Billy "MF" Talent
I posted this entry at my Myspace page and forgot to post it at my LJ. Yet another concert blog, i know, but i love my concerts, i love my music, and i love my bands, therefore i blog. One band that i love? Billy Talent.
On April 7th, my sister, brother, Mr. B, and i went to Pomona to see Billy Talent at the Glass House. The trip was...uh, interesting, considering we missed our exit at one point and took a nice, scenic tour of Pasadena courtesy of Mr. B =P But we found our way back on the correct path toward Pomona. When we finally got there, we saw that the line wasn't long at all and we got in it ASAP. I figured it wouldn't be such a huge line b/c it was a small show at a small venue (score!). Eventually, after waiting almost 2 hours (i don't remember when we got there), we were let into the Glass House at 7 pm. We waited for another hour. Hey, it may seem like i'm complaining, but i'm actually not. I prefer to wait hours for a concert to start rather than wait in line and get into the venue only to find out that we've already missed one of the opening bands *cough*BlackCloudsAndUnderdogsTour*cough*.
Anyway...so 8:00 rolled around and the first opening band came on stage. Drive By was their name and awesomeness was their game. I know that sounded completely cheesy BUT they truly kicked sooooo much ass. The lead singer, Todd, was very humorous and their music was great so i was lovin' them. Totally crushing on Drive By, that's for sure. Yeah, i saw you, Todd, looking at me. I stared your ass down...but in a good way. It was a stare of admiration, yeah, that's it, ha ha =D But seriously, we made eye contact. Very cool. And now anyone reading this probably thinks i'm a freak....moving on... Todd ensures that "Billy MF Talent" is in the building and will be out soon. Wooo!
So, Drive By finishes their awesome set and we play the waiting game again. About 30 mins (i think) later, Cancer Bats take the stage. Now, i don't want to hate on them. They played w/ a lot of passion and really rocked out and i respect that. I'm just not a metal head therefore i didn't enjoy them as much. But they did get the concert started (a little) in terms of moshing and headbanging, even though, in my opinion, Drive By was the superior of the two. But Drive By wasn't exactly a band you headbang to like the Cancer Bats. Overall, an ok performance. I think Jenna and Mr. B almost got spit on by the bass player b/c he sprayed water from his mouth out in the crowd. But they got lucky and dodged it. So, Cancer Bats finished their set, which i was thankful for--not hating on them...but seriously, i was glad. I was ready for Billy Talent to come on. We waited some more and finally...
Billy Talent came on stage and the energy in the room was intense. They started playing and immediately the crowd reacted. What used to be a mosh pit was still somewhat a mosh pit but had evolved a little to where the crowd could just jump and dance and rock out altogether. This was one of the first times that i've been on the floor at a concert and was not afraid of the mosh pit. People actually wanted to get in the middle of the floor just so they could rock out b/c they were no longer afraid to be in it. There was still moshing, however, and a particular fellow made it very interesting. He was extremely tall, buff, and bald and he would cross over to our side (the left side of the stage) to rest a little from the moshing. He would stand near me and i would get a little worried that he was going to start ripping the place to shreds but he would just rest and then, out of no where, go into the mosh pit and just start ramming random people just to get to the other side. It was hilarious! =P
Billy Talent was amazing! They performed their songs perfectly and Ben, the lead singer, is very charismatic as well as passionate. He really gets into it (obviously). Also, we marveled at the 8th world wonder that is Ian's (the guitarist) hair. I mean, really. His hair...just...wow. Ben would stop periodically to "clear up common misconceptions" that people had about him and Canadians (since Billy Talent is Canadian). He reiterated that they do, indeed, love Americans. Though "the man running the joint is questionable, the American people, we love". He says he loves women (ha ha, of course) and also mentioned that women should always be treated w/ respect and that the men in the crowd should take care of the ladies. He's just too awesome ^_^ Overall, i was crushing on Billy Talent, but i've been crushing on them since day one (when i first heard them four years ago). Oh, and i got Ian's water bottle spit sprayed all over me when he threw the water bottle in the crowd and it got everywhere. Yeah, my face got wet but oh well. It's Ian. No worries. Cancer Bat dude's spit? Yeah, that wouldn't have been cool ^^;; Oh, and i also made eye contact w/ Ben. F yes. It doesn't sound like anything special, but when i stared at him and he stared back, it was just awesome. Ok, as if you didn't think i was a freak before, now you think i'm a freak =/
Anyway, Billy Talent played the following songs, in no particular order (for those of you who actually care, and for my recollection and really bad memory):
This Is How It Goes
Try Honesty
Line And Sinker (the mosh pit was super intense during this song)
The Ex (the only woman that Ben believes is the devil)
River Below
Nothing To Lose
Devil In A Midnight Mass
Red Flag (the last song they played; i really got into this one and so did everyone else; the energy was even MORE intense than it was during their other songs--if that's even possible to imagine)
This Suffering
Worker Bees
Fallen Leaves
Surrender
The Navy Song
Perfect World
Sympathy
I was so lucky to have seen them. They don't come to the U.S. too often, and when they do, they don't tour much at all. Normally they just go to other foreign countries or stay in Canada. Last night was the last night of their U.S. tour so i felt extremely blessed to see them. I seriously thought i would never see this band but i actually got to. The venue was perfect. True, it was all floor and therefore i had to stand. But i've stood for worse concerts so i would have stood forever just to see them. My legs and knees were killing me but it was SO worth it. Plus, the venue was really small and the crowd was small and overall it was an intimate concert w/ everyone just rocking out and enjoying themselves. Also, b/c the venue was small as was the crowd, i got a good spot where i could actually see the band, and i got to watch Ian and Ben standing right in front of me. Words cannot describe. I only hope they come back to the U.S. I would LOVE to see them again. I would say that i WILL see them again, but, w/ the way they tour, it may not be likely. They did not disappoint. Great great night.
Oh, and that ringing in my left ear? Yeah, totally worth it. ...Just as long as i don't go deaf in that ear. Well, i do know sign soo... Ah, it'll go away. No worries.
Now, like i do in every concert blog, it is time for the pimping:
If you would like to hear what Billy Talent sounds like go check out their official page.
Also, b/c i loved Drive By, go check them out at their official page, too.
If you want to hear more from Cancer Bats, you can look them up at their official page, too, if they're your cup of tea.
Finally, i don't quite understand why more people haven't heard of Billy Talent. It makes me sad b/c this band is truly awesome. They're one of my favorite bands ever and i only wish to spread the love that is Billy Talent =)
On April 7th, my sister, brother, Mr. B, and i went to Pomona to see Billy Talent at the Glass House. The trip was...uh, interesting, considering we missed our exit at one point and took a nice, scenic tour of Pasadena courtesy of Mr. B =P But we found our way back on the correct path toward Pomona. When we finally got there, we saw that the line wasn't long at all and we got in it ASAP. I figured it wouldn't be such a huge line b/c it was a small show at a small venue (score!). Eventually, after waiting almost 2 hours (i don't remember when we got there), we were let into the Glass House at 7 pm. We waited for another hour. Hey, it may seem like i'm complaining, but i'm actually not. I prefer to wait hours for a concert to start rather than wait in line and get into the venue only to find out that we've already missed one of the opening bands *cough*BlackCloudsAndUnderdogsTour*cough*.
Anyway...so 8:00 rolled around and the first opening band came on stage. Drive By was their name and awesomeness was their game. I know that sounded completely cheesy BUT they truly kicked sooooo much ass. The lead singer, Todd, was very humorous and their music was great so i was lovin' them. Totally crushing on Drive By, that's for sure. Yeah, i saw you, Todd, looking at me. I stared your ass down...but in a good way. It was a stare of admiration, yeah, that's it, ha ha =D But seriously, we made eye contact. Very cool. And now anyone reading this probably thinks i'm a freak....moving on... Todd ensures that "Billy MF Talent" is in the building and will be out soon. Wooo!
So, Drive By finishes their awesome set and we play the waiting game again. About 30 mins (i think) later, Cancer Bats take the stage. Now, i don't want to hate on them. They played w/ a lot of passion and really rocked out and i respect that. I'm just not a metal head therefore i didn't enjoy them as much. But they did get the concert started (a little) in terms of moshing and headbanging, even though, in my opinion, Drive By was the superior of the two. But Drive By wasn't exactly a band you headbang to like the Cancer Bats. Overall, an ok performance. I think Jenna and Mr. B almost got spit on by the bass player b/c he sprayed water from his mouth out in the crowd. But they got lucky and dodged it. So, Cancer Bats finished their set, which i was thankful for--not hating on them...but seriously, i was glad. I was ready for Billy Talent to come on. We waited some more and finally...
Billy Talent came on stage and the energy in the room was intense. They started playing and immediately the crowd reacted. What used to be a mosh pit was still somewhat a mosh pit but had evolved a little to where the crowd could just jump and dance and rock out altogether. This was one of the first times that i've been on the floor at a concert and was not afraid of the mosh pit. People actually wanted to get in the middle of the floor just so they could rock out b/c they were no longer afraid to be in it. There was still moshing, however, and a particular fellow made it very interesting. He was extremely tall, buff, and bald and he would cross over to our side (the left side of the stage) to rest a little from the moshing. He would stand near me and i would get a little worried that he was going to start ripping the place to shreds but he would just rest and then, out of no where, go into the mosh pit and just start ramming random people just to get to the other side. It was hilarious! =P
Billy Talent was amazing! They performed their songs perfectly and Ben, the lead singer, is very charismatic as well as passionate. He really gets into it (obviously). Also, we marveled at the 8th world wonder that is Ian's (the guitarist) hair. I mean, really. His hair...just...wow. Ben would stop periodically to "clear up common misconceptions" that people had about him and Canadians (since Billy Talent is Canadian). He reiterated that they do, indeed, love Americans. Though "the man running the joint is questionable, the American people, we love". He says he loves women (ha ha, of course) and also mentioned that women should always be treated w/ respect and that the men in the crowd should take care of the ladies. He's just too awesome ^_^ Overall, i was crushing on Billy Talent, but i've been crushing on them since day one (when i first heard them four years ago). Oh, and i got Ian's water bottle spit sprayed all over me when he threw the water bottle in the crowd and it got everywhere. Yeah, my face got wet but oh well. It's Ian. No worries. Cancer Bat dude's spit? Yeah, that wouldn't have been cool ^^;; Oh, and i also made eye contact w/ Ben. F yes. It doesn't sound like anything special, but when i stared at him and he stared back, it was just awesome. Ok, as if you didn't think i was a freak before, now you think i'm a freak =/
Anyway, Billy Talent played the following songs, in no particular order (for those of you who actually care, and for my recollection and really bad memory):
This Is How It Goes
Try Honesty
Line And Sinker (the mosh pit was super intense during this song)
The Ex (the only woman that Ben believes is the devil)
River Below
Nothing To Lose
Devil In A Midnight Mass
Red Flag (the last song they played; i really got into this one and so did everyone else; the energy was even MORE intense than it was during their other songs--if that's even possible to imagine)
This Suffering
Worker Bees
Fallen Leaves
Surrender
The Navy Song
Perfect World
Sympathy
I was so lucky to have seen them. They don't come to the U.S. too often, and when they do, they don't tour much at all. Normally they just go to other foreign countries or stay in Canada. Last night was the last night of their U.S. tour so i felt extremely blessed to see them. I seriously thought i would never see this band but i actually got to. The venue was perfect. True, it was all floor and therefore i had to stand. But i've stood for worse concerts so i would have stood forever just to see them. My legs and knees were killing me but it was SO worth it. Plus, the venue was really small and the crowd was small and overall it was an intimate concert w/ everyone just rocking out and enjoying themselves. Also, b/c the venue was small as was the crowd, i got a good spot where i could actually see the band, and i got to watch Ian and Ben standing right in front of me. Words cannot describe. I only hope they come back to the U.S. I would LOVE to see them again. I would say that i WILL see them again, but, w/ the way they tour, it may not be likely. They did not disappoint. Great great night.
Oh, and that ringing in my left ear? Yeah, totally worth it. ...Just as long as i don't go deaf in that ear. Well, i do know sign soo... Ah, it'll go away. No worries.
Now, like i do in every concert blog, it is time for the pimping:
If you would like to hear what Billy Talent sounds like go check out their official page.
Also, b/c i loved Drive By, go check them out at their official page, too.
If you want to hear more from Cancer Bats, you can look them up at their official page, too, if they're your cup of tea.
Finally, i don't quite understand why more people haven't heard of Billy Talent. It makes me sad b/c this band is truly awesome. They're one of my favorite bands ever and i only wish to spread the love that is Billy Talent =)