A Fire Inside
Even though this kind of happened exactly (just noticed that now, ha ha) a month ago, i had it posted in my myspace blog and really liked it so i decided to post it to my LJ.
Photo by xbloodraine
Nothing from nowhere, I'm no one at all
Radiate, recognize one silent call
As we all form one dark flame... Incinerate!
And so my story starts on the morning of December 10th in B-town. I had quite a trip to look forward to. A 4 freakin hour drive to San Diego. But this drive was worth it (plus, i've endured far longer drives than this--CA to OK can be quite a trip). I was off to see the 91x Nightmare Before XMas concert featuring some of my favorite bands and one of my most favorite bands of all time: AFI!
So, we made our way down south, my sis, bro-in-law, and i to partake of the holy grail of all concerts. I was not prepared for the pure awesomeness that was this event. When we got there, we got a hotel room and then headed to the stadium which was only a couple of blocks from where we were (and there was a Chick-Fil-A, the best fast food place ever known to man! Seriously, if you have a Chick-Fil-A near you, don't take it for granted!). There weren't very many people there but i figured that was b/c it wasn't a general admission concert but rather everyone had their assigned seats. Either way, we were 6th in line and got there about 2 or so hours ahead (about 230 or 3). We were right by the tour buses so i got to see AFI: Davey Havok (AFI lead singer, for those who don't know), Jade Puget (AFI guitarist), Hunter (bassist), and Adam (drummer) hanging out by the vans/tour buses. Oh, and i got to see Smith Puget (AFI tour manager/hilarious guy), and Ed Reyes (Taking Back Sunday guitarist) riding his bike and hanging out. Either way, too cool, though i didn't scream and freak out like the girls in front of me ("Adam waved back at me!!!")...i did all that on the inside, not going to lie.
We go in at 4, buy our kickass AFI shirts, and get to our seats. First band up is an Australian punk bank called The Living End. They were so freakin awesome, though my bro-in-law, Barry, fell asleep. How, i have no clue ^^;; Up next was Unwritten Law. They were good, though i've only heard 3 songs by them (the ones on the radio). Still, they were enjoyable though i was anxious for the next 3 bands.
More of the waiting game once they were off the stage. That's one thing i hate about concerts is playing the waiting game in between acts, but my ears/hearing are very thankful for this reprieve, otherwise i would probably be deaf from all the concerts i've been to, ha ha.
Cue some Kill Bill music and out walks Taking Back Sunday. I've seen them before in concert (w/ The Subways and Head Automatica in B-town), but they were just as awesome as before! I love Adam's (lead singer) charisma and showmanship. I love all their songs and kickass music. They sang my favorite song "Bonus Mosh Pt. II", though they didn't sing "This Photograph is Proof" or "You're So Last Summer", i was still freakin happy w/ their performance. And Adam's microphone action/acrobatics were amazing, as usual.
Insert more waiting here. I was so hyped after TBS' performance b/c i freakin love them, but now i was going to see My Chemical Romance next! After waiting for a bit, my ears and i were ready to rock out! MCR came out as the curtain dropped revealing them. Gerard (lead singer) was absolutely wonderful, and their music was haunting and amazing! When MCR performed "Cancer" everyone had their lighters/cell phones out and, as cheesy as it sounds, the arena looked like it was filled w/ stars and the atmosphere was very otherworldly. Beautiful. Again, MCR did an excellent job. They ended w/ an appropriate "so long and goodnight" from "Helena".
Now, the most antagonizing waiting game EVER. Now, i absolutely LOVE Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance, and i was so psyched to see them. But, what made this concert the holy grail of all concerts to me wasn't just that TBS and MCR would be there w/ AFI...but that it was FREAKIN AFI! I LOVE AFI! I've waited years to see them and never, EVER thought i would see them in concert for as long as i lived (knowing my luck). I would have given anything to see them in concert. This was finally going to be my chance to see my favorite band.
I told my sister that i thought it a little ridiculous that the crowd was screaming while they were putting up the AFI background and dead, lit trees on stage (along w/ the rest of the equipment) and said that i would only freak out when the lights dimmed...and they did at that moment. Yeah, hate to ruin the beauty of the moment, but i think i peed a little in excitement, ha ha!
And Davey came on stage...
This is what I brought you, this you can keep
This is what I brought, you may forget me
I promise to depart, just promise one thing
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep
The crowd was clearly there specifically for AFI. Their reaction to AFI was much different from TBS and MCR, though they were pumped during those performances, too. No, the atmosphere was overwhelming. The crowd participation was one that i had never seen at any concert that i had ever been to. AFI was THE band to look forward to, THE band to respect and recognize. Everyone was on their feet (even in the terrace, which doesn't happen too often at any of the concerts i had been to). Everyone sang along and everyone pumped their fists. Davey's voice was beautiful, his screams roaring, his movement hypnotizing. The band played every song perfectly and the crowd sang every word w/ him, even one of their Cure cover songs. I was so excited to hear them perform "Days of the Pheonix", one of my favorite AFI songs ever! During "This Time Imperfect", the atmosphere was much like the MCR one (only better) w/ the lighters and cell phones. Loved it! It was gorgeous! AFI finished w/ "Miss Murder" and called it a night. I did NOT want to leave my seat for fear that all of it would have been a dream and i would forget it all as soon as i walked out the stadium doors.
Anyone reading this is probably thinking, "ok...she's a bit obsessive...insane...crazy..." but i've been waiting ages to see AFI in concert. They are probably one of the most untouchable bands i listen to, in the fact that they're the oldest, most long-lasting and amazing bands i listen to and figured i would never get to see them in concert (the time they actually came to Bakersfield it sold out in a minute; i didn't get the chance to even get in the damn line!). So, before you call me crazy, this was the best concert i had ever been to (and i've been to a lot of amazing concerts)! I got to see Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, and the greatest band EVER, AFI! This concert will definitely go down in history...in my memory that is, ha ha. My memory sucks but i WILL remember that night!
And i swear, i will drive anywhere in California to see AFI again!
Oh, and if you want to hear any of AFI's music, either go to my profile (if i have their song up) or go to their myspace page: www.myspace.com/afi
Now, here's some actual concert footage from the show i saw in San Diego:
(Note: i know a lot of these clips aren't very good, but it's just to give you some of the ambiance of what happened at the concert...dang it!)
Taking Back Sunday - "MakeDamnSure"
My Chemical Romance - "The End" (this was their intro to the concert)
My Chemical Romance - "Cancer" (this video shows some of the lighter/cell phone atmosphere, though it doesn't really do it justice)
AFI - "Miss Murder"
AFI - "Love Like Winter"
To further show the awesomeness that is AFI, here are some clips from their dvd "I Heard A Voice" of their concert in Long Beach, CA. This is basically the same show i saw in San Diego (minus the huge screen in the back and all the confetti, ha ha ^_^).
(Note #2: i kept these clips in anyway, since they're higher quality and you can actually tell what's going on ^^;;)
"Love Like Winter"
"Kill Caustic"
Photo by xbloodraine
Nothing from nowhere, I'm no one at all
Radiate, recognize one silent call
As we all form one dark flame... Incinerate!
And so my story starts on the morning of December 10th in B-town. I had quite a trip to look forward to. A 4 freakin hour drive to San Diego. But this drive was worth it (plus, i've endured far longer drives than this--CA to OK can be quite a trip). I was off to see the 91x Nightmare Before XMas concert featuring some of my favorite bands and one of my most favorite bands of all time: AFI!
So, we made our way down south, my sis, bro-in-law, and i to partake of the holy grail of all concerts. I was not prepared for the pure awesomeness that was this event. When we got there, we got a hotel room and then headed to the stadium which was only a couple of blocks from where we were (and there was a Chick-Fil-A, the best fast food place ever known to man! Seriously, if you have a Chick-Fil-A near you, don't take it for granted!). There weren't very many people there but i figured that was b/c it wasn't a general admission concert but rather everyone had their assigned seats. Either way, we were 6th in line and got there about 2 or so hours ahead (about 230 or 3). We were right by the tour buses so i got to see AFI: Davey Havok (AFI lead singer, for those who don't know), Jade Puget (AFI guitarist), Hunter (bassist), and Adam (drummer) hanging out by the vans/tour buses. Oh, and i got to see Smith Puget (AFI tour manager/hilarious guy), and Ed Reyes (Taking Back Sunday guitarist) riding his bike and hanging out. Either way, too cool, though i didn't scream and freak out like the girls in front of me ("Adam waved back at me!!!")...i did all that on the inside, not going to lie.
We go in at 4, buy our kickass AFI shirts, and get to our seats. First band up is an Australian punk bank called The Living End. They were so freakin awesome, though my bro-in-law, Barry, fell asleep. How, i have no clue ^^;; Up next was Unwritten Law. They were good, though i've only heard 3 songs by them (the ones on the radio). Still, they were enjoyable though i was anxious for the next 3 bands.
More of the waiting game once they were off the stage. That's one thing i hate about concerts is playing the waiting game in between acts, but my ears/hearing are very thankful for this reprieve, otherwise i would probably be deaf from all the concerts i've been to, ha ha.
Cue some Kill Bill music and out walks Taking Back Sunday. I've seen them before in concert (w/ The Subways and Head Automatica in B-town), but they were just as awesome as before! I love Adam's (lead singer) charisma and showmanship. I love all their songs and kickass music. They sang my favorite song "Bonus Mosh Pt. II", though they didn't sing "This Photograph is Proof" or "You're So Last Summer", i was still freakin happy w/ their performance. And Adam's microphone action/acrobatics were amazing, as usual.
Insert more waiting here. I was so hyped after TBS' performance b/c i freakin love them, but now i was going to see My Chemical Romance next! After waiting for a bit, my ears and i were ready to rock out! MCR came out as the curtain dropped revealing them. Gerard (lead singer) was absolutely wonderful, and their music was haunting and amazing! When MCR performed "Cancer" everyone had their lighters/cell phones out and, as cheesy as it sounds, the arena looked like it was filled w/ stars and the atmosphere was very otherworldly. Beautiful. Again, MCR did an excellent job. They ended w/ an appropriate "so long and goodnight" from "Helena".
Now, the most antagonizing waiting game EVER. Now, i absolutely LOVE Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance, and i was so psyched to see them. But, what made this concert the holy grail of all concerts to me wasn't just that TBS and MCR would be there w/ AFI...but that it was FREAKIN AFI! I LOVE AFI! I've waited years to see them and never, EVER thought i would see them in concert for as long as i lived (knowing my luck). I would have given anything to see them in concert. This was finally going to be my chance to see my favorite band.
I told my sister that i thought it a little ridiculous that the crowd was screaming while they were putting up the AFI background and dead, lit trees on stage (along w/ the rest of the equipment) and said that i would only freak out when the lights dimmed...and they did at that moment. Yeah, hate to ruin the beauty of the moment, but i think i peed a little in excitement, ha ha!
And Davey came on stage...
This is what I brought you, this you can keep
This is what I brought, you may forget me
I promise to depart, just promise one thing
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep
The crowd was clearly there specifically for AFI. Their reaction to AFI was much different from TBS and MCR, though they were pumped during those performances, too. No, the atmosphere was overwhelming. The crowd participation was one that i had never seen at any concert that i had ever been to. AFI was THE band to look forward to, THE band to respect and recognize. Everyone was on their feet (even in the terrace, which doesn't happen too often at any of the concerts i had been to). Everyone sang along and everyone pumped their fists. Davey's voice was beautiful, his screams roaring, his movement hypnotizing. The band played every song perfectly and the crowd sang every word w/ him, even one of their Cure cover songs. I was so excited to hear them perform "Days of the Pheonix", one of my favorite AFI songs ever! During "This Time Imperfect", the atmosphere was much like the MCR one (only better) w/ the lighters and cell phones. Loved it! It was gorgeous! AFI finished w/ "Miss Murder" and called it a night. I did NOT want to leave my seat for fear that all of it would have been a dream and i would forget it all as soon as i walked out the stadium doors.
Anyone reading this is probably thinking, "ok...she's a bit obsessive...insane...crazy..." but i've been waiting ages to see AFI in concert. They are probably one of the most untouchable bands i listen to, in the fact that they're the oldest, most long-lasting and amazing bands i listen to and figured i would never get to see them in concert (the time they actually came to Bakersfield it sold out in a minute; i didn't get the chance to even get in the damn line!). So, before you call me crazy, this was the best concert i had ever been to (and i've been to a lot of amazing concerts)! I got to see Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, and the greatest band EVER, AFI! This concert will definitely go down in history...in my memory that is, ha ha. My memory sucks but i WILL remember that night!
And i swear, i will drive anywhere in California to see AFI again!
Oh, and if you want to hear any of AFI's music, either go to my profile (if i have their song up) or go to their myspace page: www.myspace.com/afi
Now, here's some actual concert footage from the show i saw in San Diego:
(Note: i know a lot of these clips aren't very good, but it's just to give you some of the ambiance of what happened at the concert...dang it!)
Taking Back Sunday - "MakeDamnSure"
My Chemical Romance - "The End" (this was their intro to the concert)
My Chemical Romance - "Cancer" (this video shows some of the lighter/cell phone atmosphere, though it doesn't really do it justice)
AFI - "Miss Murder"
AFI - "Love Like Winter"
To further show the awesomeness that is AFI, here are some clips from their dvd "I Heard A Voice" of their concert in Long Beach, CA. This is basically the same show i saw in San Diego (minus the huge screen in the back and all the confetti, ha ha ^_^).
(Note #2: i kept these clips in anyway, since they're higher quality and you can actually tell what's going on ^^;;)
"Love Like Winter"
"Kill Caustic"