can honestly say, I owe a lot to Shaant. Many, many times he has restored my faith in human beings, despite shattering it that very night, and introduced to me music I would have never opened my ears to if he hadn't pointed it out. He made me realize that making friendships with random, far off people was possible, and for the first few years of our so-called relationship, he was practically my brother. But now, he's just blown that all aside and acts like we're nothing to him, so fuck you, Shaant, I'm done with you.

valencia, 11.03.2009

LINE-UP: Regret Night, Saving Verona, Houston Calls, Valencia <3

Not only is Valencia one of the greatest bands to see live, they are also some of the nicest dudes I have ever met before in my life! I love seeing them! And thanks to Brendan, we decide, as soon as we get down to the Marquis, to go to Illegal Pete's for the first time and experience its greatness. It truly is fantastic, to say the least. It's about four hours before doors are supposed to open and there are still no people in line when Nora and I finally head back from our grand food adventure. We have to go back and get Caleigh from tennis practice, so we all leave, pick her up, get her Qdoba, and when we come back to the venue, it's still pretty much empty except for those two Saving Verona girl who are on the "buy tickets" side of the line. We only have about two hours now before doors open and Valencia has just barely arrived.

"Look who it is," George says when he sees us after walking out of the venue. Nora and I just giggle while he asks Caleigh what she has. "Chicken nachos. Do you want some?" "No," he answers, but it's like he can't stop staring at them. (I know, I know, he's really awkward.) Then Caleigh feels like an idiot for offering him that because we thought he was a vegan. (He's not, just a vegetarian, though.) Not much else goes on until Brendan walks out of the venue, says hi, and asks how we are. We're all pretty much speechless, but not in a starstruck way; we just don't know what to say. He tells us they're heading down to Illegal Pete's because we know how much he loves it. We sure do.

We get inside the venue soon after, sit around, and wait for the show to start while scoping out George and Brendan at the merch area and laughing about it. Regret Night performs a lot better than I remember, but they have so many clapping parts in their songs, it got a little annoying. And Saving Verona... they're just terrible. I'm sorry. They had good orchestration, but that was about it. We don't need two New Found Glory's, alright? Houston Calls, however, is always a blast to see live. I don't really listen to them, nor do I really like them, but they know how to put on a live show. Even I can admit that.

And finally, the moment we had all been waiting for... wait, Maris the Great? He appears out of nowhere, and despite having seen him a million times, he still scares the shit out of me. He comes on stage and introduces Valencia while advertising his own band alongside his drag queen. Ha. It is actually quite amusing, especially watching Max sitting at his drum set ready to destroy his band mates because they're taking so long and the lights have already been off for a good while. He cracks me up.

As usual, Valencia performs brilliantly. I even know some of the old songs! Just two, but that's good enough for me, really. George always comes to my side of the stage and stands right in front of me to sing to the crowd; not cool, man, not cool. At one point, even, I'm trying to take a picture of Brendan (who does look at me a few times while I'm ACTUALLY singing along) and George gets in the way. Realizing this, he jumps back and makes an apologetic face at me. Hilarious. And of course, just as I was expecting, he crowd surfs on MY side of the stage, which causes us to miss Brendan singing to Nora during the Space Between because we're all so afraid I'm gonna get a black eye again. Luckily, I don't, and George makes it back to the stage from the opposite side (with his shirt all the way unbuttoned; way to go crowd!). Still, I LIVE!

Afterward, we head on down to the merch area to find Valencia, but it's pretty crowded, so we wait around on the ramp. I end up buying a hoodie, Nora a t-shirt, and we get a free b-side, yay! George is sitting by himself on the merch stand thing, so I decide to go over - Caleigh trailing behind me - and attempt talk to him. I say hi, awkwardly, and he gives me a high-five. I try to talk to him about the show, but it doesn't really work, and eventually, he just hops off and walks away. Caleigh and I head back to Mom and Nora where we continue waiting until Brendan makes his way towards us. He asks us how we are and make small talk. (Again, if I had written this a lot sooner, I probably would have remembered more.) I do remember that he talks to EVERYONE; he always does, which is one of the many reasons as to why I love him so dearly. He points out the trash can right next to me, and I tell him it's placed very awkwardly and pretend to sit on it. He mockingly calls Caleigh "Qdoba girl" throughout the conversation and we all get pictures. I ask Brendan how he liked Australia, and he says it was one of his favourite places and he really wants to go back.

Nora decides to steal my topic starter and asks Brendan what kind of camera he uses for all his photoblogs because she really likes all his pictures. (One, that was my idea. Two, she's seen about one of his blogs. >|) He tells her the SLR type, and she says she think she has the same one. (Yay!) So then I tell him that I loved looking at his pictures because they were so awesome. He thanks me. =) My mom asks him when he's coming back, and he says they're playing the second half of Warped Tour, which included our date, and that was when we'd probably see him next, if not sooner. "April... 8th?" he asks. "April 9th," I answer, "It's a week before my birthday!" Really? he says, You should bring cakes, and I'll celebrate, "I like it." Ha ha. I think he was afraid to ask how old I was turning for George's sake. O_O

Security is trying to kick us out at this point, so we follow Brendan outside to continue our conversation. It's slightly chilly outside, which he points out. But I tell him I'm fine because I had bought this super awesome hoodie, but I had no idea what band it was. He goes along with it, and agrees, but I say that if they made such a great hoodie, then they had to be a great band. Again, he agrees, "I would assume so." Eventually, he says bye, gives us hugs, and he takes off while we stay around so we can talk to George.

It takes a little awhile, but he comes outside. I just barely walk up to him and he wraps his arms around me. I'm a little weirded out by this, but I hug him back. I really can't say no to a hug. He says he's going to the van, but he'll back right as I'm asking him for a picture. Oh, a picture? he says, and stays behind to take pictures with us all. Caleigh, for some reason is on the phone, so he's all, Let's go take the picture with her while she's on the phone! We got a pretty priceless picture out of that one. =)

George heads off across the street to retrieve the van, but I feel awkward if we were to just leave without saying goodbye. So we wait. And we wait. We meet JD, WHO LOOKED SO DAMN FINE. XD. And we still wait for George to come back. It got really awkward at one point, too, because Brendan had already said goodbye to us and he was standing just a few feet ahead of us loading the van as soon as George had returned. I try to approach him, but he just smiles at me, making a weird "bop" sounds as he points to my nose humorously, and goes back in the venue. I'm thinking, "What the eff is wrong with this kid?" but we keep on waiting until FINALLY he comes back out to the van, practically ignoring me, and I have to run up to him to tell him that I had wanted to say goodbye! "Oh!" IDIOT. He hugs me, goes to hug the rest of my family and says he'll see us at Warped Tour.

George is a freaking weird, socially awkward kid, but I, for some reason, I still love, and I love Brendan, too! He's probably one of the nicest kids I have ever met before in my life! Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet Shane or Max (who's my favourite!) but I'd say it was a pretty successful night.

xo.

we the kings, 24.02.2009

LINE UP: VersaEmerge, There for Tomorrow, The Cab, The Maine, We the Kings

Because my little brother has a band concert, we can't go up to Colorado Springs to see the show, but even as sad as that is, the show sells out about a week before the date, which kind of, in a backwards sort of way, works out in our favor. After his band concert, we head up to Colorado Springs to see what we can catch of the Maine and/or We the Kings.

The Maine is just ending once we get up there. People are filing in and out of the venue, and we're just standing there, not knowing what to do because the security guards don't seem to be checking anybody. This idiot with black hair and a lip piercing comes out and asks us what we're doing. He's talking to us about the show and the bands we went to see. Overall, he's just an annoying dumbass; I would explain, but it's really worth the paragraph. As We the Kings begins, he leaves and goes back inside. He doesn't get checked by the security guards, either, so tentatively, we decide to just try our luck and walk in. And it works! We get watch all of We the Kings, so at least that part was worth the drive up. As they play, we see part of VersaEmerge, walk in and out here and there. Blake stands a few people away from us to watch the show, and it's absolutely hilarious to see him, watching them with his mouth gaping open; the way I look when I'm watching Demi Lovato on TV. Ha ha ha ha.

After We the Kings ends, we venture over to the merch so that Nora can buy her WTK hoodie she wanted the night before, and then we head off to VersaEmerge's side. Blake sees me, smiles, and offers his arm. He gives me a nice hug and asks how I am. I ask him how they played because I missed it. (I shouldn't have said that!) He makes a face, but says they did fine. And that was pretty much it. Nora and I stand around awkwardly, not sure what to say or do, or who to approach for another picture. Blake is applying Chapstick - that I remember - which I find humourous because Nora is addicted to ChapStick and this causes her to definitely approve of him. Finally, we ask him for another picture and find Sierra afterward. She asks us how we are, "You guys were here last night, right?" Yes. And I believe she asks us how we thought they performed, and I unfortunately have to be honest and tell her we missed their set. "Yeah... a lot of people did," Sierra says sadly. We didn't do it on purpose, though! Excitedly, however, she adds that they're about to perform acousticly "Right now" so "Follow me!"

We literally follow her outside, she runs out to the van for something with Blake and they come back with a guitar and sit down on the curb to play. IT'S OUR LUCKY DAY! I'm so happy about this! Sierra tells us to sing a long if we know the words, and eventually she stands up. She glances in our direction a few times when she hears us singing (every fucking word), and I love it. There's this girl there, and she doesn't bother me at all or anything, but every single time she requested for them to play a song, she would sing the first few lines and then stop. I found it humorous, no offense to her. I believe that they perform In Pursuing Design, The Authors, Past Praying For, and Whisperer (at Nora's request!) At one point Blake loses his pick and can't find it in the dark, so Nora, using the flash on her camera takes a picture of the ground, finds it, and hands it to him while he flashes her his winning Brendon Urie smile. Ha. Nobody really pays attention to Blake after the performance; everyone pretty much hounds Sierra. =(

This entire time, we had pretty much forgotten one of main purposes in coming here (Alex Marshall!) until we hear his name being called by the entrance of The Black Sheep. Girls have spotted him and hounded him, providing us with enough time to venture off and meet other kids before having to hit him up. Sierra is still occupied and runs off to go to the bathroom, which scares me a little because I don't want to leave or get tied up with Alex Marshall before SHE leaves. Alex Marshall, I think, makes it back into the venue, so we go and meet the Ginger again, and he remembers Mom. Yay!

Surprisingly, John Oh has become unoccupied, so we run over to him. He says hey to Nora, "Sharpie girl", and to all of us out of common courtesy. (Score!) Nora goes, "So you know how you said you owed me something..." She has this plan that we don't expect to work at all where she asks him to get us into the AP Tour for free. John Oh pulls eyeliner out of his pocket (the kind that I used to use!) and gives it to Nora. "Here," he says. It's like a souvenir, he explains... that's empty. Nora accepts it, however, and proceeds to talk about the AP Tour and how it's sold out and all. Two guys jump into the conversation, saying how it pretty much sold out in 30 minutes because of 3OH!3 and how if they played at the Fillmore, it probably would have sold out, too. I am so bummed out because of this, but Nora doesn't even get to ask John Oh about getting us in, which is okay, actually because he thanks Mom again for offering them a place to stay to which she says that whenever they need anything, they'd be happy to help. (Once again, score!) We get some pictures with him, and while he's taking a picture with Nora, he asks me if that says A Rocket to the Moon on my hoodie. "What?" I say, "Oh, yeah, it does!" He says that he needs to get himself one of those. "35 dollars, Fueled by Ramen." I snap the picture while he's laughing and capture an amazing shot of him in Nora's picture. Nora asks him if they can just settle with a hug, and he gladly accepts. And because of this, Mom and I get half hugs, too. Even though Nora got a full one, the association was still nice. Plus, we get a picture with Kennedy afterward, also. The poor kid, despite his beauty, is hardly ever bombarded.

We wait right outside the venue longer because we spot Blake and Alex Marshall still inside, packing up merch. Blake comes out first, but he's carrying the merch display and he's on the phone, and eventually, Alex Marshall, with his hood on, comes out in a group of people, attempting to disguise himself and get through unnoticed, but someone stops him and gives him this freakin' awesome painting of a piano, and he's done for! While we wait around for him, I see Blake is off his phone, but he ventures to the dark part of the van. I run off to find him and I tell him it was nice seeing him and I couldn't wait to see them next time. I give him a hug, and he's off. I go back to Nora, content while a bunch of girls still surround Marshall. There's this girl taking a ton of pictures with him, and he turns to side and says, "What, are we doing a photoshoot or something?" Apparently, he had also told Nora when he saw her, "You! You said you weren't coming!" "No I didn't," Nora answers, "We said we were going to come afterward." (Idiot!)

At some point or another, I'm not really sure when, Sierra finally comes out of the venue, so Nora and I practically run after her. We don't want her to get away this time. We ask her for a picture. "You ran away," I say sadly. "Sorry," she apologizes, "I had to pee," and that's quite alright with me. We tell her we'll see her next time (April 1st with Craig Owens.), but she's afraid it was one of the canceled tour dates, and it's not! Still, Sierra tells Nora and I that she love us and gives us a group hug. "Aw, we love you, too." Finally, we head back to Alex Marshall now that the most important things have been taken care of. It's funny to watch him interact with the other girls. When one of them does or says something stupid, he'll always look at us and make a face. It's priceless.

He's still busy, however, and has to walk off to do something for some girl, but he tell us, directly, that he'll be right back. (Aw, how sweet.) He comes back, and while he takes turns hugging us, he tells me, "You're blunt, but I like it, and we all talk a little bit. (Honestly, I forget half of the conversations with him.) I tell him that the painting is amazing. "Do you paint?" he asks me. "No," I say. BUT I DO, and I should have said yes. I'm such a dumbass. Nora talks about how amazing her camera is because of the aperture and shutter speed, but he tells her he has no idea what she's talking about. "I love photography," she explains. Gotcha. How far do we actually live from here, he asks again because yesterday we confused him. "You confused me, and I even know where we live," I laugh. "An hour and a hour, typically, or two hours if Mom's driving," she answers. If I remember anymore of the conversation, I'll come back and add it, but right now, I really can't remember shit. As we're about to leave, he gives us all hugs, and once again, he tells me, "Stay blunt." "Maybe I'll soften it for you next time," I say, but I don't think he hears me. And with that, we're off for another hour and a half long drive home. Even though we didn't actually get into the show, I'd have to say it was a pretty successful night, and the drive was well worth it.