I have been rocked..what a night
Just got home a few minutes ago....tonight was..simply put.Phenomenal.I don't think that in 7 years of being an avid concert goer that I have ever had a night quite like tonight.Ever.What started as a simple journey to Austin for a much anticipated show ended up being an unforgettable experience.It started with myself,James,Vicky and Eve loading up and heading out followed by Jane and her friend Kalli.We then met up with Scott and two of his buds from A&M,Dave and Eric.Then a rendezvous at Freddy's apartment to hook up with him and his new girlfriend.Naturally James and Scott start talking about getting some beer and stuff before the show..an idea I wasn't really planning to participate in since I was one of three drivers.Anyways we take up the money collection and me,Jane and Kalli head to the nearby HEB to grab some cheap suds for the guys.While perusing the aisles the three of us begin to discuss wine since all of us are servers at different restaurants.We make the decision to get a bottle...then two.A Pinot Grigio and a Suavignon Blanc.We head back to Freddy's and all proceed to get smashed.I can count the number of times in my life I have been drunk on one hand and I think this was number 5.Turns out everyone there but Kalli,Eve and Freddy's girl were all diehard 'Drag fans.We knew the doors opened at 9 and that 2 bands were playing before Superdrag so we threw an impromptu party to get ready...all of us guys and Jane and Wicky singing along and psyching ourselves up.We check the time and decide to move on out about 10..all of us buzzing quite a bit but still okay to drive.Somehow we all got separated leaving the apartment complex but wound up getting to the Mercury at almost the exact time.The drinking kinda continued for all us non minor types-James was a little miffed he couldn't drink but he's okay with it since he turns 21 in 11 days-we just kinda chilled out mingling.Turns out some of James's old buddies from Magnolia were there too.Couple of guys from his old class.It also turned out that Eric lives in Magnolia when he is not at A&M .Weird.But I guess Magnolia IS only 280 miles away.Bound to meet people from there sometime.By the time the Deathray Davies took the stage I could barely stand so I took a nap on one of the couches while the rest of the gang milled about.Eric and James ended up meeting John Davis and Don Coffey from Superdrag before the show and their conversations apparently went well.
When Superdrag finally got onstage I was a bit more coherent and we acted out a pre show ritual that we had agreed on earlier that night.In Superdrag's first two videos..for Sucked Out and Destination Ursa Major..there were scenes where John lit his cigarettes with a burning $1 bill.James came up with the idea that when the band got onstage we all line up and do it too.Hokey in concept,brilliant in execution...cept for the initial difficulty lighting the bill...we got John's attention and he thought it was great even if it was a federal offense.
As for the show itself...we OWNED it.Ten of us...not counting Kalli who by this point had gotten so hammered she went back to Jane's car to sleep...all at the front screaming and dancing and singing to every song.We even got a small but very fun pit going amongst the six of us guys.Freaked the crowd out something fierce as people backed off..cupping their martinis and bombay saphires in utter disbelief.People rocking at a rock show? The horror.Regardless the night was ours.We talked with the band between every song and they loved 'the San Antonio crew'.The real shocker ..aside from how damn flawless the set list was when out of nowhere John takes the mic and dedicates Cynicality to JAMES.Yes my brother.Seems James and John talked before the show and they hadn't been planning to play it until James requested it.You should have seen the Mouse's eyes light up as he pogoed and freaked out.We all did...over and over until it was all done.James even got to play the tambourine during Expanding My Mind...he was kind enough to let Scott and I get a few shakes in too.Anways the show was just perfect.James and I have decided that it ranks with Everclear '97 and Weezer 2000.It was just..perfect.
Afterwards we bought our merch...the guy was out of L sized t-shirts and thats what I've been wearing lately...down from XL.So I risked it and bought a M.As in Medium.And it fit...perfectly.I guess I really hadn't realized how much weight I have been losing.I haven't been able to wear an M since I was like 13.So score one for me.Really dumb,but made me happy nonetheless.So anyways...we meet John again to thank him for the show and I had my digicam so I got some quick pics.We all thanked him and moved out to the bustle of 6th street at 2:15 in the morning.Drunk ass people everywhere.By now I was sobered up completely...sweated it all out I think.
Eric broke his ankle during the show...or severely sprained it.He'll find out tomorrow in College Station.So we all headed back to the cars with me half carrying hop-a-long Eric since my car was closest...still two blocks away.And then we begin the treacherous journey to get something to eat.We agree on the TC's by Freddy's and all head out in different directions.Now the fun really begins....
Austin,TX at 2 am on a Saturday is much how I would imagine New Orleans to be during Mardi Gras.In the two mile drive from 6th street to Freddy's we witness three accidents.Then a car comes flying up behind me at about 70 miles an hour.I am at a complete stop.I was given much props and hugs from Eric,Vicky and Eve for my calm smooth maneuver that problably saved us all from a visit to the hospital.Moving gently to the left as the SUV went colliding into the curb and against a wall next to us.Nice huh?By the time we get to TC's Freddy's group of him,his girfriend,Scott and Dave have already arrived.But no Jane...and she's toting Kalli and my little brother.Still no-shows after about ten minutes,we start to get worried.Me and Eve are standing in line waiting to order when we see James waaay at the back of the long line.He sees us and makes a crashing motion with his hands.Turns out Jane wasn't as lucky as I was and some dipshit smashed into her from behind.She was ok though,thank God they all were,but the moron had no insurance so Jane got screwed.Tired,hungry and just plain worn the fuck out we all met on the patio to eat.Turns out that right at this time the Austin PD start busting some guys in the parking lot.And I mean busting them.Not sure what the guys had or what they were doing but all I know is we were sitting there wating for nachos and such and then out comes a shotgun.Right into the faces of the people in the car.Then it was just like COPS...fighting and choking a guy to the ground...the nervous rookie swinging a freakin 12 gauge and threatening to blow the guy away.The captured perp puking his lungs out as he gets his ass stomped to the pavement.Strangely enough we were all kinda too tired to move so we just kicked back and hoped no bullets flew.Neat in a sick in-your-face kinda way.So we get our food. We eat.We go back to Freddy's to say our see ya's and goodbyes.Was really nice to make four new friends in one night.Hope Eric is ok.All in all..it was an amazing night.Holy crap...I gotta be at work in an hour and a half.Got just enough time to sleep an hour in the shower and get dressed.Geez IHOP and then the Terrace Club tonight.This is gonna be a loooong day.
When Superdrag finally got onstage I was a bit more coherent and we acted out a pre show ritual that we had agreed on earlier that night.In Superdrag's first two videos..for Sucked Out and Destination Ursa Major..there were scenes where John lit his cigarettes with a burning $1 bill.James came up with the idea that when the band got onstage we all line up and do it too.Hokey in concept,brilliant in execution...cept for the initial difficulty lighting the bill...we got John's attention and he thought it was great even if it was a federal offense.
As for the show itself...we OWNED it.Ten of us...not counting Kalli who by this point had gotten so hammered she went back to Jane's car to sleep...all at the front screaming and dancing and singing to every song.We even got a small but very fun pit going amongst the six of us guys.Freaked the crowd out something fierce as people backed off..cupping their martinis and bombay saphires in utter disbelief.People rocking at a rock show? The horror.Regardless the night was ours.We talked with the band between every song and they loved 'the San Antonio crew'.The real shocker ..aside from how damn flawless the set list was when out of nowhere John takes the mic and dedicates Cynicality to JAMES.Yes my brother.Seems James and John talked before the show and they hadn't been planning to play it until James requested it.You should have seen the Mouse's eyes light up as he pogoed and freaked out.We all did...over and over until it was all done.James even got to play the tambourine during Expanding My Mind...he was kind enough to let Scott and I get a few shakes in too.Anways the show was just perfect.James and I have decided that it ranks with Everclear '97 and Weezer 2000.It was just..perfect.
Afterwards we bought our merch...the guy was out of L sized t-shirts and thats what I've been wearing lately...down from XL.So I risked it and bought a M.As in Medium.And it fit...perfectly.I guess I really hadn't realized how much weight I have been losing.I haven't been able to wear an M since I was like 13.So score one for me.Really dumb,but made me happy nonetheless.So anyways...we meet John again to thank him for the show and I had my digicam so I got some quick pics.We all thanked him and moved out to the bustle of 6th street at 2:15 in the morning.Drunk ass people everywhere.By now I was sobered up completely...sweated it all out I think.
Eric broke his ankle during the show...or severely sprained it.He'll find out tomorrow in College Station.So we all headed back to the cars with me half carrying hop-a-long Eric since my car was closest...still two blocks away.And then we begin the treacherous journey to get something to eat.We agree on the TC's by Freddy's and all head out in different directions.Now the fun really begins....
Austin,TX at 2 am on a Saturday is much how I would imagine New Orleans to be during Mardi Gras.In the two mile drive from 6th street to Freddy's we witness three accidents.Then a car comes flying up behind me at about 70 miles an hour.I am at a complete stop.I was given much props and hugs from Eric,Vicky and Eve for my calm smooth maneuver that problably saved us all from a visit to the hospital.Moving gently to the left as the SUV went colliding into the curb and against a wall next to us.Nice huh?By the time we get to TC's Freddy's group of him,his girfriend,Scott and Dave have already arrived.But no Jane...and she's toting Kalli and my little brother.Still no-shows after about ten minutes,we start to get worried.Me and Eve are standing in line waiting to order when we see James waaay at the back of the long line.He sees us and makes a crashing motion with his hands.Turns out Jane wasn't as lucky as I was and some dipshit smashed into her from behind.She was ok though,thank God they all were,but the moron had no insurance so Jane got screwed.Tired,hungry and just plain worn the fuck out we all met on the patio to eat.Turns out that right at this time the Austin PD start busting some guys in the parking lot.And I mean busting them.Not sure what the guys had or what they were doing but all I know is we were sitting there wating for nachos and such and then out comes a shotgun.Right into the faces of the people in the car.Then it was just like COPS...fighting and choking a guy to the ground...the nervous rookie swinging a freakin 12 gauge and threatening to blow the guy away.The captured perp puking his lungs out as he gets his ass stomped to the pavement.Strangely enough we were all kinda too tired to move so we just kicked back and hoped no bullets flew.Neat in a sick in-your-face kinda way.So we get our food. We eat.We go back to Freddy's to say our see ya's and goodbyes.Was really nice to make four new friends in one night.Hope Eric is ok.All in all..it was an amazing night.Holy crap...I gotta be at work in an hour and a half.Got just enough time to sleep an hour in the shower and get dressed.Geez IHOP and then the Terrace Club tonight.This is gonna be a loooong day.