03 October 2008

The Mood

So,
I was sifting though the myspace bulletins and I saw this band, The Mood, who I occasionally listen to and I noticed they were coming to London. Out of the blue, I just decided 'what the hell' and I asked them if they needed some help selling their shizz. (they're not that popular yet, so it's a good way to meet people) Marco sent me a message and was totally all for it. I haven't really listened to them that much, (I only am now cause I have their cds finally) but they're good. They're fantastic people, but actually I think some of their songs are missing that *punch* on the cds. Live, they're totally bad-ass and awesome and full of energy, but the cds seem to lack that (i'm not hating, because I love them). I really had no idea what to expect, besides the typical knowing how to sell merch. The venue, The 100 Club, is right off of oxford street, in this tiny little entrance between two huge typical department stores. it's a typical venue, with the bar filled with people in between sets of bands. I met up with them and they were super thankful and during their set they even gave me a shout out (ahem, unlike the other band I merch for who seem ungrateful.) We went to Marco's brother-in-law's (Sam) flat afterwards and just chilled and finally got to brush up on my football (soccer) skills. Jeremy, Sam's flatmate was filming the show and made me do an awkward merchandise dance, haha. I didn't have any drinks up till the end of the night (even though I got offered multiple times, finally! haha.) It was nice that they're american too, so I knew pretty much how they'd act (since I know british bands are a bit more crazzzzzzy after shows.) Basically, you should hang out with them any chance you get.

Cheers

30 September 2008

Robots In Disguise

ok, if you're ever in London or if they ever make it over to the states (doubtful, but if the boosh come, they will follow) you gotta go. total girl power show to the max haha.

It was free cover (yessss) but amanda and I payed mmm about 15 dollars for two drinks (each.) we walked around forever trying to find Cargo round shoreditch. We walked forever (well maybe it wasn't forever but I was in heels, and had been all day, so it hurt) But while I was waiting for her at liverpool station, I saw THE MOST BEAUTIFUL man ever. I swear he was a model, but he looked at me too, maybe there was just something on my face, but holy shitee. You must go to shoreditch, so many good looking young guys, too bad they don't ever talk to you (except Robby(ie), but I'll come back to him) When we got there, we didn't really know what to do (oh right the doors opened at 7 but we stopped for some chicken curry at this deserted little restaurant but before that, we asked some sales lady in some store where cargo was and she LIED, she said it was down the street right before the petrol station. ohh noo, we had to ask eric the security guard inside the petrol station and it was about two more blocks down the road.) we went outside (there was a 'garden' in the place), stood there for about 2 seconds and said let's go get drinks. so we went and we got some cider drink for about 3-350 quid and some dude just steps in front of me and gets his drink and says "oh sorry were you waiting?" and this, this boy was robbie. how did we know his name? by stalking him near the bar and hearing his friend call his name. he actually was sitting at the table next to us, wearing his ski cap with the little ball at the end. he eventually left and we finished our drinks and hesitantly decided to get one more, we saw on the menu this one with 7% alcohol, the highest on the menu and decided that would be our last drink. again, it took forrreverrrr to get served cause there was a newbie bartender who completely ignored us and we were right in front of the cashier. we sat inside this time, where we stalked out robbie since he was standing near us and sitting at the same area as we were. then, ohh boyyy, then he brings this plate of empty crisps or something and says "you girls look hungry" and plops down the plate between us. we just look at each other and go 'oohhh robbie' I was turned off at this moment but amanda still thought he was cute, he did have the jew-like nose and the dark wavy jew-looking-fro peaking out beneath his ski cap. it took us forever to finish our drinks and we were stalking out the nice comfy looking booth things in one corner of the bar. there were some mighty fine cuties in the place and Sue was even chatting with some people for an hour or so (pretty cool to see, since in america, no one does that) we sat down, but had seen some creepy guy with a pony tail from earlier sitting with his friends at the table next to us (who happened to be kat von d's exhusband, oliver peck) and amanda said he was oogling me, haha. I didn't see that cause I was trying to finish my drink in time for the show.
The openers started, and i knew that they were fucking insane cause of what I saw on myspace and yea, they were that weird. But Sue was rocking out to them, they were a little too, strange, for my taste. Robots came on and Amanda and I positioned ourselves on one of the sides of the stage, right in front. But before that, we saw robbie taking pictures of the previous band and he even squeezed in a little myspace picture too. and during r.i.d.'s show, mr ex decided to peek in and walk right behind us, how convenient. too bad I don't know THAT many of their songs, but they're still awesome. my feet hurt like a motherbitch at the end and I probably looked like an asian girl wearing heels for the first time. I digress. we had to ask some (more) cuties where the station was to get home, since we didnt run into the roundabout the guy said where the station was.
ah, a good night.

23 September 2008

smile

Smile though your heart is achin'
Smile even though it's breakin'
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fears and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

-Tony Bennett

03 August 2008

PHANTOMMMMM PLANETTTTTTT

ok, ok, I say this everytime, BUT, they are seriously the coolestttt. (and I love how they have a gross sense of humour cause I've grossed too many people out with my nasty humour)
Gina, Britt, and I got there just in time as phantom's stuff was being set up. It was perfect timing. we situated ourselves on the lawn, standing just as it inclines, so we can see and we stood on Darren's side of the stage, but we could still see all the rest of the guys. Gina saw Mike and I called him and we waved around to let him know where we were. They come out, girls scream, and they get their shizz started. I think they played Dropped first, which was excellent because they didn't play it last time. They also played Leave Yourself For Somebody Else, Big Brat, (at this point, Alex jumped into the crowd as always) Quarantine (eh, it's more of an intimate setting song, rather than a huge ampitheatre), Do The Panic, and California. (ugh, always) Mike kept talking to Alex and Darren, the lucky bastard, although Darren thought his name was Colin haaa. AND he also got Alex's pick. He weasled his way up to front and center, I would have died (and not just from the death heat that was taking place) Not to be totally fangirly during this part, but Darren was TOTALLY looking at us. haha (OH YEA hes kick ass and got us the tickets. freeeee ticketsss, its a dream) Alex caught his eye on us too, because I guess we were making crazy moves to the songs because we were one of the few who actually knew them. And,um, Darren SANG the second verse on Dropped. man, that was awesome and surprising. Also on Quarantine, he used a drum stick on his guitar. They said they were going to be out AFTER jack's mannequin. boo. so we left and went to the top to sit on the grass and met up with Mike and discussed junks.

So we waited and saw whatshisface jump all over his piano and throw his chair on it at the end, then the guys came out. There was a herd of girls surrounding Alex like they were cats and he had some fish. We spotted Sam near the entrance and I knew Darren had to be close. We finally found him and went up and thanked him about a million times for the tickets. I can't remember what we talked about other than the fact that he called Mike "Colin" ha. He had to go over for the 'meet and greet' so we just hung around devising a plan on seeing if they wanted to get some food with us since I saw they had an extra day off before they had they're next show. When the crowd thinned, Sam and Jeff walked our way so we stopped and since Gina and I didn't talk to them much before, they didn't remember us but when Sam shook my hand and I said my name he was all "ohh Skyler, from the guest list." He asked me if I knew Darren, which I said yes and he said how so I just said from shows, mainly from the Tucson one with The Bravery. Gina grew some balls and asked Sam if they wanted to chow with us, and he said that they were going to do an acoustic set after paracrap finished their set, and that they had a 6am flight the next morning to fly to Chicago for Lollapalooza. Boo, haha. He did mention that they were coming back in about a month (which happens to be Sept. 9, at Marquee and I can't bloody go because I fly out on the 10 at 545 for London shizz. dang ittttttttttttt) After that we waited near the line to meet Alex (yes, there was a line of girls JUST for him ha) Gina decided she wanted to get in it since he's her future lover (oh, I shouldn't use that word since Alex doesn't like it haha), future sex partner. better? I had to get out my vagina -cam (yea i stuffed my camera down my pants to get it through) Gina wanted Alex to do a face and she didn't want to ask haha. Since I'm not that "OMFG its Alex Greenwald" around him, I asked him. He looks like a raptor with Gina and his shirt, that low low v-neck scoop thing. I mean, I enjoy good chest hair, but on him, I enjoy it, but i don't know about it with that shirt. (my god that sentence had a lot of commas) He mentioned the acoustic at the hotel. We left, drove over and crept around. (well I was the creeper, you know how I do) I saw Darren (through a bush) talking to the Hotel security guy after we had asked him about the acoustic thing, which he didn't really know much about. We went across the street so we wouldn't be loitering on hotel props. We were so there way ahead of people that congregated themselves on a patch of grass playing with a puppy. (it was an adorable puppy though) They finally came out of no where and must have snuck somewhere around to the amp; and so that patch of grass is where it all happened. Half the people there were spending time by waiting for their band they love, by listening to some awesome Phantom and seeing the true, amazing music.

They started with Hey Now Girl, which Mike apparently requested when we were talking to them earlier? I don't remember that. (I now remember that. it was at the booth when we were with Alex) During Hey Now Girl during the part "her tongue is black haven't you heard..." Alex looked at me. wtf hah. My tongue isn't black. They played awesome, awesome songs. The only one I was rusty on was Happy Ending. They even played The Stalker! hahah so totally my song. Also Gina told me when I was kind of staring up into the sky singing along, that Darren looked back at me? Ha I don't know. It was actually awkward between him and I. Or maybe it was just me feeling that cause he's awesome. Alex mentioned that some beat during Rihanna's Umbrella is loop number 9 from garage band. haha. During Always On My Mind, Gina moved so she could see the front of Darren, and she likes to changes the lyrics when she sings that song to "HE's always on my mind," so i turned and mouthed that to her and Alex caught us. hahaa. Yea, we're real awesome fans. He also caught us when we grabbed the napes of our necks during 1st Things 1st. Some girl wanted to hear Do The Panic again, for a friend, so they did except they made it the best song ever. Instead of during the chorus "come on, come on" Darren sang "I fucked your mom!" Alex changed some parts of the verses here and there, but the part where its "bring your friends" that worked out so perfectly. hahahahaa I love them.

THEY PLAYED ANTHEM
by Britts (and the rest of us' request) :DDDDDD
I love that songgggggg

Let's see so far for acoustic they played, Hey Now Girl, Do The (fucking mom) Panic, Happy Ending, Lonely Day, The Guest, Leader, Always On My Mind, Anthem, 1st Things 1st, I Don't Mind (oh wow, Alex was talking about it and how he might get emotional since it's so fresh in his mind, during that song. He was so much of an artist right then and there, truly open and just raw. It was so sweet) Gina and I got LOTS and LOTS of eye contact cause we were one of the about six people there singing along. They had to end because of their early flight and I really had to get going too. I wandered around with Gina and them to kind of stake out who Darren was talking to and he kept moving and I said "bloody hell" out loud as I normally do and Alex turned and looked at me funny. hahaha. I walked over to wait to talk to Darren and then Gina, Britt, and Mike are talking to Alex. ugh. missed opportunities. still, it. was. rad.

RAD. WONDERFUL. STUNNING. MIND-BLOWING. SENSATIONAL.

05 June 2008

oh no..

the disease.
it's slowly returning.



21 March 2008

I never thought this harmless crush, could be so dangerous

PHANTOM PLANET ARE THE BEST.


Seriously, the NICEST, funniest, kick-ass live band, and down for talking to the fans all night.
And they're songs have some stunning lyrics. Their new album is going to ROCK


BUY
Raise The Dead
on APRIL 15


first show (march 20) with The Bravery and Your Vegas (really awesome guys as well)
Gina and I spent the entire Bravery set talking to them outside, and being able to joke with them like Gina and I do with themselves is kickass, not like the awkward I-dont-really-know-what-to-say times with EBE and worrying that they'll think my sense of humour is weird. I was able to be myself and act like a moron around Darren, and that is always, always excellent. One moment that sticks in my mind is when he was asking what we majored in (which he said he liked art history, which is another billion points for him) and Gina was talking about doing live art and he was all "what's that?" and I interrupted saying shes naked on stage and paints herself. totally joking, of course, but darren thinks for a second and goes "heyy, you almost had me there!" hahah, ohh darrennnn. Phantom Planet are the best, the sweetest, nicest, really talented, hilarious people. OH YEA we walked with them to get food. at Del Taco. Whenever I drive past that place (not very often) its all delicious memories. Alex wanted some tacos but the place, except for the drive thru was open, and he didn't try that (unusual he acted semi-normal) and darren was talking to some chicks who had just hitched on to our 'crew' (ha!) to be nice. awww
The second show (april 13) was in emo-land at the Panic(!) show. Some girl shouted out before they came on that "oh they're the band that did the OC theme song!" and everyone was all "ohhh I love them!" UUUUGGHHHH. why must they play that song every damn show?!? They only played about four songs but we met up with Mike, who we met at the first Phantom show, who is really awesome and shouted to Darren "you're my hero!" hahaa. We were totally the only ones singing to their songs in the death heat trying not to get pushed around in the sea of emotionless emo kids that scream and freak out every time they see anyone from a band. We spoke to Darren after the show (and of course he remembered us, because that's what awesome bands do and alex was too busy being attacked my o.m.g. fangirls) and I think he initiated the goodbye hugs, we tried to find their bus since we didn't bring our camera in, but it was behind a fence and bushes. oh well. next time!!
:DDDD

02 February 2008

we lay down the law, so what the hell are you here for?

I was singing that lyric as I walked out of The Clubhouse from seeing Your Vegas/Switches/The Bravery.
The first two bands were british, so you know I was in heaven.

I went with Gina (as normal, haha) and we got some thai food (again, as normal, haha) and got in line about 45 min before the door was going to open. We got a bravery button and two Killers stickers, one is brandon from rmm video where he makes that weird movement to the japanese elvis. We didn't know who was opening and it turned out to be another band from England! I was pretty happy. The lead singer looked and acted just like Julian Casablancas, it was crazy. They also sounded like U2, what a combo. Gina began to fancy the drummer but he didn't look good from where I was viewing him, and I also didn't bring my spectacles inside. They had a very big rock sound to them, I liked it. Next was Switches, which I was excited about since I was a nerd and listened to their myspace songs over and over and fell in love with their music. They played all except one song from their myspace, but they also played this fantastic amazing song, and I didn't catch the name of it. Bollocks. The downside to this was two horribly obnoxious guys totally dissing the band after every song they played, and after Gina told them to shut their lips up they proceeded to talk about us, and I have super amazing hearing and I heard all of it, wankers they were. The Bravery got delayed because a p.o.s. mic wasn't working and it took foreverrrrrr to get it to work. I was also behind a guy taller than me who kept flipping his badly straightened emo dyed-black hair into my face and wasn't into the first two bands at all. Oh yea, Switches are british too and towards the end of their set they played two songs that sounded very Cribs-like but more poppy. The bravery came out and started off with one of the songs on their new album I didn't like, split me wide open. They played all their singles during the normal set, so I wasn't sure if there was going to be an encore, but there was. The crowd was intensely into it. Some people only new their single songs, so pssh on them. And the assholes behind us were just standing their moving their heads. Idiots. Let me say that Michael has awesome stage presence and he even sang one of the new songs off their remixed album! way cool left handed guitarist and Anthony was looking hot haha. It was also John's birthday. After the show we went to the merch booths were both of the hot accented bands were hanging out. We talked to Your Vegas and my god, the drummer turned out to be amazing. His name is Mal and he has an accent similar to Jim Sturgess. We talked to him about the normal and London and the mighty boosh and how Thom from the Switches looks and sounds like Noel (which he totally did! it was uncanny) We took some pictures and talked to Switches then left and wanted to bang all the british musicians we had just met. Good night it was.

and now, I don't have any upcoming shows. How sad.
except for PHANTOM PLANET in April.
But they are touring with pretty shit bands, but I think they play first