When I discovered Myspace in 2004, I thought perhaps it was just another dating site like so many ones I'd try before, out of sheer boredom. Little did I know, it would escalate me to an entire new dimension filled with rock n' roll, liquor, and ridiculous stories that often involved chance encounters of the pseudo-celebrity type.
I will begin this blog with wild parties, and show/artist/album reviews of 2005 leading up to the current time, just so you can get the gist of where this one will go. Mind you, these are cross-posted from my Livejournal (containing more personal insights, occasional risque photos, and lesser exciting rock-related events which I will not include), but this blog will not be the same, not at all!
Now, shall we?
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We begin with my belated 21st birthday party, which had an attendance of at least 50-60 due to radio exposure and 3 bands. Not as interesting as you think. Cut me slack, it's the first post.
January 9th, 2005: The party was really fun, even though I had to leave early so we could cart Topper's silly butt back home. We got there a lil late and there were already a couple bands there. Kelly, whose house we were having the party, seemed pretty mad and/or nervous, so I tried to make sure everything was in order.
I hardly knew most of the people that came but we still had a good time, TJ and some skinhead dude went nuts and that was the worst thing I had to deal with, but the best thing was that a lot of people who didn't know each other became acquaintances and a lot of good connections were made. I snagged some merchandise from a couple bands too, nice!!Thanks to Jeny and Andy for driving us around, The Rotten Apples and Vis Vires for playing, everyone who showed up, and xloserx fer these pics!!!
For more, go to http://photobucket.com/albums/b223/_shimmynshake_/Tasha21stBirthday/
March 20, 2005: Friday: Amy and I stopped at the liquor store and got a couple of Sparks, her usual (Smirnoff Screwdriver) and I got a banana liquor to try and didn't like. We rode to Midtown to hit up The Vinyl and start the night off with a little show by the Heart Attacks. On the way in we hid our Sparks in some bushes. Amy had asked me earlier if Paul would be back from the hospital, because she believed the Myspace bulletin that Tuk posted about him having a cocaine overdose and they needed money. I told her it was probably a joke, har har. Her question was answered when we saw him walking around aimlessly throughout the club.
Immediately after I went in, my Myspace galpal Lynda (Lynnnnndiiiiie!) came in with her crew. I adore that girl and her bright red hair!
March 29, 2005: Day 1 of Operation 4 shows in a Row and my ears are shot!
Yesterday Topper and his "ASC" came to pick me up for the show at the Drunken Unicorn. We went to Little 5 and saw Chase from Topper's now defunct band. The DU was a pretty small venue, but at least there was an attempt to decorate the walls. The stage was barely even big enough for a drum set and a couple speakers but whatever works. The majority of Beat Beat Beat were there, 2/3 of Bitter End, as well as my friends Lyn (intoxicated but still full of energy as usual!) and Danny Bonnnndage. Some band was on when we got in, they were from Sweden and they were not bad. Lyn danced with me and Topper and Danny. Topper was apparently getting turned on by Lyn's suggestive movements and Sherm (RIP) and I joked that he should 'go for it'...don't mind me, I'm always the little devil on your shoulder.
The next band was the Black Halos. When they first started I was kinda perplexed about the lead singer (Billy?). I thought, this guy's weeeeird. The way he talked reminded me of Randy Savage with a lisp. Then he started undressing onstage and pulling on his undies and the expression on Danny's face was too great, as if he was gonna yelp if that guy did anything he shouldn't have. Billy was tying himself up with the mic wire. Then he wallowed in the muck of the beer drenched floor, holding a girl hostage and taking her white sunglasses. 
When he got back up, he announced something about "cockblocking" then proceeded to say it in Swedish and gibberish :D. He was a rude, crude feller who seemed to enjoy self mutilation. Nell and I kept laughing and saying, "this guy is so odd" but after a song or two, we were all in agreement, that was a real performance.
River City Rebels were neat. They used instruments that you don't normally see in punk bands, such as a trombone, trumpet and harmonica. I don't always like songs with those instruments but I am drawn to people who are multitalented. I'm not a fan of country either but they played fairly nice music.
The Queers weren't really my cup of tea but they got the teen crowd going. The pit looked fun to be in, but I was hurting in my boots and had on a skirt, and don't normally mosh to bands I don't know. Call me picky, I don't care!
March 31, 2005: So I'm at the Drunken Unicorn with Rob and it was a packed house, ready for some serious nerdcore action with a kung fu grip included. We stood around inside for about an hour in the smouldering heat, it was hotter and more uncomfortable than sitting in a sauna with 2 hairy greek men slathering baby oil on each other.
Finally some band called Rump Posse aboarded the stage, clad in pink karate uniforms and blue sweatbands and moto gloves. They were very Fredryk Phox-esque, while Rob said it reminded him of Napoleon Dynamite. Apparently their schtick was a "sweatin' to the oldies" deal except of course in modern times, and to rock music. They weren't bad, and it was about time I'd see use of a keyboard in a concert, a nice sexy Korg. That's geeks for ya. They attempted to pump the crowd up with their requests for "man-barks" and jumping jacks and stressing the importance of good exercise, and the sweet duet between the singer and his lady love was quite heartwarming, as they shared a couple glasses of champagne. Nevermind the fact the song was titled, "One More Thrust" and that her voice didn't seem very spectacular. She was a foxy babe! *Schwiiing!*
FINALLY DJ John sets up his Apple laptop for an insane white boy rap session. mc chris enters, stage left. For those who don't know, he voices such Adult Swim characters as Hesh (Sealab) and Mc Pee Pants (ATHF). mc opens with mc chris ownz. Then he followed with classic hits like Robotussin, Evergreen, Tractor Beam (my fave!!), Robot Dog, 10 Year Old, White Kids Love HipHop, Geek. Of course he busted out with Fett's Vette and DQ Blizzard (2nd fave!) He also threw in a new song, new to most of us who haven't purchased the re-release of Eating's Not Cheating. It was "Stop Time." I enjoyed this new track, not because I always love DJ John's innovative use of sound but have you ever heard anyone transform car horns and traffic noises to a work of art? It didn't work on my computer but to hear "Stop Time" visit http://www.mcchris.com and go to "Listen". Throughout the show everyone screamed that he perform his ultimate song, "Hijack" from his 2nd album. The lyrics to this one are unbelievable. Technically this one is my all time favorite. He finally obliged by closing with it and the crowd jumped and bounced and I belted out the lyrics louder than nearly mc himself.
April 29, 2005: When Lyndie and I got to FL, we hurried up, got ready and started to walk to TSI, because we knew we'd be too inebriated to drive back. Then we realized it might be farther than we thought.We called a cab and had a little trouble finding the place, so we had to spoil the surprise that we were coming to see our boys and Lynda called Paul for the right address.
There were 3 people standing outside because the owner wasn't here and we couldn't get in til he was. This took about an hour.The guys were suprised/happy to see Lynda and I. And looked somewhat relieved.
I didn't like the venue layout AT ALL. There was a center circular stage (bleh) and bad lighting. They only sold beer and wine. Everyone working there was a mod (how quaint!). We were worried no one would show up. And some joker got on stage trying to rap, and horribly.
Lynda and I downed a hard cider and went outside with the boys. We sat in the van with Amos, reading mags and giving each other hard times. Paul came in and put on a yellow helmet with a smiley face that Tuk made for him that said "Captain Fuck Jolly" on the front and "I just wanna fuck!" on the back. Tuk got on the roof and did flips. We all just chilled out to The Jam while we waited for their turn.
The show was a disaster. The sound guy disappeared so you couldn't hear anyone's vocals. Thank god the place shuts down tomorrow.
We went to a party afterwards at some guy's place who worked at the club. We got more drunk, there was gymnastics, fireworks, broken windows, heavy flirting, etc. Afterwards we went to a gas station for a random assortment of activities, and then both bands crashed in our hotel room. Lynda and I were sandwiched between a bunch of inebriated, mumbling punk boys. We almost liked ta slap Tuk cause he went on and on about something and the other patrons told us we were being loud. The night (err, morning really) was filled with sleeptalking, stifled giggling, and numerous exclamations of morning wood.
May 29, 2005: Last night I went to the Star Bar with Lynda and her friends from L.A., Kim (who I once had on my myspace last year but deleted her in a friends' purge, READDED!), and Lauren, singer for the band Rocket.
We got in right when the guys (need I specify) were already in their intro. After they were done, I gave Tuk his birthday gift of $21 enveloped by a piece of paper containing the Birthday Rap (by 'Hesh' of Sealab. See below). He said he was about to puke 9 times because he got drunk at the party he invited me to but already had! Ok thanks for telling me to come but not when or where!
There was free BBQ downstairs leftover from Bubbapalooza, so Lyndie and I picked up free cigs for Amos and went down there but we didn't eat. The bartender told me he always saw me in the liquor store but never at the SB, that was great. Paul "yelled" at me for not talking to the other guys when they were packing up and said I was too cool for school in my shades. I said I was hiding.
Everyone was texting me to come to the Drunken Unicorn, I kept trying to convince Lynda to go. Instead we 4 girls went to help Amos move to his new house. Then Huddle House for slow service and some lovely shrimp. On the way to take the other girls home, we talked about bands and stuff, as Lynda does reviews for them and Lauren's in one. I thought of Cali bands I really wanted to see, so I said to Lauren, "You should check out the Checkers!!" She looked at me and said, those are my labelmates! I literally jumped in my seat and exclaimed how awesome that was. She told me she'd tell them she met me and that makes me a happy panda.
BIRTHDAY RAP
You're one year older
One year wiser
Rock and roll star, king, czar, and a kaiser
A room full of friends
A mouth full of cake
Every present is for you and it feels pretty great
You're the man of the hour, the VIP
You get the first slice, of the P.I.E.
But first blow out the candles, and make a wish
Put a smile on, cause it's your birthday, BITCH!
.go robot, its your birthday.
Warped Tour 2005 (August 6, 2005)
When I got there, the first person I saw was Flores walking out of the gates to talk on the phone. I asked him to point me in the direction of the guys. Although drunk (everytime I see him o.0), he managed to lead me the right way. Sort of.
I walked around aimlessly with a mallrat I came to the event with, announcing that I had to walk in a continuous circle until I find Paul, because he is always the first HA that I encounter, always! (With one exception of Amos, but I missed the show anyway). Sure enough, I found him and we kitty-cornered our way to the merch tent. Dave sat there looking bored holding onto a leash with a cute fox-like dog at the end. Tuk was already sweating bullets. Chase and Brad stood around with this other guy selling merch. I scored the black shirt with the guys on it, their new cd and stickers which Tuk let me have on the house. The guys were nice enough to sign my cd. Personal review: I like it mucho, but it doesn't have that demo charm. I guess 'cause Chase had to sing legibly for the younger crowd they have amassed as of late.
This girl with black and green hair I had seen working at the Hot Topic at my mall came to the tent. I was surprised she knew them! She sat with us a while and was very nice. We spent the following hour and a half feeding the dog, sitting around, and I got up to see if MCR was playing. Unfortunately, I couldn't see them because the HAs were on slightly earlier than scheduled, which was the same time as MCR. So, yeah, I really didn't get to see anyone else... I did get a glimpse of the AKAs, whom I've seen at the Masq before but wasn't too keen on. I didn't even know they were going to be there. Anyway, the boys only played 4 songs in their set. A little disappointing, but I could really see how exhausted they were. I mean, come on, we didn't get Car Bomb, or even Neck Bit!
November 11, 2005: Albums I just bought that you should too:
The Hives (They wear spats. Come on! That rocks.)
The Best of the Cars
The Best of the Knack
