Since it's nearly the middle of August, it's time to begin reflecting on my summer. Most notable moments for me? Painting the walls of my new apartment Disney underwater blue. Being out on Warped Tour for a few weeks. The simplicity of July 4th sparklers with friends. Killing a man in Reno and then those brief weeks spying on Russian intelligence. The usual. I've been thinking - it's been an AWESOME summer.
No, let me rephrase that. It's been a summer.
We know this season is historically a good time, but what is it about this summer that has been particularly top-notch? Our economy BLOWS and my 'check engine' light has been on for two months, but I'm still thinking that this summer should win an award for an exceptional amount of fun. Fun fit for my wallet, too. And I don't just mean for me - this is for all of us.
But don't let me read too much into this. It's obvious where this fun is originating: the tours. Blink 182 decided to give it another go, causing pandemonium and the most united musical front I've seen in this Internet culture in forever. Maybe even ever. And it wasn't just any line-up for their super summer tour with Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Taking Back Sunday, All American Rejects, and Panic at the Disco (Chester French and Asher Roth don't count in the 'super'). The band made sure that ticket prices were low because we're all broke now, and those low ticket prices even included fees and parking. Even if you didn't care to attend, it was the tour of the summer even before the dates were released.
And then there were my two personal favorites: the BBQ Across America Tour and the embodiment of a bro-down with Set Your Goals and Four Year Strong. I caught both shows, and both shows were - to put it as cool as possible - crucial.
At BBQ Across America, The Gay Blades (currently my favorite live band) played with The Dangerous Summer (currently my favorite pop-punk band). They were the main support for Person L and Ace Enders, which, as you probably know, is kind of a big deal for anyone who used to own a Drive-Thru t-shirt. Both Kenny Vasoli and Ace Enders have payed their dues, and now they get to play whatever the fuck they want on smaller but successful national tours. Good for them. And you can tell they're happy about that - both Kenny and Ace were hoppity and gleaming on that stage, content with fulfilling a new creative outlet. Person L, a genre-blending experimental outfit of old friends, showcased material from their upcoming full-length, The Positives. Ace Enders even played Early November material for the nostalgic folk. All in all, the vibe was cooperative and supportive, the signs of a tour going well and a line-up picked well.
And then there was the Giglife tour, which took the cake for 1) energy and 2) moisture content. Sold out and at a small venue (Ottobar in Baltimore, MD), my date of Giglife with co-headliners Set Your Goals and Four Year Strong was bustling with sweaty bodies, muscles and fist-pumping. Never have I seen a crowd go so wild, and that might just be because I decided to spend some time as close to the pit as I could get. Tour supporters Fireworks, The Swellers and Drive A were the right pick for the crowd and the whole night was constant roll of intensity, crowd surfers with no barrier and dudes jumping off the balcony. Moreover, because it was the summer and 450 perspiring boys were sardined into a small room, the humidity inside the venue was like cutting through jello, the floors slick with mini-puddles of human secretion. And I don't think any of us would want it any other way.
It's been a summer. What about you? What shows and festivals made your summer a kick and a punch?
Today, on my way from the soul-sucker (or my day job, it's interchangeable), I had an idea for a contest. Most of my ideas are far-fetched and a whole lot less realistic when I'm not running on three hours of sleep, but this one I like.
So, if you could, help me out? What are some of your favorite venues? What venues in your hometown or general area bring the best shows?
I'm enjoying the Brand New single. I'm not enamored with it, but the song is menacing and dark and the chorus is pounding and epic, just the way I like it. I hope this is an indication of what the whole album will sound like. I'm hoping for mystery and intrigue. What do you think?
Lyrics below. Bolded my favorite lines.
Wait
I watched you throw out your bouquet
Now i think about you everyday
I'm alone now in my bed
And there's a lake
And at the bottom you'll find all our friends
They don't swim cause they're all dead We never are what we intend, or invent
'Cause I make little lies and then I pull them apart
Think something dark's living down in my heart
And if I wanted to die before I got old
I should've started some years ago digging that hole
Well I carry this box to the proper place
And when I lower it down
I let it you fade away
I hope that you would do this for me
I'd serve you drugs on a silver plate
If I thought it would help you get away
I hope that you would do this for me
A deer that a hunter shot in the heart
Some dogs that got hit by cars
All came to spill their guts
And we spoke
About the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
And which songs we had loved the most
And then we all turned to dirt
And dust
Some men die under the mountain just looking for gold
Some die looking for a hand to hold
Well I carry this box to its proper place
And when I lower it down
I let you fade away
I know that you would do this for me
I'd serve you drugs on a silver plate
If I thought it would help you get away
I hope that you would do this for me
I'm slowly bringing you down from the Heavenly gates Now I'm drowning in the flood I made
Well explain myself to me on the other side
I'll watch from Heaven when I die
Well I carry this box to the proper place
And when I lower it down
I let you fade away
I know that you would do this for me
I'd serve you drugs on a silver plate
If I thought it would help you get away
I hope that you would do this for me
The more I hear about the details for Daisy, the more nervous I get. From what I've been hearing, I'll probably have to let it sit for awhile before I start to like it. It happen with Devil and God. I have faith.
But what I find hilarious is how up in arms everyone is getting. Remember the shitstorm when Devil and God came out? Pro-Deja Entendu users were getting verbally staked by pro-Devil and God users. A civil war, at the very least. And with Daisy ... I should stock up on popcorn now.
Back from Warped Tour, le sigh. I'm going to miss the folks on my bus so much, but the time spent was so awesome, I can't say that I regret anything. I still have a final update and Walk The Line features to put up, so there is still more Warped coverage on the way.
Tess from East Coast Indie and Heart Throb Media has picked up the Warped Tour updates now that I'm not on the tour, so I'll be posted links to her punk as fuck coverage in my blog. Here's what she has to say about Charlotte, NC. I'm uber jealous her and Jackie hung with the Gallows dudes, but hey, I chatted with Damon from Hey Mercedes (who TM's for Thrice and works in Production) so I'm walking away pretty happy.
The Promise Hero out of Cleveland, OH are simple dudes. When I asked the band to tell me what they are about, they cut right to the point: They want "a good clean sound." And they want "pop-rock that doesn't sound like shit." Don't we all. Wait For The Sun is their first full length and they're selling it in line for you at Warped Tour 2009.
They'll be on the tour until the beginning of August, and if they ask you to listen to their music, remember that Mom always said it was nice to be polite. Karma, babes.
And once again, I wish I could have that song stream up for you. Head to myspace if you're ready to listen to TPH tunes.
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