Anything that is YOU and has nothing to do with the other person
I will marry my music instead!
How could I have forgotten!?
The same thing I always realize:
ROCK AND ROLL WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!
unity! community! hardcore pride!
:) So tonight, I am sitting round at home and thinking, "Its cold out. Maybe I will not go to that show at Uncle Lou's." But then I think...why not? True, I have no one to go with, but that's really not a big deal.
So I get in my car and put on that mix Shelby made for me and Brandon, music about music. It's so inspiring!!
"Are you gonna live your life wondering? Standing in the back, looking around?"
"WE WERE BORN FOR THIS!"
"From all the drugs the one I like more is music
From all the junks the one I need more is music
From all the boys the one I take home is music
From all the ladies the one I kiss is music!
MUSIC IS MY BOYFRIEND!"
"I will marry my music instead, because she makes me feel LA DA DA DAAA!"
:) So by the time I get to Uncle Lou's I am pumped. Plus, I easily find a parking spot right across the street, so, double pumped!
Its only seven dollars at the door (triple pumped!). That kid Wesley draws an admission paid X on my hand. My friend Paul introduced me to Wesley the other night but it doesn't seem like he remembers me. He probably meets a lot of people.
There are tons of kids here, including straight edge varsity jacket guy, and the same four girls who were here at the show the other night. Those four plus me make up the only girls in a sea of dudes, so that hasn't changed since the days long ago when I used to go to shows all the time. That's too bad.
A band is just finishing up when I get inside. They sound alright, I don't catch their name. I find an empty barstool along the wall, which is a real treat because it means I can just sit awkwardly instead of standing around awkwardly.
Much to my surprise, the dude on the barstool next to mine engages me in conversation! He has stretched earlobes and a turned up baseball cap and a Make or Break hoodie, and he's mumbly. I ask if he knows the next band, he says yeah he knows all the bands, don't I?
"Um, nope! I don't really know any newer bands...I guess I listen to mostly old stuff!"
"Yeah, like what?"
I painted myself into a cool points corner with that one...I name drop the coolest unarguably "old" band I can think of:
"Eh, you know, Cro Mags. And stuff."
"Haha, yeah, like Warzone?"
"Yeah I like them."
"Cro Mags were just here, like last year."
"Yeah but wouldn't it have been better to see them like, ten years ago?"
"Haha, when you were what, EIGHT YEARS OLD?"
"Hahahaha no I was eighteen."
"No way! I don't believe you."
I'm old.
He asks if I'm from out of town.
"Nope. Well, kind of. I live in Kissimmee."
"Haha me too!"
He names some subdivision, near the mall.
"You should give me your number, we can hang out some time."
"In Kissimmee? hahahaha"
"Sure."
So we exchange numbers. His name's Spencer. Kissimmee hardcore friend! :D
For the next band I stake out a safe looking spot near the bar in front. They are Fire and Ice...I forget where they say they are from, but they are great! There is a lot of pretty violent hardcore dancing, which is kind of a bummer in a single level venue this small. Its difficult to see the band, but then, dancing is pretty amusing to watch too. :)
Between bands I hang on to my spot by the bar. That really cute photographer girl comes up and asks the bartender if its okay if she sits on the bar. He says "Sure, as long as you don't get in the way of the FEW people who are buying anything!" Hahaha because its a straightedge show! So she hops up and sits next to where I'm standing, then she grabs my shoulder and says
"Hey! Don't I know you?!"
...
"From sick of it sundays! We sang together on stage at the Ramones!"
We DID! I loved that girl! She was my chick friend in a sea of dudes at that wicked fun Ramones cover show at back booth!
"Oh yeah! What's up, friend!"
"Can you believe that show was a year ago! It was December 28, I remember!"
"Wow! Yeah, those shows were so fun! I wish they still did them!"
"I know it!"
"What's your name?"
"Melanie!"
"I'm Kyla!"
YAAAAAY COOL GIRL FRIEND!!!! :D
And then, FOUNDATION! They are spectacular! I only wish I knew any of the words, so I could sing along! I make out a couple of the lyrics...there's definately a bit about being straightedge, and tons of kids are singing along! So maybe my brother and I AREN'T the only straightedge kids in the world! And of course by "the world," I mean central Florida. There is a lot of hardcore dancing, but the crowd feels really positive, like, kids are helping each other up when they fall down--I love to see that! And kids are like, apologizing when they bump into me, even though its obviously inevitable--I dig that too! The lead singer announces that this one will be their last song, and Melanie nudges me forward. I feel kind of silly participating in a pile on when I don't know the words, but it is wicked fun anyway! They say thank you to all the opening bands--apparently one of the bands I saw here with Paul the other night played--Thin Line--I am bummed that I missed them! Foundation starts to tear down but my new buddy Melanie shouts at them
"Wait! Group photo!!"
So all the dudes in the band and all the kids in the crowd throw our arms around each others shoulders and grin for her camera, a few people climb on top of each other; she hands her camera off to someone else so she an be in the picture, everyone is piling up and cracking up laughing--it feels so good! It feels like everything I always want from a show--good music and good company! Community! New music and new friends! It feels like Ohio!
I head to the Foundation merch table to buy a 7 inch and the zine the lead singer encouraged us all to buy. The merch dudes throw in another zine and a sticker--sweet!
I find Melanie and ask her where all her photos go; she gives me her Flickr address.
I check out the other merch table and ask for two Thin Line tapes.
"Two?"
"Yeah! I want to send one to my brother! He and I are the only straightedge kids we know!"
"Really? Are you from around here?"
So there really is something I am missing, well, something that I am finding right now! Kids like us!
"Haha, yeah, I guess I am just way out of the loop!"
"What kinds of shows do you go to?"
"Uhh, I went to the Street Dogs last month!"
"Yeah? I was there! My buddy gave Vinnie Stigma his card, told him--if you ever need a guitarist, just call me"
"Haha Stigma probably will, too!"
"Haha yeah! I like your sweatshirt, by the way."
"You like American Nightmare?! Really?!"
"Here, did I give you a flier?"
He gives me a two sided flier, and tells me all about these bands, compares one to the Hope Conspiracy!
"You book these shows?"
"Yeah, me and Wesley."
"That's awesome! I am definately going to start coming to more!"
"Cool! Hey, here, take two of these cds too, it's my old band, I'm just trying to get rid of them haha."
"Thanks!"
"Oh, and, do you like Kill Your Idols? I'm selling these for five dollars. We're just, trying to raise money for new speakers and stuff"
"Sure! I love Kill Your Idols!"
"Awesome. What's your name?"
"Kyla."
"I'm Matt."
"Nice to meet you! Ok, see you around!"
"For sure!"
I can barely explain how awesome this feels!!!! This is everything shows are supposed to be! I did so well, too! Carried on THREE perfectly normal, barely awkward conversations with three strangers who are now my friends!! I'm ecstatic!
I get to my car and put in one of the Thin Line tapes--its so good! Everything I like about music! Really sincere and passionate and inspiring lyrics, and energetic music!
During the drive home I decide, I will make a new years resolution after all--to go to more shows! I'm off to a good start--two shows in the first three days of the year :) And there's another one at Uncle Lou's this Friday, plus one next week! They might not all be as uplifting as this one, but hours of awkwardly standing around will totally be worth it I make even one straightedge friend!
Here's to 2010! More stick clicks! More pick slides! More SING A LONGS! :D
How could I have forgotten!?
The same thing I always realize:
ROCK AND ROLL WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!
unity! community! hardcore pride!
:) So tonight, I am sitting round at home and thinking, "Its cold out. Maybe I will not go to that show at Uncle Lou's." But then I think...why not? True, I have no one to go with, but that's really not a big deal.
So I get in my car and put on that mix Shelby made for me and Brandon, music about music. It's so inspiring!!
"Are you gonna live your life wondering? Standing in the back, looking around?"
"WE WERE BORN FOR THIS!"
"From all the drugs the one I like more is music
From all the junks the one I need more is music
From all the boys the one I take home is music
From all the ladies the one I kiss is music!
MUSIC IS MY BOYFRIEND!"
"I will marry my music instead, because she makes me feel LA DA DA DAAA!"
:) So by the time I get to Uncle Lou's I am pumped. Plus, I easily find a parking spot right across the street, so, double pumped!
Its only seven dollars at the door (triple pumped!). That kid Wesley draws an admission paid X on my hand. My friend Paul introduced me to Wesley the other night but it doesn't seem like he remembers me. He probably meets a lot of people.
There are tons of kids here, including straight edge varsity jacket guy, and the same four girls who were here at the show the other night. Those four plus me make up the only girls in a sea of dudes, so that hasn't changed since the days long ago when I used to go to shows all the time. That's too bad.
A band is just finishing up when I get inside. They sound alright, I don't catch their name. I find an empty barstool along the wall, which is a real treat because it means I can just sit awkwardly instead of standing around awkwardly.
Much to my surprise, the dude on the barstool next to mine engages me in conversation! He has stretched earlobes and a turned up baseball cap and a Make or Break hoodie, and he's mumbly. I ask if he knows the next band, he says yeah he knows all the bands, don't I?
"Um, nope! I don't really know any newer bands...I guess I listen to mostly old stuff!"
"Yeah, like what?"
I painted myself into a cool points corner with that one...I name drop the coolest unarguably "old" band I can think of:
"Eh, you know, Cro Mags. And stuff."
"Haha, yeah, like Warzone?"
"Yeah I like them."
"Cro Mags were just here, like last year."
"Yeah but wouldn't it have been better to see them like, ten years ago?"
"Haha, when you were what, EIGHT YEARS OLD?"
"Hahahaha no I was eighteen."
"No way! I don't believe you."
I'm old.
He asks if I'm from out of town.
"Nope. Well, kind of. I live in Kissimmee."
"Haha me too!"
He names some subdivision, near the mall.
"You should give me your number, we can hang out some time."
"In Kissimmee? hahahaha"
"Sure."
So we exchange numbers. His name's Spencer. Kissimmee hardcore friend! :D
For the next band I stake out a safe looking spot near the bar in front. They are Fire and Ice...I forget where they say they are from, but they are great! There is a lot of pretty violent hardcore dancing, which is kind of a bummer in a single level venue this small. Its difficult to see the band, but then, dancing is pretty amusing to watch too. :)
Between bands I hang on to my spot by the bar. That really cute photographer girl comes up and asks the bartender if its okay if she sits on the bar. He says "Sure, as long as you don't get in the way of the FEW people who are buying anything!" Hahaha because its a straightedge show! So she hops up and sits next to where I'm standing, then she grabs my shoulder and says
"Hey! Don't I know you?!"
...
"From sick of it sundays! We sang together on stage at the Ramones!"
We DID! I loved that girl! She was my chick friend in a sea of dudes at that wicked fun Ramones cover show at back booth!
"Oh yeah! What's up, friend!"
"Can you believe that show was a year ago! It was December 28, I remember!"
"Wow! Yeah, those shows were so fun! I wish they still did them!"
"I know it!"
"What's your name?"
"Melanie!"
"I'm Kyla!"
YAAAAAY COOL GIRL FRIEND!!!! :D
And then, FOUNDATION! They are spectacular! I only wish I knew any of the words, so I could sing along! I make out a couple of the lyrics...there's definately a bit about being straightedge, and tons of kids are singing along! So maybe my brother and I AREN'T the only straightedge kids in the world! And of course by "the world," I mean central Florida. There is a lot of hardcore dancing, but the crowd feels really positive, like, kids are helping each other up when they fall down--I love to see that! And kids are like, apologizing when they bump into me, even though its obviously inevitable--I dig that too! The lead singer announces that this one will be their last song, and Melanie nudges me forward. I feel kind of silly participating in a pile on when I don't know the words, but it is wicked fun anyway! They say thank you to all the opening bands--apparently one of the bands I saw here with Paul the other night played--Thin Line--I am bummed that I missed them! Foundation starts to tear down but my new buddy Melanie shouts at them
"Wait! Group photo!!"
So all the dudes in the band and all the kids in the crowd throw our arms around each others shoulders and grin for her camera, a few people climb on top of each other; she hands her camera off to someone else so she an be in the picture, everyone is piling up and cracking up laughing--it feels so good! It feels like everything I always want from a show--good music and good company! Community! New music and new friends! It feels like Ohio!
I head to the Foundation merch table to buy a 7 inch and the zine the lead singer encouraged us all to buy. The merch dudes throw in another zine and a sticker--sweet!
I find Melanie and ask her where all her photos go; she gives me her Flickr address.
I check out the other merch table and ask for two Thin Line tapes.
"Two?"
"Yeah! I want to send one to my brother! He and I are the only straightedge kids we know!"
"Really? Are you from around here?"
So there really is something I am missing, well, something that I am finding right now! Kids like us!
"Haha, yeah, I guess I am just way out of the loop!"
"What kinds of shows do you go to?"
"Uhh, I went to the Street Dogs last month!"
"Yeah? I was there! My buddy gave Vinnie Stigma his card, told him--if you ever need a guitarist, just call me"
"Haha Stigma probably will, too!"
"Haha yeah! I like your sweatshirt, by the way."
"You like American Nightmare?! Really?!"
"Here, did I give you a flier?"
He gives me a two sided flier, and tells me all about these bands, compares one to the Hope Conspiracy!
"You book these shows?"
"Yeah, me and Wesley."
"That's awesome! I am definately going to start coming to more!"
"Cool! Hey, here, take two of these cds too, it's my old band, I'm just trying to get rid of them haha."
"Thanks!"
"Oh, and, do you like Kill Your Idols? I'm selling these for five dollars. We're just, trying to raise money for new speakers and stuff"
"Sure! I love Kill Your Idols!"
"Awesome. What's your name?"
"Kyla."
"I'm Matt."
"Nice to meet you! Ok, see you around!"
"For sure!"
I can barely explain how awesome this feels!!!! This is everything shows are supposed to be! I did so well, too! Carried on THREE perfectly normal, barely awkward conversations with three strangers who are now my friends!! I'm ecstatic!
I get to my car and put in one of the Thin Line tapes--its so good! Everything I like about music! Really sincere and passionate and inspiring lyrics, and energetic music!
During the drive home I decide, I will make a new years resolution after all--to go to more shows! I'm off to a good start--two shows in the first three days of the year :) And there's another one at Uncle Lou's this Friday, plus one next week! They might not all be as uplifting as this one, but hours of awkwardly standing around will totally be worth it I make even one straightedge friend!
Here's to 2010! More stick clicks! More pick slides! More SING A LONGS! :D