Faith No More Night #1

When:  Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Where: Hollywood Palladium

Accompanied By: Ashley

Weezer - Memories Tour 2010

Weezer
When: Friday, November 26, 2010
Venue: Gibson Amphitheater, Universal Studios
Genre: Alternative Rock


Yup, another band that I wouldn't automatically say I'm a huge fan of...however, knew just about every damn song performed at this show. Actually, I had the opportunity to see them from the pit back in 2009 when I won Weenie Roast y Fiesta tickets via KROQ and absolutely LOVED them! But a fan? I guess...but not the point where I own any CDs or have them on my iPod. Not yet, anyways. Remember, I'm a victim of radio - which in essence means I hear a Weezer song at least a few times a day.


Friday night was a blast! The show itself was phenomenal - broken into two sets. What was super cool was during the intermission when a short slide show reflecting back on the early humble beginnings of this band. And I have to say, tenacity and determination certainly paid off. I can only imagine how difficult it would have been to put in that much hard work over the years with no guarantees of success. Yet, here they are. And what was really awesome to see were the number of parents with their kids. One of the few bands that aren't pop infested that adults have to endure to keep their child happy. Looking at what the younger generation considers to be music these days makes me thrilled to be childless by choice.  Although, if I had a kid - well.... let's not even go there.


For a more thorough review, here is a look at what the OC Weekly had to say: Weezer at Gibson Amphitheater

The evening was perfect not based on the show alone - but because I was able to spend time with friends! My virtual online family that stem primarily from the Foo Fighters Post Board, but have become some much more. Thanks to Cosmo, Cassandra, Gabrielle, Maria and Sarah for making this more than just another show.


To keep with the essence of the show, here is Memories by Weezer:

unfinished random thought....

It was only days or maybe months
A place in time when we talked so much
now reduced to nothing at all
An occasional comment on my Facebook wall.
No more calls or random texts
No more wondering who will message who next
All that's left is emptiness
and a little bit of sadness.
mixed in with potential bouts of madness.
wondering what I did wrong.

~as always, unfinished thoughts lurking inside my head

Addendum: Thank you to the ones that wanted to remind me that I am never far from their thoughts. And that means so much to me. And while I won't say who...should it be read, they would know. And chances are, I won't hear from them. Simply reinforcing the sense of loss that comes with having something so awesome for a brief moment in time that when it completely shifts and changes there is a void. And such is life. 


So, in keeping with my love of Foo, on to the video portion of the show:

Lookin' back to find my way never seemed so hard
Yesterday's been laid to rest, changing of the guard
I would never change a thing, even if I could
All the songs we used to sing, everything was good

A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how
A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how

One more year that you're not here has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?
One more tear that you won't hear, has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?

Starpool

When: Friday, November 12, 2010
Venue: DiPiazzas, Long Beach
Accompanied by: Ann & Becky
Genre: Ska

Almost didn't go to the show. But I had no excuse because DiPiazza's is less than 5 minutes from where I live. And I promised my friends, Ann & Becky that I'd be there, and I hate to be "that" person who flakes. So, I got out of my warm bed around 10pm and threw on jeans n a tshirt, a little mascara in attempt to look awake and down the street I went! And how glad I am that I did! From the moment Starpool hit the stage, the crowd went crazy. While this particular genre of music is not something that I have in my iTunes, after the hour plus show was over, I knew that would change. You just can't listen to this music and be sad. It's impossible!  And, um, hello, they do a cover of Pump It Up, and that is ALL GOOD!!  Plus the Friday night show was in support of the BOOBIES!!  And we all know that boobies are a damn good thing!!


Here's an article from the Daily 49er for a review of the show: Starpools jokes, Entertains at DiPiazza's

Face to Face

When: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Venue: House of Blues, Anaheim
Accompanied by: Lara
Genre: Punk

Set List: Resignation, You've Done Nothing, Struggle, What's In a Name, Disconnected, Bill of Goods, I Won't Lie Down, Ordinary, You Lied, Velocity, Should Anything Go Wrong, Walk the Walk, Pastel, Blind, Big Choice, I'm Trying, It's Not All About You, A-OK

Encore: Bikeage, It's Not Over

Would it surprise any of you if I told you that I am also new to the music of Face to Face? Probably not. Aside from the one song that is still played on KROQ, Disconnected, it has only been in the last year or so that I've been turned on to this band. I owe this musical goodness to my friend, Lara (who I met online via the Foo Fighters Post Board).  As she and I ventured off a few weekends back on a road trip from So CA to the Bay Area to enjoy The Bridge School Benefit (still  need to write about that experience!), we had the iPod on shuffle, and nearly every third or fourth song ended up being F2F. She is most definitely a fan!! And I can safely say that when F2F comes back around again, I will be there!


While this article has some errors pointed out by Lara, it is a reasonable review of the show from the OC Weekly: Face to Face at the House of Blues Anaheim

A Perfect Circle

When:  Wednesday,November, 10, 2010
Venue: Avalon, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: Lisa O.
Genre: Alt/Progressive

Set List: Annihiliation, Imagine, (What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, What's Going On, Passive, Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie, People are People, Freedom of Choice, Let's Have a War, Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums, When the Levee Breaks, Fiddle and the Drum

Encore: 3 Libras (All Main Courses Mix), The Noose

Truth be told, I am new to APC (surprise, surprise).  But much like I was drawn to Them Crooked Vultures for consisting of members from three of my favorite bands, APC holds the incestuous combination of Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nine Inch Nails. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm a victim of the radio. So, I only knew maybe one or two APC songs before hopping on board. But, the sound. The sound is the ultimate draw. Dark, delicious, and a little sticky. Kind of like a Riesen chocolate caramel chew - sticks to your teeth and stays with you all day long.


To get a real feeling for this show, I will defer to the article written by Johnny Firecloud, in the online musical mayhem, Antiquiet: Covers Night with A Perfect Circle Keeps Hope Alive


I'm glad that I went. Regardless of whether I knew one song from the next didn't mean much. It reaffirmed that the only thing that matters is if the music moves you. And while this particular style of music moves me to wanting to retreat to a dark place and cut myself, the fact is, I was exactly where I needed to be for that moment in time. Oh, and as a side note - the venue, Avalon - excellent choice! It reminded me of The Bronze from my favorite TV show (those who know, will know what show I mean)

November Happiness...

Been feeling like life is finally shifting a bit in the right direction...or at least the thoughts within my head have become less chaotic. Although I can't seem to get the voices to shut up. ☺ Lots to look forward to in the next few weeks!!

• 11/11 Face to Face at The House of Blues, Anaheim
• 11/12 Starpool at DiPiazzas - which is 5 minutes from home!! *thumbs up*
• 11/17 Black Fag at The Slidebar in Fullerton
• 11/22 An Evening with Stewart Copeland at The Grammy Museum
• 11/26 Weezer (The Blue Album) at Gibson
• 11/30 Faith No More at The Palladium in Los Angeles

And a few on the calendar for December, but I'll address those when the time comes...hopefully there will be more between now and then to add on!!  Although I must say that I am beyond excited to head to the Bay Area in December to catch Roger Waters, The Wall!!  Sure, I could have caught the LA show, but none of my friends wanted to go with me at the time when tix went  on sale. And while I considered going solo, I decided that I'd pick up two tickets for the SJ show and take my friend, Karen in honor of her birthday (which happens to be today)!!

Video for the day...The Police - On Any Other day, from Regatta de Blanc...In honor of the upcoming event with Stewart Copeland!!

Pardon the emo moment..

So, I was reading a post on a particular discussion board that I follow, and came across a young woman who was going through a really tough break up with her boyfriend. And for some reason it really hit me hard. I could feel her pain, and with that brought about my own past feelings of heartache from over the past bazillion years. And I began to wonder if we ever really "get over" those that we gave a piece of ourselves to. The moments shared, no matter how brief, shape us in ways that can't always be defined. We'll never know any differently, because what's done is done and there's no turning back. Other than a frontal lobotomy, it's impossible to forget the ones that came before where we are today.


No, I'm not pining away for you. Or you. And definitely not you. Please don't get it twisted. But I do find there are times when I wonder...the occasional "what if". And with that comes the visions of how different my life would be. Knowing full well that it would not necessarily mean better. Or worse. Just different. Because when I loved you, I loved you with all my heart. And even when it wasn't love in the truest sense, I still gave you the best of me in that short moment of time. That's just the way I've always been. Even when I want to hold back, I give my all. No regrets. But lots of tears.


And then I moved on. Eventually. Some took longer than others. But moving on is inevitable. Until right now. Just for this second.


And now...for the video....

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You'd die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust, you must confess
Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?