NYE with Shelia E & Sergio Mendes

When: Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall
Accompanied by: KJ
Genre: Brazilian Bosa Nova, Jazz & Funk

Set List: unknown

New Years Eve plans are generally spent low key and at home. But this year, KJ decided that this show was something he wanted to do. And while this isn't necessarily my particular musical choice, I knew that I would enjoy it all the same. 

To be honest, the fact that Sheila E. was opening the show was what had me sold on looking forward to this show. I can only hope that when I'm 56 years old, I look that good. We've seen her perform a handful of times over the years, and she never ceases to amaze me. And she makes it look so easy.

As for Sergio Mendes. I can't tell you much. I recognized one song that was from the 80s and was super cheesy then. And is still super cheesy now. Overall, it was a fun show, and I'm glad that we were able to end the year doing something that we both could enjoy.

Camp Freddy Night #2

When: Friday, December 20, 2013

Where: The Roxy, Hollywood
Accompanied by: Gabrielle, John, Nicole, and Kathryn
Genre: Rock N Roll

Line Up: Billy Morrison, Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch, Chris Chaney

Guests: Franky Perez, Gilby Clarke, Mark McGrath, Austin Winkler, Billy Ray Cyrus, Courtney Love, Billy Idol

Set List:

I'm reviewing this set list and hate to say that I don't remember a lot of it. I blame the awesomely hawt bartender lady who was pouring my vodka & red bull cocktails that night. Along with a little shared audience "puff, puff, give" and I have to admit I was not all right in the head. But hell, it's Camp Freddy after all, and the goal of these shows is to have a damn good time.  And that is exactly what we did!!

I'd love to be able to share memories of this evening, but it's all a blur. I do recall when seeing Billy Ray Cyrus on the stage, I questioned the sanity of Navarro and company, but hey, it's their party, they can do whatever the hell they want.  While I'm not a big Courtney Love fan, I have to say that seeing her perform Celebrity Skin was pretty fantastic. I know for a fact that I swooned a bit when Franky Perez took the stage. I just love his voice.  Can't say a damn thing about Austin Winkler because I didn't know who he was but I'm sure he was great. And of course Billy Idol taking the stage is still a huge thrill.

Considering I wasn't planning on Camping at all this year, I'm really glad that it worked out where I was able to catch at least one night.  Dinner, cocktails and rock N roll with the Baklayan duo was a treat. And getting to see Knox, Nic, Debbie & Company made the evening complete.  Long live Camp Freddy's annual residency at The Roxy. Let's see what sort of surprises they will have in store at the end of 2014...and from my lips to Navarro's ears, "please don't bring back Billy Ray."

Camp Freddy Night #2 - 12/20/13 (c) TaiDyed

91X Wrex The Halls 2013

When: Sunday, December 8, 2013
Where: Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, 91X Wrex The Halls
Accompanied by: Sarah, Maria, Steve & Katz
Genre: Mix of Alternative

Line Up: J. Roddy Walston & The Business, The Silent Comedy, Alt-J, Arctic Monkeys, Cage the Elephant, Vampire Weekend, Queens Of The Stone Age

Absolutely worth making the long ass drive out to San Diego for a 2nd night of Queens of the Stone Age.  Sure it meant having to sit through Vampire Weekend again, but whatever. These are sometimes the things that need to be done to fulfill the desires of the heart and soul. 

Arctic Monkeys were just as good as they were the night before at KROQ's AAX, as were Cage the Elephant.  The Silent Comedy are a band that my friend Steve absolutely loves and I have to admit, they have a really good sound. I'd totally go see them again and since they are local boys, chances are good that will happen.  Tolerating Vampire Weekend before Queens took the stage was a whole lot easier than having to endure them following QOTSA as was the case the night before. Seeing Queens headline this show was the highlight of my night. And coming home with a new hoodie was icing on the cake. Hot damn, I love this band. 

Not much else to say other than it was a good night. The drive home was brutal, but I managed to pull it off and still make it to work the next day. Such is the life of a rock star. 

102.2 x 2 = Totally Worth It

Set Lists:

J. Roddy Walston & The Business: not a clue. We were shopping for merch during this time.

The Silent Comedy: unable to locate a set list

Alt-J: Ripe & Ruin, Fitzpleasure, Matilda, Something Good, Tessellate, Taro, Breezeblocks

Arctic Monkeys: Do I Wanna Know?, Brianstorm, Dancing Shoes, Snap Out of It, Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?, I Bet You Look Good Dancing on the Dancefloor, Crying Lightening, One for the Road, Arabella, R U Mine?

Cage the Elephant: Spiderhead, In One Ear, It's Just Forever, Aberdeen, Take It or Leave It, Back Against the Wall, Teeth, Ain't No Rest for the Wicked, Come a Little Closer, Shake Me Down, Sabertooth Tiger

Vampire Weekend: Diane Young, White Sky, Unbelievers, Holiday, Step, Cousins, A-Punk, Ya Hey, Campus, Oxford Comma, Giving Up the Gun, Walcott

Queens Of The Stone Age: Feel Good Hit of the Summer, No One Knows, My God is the Sun, Smooth Sailing, If I Had a Tail, Sick Sick Sick, Little Sister, Make It Wit Chu, I Sat By the Ocean, Go With the Flow, A Song for the Dead

KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas Night #1

When: Saturday, December 7, 2013
Where: The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: Tiffany
Genre: KROQ's hodge podge of alternative


Line Up: Foals, New Politics, GroupLove, Cage the Elephant, Arctic Monkeys, AFI, Queens of the Stone Age, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon


Big thanks to The World Famous KROQ for yet another free gig!!  Tiffany and I promised each other that we would both do whatever we could to win tickets for this event, because truth be told, there was no way in hell we could afford this show.  For weeks upon weeks, we messaged back and forth as to when it was time to call in to win tickets.  We were down to the final week, and KROQ was generously giving away tickets for BOTH nights to caller 20 every hour on the hour. 

The rock gods were smiling on us when I miraculously got through with the cell phone (which very rarely occurs) and heard those very important words "...have you won anything in the past 30 days...?"  Nope. Sure hadn't. At least not in the last 30 days. And that is all that mattered!!

Let's be honest...the ONE reason Tiffany and I wanted to go to this show on this night was for one reason. Queens of the mother effin' Stone Age. Don't get me wrong, the other bands were good. But I'd gladly have given them all up (except maybe Arctic Monkeys & AFI) for more time spent with our beautiful 6'5" ginger.  Regardless, the night was an absolute blast, the music was awesome (minus Vampire Weekend, yawn), the company was fabulous, the seats were magnificent, and to have this all for free made it pretty much perfect.

Set Lists:

Foals: My Number, Providence, Spanish Sahara, Red Socks, Pugie, Inhaler

New Politics: Give Me Hope, Fall Into These Arms, Just Like Me, Tonight You're Perfect, Harlem, Yeah Yeah Yeah

GroupLove: I'm With You, Itchin' On a Photograph, Shark Attack, Tongue Tied, Ways to Go, Colours

Cage The Elephant: Spiderhead, In One Ear, Back Against the Wall, Take It or Leave It, Ain't No Rest for the Weekend, Come A Little Closer, Teeth, Shake Me Down

Arctic Monkeys: Do I Wanna Know?, Brianstorm, Dancing Shoes, Snap Out of It, Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?, I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor, One for the Road, Arabella, R U Mine?

AFI: The Leaving Song Part II, 17 Crimes, Love Like Winter, Silver and Cold, The Days of the Phoenix, I Hope You Suffer, Girl's Not Grey, Miss Murder

Queens of the Stone Age: Feel Good Hit of the Summer, No One Knows, My God Is The Sun, Little Sister, I Sat By the Ocean, Go With the Flow, A Song for the Dead

Vampire Weekend: Diane Young, White Sky, Unvbelievers, Holiday, Step, Cousins, A-Punk, Ya Hey, Campus, Oxford Coma, Giving up the Gun, Walcott

Kings of Leon: Black Thumnail, Radioactive, The Bucket, Notion, Supersoaker, Closer, Temple, For Kicks, Wait for Me, Use Somebody, Sex on Fire

KROQ AAX #1 12/7/13

Pearl Jam Night #1

When: Saturday, November 23, 2013
Where: Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: Lisa, Dion, & Tiffany
Genre: Rock/Alternative

Set List: Pendulum, Release, Long Road, Corduroy, Lightening Bolt, Mind Your Manners, Why Go, Dissident, Getaway, Got Some, Garden, Do The Evolution, I Got Id, Sirens, State of Love and Trust, Jeremy, Leatherman, Eruption, Spin the Black Circle, Rearviewmirror, Yellow Moon, Footsteps, All or None, Come Back, I Believe in Miracles, Given to Fly, Once, Porch, Unthought Known, Black, Alive, Baba O'Riley, Indifference

The LA Sports Arena opened in 1959 and I don't think they've done much to upgrade it over the years, so why PJ chose this venue over Staples is beyond me. I'm guessing it had to do with timing of the tour and the Lakers and/or Clippers schedule, but regardless, they were here in LA and I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to catch at least one of their two nights.  Granted, I ended up with a stage left seat, ALL the way at the top, smack dab against the wall, but even with being so far away, I had no doubt that it was going to be an amazing night.

The evening started off with a somewhat ruffled Eddie.  It appeared that a fan down in the GA floor area was trying to get to the front by any means necessary and Eddie knows all too well that the fans at the rail had been lined up from before the crack of dawn. The culprit was called out and told to watch the show from somewhere else. Thanks, Ed. You're aces!!

Photo by Brian Michaels

Beyond that, the show went on with a 30+ song set list. Just when some people thought it was over, BAM, another song. No complaints here. Since I was only able to catch one of the two nights in LA, I have been happy with a dozen encores, but thrilled to get what I got. And what I got was a lot. A lot of love, happiness, and warm fuzzies. And while I may have been a million miles away from the stage, the music embraced me as if I was right there at the rail. That's what good music does. For that, I am thankful.

And yes, Eddie swung from the stage. 

Photo by Brian Michaels

NIN @ Staples Center

Sympathy Set List

When: Friday, November 8, 2013
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Accompanied By: Anthony, Daylin, Will & Judith
Genre: Industrial Rock & Deliciousness

Where do I begin? What words could possibly describe this evenings events? Brilliant. Fantastic. Amazing. and as I stated before when describing the 9/3/13 show, life changing. If I thought I wouldn't end up being served divorce papers, I'd be on my way to Vegas later this week for more. But the reality is, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to top my first and only three NIN experiences. But I certainly would like to try. And I will. Again. Someday. Just not this week.

Thank you KROQ!!

To back it up a bit...I was lucky enough to win tickets to this show many months back, courtesy of KROQ. It wasn't until a few weeks ago, when the tickets were made available for pick up that I discovered they were GA floor tickets. I had assumed they would be seats, and I was prepared to saunter into the show shortly before starting time to get comfortable. But with GA floor, I thought, why not take advantage and get there early to be up close and personal. However, I discovered that those fans who had purchased tickets through the NIN presale would be allowed a priority line up, and that cancelled out my great plan. And then BAM, I was presented an opportunity. And everything was right as rain, thanks to my friend, Anthony. 

# 5, #6, #7, #8 & #9

So, Friday morning arrived and Anthony made his way to Staples early enough to claim spot #6. Being the nice guy that he is, he told me that it would be okay if I met up with him later that morning, which allowed me to sleep in a little and miss morning traffic. I got to Staples around 10:30 and prepared for the "hurry up and wait" routine. Over the course of the next few hours, I met Daylin #5 (New York), Will #8 (Toronto) & Judith #9 (UK).  As you can see, we were very excited about our wristbands.  One, because we had single digit numbers and two, because now it meant we could run over to The Yardhouse for cocktails and food.  It was on and we were good to go! 

I've never experienced a more organized event. The wrist bands actually meant something. By 5:45pm, everyone was lined up in order, according to number. We were escorted down to the floor area and instructed to slowly and safely make our way to the front. There was no running, bum rushing, pushing, shoving, etc. Center right rail was ours and we were happy. And then it was back to more waiting. And watching the droves of people fill the venue.  Highlight of the waiting game was Josh Eustis walking past us and obliging us with smiles and waves.

Explosions in the Sky opened with a 30-45 minute set. it wasn't bad. It just wasn't good. Completely instrumental, which is fine and well, but there wasn't any semblance of when one song ended and one began. Either way, I was happy when they exited the stage and would be happy to never see them open for anyone again. That's all I've got to say about that.

And then it was time. As the crowd surged forward, I knew it was going to be a wild ride and holding on tight was all I could do. Any space that existed from body to body to body became no longer, and the story that we were fed at Bridge School a few weekends back came to mind about rocks and pebbles and sand.  But there was something comforting with having that sacred rail to hold on to and that all those hours of waiting had paid off.

The next 2+ hours was hot, sweaty and magnificent. I can't say there was one particular favorite moment...however, having hundreds of people pushing forward while screaming the lyrics to Wish is definitely something I will never forget.  Every now and again, Anthony would ask if I was okay. I just looked up (way up, dude is 6'5"), smiled and nodded. I was beyond okay. I was in heaven. Although, when all was said and done I felt like I should be lighting a cigarette and getting the name of the guy behind me.

It turned out, the evening was set up to be filmed so hopefully somewhere down the line I'll be able to view this entire show over and over again from the comfort of my couch.

Random photos of filming (c) TaiDyed

As the encore approached, something happened that pretty much made this experience come full circle. From the hours upon hours of waiting in line, to securing a spot on the rail, and being in the pit of a Nine Inch Fucking Nails concert, the night became complete with a random foot hitting me squarely across my face and nose. Yup, not necessarily my idea of a good ending, but at the same time, once my eyes finished tearing up, I found the irony and humor. And the best part about this accidental randomness was that the head security guy, after making sure I wasn't hurt, came up to me later and placed a folded up set list into my hand. Which then made the tears start all over again, but in a good way.

So there we have it. My first and only three experiences with NIN. Two Vegas shows are right around the corner and I've tried to figure out a way to make it happen, knowing that it's absolutely impossible. But as is with any addiction, I'm obsessed with wanting more...

Robin Finck - Trent Reznor

NIN @ Staples 11/8/13

Tension 2013

NIN Treasures 2013

NIN @ Jimmy Kimmel Live

When: Thursday, November 7, 2013
Venue: Jimmy Kimmel, Hollywood CA
Accompanied by: Cassandra
Genre: Industrial Rock

Set List: Various Methods of Escape, All Time Low, Sanctified, Came Back Haunted, Hand That Feeds

Thanks to a very special NIN-obsessed friend, I was given a heads up about the announcement of their television debut on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Now, as is with all Kimmel shows, the tickets are free, but you have to request them through 1Iota. Easy enough, but realistically, knowing this show was going to "sell out" fast, I had to get on it quick. The downside is that I was in a car on I5 making my way back home from the Bay Area after a weekend of Bridge School Benefit (yeah, I know, #firstworldproblems, right?). Luck was on my side and two priority tickets were reserved in my name. Yeah!! Life is good.

Tai & Cass

So happy to have been able to share this event with my sweet friend, Cassandra. I've known her since she was 17 and now she is 22 (which makes me....never mind). One of the last times we hung out was for a Kimmel show to see Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders, which seems like forever ago. It was a last minute "are you available" conversation, but it worked out just perfectly. 

Despite us being within the first 20 people in line (originally, we were much closer, but that's how it goes sometimes), getting to the rail was a bit of a clusterfuck. In the end it all worked out. Cass & I made it left rail, in front of Josh, which was a lovely place to be. A few other friends made it front center rail, which was all sorts of awesome, but when it became clear that we would be too many people back, we opted for the side. I honestly could not complain. I was happy.

NIN @ Kimmel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nineinchnails/10809866155/

NIN on Kimmel 11/7/13 (c) TaiDyed

Was it worth standing around for nearly 7 hours to hear five songs? Absofreakinlutely. This was the appetizer before the Staples main course and I sure as fuck did not want to miss it. After having seen this band for the first time back in September at The (mother effin') Troubadour, the idea of being anywhere other than rail for future shows will forever haunt me.

Bridge School Benefit Weekend

When: Saturday, October 26 & Sunday, October 27, 2013
Venue: Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View CA
Accompanied By: Lisa, Tiffany, Sarah, Cosmo, Debbie
Genre: Rock, Folk, Acoustic, Jazz - a plethora of music




Man, what a weekend. Too much fun to put into words. Let's just say it was worth the long ass drive (thanks Tiff for driving) and lack of sleep!!  Tiff, Lisa and I hit the road Friday night, arriving in Sunnyvale shortly before 2am. Sarah had flown in a few hours earlier and was relaxing upon our arrival. Got up somewhat early Saturday morning to make enough time to get in a little cardio (that was the only day I managed that feat) and grabbed a quick bite at the hotels gratis breakfast buffet. 

For Day #1, with a 5pm start time, the goal was to head to Shoreline Amphitheater by 1pm. We hit up the bagel shop and market for a few last minute snacks and were on our way. Thanks to Sarah, we had "fast pass" tickets that allowed us to line up in a shorter area giving us the advantage in securing a spot on the lawn rail. It worked flawlessly. 

Day #2 was a bit of an earlier start. The show was set to begin at 2pm, so we hit the road a little after 11am. Oddly, the lawn Nazis were out in full force and gave our group a hassle for trying to set up enough space for the rest of our peeps who would be meeting up with us momentarily. We stood our ground, but not without getting a speech about a jar filled with rocks and pebbles and that the sand would soon be trickling in, filling up the cracks and grooves.Whatever. We had our spot and we were golden.

The weather was perfect, the people were perfect, the spot on the lawn was perfect. Everything about these two days pretty much ranks up there with all of my favorite things. Looking down on the seating area of Shoreline, which was my home away from home when I lived in the Bay Area in the 80s, I recalled many of the shows from my past. And how much smaller the venue appeared to me now, as an adult. Back then, the lawn seemed so far away, and now, it was the perfect place to be.

No complaints at all about any of the acts on the bill. I'd say my least favorite of the weekend was My Morning Jacket. Can't say exactly why, but they just didn't do it for me. Jenny Lewis was pleasant, as was Diana Krall. 

I was surprised that Heart didn't have a higher placement in the lineup, but regardless, they kicked ass!!  Their version of Zeppelin's The Rain Song pretty much brought me to tears. 

The band fun. were exactly that... fun!! I absolutely loved their version of The Stones You Can't Always Get What You Want, which they did Saturday. And then on Sunday, they covered Queen's Somebody to Love.

Elvis Costello hit the stage for the latter part of his wife's set and finished up with a with a Hollies cover of King Midas in Reverse with Graham Nash. 

Jack Johnson was a Saturday only act, as was Arcade Fire and both sounded spectacular. Jack Johnson is as nice to look at as he is to listen to. Arcade Fire took up the majority of the stage with as many various instruments as there were people in the band. They debuted a song titled "I Dreamed a Neil Young Song" while Neil joined them on stage. 

It turns out that it's been 5+ years since Tom Waits has performed, so the number of people there to see him on Sunday was enormous. After he finished his set, I could understand why. With his extremely distinctive voice and Les Claypool rocking the upright bass, it was 45 minutes of enjoyment to my ears. Plus he was just a funny guy. 

QOTSA, my reason for being at Bridge this year, did not disappoint. With a semi acoustic set, the boys were dressed to impress and managed to dazzle the entire crowd. Two days of this was simply not enough.  Josh managed to keep the cussing to a minimum, with the exception of Sunday night when he expressed his joy of seeing Tom Waits perform. While both days were spectacular, I'd have to say that Sunday was slightly more perfect with My God is the Sun and The Vampyre of Time & Memory being added to the set list.

CSN&Y - the only disappointing part of this was it was EXACTLY the same set list for both nights, right down to the narrative in between songs.  But it didn't matter. They sounded amazing and I enjoyed both nights all the same.

Yet another memorable weekend to add to a most amazing year of shows!  And to think, 2 years ago when we bought our home, I thought that going to concerts would become a thing of the past...I am thrilled to have been so completely wrong.  Rock on!!!

Friends - Bridge 2013

Set Lists:

Jenny Lewis
Saturday: Head Under Water, Rise Up with Fists, You Can Out Run 'Em, Buffalo Springfield Again, Acid Tongue

Sunday: Run Devil Run, Rise Up with Fists, unknown, unknown, unknown, Silver Lining

Heart
Saturday: Even It Up, The Rain Song (Zeppelin), Nothing But Love, Rock Deep, Dear Old America, Crazy On You

Sunday: Even It Up, The Rain Song (Zeppelin), Nothing But Love, War Of Man (w/ Neil Young), Dear Old America, Crazy On You

fun.
Saturday: Carry On, Some Nights, The Gambler, We Are Young, You Can't Always Get What You Want (Stones)

Sunday: Some Nights, Carry On, The Gambler, Somebody to Love (Queen), We Are Young

Diana Krall
Saturday: There Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth the Salt of My Tears, We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye, A Man Needs a Maid, Sulphur to Sugarcane (w/ Elvis, Wall Flower (Bob Dylan; w/ Elvis)

Sunday: On the Sunny Side of the Street, Simple Twist of Fate (Bob Dylan) I'm Gonna Sit Down and Write Myself a Letter, A Man Needs a Maid, Let It Rain, Sulphur to Sugarcane (w/ Elvis), Wallflower (Bob Dylan; w/ Elvis), Salt of My Tears

Elvis Costello
Saturday: (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, New Amsterdam/You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, A Slow Drag w/ Josephine, Jimmie Standing in the Rain, Brother Can You Spare a Dime, Alison, King Midas in Reverse (w/ Graham Nash)

Sunday: Radio Sweetheart/Jackie Wilson Said, Tripwire/(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love & Understanding, A Slow Drag w/ Josephine, Brilliant Mistake, Love Field, Blame It On Cain, King Midas in Reverse (w/ Graham Nash)

My Morning Jacket
Saturday: Circuital, Pastures of Plenty, Victory Dance, Harvest Moon (w/ Neil Young), I'm Amazed

Sunday: Wonderful (The Way I Feel), Welcome Home, The Way That He Sings, Gideon, Golden, Harvest Moon (w/Neil Young), Oh! Sweet Nothing (w/ Neil Young, Elvis Costello, & Jenny Lewis)

Arcade Fire (Saturday Only)
Saturday: The Suburbs, Relektor, Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice), Normal Person, I Dreamed a Neil Young Song (w/ Neil Young), Wake Up

Jack Johnson (Saturday Only)
Saturday: Good People, Sitting Waiting, Wishing/Just What I Needed, Home, Better Together, Tape Deck, Banana Pancakes, Mudfootball, Out On The Weekend (w/ Neil Young)

Tom Waits (Sunday Only) 
This set featured Les Claypool on the upright bass, David Hidalgo on guitar & accordian
Sunday: Raised Right Men, Singapore, Talking at the Same Time, Chicago, Lucky Day, Tom Traubert's Blues, Lucinda/Ain't Going Down, Last Leaf, Cemetery Polka, Come On Up to the House

Queens of the Stone Age
Saturday: Long Slow Goodbye, Make It Witchu, I Sat By the Ocean, ...Like Clockwork, Kalopsia, Go With The Flow

Sunday: Long Slow Goodbye, Kalopsia, My God is the Sun, The Vampyre of Time & Memory, Make It Witchu, Burn the Witch, Go With The Flow

Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Saturday & Sunday: Just A Song Before I Go, Human Highway, Don't Want Lies, Singer Without A Song, What Are The Names, Deja Vu, Long May You Run, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Teach Your Children (w/ everyone)

A Few Pix from Bridge 2013 - Courtesy Debbie Flaska

Depeche Mode @ Staples ♥

Depeche Mode 2013

When: Saturday, September 28, 2013
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Accompanied By: Gabs
Genre: New Wave, Alternative

Set List: Welcome to My World, Angel, Walking in My Shoes, Precious, Black Celebration, Policy of Truth, Should be Higher, Barrel of a Gun, The Child Inside, But Not Tonight (acoustic/Martin), Heaven, Sooth My Soul, A Pain That I'm Used To, A Question of Time, Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus

Encore: Home (acoustic), Shake the Disease (acoustic/Martin), Just Can't Get Enough, Never Let Me Down Again

Tai's Flickr Photo Set of Show

It doesn't seem like five months have passed since seeing Depeche Mode at The Troubadour, but that is exactly how long it's been.  There have been a lot of shows between then and now (21 in fact), but the anticipation of experiencing this show from 3rd row had been in the forefront of my mind since winning the tickets from The World Famous KROQ back in April.

This time I was prepared. I had the camera, extra batteries and THREE memory cards. After the Troubadour fiasco with being so close and discovering I had left the memory card at home, I certainly wasn't going to let that happen again. And while I made sure to "enjoy the silence", I put my trusty Canon S120 to work. 

More Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/taifoo/sets/72157636001307626/

So many great songs, so many fun photos. Dave Gahan is a dancing queen and Martin Gore, in all his glittery goodness, has the voice of an angel. Of course, it was the old Depeche Mode that made me the happiest, but the new album, Delta Machine, is absolutely fantastic and Soothe My Soul is completely sing worthy. 

2013 has proven to be an amazing year. I owe much of my happiness to KROQ with their spectacular ticket give aways...which helps alleviate the stress of having to cover the mortgage while feeding the live show obsession.  Ken caught me perusing the Ticketmaster website the other night and exclaimed, "what show are you going to now? What's left? You've seen everybody there is to see..."  Oh silly rabbit, that's just not true. After all, "I can't stop, The desire in me, I'm not waiting, Patiently...There's only one way to soothe my soul..."

Paul McCartney Takes Over Hollywood Boulevard

When: Monday, September 23, 2013
Where: Jimmy Kimmel Live - Hollywood/Highland, Hollywood, CA
Accompanied by: Mark Ward
Genre: Icon legend; Rock -N- Roll

A week or so ago, 1iota announced that Jimmy Kimmel would be closing down Hollywood Boulevard for two nights - Monday, 9/23/13 for Paul McCartney - and - Tuesday, 9/24/13 for Justin Timberlake.  The only way to get tickets to this event was through a lottery system.  I won't lie...I really wanted tickets for JT. Don't judge me. Regardless, I put in a request for both shows and waited. Last week I received the email letting me know that I was chosen for priority tickets for two for the McCartney show. Absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to attend...but even more happy because I knew that my friend Nicole really wanted to go and I was going to be the most awesome friend ever for taking her.

Due to life and things, Nic called me and sadly told me that she would not be able to go. No fault of hers. Shit happens. I totally get that. I made a few phone calls and email inquiries and decided that I would fly solo.  I figured I'd make new friends once I got there. Fate had other plans when I saw a message from my friend, Kathryn. She explained that her business partner's husband was a HUGE McCartney fan and had been trying to find a way into the show.  Would it be okay if she passed along my number. Absofreaklutely!!  Mark called around 1:00 and within an hour, we were on our way to Hollywood!!  As were thousands of other people.

By 4pm, we managed to determine where we needed to be. The upside of being there that early was being able to enjoy the sound check which helped take our minds off the blazing sun. Over the course of an hour, we saw paramedics tend to two girls who had passed out from heat and dehydration. (Note to self: if you're gonna pass out, pass out in Hollywood. The paramedics are absolutely gorgeous.)

And let me tell you, if you can get priority tickets from 1itoa, take advantage of them!!  I had no idea what that meant and as we discovered that it allowed us to bypass the miles and miles of people lined up, it was apparent that we had the golden ticket.  As groups of fans were placed into select corrals, our group was escorted directly to the front pit area. I looked back at Mark with the "OMG" face and a huge smile.

By 5pm, we were situated and ready to wait. And wait. And wait some more. At least by now, the sun was no longer beating down upon us. But the body heat was a whole other element to contend with.  Didn't matter...everyone was happy, friendly, and civilized. And the people watching provided endless entertainment.  And the fact that Mark had amazing stories to share made the time pass by quickly.

It's now 7:20 and after a gazillion "cheer" practices for the camera, the night was about to get real. Sir Paul McCartney took the stage and the next hour became an absolute blur. The man is 71 years old. SEVENTY ONE!!!  But proof that age is just a number. I can only hope that I am graced with such an abundance of energy and humor when I am that age.  I'm not a big McCartney fan, but the magnitude of what I was witnessing was never lost on me. FIFTEEN songs over the course an hour and some change, I felt like I had just seen a piece of history. And for Mark...well, according to him, if it wasn't for Paul McCartney, his life would be much different. His turning point was the night he saw The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show and he knew that a life in music was his calling.  I'm thinking that was probably the case for many.



What a night. What an experience. In fact, it was so amazing that it made me feel less sad about not being chosen for the next night with JT.  Not 100%, but pretty darn close.

Nine Inch Nails @ The Troubadour

A lucky fan's set list

When: Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Where: The Troubadour, Los Angeles

Accompanied by: Anthony

Genre: Industrial Rock

Set List: Somewhat Damaged, The Beginning of the End, , Terrible Lie, March of the Pigs, Piggy, The Line Begins to Blur, The Frail / The Wretched, I'm Afraid of Americans, Gave Up, I Am Sanctified, Disappointed, The Warning, Find My Way, Came Back Haunted, Wish, Survivalism, Burn, The Hand That Feeds, Head Like a Hole, 

Encore: La Mer, The Day the World Went Away (was on the set list but not played), Hurt

NIN Troubadour Sign

I had never seen Nine Inch Nails before this night. Not once. And truth be told, I probably would have been better off had I had at least one larger show under my belt because this show...this tiny ass little show...a venue with less than 400 people...has ruined me. And left me wanting more in ways that cannot be described.  It's been about 3 days since this life changing  show occurred and the restlessness I feel has got to be what it's like when someone is jonesing for a fix. Yeah, it's like that. Roll your eyes all you want, it's the truth.

I know enough about this band and am familiar with their music enough to say that I am a fan. But holy crap... the FANS, the super fans, they are on a whole other level. Part of me felt like I was treading in forbidden territory and at any moment a spot light would shine down on me and I'd be exposed as some impostor and quickly escorted out. But, it never came down to that. A girl, a superfan, standing next to me asked me if I was a "huge fan". I responded that I was a fan, but not a "huge" fan. She thanked me for my honesty. It seemed odd, but by the end of the night, it made sense. 

I needed another rock shirt like a hole in my head.

I knew, without a doubt, how lucky I was to be there. Earlier in the week, when KROQ announced the contest - be caller 9, every hour, blah, blah, blah and win a tix to see NIN @ The Troubadour - I immediately texted Anthony to let him know it was going down. He is one of the biggest NIN fans I know (next to Lara), and I was pretty sure he wouldn't mind the early morning disturbance with this kind of news. I told him that if I won, I would take him...in return, he made the same pact. I thought for sure, it'd be me that would win and I'd be deemed the most amazing person on the planet...but dammit if 3 hours into the contest, he didn't win!! Go figure. I still tried as much as I could for my own win...but it just wasn't meant to be.

I've been lucky enough to see some amazing shows at The Troubadour...Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders, Depeche Mode...but hands down, this night was quite possibly the most perfect show in the history of shows (next to Foo @ Paladinos, Dec. 2010).  Nearly 2 hours, 21 songs, a shitload of sweat, and surrounded by some of the most amazing dedicated fans I've ever seen. What more could a girl want for  her first NIN experience?  

I just wanted to be close enough to see arm sweat...I never imagined it'd be like this.

Now I just have to wait until November to see them again. But this time it will be in a venue of 20,000. Not nearly as intimate, but I plan on enjoying it with the same level of enthusiasm. It would be impossible not to.

Side Note:  Monday, 9/2/13, Fingerprints Records was hosting a CD release listening party. They handed out a raffle ticket to everyone who attended for a chance to win a signed copy of the Hesitations Marks LP. So, while I didn't manage to win tickets into the show, I somehow was lucky enough to win this sweet little gem:

Thank you Fingerprints for this amazing prize!!