Slipknot

"You wanna go with me to see Slipknot?"

"Will I enjoy it if I don't know their music?"

"It's really heavy. Check them out on the internet and then decide."

....

"I'll go with you."

So I went with Matt to see Slipknot. For those of you who aren't familiar with the band, they're heavy metal. HEAVY metal.

I borrowed a CD from Brandy to do some research first. To kind of get use to the music and get to know some songs. I listened to it once and could not do it again. It was so much to take in, and it made me drive like a maniac.

So I just went hoping that I'd enjoy myself. I love new experiences, I love concerts, and I love music. Of course I'd have a great time.

And I did.

The opening bands were Coheed & Cambria and Trivium. Matt told me they'd ease me into the music and I'd be ready for Slipknot. Sort of like a stretching/warm up session.

Coheed and Cambria came on and I tried to enjoy it. I smiled and bopped my head and glanced around to see if anyone else was into it. They were. So I started to worry. After they finished, I looked at Matt, and he said, "They sucked."

Whew! This was a promising sign.

Then Trivium came out. They were only a little better, but the lead singer was great to watch. He looked like Hagrid and Cousin It's love child who had been taught dance moves by Tickle Me Elmo. He was not a small guy either. He was very cartoonish and I could not take him seriously. So the combination of two $7 beers and a screaming Hagrid made for a very good time.

The tragedy of the evening happened next. I was 3/4 of the way through my beer and had to pee. I thought it was the opportune time. I could go before Slipknot came on and could return to a little refreshment and the opening notes of what was to be an excellent first experience. So I peed. And I returned. And my beer was . . . GONE!

I sat down and looked at Matt.

"What?"

"Where's my beer?"

"What beer?"

"The one that was in the cup holder." (The one that had $1.75 worth of beer left in it!)

"I don't know."

And then I looked to my right. A group of snot nosed teenagers. All of whom were underage, but one somehow managed to procure an ID bracelet. And they'd been sharing beers all night. Did they? Could they? They did!!!

Oh well. No worries. They got a thrill, and I didn't need the last bit filled with backwash anyway.

So surrounded by teenagers and drunk tools, we proceeded to the main event.

And it was great. Matt was right, by that time, I was warmed up to the music. And the guys were so full of energy on stage that it was fun to watch.

I will honestly say, I'm glad I don't scare easy and that I'm open to new and different. Given that, I had a great time and am really glad I went.

Here we go again

I am starting this blog because if I don't do it now, I never will. There won't always be pictures, but I promise to post only interesting things. So when there aren't pictures, you won't piss and moan about reading some boring ass story.


I've been in a lull lately. But I think things are going to pick up.


I have a job now. Well I'll start Wednesday. I'll be working at the Fashion Shack. It's a consignment store in Greenville. I'll be a sales associate and oversee some of the buying. So barring any bad behavior on Wednesday, I'll be gainfully employeed yet again. And perhaps feel like a human being with purpose. Perhaps.


Friday night I went to see Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience. It was the first time going to The Handlebar - a venue referred to as a "listening room." It's more like a garage with a stage. And it's great. Perfect for watching concerts, especially rock concerts. And so Zoso was a great experience. Tiffany, Brandy, and I got there early to scope out a spot. The band started - three young guys, the guitar players in plaid shirts. Led Zeppelin tribute band!?!


The lead singer sounded great, but I definitely did not recognize the song. And I thought I knew Led Zeppelin really well. But I pretended I knew what was going on and bopped along with the beat. Then they introduced themselves. Not Zoso.


So after the opening band - not Zoso - and an hour wait, Zoso finally came out. And they ROCKED.


I think it was a great time mostly because the crowd was great. I'm a seasoned concert goer (thanks Dad!), and I know how to strategically place myself so that the people around me are to my benefit. You get a few older men who automatically feel protective and will watch out for you, you get a few women who will dance along so that when you dance, you don't bump into them and if they are older your dance moves will automatically look better because your skin is a little tighter and your rhythm a big more accurate. And you get behind people of similar heights to you, but only if you can't get to the edge of the stage. You don't want some tall jerk with big hair ruining your experience.


We chose a spot and I soon befriended a man with fishing lures on his shirt. I knew he was a keeper. He would hold our spot when we went to pee, and might also purchase us a beer or two. Before the night had finished, we managed to meet lots of great people and each receive a free beer. And it was good.

I hadn't been to a concert in a very long time. And I missed it. Zoso was a great reminder of why. I mean where else can you watch a bunch of guys imitate - very well by the way - one of rock's greatest bands, while standing next to a guy with fishing lures on his shirt, and having another delivering you free beers. All the while, being circled by a bunch of rich yuppy kids doing Mick Jagger impressions and hoping that staring at you will cause you to give them your phone numbers. And all the while loving every minute of it because you're surrounded by hundreds of people that you have at least one thing in common with - love of Led Zeppelin. Only music can do that ya know.