Catsup.
So I need to update this thing. Badly. I've been to many shows and many things in my life have changed. Okay, so maybe it's more of the former only. But still worth blogging about. Um. Goodness. What shows have I seen since last time? Jeez. Here goes nothing. I figure you guys don't really care too much about my little endeavors, so if nothing else, I blog for myself. For posterity.
February 26 was the first of three Ludo shows during release week and also the first of two acoustics. Ludo was great as usual, pulling out all the stops with kazoo's and confetti poppers. The real highlight for me was Ludo podcast quoting and sing alongs outside in the cold. Thanks to Victoria and Tom for coming along. You're welcome for introducing you to Ludo. Haha.
February 27 was my date of the Emery headlining tour. Cry Of The Afflicted was good, but I found out they are Canadian, and that was that. Pierce The Veil, who I've always mocked, were up next. I mock no more. Well, maybe a little, but it's only in love. Probably the best live act that night in my opinion. The dudes were way nice after the show too. Muchas gracias to Jaime for the free poster. Mayday Parade was adequate. They definitely lacked heart. The one moment that really stands out from their set is Derek stage diving, most likely kicking a teenybopper or two. But Hope and I had a nice chat with their drummer afterwards about pizza, so no hard feelings. As Cities Burn is great. Their live show is like a religious experience. Their drummer only had one cymbal. Emery was good as always. The new album's not my fav, but they played a lot of stuff I like, and I was second row, so I enjoyed it. I actually met someone besides Josh Head for a change too. Toby Morrell smiles big for pictures.
February 28 was fantastic. The Angels & Airwaves show at the pageant sold out, and my ride to the free AVA acoustic show didn't pan out. I wasn't about to give up though. I'd been waiting since the second Ace Enders' October show was over to see him again. I was not missing this show. Victoria and I headed down there a short time before doors, already having secured a ticket from a friend of a friend. But when we arrived the doors had already opened, and discouraged, we headed to Vintage Vinyl to see if any members of AVA were still there. On the way there, I talked to Ace Enders' drummer who gave me some encouragement and a high five. AVA was in fact still there, and signing, so I met them and got a sticker signed. Tom Delonge and Atom Willard are legends, so I was pumped. Not knowing what else to do, I made up some reason for us to head back to the Pageant, where we proceeded to talk loudly about our dire need for tickets. Then a guy gave us two free ones. We were ecstatic to say the least. We got spots just in time for the lights to go out, and Arthur Enders to walk out on stage. WHAT A GREAT DUDE. I did not stop smiling through his entire set. I only got to chat with him for a second unfortunately, as The Color Fred took the stage shortly after. But I did get a shirt and pre-ordered the record, which I suggest you do as well. Yes. You. Fred and company were good, and played about the same set as last time. I had a great vantage point over the crowd and me and Fred shared a few moments. Haha. In other words, I knew the words, so he looked at me and smiled. Meg & Dia were cool. They played cowbell. Meg is cute. We left the pit before AVA, because I knew I could get better pictures that way. They aren't my favorite, but they had a wicked elaborate setup and crazy lighting, and were fun to shoot. With a camera. I left satisfied.
March 1 was Ludo acoustic at Slackers CD's and games. It was the exact same set. But Convy wore a different shirt, so not really. Had nice chats with the guys and remembered why I never stuck with hacky sacking.
On March 2nd, the 1 year anniversary of the TBS/underOATH show, I was back at the Pageant yet again, for the Ludo "You're Awful, I Love You" CD release show. I suggest you check out that record. The band is on the same label as the Rocket Summer, PlayRadioPlay!, and Sum 41, among others. So there's some incentive. The turnout for the show was a bit disappointing, but it was still fun, and good to see Allyssa and Sarah again, especially on the 1 year anniversary of our meeting. I went with Kelly, Tom, and Kyle, who enjoyed themselves immensely. Or so they say.
March 4th and 5th were snow days. The first one I did nothing. The second, I had a snowball fight, made two giant snowballs, hiked through the woods, and went to the 2008 RockStar Taste Of Chaos Tour with my good friend Amanda Gelso. It was a total metal-fest this year, but I had free tickets from Alt Press' music editor Scott Heisel (much thanks, Scott), so I went to the show. The first band I saw was MUCC, a Japanese tall-tee wearing version of Korn. At one point they brought out a stand up bass and a harmonica. It was ridiculous. The Underneath was next, another J-rock band. I couldn't tell if they were guys or girls. Blessthefall was the main reason I went, and they were a bit disappointing. Without their acrobatic frontman Craig Mabbitt, they aren't nearly as entertaining. Bullet For My Valentine was like an hour of the same riff over and over. It was brutal. And I don't mean that in a good way. Atreyu wasn't anything special, their poor excuse for a frontman took off his shirt to prove his manliness. I was not impressed. Avenged Sevenfold. I was pleasantly surprised. Not that I like them any more now, but I did enjoy their live set, especially the one song by them I actually like, "Bat Country." But they had a lot of fire, and being a bit of a pyro, I enjoyed it. Triple bass was probably unnecessary though.
March 11 was the first uniting of the Fab 5, what I consider to be the innermost circle of Relient K fans. This all went down outside the Blue Note, in Columbia, MO. I picked up Ryne and Meg(an) early that morning and we drove across the state where we met up with our friends April, Kelly, Matt, Matt, John, Jon, and Ethan. We ate at Smoking chick's, a tasty wing joint, right across the street from the venue. We listened to a boombox and hula hooped until it was time for doors. Rookie of the Year was so-so. The Wedding was funny. They have a new lead singer who tries so hard, it's a bit comical. But the drummer and I had a moment, and thus I ended up with 2 drumsticks. RK reminded me why they're my favorite band. The show was so good. Front row, and the lowest stage I've seen them on probably helped. Good talks and hula hooping after the show made the day pretty much perfect, minus the thieving of Meg's wallet. Columbia cops are the pits. Pro-Ethan.
March 16 was incredible. Craig Owens of Chiodos picked St. Louis for his first ever solo acoustic show. Only about 60 people showed. He played old Chiodos songs, a Bright Eyes cover, Alkaline Trio cover, new Chiodos songs, Cinematic Sunrise songs, and one Sound Of Animals Fighting song. He played in his pajamas. All 60 of us were asked by Craig to come up on stage for the last song "Baby, You Wouldn't Last A Minute On The Creek." Search "chiodos 2 cents" on youtube and you'll run into my video. Quite frankly, anyone who wasn't at this show probably can't comprehend what went down, so I'm going to stop trying to convey the awesomeness now. Oh yeah, Tonight At Seven opened. Local. Good.
March 20th Hope and I trekked down to the Bluebird for the first time to see The Photo Atlas. When we got there, the first band 1090 Club, had already played, and no one was there. Seriously, no one. The Valley Arena, one of Alternative Press' 100 bands you need to know for 2008, was setting up and soundchecking. After they did that, Warren and Chris jumped off the stage and introduced themselves, and Mike came over shortly after. They chatted for a few, and then jumped back up on stage to play. Toward the end of their tight set, Bert from Monkey Fight Productions and the Mustache Heroes came over and gave us our money back, informing us that the Photo Atlas weren't going to play, being as there were only 7 people there. So we spent our money on the Valley Arena. Both Hope and I tried to convince our mom's to let them stay over at our house, but to no avail. So we took them out to pizza, joined by our new friends Heather and Rachel, who we'd been at numerous shows with unknowingly. The Valley Arena play good music and are some of the nicest guys you'll want to meet. Plus Warren looks like Fred Mascherino. So check them out.
March 26 was The Starting Line. Their final St. Louis show, as far as I can tell. Steel Train opened. WHAT A GOOD BAND. Such a good live act. And such a good merch guy. 20 bucks for a shirt, CD, buttons, and a poster? I'm content. You know the drill, give them a listen. They're on my myspace currently. Four Year Strong was next. I thought I despised them after the show, but I don't really. Their music just pales in comparison to Steel Train, that's why they seemed extra lame live. If they could just pick a genre, I might listen to them more. But until then, no go. Bayside played after FYS. Anthony Raineri is kind of an icon. I don't care for his band much, but it was cool seeing them live. Then the main attraction. Kenny Vasoli and company plowed through an extensive 20 song set, which was a tad bittersweet, being as how I'll never see them again. They didn't play my favorite song, Hello Houston, and I didn't meet Kenny, but I'll survive. And meet him when Person L tours I guess. I did manage to get one of the setlists, by naming some punk songs for their roadie, who doesn't give out setlists to just anyone. I was supposed to name three songs by any punk band in his generation. After naming "Bonzo Goes To Bitburg" by the Ramones, I was awarded the setlist, being as how, that was said roadie's favorite song.
March 29th I went to the Billiken Club for yet another free show, featuring British Sea Power. Local band Target Market opened. Good stuff. Next was the 1900's, a fantastically charming band out of Chicago. Um. Yeah. They were great. Beyond great. I only caught about 3/4 of their show, but it was still good. I was front row, right next to Beatle Bob, which told me I had picked the right show to go to that night. Who's Beatle Bob? (http://youtube.com/watch?v=RwMQJpcbA2E) That's who. What a guy. Haha. I encourage you to give all the bands at this show a listen. It was rad all around.
This brings us back up to date. Phew. Tomorrow I'll be seeing The Maine with The Secret Handshake, Danger Radio, and Powerspace. Wednesday is Casiotone For The Painfully Alone with Clue To Kalo, Say Panther (AWESOME), and Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship. Thursday, I will turn 17, and be legally able to watch rated R movies. Friday night's the big party. A Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship private basement show. This birthday should sure be swell. Adios!
Christopher Michael Tucker.
February 26 was the first of three Ludo shows during release week and also the first of two acoustics. Ludo was great as usual, pulling out all the stops with kazoo's and confetti poppers. The real highlight for me was Ludo podcast quoting and sing alongs outside in the cold. Thanks to Victoria and Tom for coming along. You're welcome for introducing you to Ludo. Haha.
February 27 was my date of the Emery headlining tour. Cry Of The Afflicted was good, but I found out they are Canadian, and that was that. Pierce The Veil, who I've always mocked, were up next. I mock no more. Well, maybe a little, but it's only in love. Probably the best live act that night in my opinion. The dudes were way nice after the show too. Muchas gracias to Jaime for the free poster. Mayday Parade was adequate. They definitely lacked heart. The one moment that really stands out from their set is Derek stage diving, most likely kicking a teenybopper or two. But Hope and I had a nice chat with their drummer afterwards about pizza, so no hard feelings. As Cities Burn is great. Their live show is like a religious experience. Their drummer only had one cymbal. Emery was good as always. The new album's not my fav, but they played a lot of stuff I like, and I was second row, so I enjoyed it. I actually met someone besides Josh Head for a change too. Toby Morrell smiles big for pictures.
February 28 was fantastic. The Angels & Airwaves show at the pageant sold out, and my ride to the free AVA acoustic show didn't pan out. I wasn't about to give up though. I'd been waiting since the second Ace Enders' October show was over to see him again. I was not missing this show. Victoria and I headed down there a short time before doors, already having secured a ticket from a friend of a friend. But when we arrived the doors had already opened, and discouraged, we headed to Vintage Vinyl to see if any members of AVA were still there. On the way there, I talked to Ace Enders' drummer who gave me some encouragement and a high five. AVA was in fact still there, and signing, so I met them and got a sticker signed. Tom Delonge and Atom Willard are legends, so I was pumped. Not knowing what else to do, I made up some reason for us to head back to the Pageant, where we proceeded to talk loudly about our dire need for tickets. Then a guy gave us two free ones. We were ecstatic to say the least. We got spots just in time for the lights to go out, and Arthur Enders to walk out on stage. WHAT A GREAT DUDE. I did not stop smiling through his entire set. I only got to chat with him for a second unfortunately, as The Color Fred took the stage shortly after. But I did get a shirt and pre-ordered the record, which I suggest you do as well. Yes. You. Fred and company were good, and played about the same set as last time. I had a great vantage point over the crowd and me and Fred shared a few moments. Haha. In other words, I knew the words, so he looked at me and smiled. Meg & Dia were cool. They played cowbell. Meg is cute. We left the pit before AVA, because I knew I could get better pictures that way. They aren't my favorite, but they had a wicked elaborate setup and crazy lighting, and were fun to shoot. With a camera. I left satisfied.
March 1 was Ludo acoustic at Slackers CD's and games. It was the exact same set. But Convy wore a different shirt, so not really. Had nice chats with the guys and remembered why I never stuck with hacky sacking.
On March 2nd, the 1 year anniversary of the TBS/underOATH show, I was back at the Pageant yet again, for the Ludo "You're Awful, I Love You" CD release show. I suggest you check out that record. The band is on the same label as the Rocket Summer, PlayRadioPlay!, and Sum 41, among others. So there's some incentive. The turnout for the show was a bit disappointing, but it was still fun, and good to see Allyssa and Sarah again, especially on the 1 year anniversary of our meeting. I went with Kelly, Tom, and Kyle, who enjoyed themselves immensely. Or so they say.
March 4th and 5th were snow days. The first one I did nothing. The second, I had a snowball fight, made two giant snowballs, hiked through the woods, and went to the 2008 RockStar Taste Of Chaos Tour with my good friend Amanda Gelso. It was a total metal-fest this year, but I had free tickets from Alt Press' music editor Scott Heisel (much thanks, Scott), so I went to the show. The first band I saw was MUCC, a Japanese tall-tee wearing version of Korn. At one point they brought out a stand up bass and a harmonica. It was ridiculous. The Underneath was next, another J-rock band. I couldn't tell if they were guys or girls. Blessthefall was the main reason I went, and they were a bit disappointing. Without their acrobatic frontman Craig Mabbitt, they aren't nearly as entertaining. Bullet For My Valentine was like an hour of the same riff over and over. It was brutal. And I don't mean that in a good way. Atreyu wasn't anything special, their poor excuse for a frontman took off his shirt to prove his manliness. I was not impressed. Avenged Sevenfold. I was pleasantly surprised. Not that I like them any more now, but I did enjoy their live set, especially the one song by them I actually like, "Bat Country." But they had a lot of fire, and being a bit of a pyro, I enjoyed it. Triple bass was probably unnecessary though.
March 11 was the first uniting of the Fab 5, what I consider to be the innermost circle of Relient K fans. This all went down outside the Blue Note, in Columbia, MO. I picked up Ryne and Meg(an) early that morning and we drove across the state where we met up with our friends April, Kelly, Matt, Matt, John, Jon, and Ethan. We ate at Smoking chick's, a tasty wing joint, right across the street from the venue. We listened to a boombox and hula hooped until it was time for doors. Rookie of the Year was so-so. The Wedding was funny. They have a new lead singer who tries so hard, it's a bit comical. But the drummer and I had a moment, and thus I ended up with 2 drumsticks. RK reminded me why they're my favorite band. The show was so good. Front row, and the lowest stage I've seen them on probably helped. Good talks and hula hooping after the show made the day pretty much perfect, minus the thieving of Meg's wallet. Columbia cops are the pits. Pro-Ethan.
March 16 was incredible. Craig Owens of Chiodos picked St. Louis for his first ever solo acoustic show. Only about 60 people showed. He played old Chiodos songs, a Bright Eyes cover, Alkaline Trio cover, new Chiodos songs, Cinematic Sunrise songs, and one Sound Of Animals Fighting song. He played in his pajamas. All 60 of us were asked by Craig to come up on stage for the last song "Baby, You Wouldn't Last A Minute On The Creek." Search "chiodos 2 cents" on youtube and you'll run into my video. Quite frankly, anyone who wasn't at this show probably can't comprehend what went down, so I'm going to stop trying to convey the awesomeness now. Oh yeah, Tonight At Seven opened. Local. Good.
March 20th Hope and I trekked down to the Bluebird for the first time to see The Photo Atlas. When we got there, the first band 1090 Club, had already played, and no one was there. Seriously, no one. The Valley Arena, one of Alternative Press' 100 bands you need to know for 2008, was setting up and soundchecking. After they did that, Warren and Chris jumped off the stage and introduced themselves, and Mike came over shortly after. They chatted for a few, and then jumped back up on stage to play. Toward the end of their tight set, Bert from Monkey Fight Productions and the Mustache Heroes came over and gave us our money back, informing us that the Photo Atlas weren't going to play, being as there were only 7 people there. So we spent our money on the Valley Arena. Both Hope and I tried to convince our mom's to let them stay over at our house, but to no avail. So we took them out to pizza, joined by our new friends Heather and Rachel, who we'd been at numerous shows with unknowingly. The Valley Arena play good music and are some of the nicest guys you'll want to meet. Plus Warren looks like Fred Mascherino. So check them out.
March 26 was The Starting Line. Their final St. Louis show, as far as I can tell. Steel Train opened. WHAT A GOOD BAND. Such a good live act. And such a good merch guy. 20 bucks for a shirt, CD, buttons, and a poster? I'm content. You know the drill, give them a listen. They're on my myspace currently. Four Year Strong was next. I thought I despised them after the show, but I don't really. Their music just pales in comparison to Steel Train, that's why they seemed extra lame live. If they could just pick a genre, I might listen to them more. But until then, no go. Bayside played after FYS. Anthony Raineri is kind of an icon. I don't care for his band much, but it was cool seeing them live. Then the main attraction. Kenny Vasoli and company plowed through an extensive 20 song set, which was a tad bittersweet, being as how I'll never see them again. They didn't play my favorite song, Hello Houston, and I didn't meet Kenny, but I'll survive. And meet him when Person L tours I guess. I did manage to get one of the setlists, by naming some punk songs for their roadie, who doesn't give out setlists to just anyone. I was supposed to name three songs by any punk band in his generation. After naming "Bonzo Goes To Bitburg" by the Ramones, I was awarded the setlist, being as how, that was said roadie's favorite song.
March 29th I went to the Billiken Club for yet another free show, featuring British Sea Power. Local band Target Market opened. Good stuff. Next was the 1900's, a fantastically charming band out of Chicago. Um. Yeah. They were great. Beyond great. I only caught about 3/4 of their show, but it was still good. I was front row, right next to Beatle Bob, which told me I had picked the right show to go to that night. Who's Beatle Bob? (http://youtube.com/watch?v=RwMQJpcbA2E) That's who. What a guy. Haha. I encourage you to give all the bands at this show a listen. It was rad all around.
This brings us back up to date. Phew. Tomorrow I'll be seeing The Maine with The Secret Handshake, Danger Radio, and Powerspace. Wednesday is Casiotone For The Painfully Alone with Clue To Kalo, Say Panther (AWESOME), and Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship. Thursday, I will turn 17, and be legally able to watch rated R movies. Friday night's the big party. A Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship private basement show. This birthday should sure be swell. Adios!
Christopher Michael Tucker.
posted by CT at
5:47 PM
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