War Tapes Recap.
First off, I just want to say how incredibly sweet and wonderful everyone from War Tapes is. They are one of the few new bands that have come out that are truly talented, their songs are of a caliber that I haven't seen in my lifetime. This is great music made by great human beings.
I was first exposed to War Tapes when they opened for Tiger Army, who I have loved and followed for several years. They absolutely blew me away, they have such a powerful stage presence and are very consistent live. I felt that fire in my heart that you feel when you see a band that is truly great. I left that show with an armful of War Tapes merch, including their first ever EP.
During the time between that show and the show I saw last night, my heart absolutely swelled with love for this band. I had been going through several personal, emotional struggles during that time and listening to their music was very cathartic for me. I felt like there was someone else on the planet who knew exactly how I felt. When I couldn't explain how I felt, that music said it for me.
Long story short, I was pretty stoked for this show. As soon as I found out about it I scrambled in my brokeness to get a ticket. I wasn't going to miss it for the world. I had been dying to see them again, especially after hearing the songs off of the first album (which is absolutely amazing, if you needed any more convincing.)
I thought I showed up early, but upon walking around the back of the venue I discovered a line which was about four miles long. My heart sank a little, I wanted to be right in front. Luckily, they split the line into the 21+ crowd and the 21- crowd. I was in the non-drinking line. It was significantly smaller, and as soon as I walked in Becca recognized me and we hugged and talked for a few minutes before I darted into the crowd to get a good spot.
Also, these guys had to drive from San Fran at around 2AM and be loaded in and ready to play in Portland by 830pm. Is that a world record or something? I seriously couldn't do that if the world depended on it.
First band to play was Ayria, they were actually surprisingly good. Their songs were very catchy and all had heavy, heavy beats which I had fun dancing to. Jennifer looked hot and she's got a great voice. Very appropriate opener for VNV Nation, in my opinion.
Then War Tapes set up, I tried just to stand there and look cool but I was so giddy inside. My mind was racing to find some kind of clever thing to yell out, but all I could come up with was "I LOVE YOU BECCA!!" (repeat with corresponding names of band members.) I probably sounded really obnoxious, but I couldn't help it. I was stoked as hell to see these guys.
The stage was a little small, generally Neil and Matt are very active and move around a lot while playing. They need a big stage to jump around on. But they made it work and still continued to rock bigger than the stage they were given. I tried to hold a lighter up during 'Start Again' but there was a kid about five inches away from me who had about 10 gallons of hairspray in his mohawk and if it went up in flames I would have felt terrible.
Here's the set, probably a little out of order.
Setlist:
She Lied
Use Me
Always Falling
Start Again
Take me like nothing
Love Me (Love and Rockets Cover)
The Night Unfolds
Dreaming Of You
Mind is Ugly
Highlights:
I screamed, I danced, I sang all the words, I jumped, I headbanged, and I probably looked like a dork in the midst of a bunch of other people who had absolutely no idea who War Tapes are. But I really could care less, I don't go to rock shows to stand around and watch. I go to rock shows to rock out. To lose my mind. To forget about the things that are bringing me down. And last night I did, I forgot all my sadness, I forgot all my pain. I was filled with excitement and joy for the first time in months. I had a great time.
Afterwards, I talked with Becca at the merch table for a little while, she really is the sweetest person. She let me have a free shirt. She was so down to earth and thankful. I also talked to William later, I gushed to him about how insane his drumline is in 'The Night Unfolds'. SERIOUSLY DID ANYONE ELSE SEE THAT?! I can't even imagine myself playing that. That is off the chain. I was wondering how he was going to play that off live. He busted it the FUCK out, that's how he played it off. He is so sweet and told me I kicked ass and I just felt like a million bucks.
I didn't talk much to Neil and Matt. So shoutouts to those rockstars if they see this. I was unable to stay for much longer after their set or else I probably would have been able to say hi.
And my most sincerest thanks to Becca and William for being the warmest, sweetest people I've ever met and making me feel so awesome.
Jennifer from Ayria
War Tapes
Beautiful Miss Becca
Neil got a little washed out by the light/my crappy camera phone.
Matt rocks entirely too hard to get a still shot. Should have taken one when they were setting up!
William! <33
The Berbatis Pan Stamp on my Arm.
Me modeling the awesome shirt Becca gave me. <3333
I truly felt like the luckiest kid in the world watching this band play last night. I would like to say thank you to War Tapes from the bottom of my heart and to everyone who was there last night. You all rocked my world.
Lets do this again soon!
PS. If you haven't heard War Tapes, you should go to the myspace and if you like what you hear grab their FIRST ever album. Everyone likes getting into great new underground bands right?
I was first exposed to War Tapes when they opened for Tiger Army, who I have loved and followed for several years. They absolutely blew me away, they have such a powerful stage presence and are very consistent live. I felt that fire in my heart that you feel when you see a band that is truly great. I left that show with an armful of War Tapes merch, including their first ever EP.
During the time between that show and the show I saw last night, my heart absolutely swelled with love for this band. I had been going through several personal, emotional struggles during that time and listening to their music was very cathartic for me. I felt like there was someone else on the planet who knew exactly how I felt. When I couldn't explain how I felt, that music said it for me.
Long story short, I was pretty stoked for this show. As soon as I found out about it I scrambled in my brokeness to get a ticket. I wasn't going to miss it for the world. I had been dying to see them again, especially after hearing the songs off of the first album (which is absolutely amazing, if you needed any more convincing.)
I thought I showed up early, but upon walking around the back of the venue I discovered a line which was about four miles long. My heart sank a little, I wanted to be right in front. Luckily, they split the line into the 21+ crowd and the 21- crowd. I was in the non-drinking line. It was significantly smaller, and as soon as I walked in Becca recognized me and we hugged and talked for a few minutes before I darted into the crowd to get a good spot.
Also, these guys had to drive from San Fran at around 2AM and be loaded in and ready to play in Portland by 830pm. Is that a world record or something? I seriously couldn't do that if the world depended on it.
First band to play was Ayria, they were actually surprisingly good. Their songs were very catchy and all had heavy, heavy beats which I had fun dancing to. Jennifer looked hot and she's got a great voice. Very appropriate opener for VNV Nation, in my opinion.
Then War Tapes set up, I tried just to stand there and look cool but I was so giddy inside. My mind was racing to find some kind of clever thing to yell out, but all I could come up with was "I LOVE YOU BECCA!!" (repeat with corresponding names of band members.) I probably sounded really obnoxious, but I couldn't help it. I was stoked as hell to see these guys.
The stage was a little small, generally Neil and Matt are very active and move around a lot while playing. They need a big stage to jump around on. But they made it work and still continued to rock bigger than the stage they were given. I tried to hold a lighter up during 'Start Again' but there was a kid about five inches away from me who had about 10 gallons of hairspray in his mohawk and if it went up in flames I would have felt terrible.
Here's the set, probably a little out of order.
Setlist:
She Lied
Use Me
Always Falling
Start Again
Take me like nothing
Love Me (Love and Rockets Cover)
The Night Unfolds
Dreaming Of You
Mind is Ugly
Highlights:
- Neil coming down to sing with me several times. Seriously. The fact that he does this is amazing. You feel so connected and it totally gives you bragging rights. He even stopped singing and let me sing for a second. BEST THING EVER!
- TAKE ME LIKE NOTHING!! This is one of my absolute favorite War Tapes song. It's not on any release as of yet so I was surprised that they played it. It was so awesome live and I absolutely danced and sang so loud during this song.
- Love Me. This was such a great cover, they sound so good doing this song. It is a perfect match of song and covering band. A lot of people in the audience knew this song, you could hear a lot of voices singing the words. It was wonderful. I am so excited to hear them on this comp as well as Blaqk Audio!
- Dreaming of You. This song really brought it full circle for me. This was the first War Tapes song I ever heard, it was the only song I knew all the words to the first time I saw them. All those memories came flooding back when they hit that first chord. My eyes filled with tears. I felt truly honored to be watching them.
I screamed, I danced, I sang all the words, I jumped, I headbanged, and I probably looked like a dork in the midst of a bunch of other people who had absolutely no idea who War Tapes are. But I really could care less, I don't go to rock shows to stand around and watch. I go to rock shows to rock out. To lose my mind. To forget about the things that are bringing me down. And last night I did, I forgot all my sadness, I forgot all my pain. I was filled with excitement and joy for the first time in months. I had a great time.
Afterwards, I talked with Becca at the merch table for a little while, she really is the sweetest person. She let me have a free shirt. She was so down to earth and thankful. I also talked to William later, I gushed to him about how insane his drumline is in 'The Night Unfolds'. SERIOUSLY DID ANYONE ELSE SEE THAT?! I can't even imagine myself playing that. That is off the chain. I was wondering how he was going to play that off live. He busted it the FUCK out, that's how he played it off. He is so sweet and told me I kicked ass and I just felt like a million bucks.
I didn't talk much to Neil and Matt. So shoutouts to those rockstars if they see this. I was unable to stay for much longer after their set or else I probably would have been able to say hi.
And my most sincerest thanks to Becca and William for being the warmest, sweetest people I've ever met and making me feel so awesome.
Jennifer from Ayria
War Tapes
Beautiful Miss Becca
Neil got a little washed out by the light/my crappy camera phone.
Matt rocks entirely too hard to get a still shot. Should have taken one when they were setting up!
William! <33
The Berbatis Pan Stamp on my Arm.
Me modeling the awesome shirt Becca gave me. <3333
I truly felt like the luckiest kid in the world watching this band play last night. I would like to say thank you to War Tapes from the bottom of my heart and to everyone who was there last night. You all rocked my world.
Lets do this again soon!
PS. If you haven't heard War Tapes, you should go to the myspace and if you like what you hear grab their FIRST ever album. Everyone likes getting into great new underground bands right?