|
|
|
Looking at the Alternative Press website I literally could not believe my eyes. One of Family Force 5's (a band I just started getting into) tour dates was in Grayslake. I actually had to refresh the page to make sure it was actually written officially on alternative press's website. And of course it was, but I still did not believe it. So me being the wiz tech I am flew around the web trying to support my hope and fear. Through my searching I found it was true. At that moment there was nothing I could do but I knew it was coming and it was like a tiny heart beat constantly pumping in the back of my head.
I discovered that information back in the end of September, beginning of October. At that point I went into FF5 overdrive. Watching their Really Real Show, wikipeding them (yea I made a verb, forget you spell check), and buying their cds, and listening sinfully long. I knew I loved them, their sound was so unique, crunk metal, what's better than that? Once the tour dates were set up for The FF5 Christmas Pageant Tour, Grayslake being the second date, November 29th, it was time to get to work.
I had one problem right off the bat, I was alone in loving FF5. I figured I would take a chance and ask Nina if she wanted to go to a concert with me. She was down and I was ecstatic. I also decided to give Care FF5's cds just so she could see if she liked them, and she did! Yet I didn't expect her to go to the concert with us. But she was down, so I was down. What's better than going to see one of my favorite bands, with my favorite people? The dilemma, what seemed like only a million things. I was determined, yet at the same time did not want to get my hope and dreams crushed. Through my learning to make bold moves, constant talking and pushing and planning, we had our tickets, homemade shirts, and rides. Yet I was still so worried and anxious.
The Sunday of the concert I was tired from the 6 hours of sleep I got from the night before, and nauseous that I almost died, and could not even eat. I just felt like everything would go wrong because I wanted it to go good. The time was going slower than in does in school, and that is saying a lot. But sure enough that time came, and me Care and Nina looked Christmas fabulous and were out of my house and on the way.
Being around Care and Nina really helped calm my nerves. When we pulled up to the church just about no one was there, so we looked pretty odd in our Christmas outfits, I got quite a few stares. So we figured out we just had to stand in the tiny front part, and wait for about an hour. I didn't mind that much, but it did not please my peeps. As more people came in it was very cramped and shovey, not fun. Then they let us through, just to get in another line. This line was not as long of a wait, or as smashed. Then once those doors opened we flooded in. I wasn't happy with our position on the floor because tall people make my like horrid. Not only was it very cramped, but a family with a bunch of toddlers and little kids were sitting on the ground next to us. Everyone hated them. Care wasn't too up for standing for hours, she wanted to sit in the back. I said no and she agreed once the first band started to play.
Up to bat first was All Left Out. Never heard of them before then, but their music was catchy and they were from New Zealand causing them to have great accents. Plus they had great stage presence. Their guitarist was insane, constantly jumping. I thought they were lip syncing because they sounded so spectacular. We all like it very much. Some time around then the annoying family left, which made me very happy because we got closer to the stage, and I didn't have annoying demonic kids staring at me and a giant father pushing his way around annoying everyone. I still should have been front row, but I was just being picky.
Next up was House of Heroes. They sounded good, but their stage presence was not all there. They were cute though, so that's a plus. After them Remedy Drive came on. Their lead singer was phenomenal. He was jumping everywhere, on his keyboard, constantly moving. I'm shocked he only fell once and didn't die. So after standing, cramped for hours, it was finally time for the main act. The wait till their set was a horrid one. People were getting so anxious, shoving and being stupid. But then the show started, with Carol of the Bells, which I'm glad because I thought they were going to play that. I was rocking out, singing along to every song. They didn't sing every single song fully, but rather sang some and transitioned into the next song, which was super cool so they could play a lot of songs.
Chap Stique was closest to me, and I had the best view of him. I had never realized how much humor he put in the show. He would lick his guitar and make a disgusted face, show off his muscles and make it seem like they were small (but they were anything but), throw water on the crowd and act like it was an accident yet do it again (I got some on me!), and spit on the crowd (some got on Care), and just overall interact very well. Anytime I looked at Crouton (which I wish I would have done more of), he was a major cutie of course. Nadaddy was sadly out of view pretty much the whole show. I did see him rocking the bells, and this giant box where he touches a square and it lights up. He looked good dancing, punching those squares. Soul Glow is a performer of course, standing in my favorite stance, legs apart, all awesome. And Fatty, well I love the man, but forgot about him, which is later explained and justified. Soul Glow introduced the band and told the crowd that Fatty wasn't feeling too well, he had the "Christmas Blues". Crouton chimed in that it was swine flu, which Soul Glow claimed yeah if it is then we're all going to die. They then played It's Christmas Day, but Soul Glow couldn't remember the name of the song, "this song is…uh, it's called….Im…" "It's Christmas Day" Crouton said in a wow-you-didn't-know-that kind of tone. They played their set and at one point threw presents in the crowd, which I didn't get one They also had an abominable snowman (Xanadu) and a giant Santa ornament guy. All dancing and being cool and crazy. I was jumping up and down, dancing and singing the whole time, I thought I was going to pass out since I had long sleeves and a warm hat. I had to stop sometimes just to regain composure. It was a true dance party.
When they were done doing their encore of Supersonic I had to hold onto Nina as we were leaving because I literally had trouble walking, I almost ran into people. We went into the lobby and Care couldn't hear a thing and I was sweating to death. We cooled off as we decided to get merch. I got a shirt and poster for $25 which I thought was awesome. Care and Nina also got a shirt each. Care got an All Left Out cd, and got it signed by the band. Nina bought a Remedy Drive cd. Then we walked around and I noticed a line and figured it was for FF5 signing, so we got in line. Once we did a guy came up to me and asked me "hey is that a home-made FF5 shirt?" I said "yea, we all made one." He said awesome and handed me the official set-list for that night! He also took our picture and said he would try to get it on FF5's facebook. So once he left Care started to complain since we were toward the back of the line, and she was in pain and was going to leave. I wanted to see them, but I didn't want to wait forever. Then a security guard came by and told us the band would be out in 10 minutes for signing, but Fatty and Soul Glow would not. Fatty had gone to the hospital because he was so sick and Soul Glow took him. I later found out he was vomiting and peeing blood due to his kidney's failing, yet he played the whole show! We were lucky because some shows were cancelled later because of this. This explains why I hardly noticed Fatty on stage, he didn't sing and was not himself.
Once we got closer to the front I saw Tub-O standing talking to a security guard. I was shocked no fans were with him, I guess people don't really know him, but I do. So once he was walking away I yelled Tub-O! He looked to try and find who yelled that, then walked over. He was super nice and cute, yet a bit awkward. He asked me if we heard about Fatty and we said yea, and he agreed he thought it was swine flu, and I said it is just circulating around the bus and that I had been there done that. It was a short conversation, but I loved that I met him, and he was super cute. I wish I would have asked for his autograph, but that might have been weird.
So we decided to wait the 10 minutes (even though Care wanted to leave and I kind of did to, because I didn't want to have to wait forever) But once Crouton, Nadaddy, and Chap Stique walked out, I knew I had to wait in line. So we did, and the line was moving fast. I decided to have them sign the Christmas Tour Poster I bought in line for $1. I walked up to Crouton and very happily said "Hi Crouton!" Which he said hi and I think he asked me how I was doing and I said great. It's hard to remember since I was focusing on how sad and unlike himself he was. I assumed it was due to the fact his brothers were in the hospital. All I know is I made eye contact, which rocks since he has such cute eyes. Next to sign was Nadaddy, again I happily greeted him. He said hi but made no eye contact which made me sad, I wanted to see his face. Then it was Chap Stique who after I said hi asked me my favorite song from the night. I had to think quickly so I wouldn't look stupid, so I said "Keep the Party Alive, that's my jam". I don't know what happened after that, I think I complimented him and said they did great, but I don't remember. But it was awesome to meet them, I really wish I could have met all of them.
Overall it was the most fun I have had in my life, which seems kind of sad It just makes me want to go to more and more concerts
Check out my profile   gdmcraarciwwaf · Sun Dec 06, 2009 @ 10:07pm · 0 Comments |
|
|
|
|
This is how I will answer the phone |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?
oh yea blaugh
Check out my profile gdmcraarciwwaf · Sun Dec 06, 2009 @ 10:03pm · 0 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
