Rise From The Ashes Tour '07
Concert two! Completely with a Courtney and a camera.
So after some confusion of what time we should actually get to Mac's, Courtney eventually picked me up and we drove out to Lansing, only to miss our turn and drive by the only other place we've been to see a concert in Lansing. What are the odds? But we still get there a bit early, meaning we get a fantastic parking spot right next to the stairs, which we determine is the front door. Since we're there a bit early we get to wait in the doorway, but it's at least warm. And the band people walk by us in and out.
Then the ticket guy calls up anyone who got tickets on the radio or online, so we got to make sure our orders went through and happily enough, both our names were on the list! So we got our X's and then this other guy came over with posters and ushered us over to where all the guys from Quietdrive were signing things.
We waited patiently, commenting on the interior decorations and molars and counting our teeth, which was apparently tricky if you had gum. The girls in front of us where taking their time and then things got confused, and Justin and Kevin (who are both very tall) weren't doing anything, so they kind of waved us over. They were super nice, asked us our names and how we were and thanked us for being there. I tried to not just say 'good' so I was coming up with all sorts of fun adjectives. Courtney asked them if they had played there before, and they said they'd probably played in Lansing, and we told them some venues from Detroit, because that's where we're from and we drove and hour and some to see them. So they thought that was cool, and they said they probably played St. Andrews. We passed our posters down to Matt and Brandon and Droo, apparently Matt knew someone's sister so they were kind of doing something else, but then Brandon saw my camera and asked what it was, so I had to explain about my huge, old camera and he laughed.
So I asked if we could get a picture, and had a random girl take it for us. At which time, I think Brandon or Droo said they wished they could take pictures of them holding each other all the time.
Courtney, Justin, Kevin, Me, Matt, Brandon and Droo!
Then I took a picture for her, and then I dragged Courtney over to say hi to Dustin from MAH, and have him sign the poster, too. Which he did, in purple sharpie. And I told him it'd been way too long since I had seen them, like before the new cd came out, and he said it's been a while. And then I got a picture with him, in which he just looks so excited to be there.
Then we went and stood kind of by the wall, in order to make sure we got a good spot. Which turned out to be an iffy spot in the beginning, because House Of Fools kind of had all their stuff over there so set up and take down was kind of annoying. Anyway, House Of Fools was ehh. Not really my type of music, kind of classic/stoner rock. But it was fun to watch the guy with the keyboard, which I did a lot because I didn't want to accidentally make eye contact with anyone.
Just Surrender was next, and I really need to listen to them more, especially since they're coming back! We were right in front of Dan, who was definitely the creeper of the group. But Jason was super cute, and although they had some issues with the mics, they all sounded really good. They played the song from the video where Jason looks like Zac Efron, along with other things, and there were some guys in the crowd going crazy. At least one plastic cup full of beer was passed up to Jason, and Dan claimed he was sick so he couldn't drink and Jason would have to do his drinking for him. The last song they played, Dan asked if there were going to have a special guest, and then Dustin came on and took Jason's bass, which was very cool and allowed Jason to move around with the crowd a lot more.
So then My American Heart was setting up, and one of the guitarists started playing a theAudition riff for soundcheck, which was fun. I'm pretty sure they're good friends with those guys, they've gone on at least one tour with them. And then they started, and I made my way to the middle, right in front of Larry. Which was much too easy, people weren't close at all. So apparently I made some people unhappy but oh well. I like these guys too much to stand by the side, especially since Larry tends to not work the crowd at all. So they only played This Process from the Meaning in Makeup, even though people were screaming for In Between, but at least they played the good ones from Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather. This included Speak Low if You Speak Love, The Shake (Awful Feeling), Tired and Uninspired, Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather, There Are More Frightening Things, and closed with Boys, Grab Your Guns, which is a fantastic song. Taking pictures at a concert is new for me, and I'm not sure if I like it, cause I got distracted from the singing trying to get the camera to focus and stuff. So at least I tried it. Most of 'em are on facebook, but here's one I really like, just for fun.
Larry and Dustin
So then I moved back to the wall with Courtney, and we waited forever for Quietdrive to come out, which was awful because they started playing rap and they played that horrifying I'm a Flirt song, which made me want to go on a feminist rant. Anyway, they finally got all set up, and we turned out to be right in front of Justin. So that was fun, even though there was this hanging speaker thing right there and I feared for his head. But he was good and avoided that and the giant hole in the wall when he was jumping around. And Kevin was fantastic, he sounded amazing and he really got into the crowd - like, I thought he was going to get completely sucked in. Some of the girls were like, grabbing his shoulders and sliding their hands all over his head and stuff. Creepers. And it turns out that Matt does the higher pitched vocal, which was a surprise but was also really good. They played everything off of When All That's Left Is You besides I Lie Awake, plus they played a new song I think they called Hollywood and one I didn't recognize, so I'll have to hunt it down because they were both fantastic. I'm excited for new stuff by them!
And a picture of them, just because I can.
Justin, successfully avoiding the speaker
And then it was over, which was sad. But we waited a little bit, and then headed over to the other side, where lots of the guys were hanging out. So while Courtney was having Jason sign her poster I waited for Dustin to free up, and then I told him how amazing they were and I loved the new stuff. And he gave me a hug! And I told him I couldn't wait to see them again, and he asked if he had met me before. So I told him we'd met during the Head Automatic tour... hopefully I didn't get all rambly, I tried to explain the circumstances. So he asked my name again, and repeated it, and told me he'd definitely remember for next time, so I told him I'd hold him to that and he gave me another hug, and then I said I'd see them when they came back around.
And then we went back to our awesome parking spot, compared signatures, figured them out after realizing one wasn't actually a signature, it was just a squiggle from the design on the poster, and headed home, with a stop at McDonald's for ice cream.
So that was the second concert, which was definitely high up there on my list of best shows ever.
So after some confusion of what time we should actually get to Mac's, Courtney eventually picked me up and we drove out to Lansing, only to miss our turn and drive by the only other place we've been to see a concert in Lansing. What are the odds? But we still get there a bit early, meaning we get a fantastic parking spot right next to the stairs, which we determine is the front door. Since we're there a bit early we get to wait in the doorway, but it's at least warm. And the band people walk by us in and out.
Then the ticket guy calls up anyone who got tickets on the radio or online, so we got to make sure our orders went through and happily enough, both our names were on the list! So we got our X's and then this other guy came over with posters and ushered us over to where all the guys from Quietdrive were signing things.
We waited patiently, commenting on the interior decorations and molars and counting our teeth, which was apparently tricky if you had gum. The girls in front of us where taking their time and then things got confused, and Justin and Kevin (who are both very tall) weren't doing anything, so they kind of waved us over. They were super nice, asked us our names and how we were and thanked us for being there. I tried to not just say 'good' so I was coming up with all sorts of fun adjectives. Courtney asked them if they had played there before, and they said they'd probably played in Lansing, and we told them some venues from Detroit, because that's where we're from and we drove and hour and some to see them. So they thought that was cool, and they said they probably played St. Andrews. We passed our posters down to Matt and Brandon and Droo, apparently Matt knew someone's sister so they were kind of doing something else, but then Brandon saw my camera and asked what it was, so I had to explain about my huge, old camera and he laughed.
So I asked if we could get a picture, and had a random girl take it for us. At which time, I think Brandon or Droo said they wished they could take pictures of them holding each other all the time.
Courtney, Justin, Kevin, Me, Matt, Brandon and Droo!
Then I took a picture for her, and then I dragged Courtney over to say hi to Dustin from MAH, and have him sign the poster, too. Which he did, in purple sharpie. And I told him it'd been way too long since I had seen them, like before the new cd came out, and he said it's been a while. And then I got a picture with him, in which he just looks so excited to be there.
Then we went and stood kind of by the wall, in order to make sure we got a good spot. Which turned out to be an iffy spot in the beginning, because House Of Fools kind of had all their stuff over there so set up and take down was kind of annoying. Anyway, House Of Fools was ehh. Not really my type of music, kind of classic/stoner rock. But it was fun to watch the guy with the keyboard, which I did a lot because I didn't want to accidentally make eye contact with anyone.
Just Surrender was next, and I really need to listen to them more, especially since they're coming back! We were right in front of Dan, who was definitely the creeper of the group. But Jason was super cute, and although they had some issues with the mics, they all sounded really good. They played the song from the video where Jason looks like Zac Efron, along with other things, and there were some guys in the crowd going crazy. At least one plastic cup full of beer was passed up to Jason, and Dan claimed he was sick so he couldn't drink and Jason would have to do his drinking for him. The last song they played, Dan asked if there were going to have a special guest, and then Dustin came on and took Jason's bass, which was very cool and allowed Jason to move around with the crowd a lot more.
So then My American Heart was setting up, and one of the guitarists started playing a theAudition riff for soundcheck, which was fun. I'm pretty sure they're good friends with those guys, they've gone on at least one tour with them. And then they started, and I made my way to the middle, right in front of Larry. Which was much too easy, people weren't close at all. So apparently I made some people unhappy but oh well. I like these guys too much to stand by the side, especially since Larry tends to not work the crowd at all. So they only played This Process from the Meaning in Makeup, even though people were screaming for In Between, but at least they played the good ones from Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather. This included Speak Low if You Speak Love, The Shake (Awful Feeling), Tired and Uninspired, Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather, There Are More Frightening Things, and closed with Boys, Grab Your Guns, which is a fantastic song. Taking pictures at a concert is new for me, and I'm not sure if I like it, cause I got distracted from the singing trying to get the camera to focus and stuff. So at least I tried it. Most of 'em are on facebook, but here's one I really like, just for fun.
Larry and Dustin
So then I moved back to the wall with Courtney, and we waited forever for Quietdrive to come out, which was awful because they started playing rap and they played that horrifying I'm a Flirt song, which made me want to go on a feminist rant. Anyway, they finally got all set up, and we turned out to be right in front of Justin. So that was fun, even though there was this hanging speaker thing right there and I feared for his head. But he was good and avoided that and the giant hole in the wall when he was jumping around. And Kevin was fantastic, he sounded amazing and he really got into the crowd - like, I thought he was going to get completely sucked in. Some of the girls were like, grabbing his shoulders and sliding their hands all over his head and stuff. Creepers. And it turns out that Matt does the higher pitched vocal, which was a surprise but was also really good. They played everything off of When All That's Left Is You besides I Lie Awake, plus they played a new song I think they called Hollywood and one I didn't recognize, so I'll have to hunt it down because they were both fantastic. I'm excited for new stuff by them!
And a picture of them, just because I can.
Justin, successfully avoiding the speaker
And then it was over, which was sad. But we waited a little bit, and then headed over to the other side, where lots of the guys were hanging out. So while Courtney was having Jason sign her poster I waited for Dustin to free up, and then I told him how amazing they were and I loved the new stuff. And he gave me a hug! And I told him I couldn't wait to see them again, and he asked if he had met me before. So I told him we'd met during the Head Automatic tour... hopefully I didn't get all rambly, I tried to explain the circumstances. So he asked my name again, and repeated it, and told me he'd definitely remember for next time, so I told him I'd hold him to that and he gave me another hug, and then I said I'd see them when they came back around.
And then we went back to our awesome parking spot, compared signatures, figured them out after realizing one wasn't actually a signature, it was just a squiggle from the design on the poster, and headed home, with a stop at McDonald's for ice cream.
So that was the second concert, which was definitely high up there on my list of best shows ever.