Was in Tampa and Gainesville last week/end for Fest 9. Totally awesome as usual!
I left work early on Thursday and bro drove me to the airport. I was flying into Tampa and Nate picked me up and we drove to TAAACOBUS! totally got down on delicious veg burritos then headed to the pre-show at the skate park.
There was a shit ton of people/bands hanging out. I saw Chinese Telephones, Soviettes, Nightbirds, Big Eyes, Toys that Kills, Dopamines, Slow Death, Arrivals that I remember. I had like eight beers, hung out/caught up with a lot of out of town and east coast friends. Nightbirds totally killed it, so did Big Eyes. The Dopamines were insane. Toys that Kill are always a favorite. Was a little hoarse from all the sing alongs.
Stayed at my sis's condo on Thursday night and Nate came to pick me up on Friday morning and we drove to Gainseville, but not before he checked the message board about finding some roommates for us. We ended up meeting up with three really nice young Canadians, so that helped out with the cost.
Once in Gainesville, we went to registration and it didn't take long, maybe 45 minutes. The air temp was warm and the sun was shining. There was so much energy from everyone buzzing around and being excited. The hotel was selling beers; i didn't drink one. We stood in line and socialized with this majorly manly handsome dude named Peter, who was from Miami.
We went to burrito brothers; it was alright. Not my fav, but cheap as fuck and still tasty.
The kickoff show was Nightbirds at the Atlantic. There was a long line out front, and I made it into the venue for the last half of their set; I'm glad I got to see them the day before in Tampa b/c dudes slay. Soviettes were next. Honestly, I just don't care. They have, like, 2 solid jams, and were majorly out of practice. The two chicks on guitars are major babes, though, and the Erg was on the kit again, and Annie said it best when she said that Mike was the one that knew the songs the best, and he's not even in the band!
Too Many Daves was next and holy shit that was a straight up party in there! Tight as fuck, shirts off dudes on, people rocking out all in the venue. Rushing the stage when they played I'm with Stupid. Great set, great showmanship. Future Virgins was next. That was also a solid set once the technical difficulties delaying the start were resolved.
I decided to go to another venue to see some bands that I have not seen before. I went to Common Ground and was able to get right in, although sans water bottle. Static Radio NJ were playing, and I must admit that this was the best I have seen them perform. Years ago I saw them in Jersey and Philly as openers and I was not too impressed. Those times, there was one guitar and then the singer did not play. Now the singer plays second guitar and it just sounds fuller and better. The crowd was way into it, too. The next band was heartsounds and it was not my taste at all and that is all i have to saw about that.
I stayed for Blacklist Royals, who were like Social D with a injection of adrenaline. I very much liked it and people were into their set and singing along and dancing.
I was pretty exhausted and had a massive migraine so I went to 5 star and got a slice of veg pizza and went back to the hotel.
On Saturday I started the day off at 1982. I didn't know what to expect of lines and I didn't want to miss anyone, so I was there early. Whipfler was in the back with Dopamines and Trangressions and Joe from banner pilot. Hung out and talked for a bit before heading inside. Unfun was first and they were excellent. Loud, fast, obnoxious. The bass player was the tall lanky dude with a gross rat tail, and at one point in the set had a huge green snot rocket hanging out of his nose. He bobbed his head a bit to get it swinging, sucked it into his mouth, and swallowed. It was probably the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. I'm still horrified of the memory of it as I am typing it out here right now.
After Unfun was big eyes, who I wanted to see. They were playing the same time as dear landlord, who I had made the decision to not see b/c i see them perform all the time and also I know they don't practice much and I wasn't sure if they would even be tight. I let Whipfler talk me in to going to see Dear Landlord. The line was down the street and around the corner and the venue didn't open up on time and we didn't get in. I heard my favorite songs from out of the street. Bogus. I decided to head to rum runner's to continue on with my schedule to see Arms Aloft.
I got to rum runner's and caught the last half of grown ups. Shit was crazy. The venue was packed and fists were pumping, lots of surfing, getting too close to a ceiling fan. A lot of people cleared out after their set, which sucked b/c Arms Aloft are great. The acoustics in the bar were not good. There were huge glass windows and it was really boomy in there. If i wasn't familiar with the material I would have enjoyed the set at all.
I was kinda pissed/frustrated at this point in the day, mostly because I had not eaten anything and Nate was annoying the shit out of me. I decided to try the reggae shack and I am glad I did. It was delicious. The tempeh in Gainesville is just different than any tempeh I've had anywhere else, and for the better. I got a spicy jerk tempeh sandwich and veg dutty fries, that the girl told me were fried in a dedicated fryer. Delicious. I'm not sure what the spices were on there, but I want to eat it again.
I got my sandwich to go and sat out on the curb by the venue and had a little down/quiet time.
Went to the venue and caught Teenage Softies in the side room before going into the main room to see Banner Pilot, which this was probably their best set I've seen. I actually find them a little boring, especially on the CD, except for that first one, pass the poison. They were on the main stage, I stayed up on the stairs a few platforms back. I saw Nate get nailed right in the face with a foot.
I went to the side room to see Rumspringer next. Their set was not tight at all, but still a lot of fun. I saw Amy and Melanie from Chicago with some other people and had a good time jamming out and singing along. Those songs are way catchy.
Went back to the main room and say Flatliners. That band is great, too. So energetic on stage and they command their instruments so well. Lots of activity on the floor, arms ups, feet up, singing along to all the songs.
The next band up in the main room was TBR, who i admit is a total guilty pleasure of mine. I have not had a chance to see them perform the songs from the new record, so I was excited to see them. I was down on the floor near the front and the pit was pretty brutal. Just two people acting like fucking idiots. They played songs from the new record, a few from warning device, and total, a lillington's cover, and a bad religion cover. It was a fun time, although I feel a lot of people down on the floor didn't know the older songs, which is too bad b/c total is a great record. Probably one of my favorite. 2005 oh shit, pop punk is BACK!
I headed to 1982 to finish out the night. There was a long line, but I got in in time for Captain we're sinking. The place was going nuts. A large crowd up in the front singing along to all the songs, lots of surfing and dancing. The ceiling is a little low, and people up on arms were holding up their feet so they wouldn't get smashed. Lots of fun, definitely want to check out more of their stuff.
After that band, I was waiting in line for the bathroom and I saw Brian Kangas, randomly. He has lived in Gainesville for the past 6 years and is a professor at the school and also is involved in drug research. We talked while Vacation Bible School was setting up. He told me that Pat Rush, who has been out is SF since graduating Carbondale with us back in 03, is working for Fat Wreck and Pat was in town for the fest and the two of them had been at the venue all day for the fat showcase. Ian and the people from Chicago were there, too, but the venue was kind of a little bit empty when VBS played, although their set sounded great.
Dude Jams were next, and I was very excited to see them. Second guitar broke a string three chords in to the first song. Their set was alright. Kind of like dear landlord, they just don't practice/only get together when they are all in town for a fest or whatever.
After that the venue started to fill up and a band from Japan, Worthwhile Wait played next. HOLY SHIT that was the most bad ass thing i have seen. Two little Japanese girls on vox/guitar and bass and two little japanese dudes on lead guitar and drums. They totally threw down and people were going freaking nuts, dancing, yelling, clapping, screaming for more! The band didn't 'speak Engrish for you very good for you', and were incredibly formal in their banter, but it was so novelty and perfect. They made signs for the song names in spiral notebooks, with crayons and pictures. They would hold the signs up and try to explain the song. People in the crown were fucking loving it! The lead guitar player came on the mic and said 'oh, i so very nervous for you!' like i said, it was so novelty and perfect and badass.
When their set was over, the crowd was yelling for more and the band ended up encoring. Possibly the most excited, energetic set I saw all weekend!
Slow Death was next. I like them, I like Jesse's songs. Good times. Nighthawk was dang near passed out on a couch in the back of the venue.
I had a pretty major headache again and went to 5 star to get pizza. I met a very nice boy from NC in line. His name was Derek and we sat on the ground together and ate our pizza and had nice conversation. Roy had texted me that he wanted at Planes Mistaken for Stars shirt, so I went over to 8 seconds to buy him one, but they didn't have any merch. like none. just some posters from the Chicago show two weeks ago sitting on a table by themselves, not even for sale.
Nate was still annoying the shit out of me b/c he's Nate, and we waited til Planes was done then split a cab with two other people back to the hotel.
On Sunday I woke up and Nate was annoying the shit out of me. He wanted me to help him with his costume, but I didn't want to so I went up to the hotel lobby and waiting for the shuttle for an hour and 20 minutes and just spent some time by myself, which was soooo nice.
The girl took me into town. I was really hungry, but Dopamines were up first at 8 seconds, and after the BS there with Dear Landlord on Saturday, I didn't want to risk not getting in, so I walked by there 80 minutes early and no one was in line. I decided to go to the no idea bbq and get some food. Last year they had delicious bbq tempeh like I haven't had anywhere else but in gainesville, but this year they had boca burgers, which is majorly disappointing. I got a huge plate of black beans and rice for $2 and headed back to wait in line for dopamines. There was a line starting to form now, and I took my place. Was glad I would make it in, with time to spare, too.
It was kind of weird seeing them play at like 1pm on a Sunday. They seemed already drunk or something. But the set did not disappoint. The crowd went nuts. I was on the floor near the front, on the back edge of the pit, singing along and dancing to all the songs,got soaked with beer. Their new record is easily my fav this year and I love seeing them perform.
O pioneers were next, then Shook Ones (west coast lifetime, yes, please!!) Waaay into shook ones. Crowd up front was going crazy. There was a dude dressed up in a squid costume and he was crowd surfing, tentacles flailing upward. It was quite a sight!
After shook ones I left to go to the venue to see copyrights. Their set sounded great. The songs were played flawlessly, and I was on the floor. Nate came over to me and told me to watch out for stage divers. Thanks, I'm on the floor, I'm aware. It's like going to the pool and getting pissed if you get wet. Derek was there, and we stood next to each other during the set. The Copyrights were sweet, the crowd a little on the boring side. I'm just spoiled from all their amazing sets at Chicago venues where people are more...animated.
I headed to Common Ground because I wanted to see Monikers and New Bruises. Whipfler was there with some cute boys from Boston. I was talked into having my first alcohol of the weekend, and it was FEST PUNCH. aka jungle juice. It was good...too good. I sucked it down and Steve (cute bostonian) bought the next round. I was wise enough to only have the two. Nearly empty stomach and the everclear still kicked my ass. I was felling all warm and buzzed.
I went back to 8 seconds, and I met a boy named Sam, who was from MPLS and on tour and playing fest with Nato Coles and the Blue Diamond Band. Sam is a very cute (and he knows that girls think so) beardo with gorgeous blue eyes like oceans and dark scruffy hair. He said he had seen me the previous day at the venue, rocking the fuck out to Rumspringer. I admit I was very flattered by this. We ended up hanging out the rest of the day.
Arrivals were up and they were totally solid, perhaps one of the best sets I have seen them perform. People were still shouting "whoa oh" like an hour after they were done. I'm glad this happened on Sunday b/c it easily could have been the running catch phrase the whole weekend.
Underground Railroad to Candyland was up next, and it was a straight dance party in there! I really like Todd C's stuff, and he always delivers. He was dressed up in some kind of huge beehive bride of frankenstein wig and green dress. Jon Lewis was on the mic making birds calls and hopping around the stage dressed up in a batman mask. Lil' dave was dressed like some kind of cave man. No dives, no surfing, no pit, like I said, total jams and a straight up dance party.
I switched over to beer at 8 second, pbr tall cans for $2 (i think, although it might have been $3). I was kind of starting to black out a little bit and don't remember much of the last three sets, which was twelve hour turn, chris wollard and the ship theives, and frank turner.
When the last band was done, Sam and I went to a liquor store to get our own beers and we heard about a house party and set off to find it. We didn't find it, but did end up peeing in someone's back yard.
The hotel was about 4 miles away, and thank god we saw Whipfler and the Dopamines van. They were staying at the same hotel as us, and we asked for a ride. They had a full load and said to meet them at holiday inn where they were dropping some people off. So we did then we could get in and ride back. I sat in the middle between same and mike and dave was in the passanger seat and weiner was driving.
Back at the hotel we could legit not navigate back to our hotel room and ended up at the pool. The water was freezing! I actually got in all the way and it knocked my breath right out of me. I sat on the side in my underwear and a hoodie, Sam next me in his underwear and a t-shirt. We had our beers, he smoked cigarettes. There were stars in the sky, beautiful spanish moss hanging from the trees, our smelly feet dangling into the icy water. We were joined by about fifteen other hotel guests, all festers, just hanging out and sitting around by the pool. A few dudes attempted to rig a diving board out of a trashcan, but i think the water was too cold for them, too!
We went back to the room, the back patio door was open and Nate was sleeping in my bed! This pissed me off. My bed was by the air conditioner, which was on. Earlier in the evening, Nate said that he had turned the AC on that morning and forgot to shut it off and the room was cold. He asked me if I wanted him to sleep in my bed by the cold AC and I could sleep in his bed b/c it was warmer and farther away from the AC unit. I said no i didn't mind if it was cold, actually prefer it, and that I could sleep in my own bed. Regardless, he still got into my bed! Then why even ask me??!! I was annoyed the whole freaking weekend.
Whatever, me and my cute new friend got into Nate's bed then and made out for a while. He beard is soft, not what i was expecting at all. Okay, Nate does not sleep. At all. He only sleeps for short periods of time, and even then not soundly. So of course he heard us kissing, and rustling around between the sheets. He ended up leaving, which is fine. He has gotten with girls on group roadtrips and had it coming.
With the room to ourselves, Sam and I ended up banging out pretty hard, two full sessions, and I ended up soaking the mattress. He was way into, which kind of surprised me because earlier in the night, just in conversation, he told a story about a friend who was into squirters and had gotten into some shenanigans with a chick on a tour, and he let drop that he wasn't really into it. I think maybe he just never really had it done properly or full out or whatever. Or we were just too drunk. Probably a little bit of both.
With Nate's bed now soaked and my bed completely empty, we got into my bed and curled up close under the sheets, the cool AC keeping the room nice and comfortable. It was so satisfying having our warm bodies close to each other. His chest is hairy and strong, but he is still slight build. I like it. An hour or so later we heard Nate come in the patio door and get into his bed. Sam and I were both quiet and didn't make a move like we were awake, and Nate got into his bed. I didn't ask, but i wonder if it was still wet. My guess is yes.
We had to leave gainesville at like 730am b/c nate had to work at 10am. Sam and I walked hand in hand to the car then up to the desk to check out. We gave him a ride to his hotel, which was halfway between our hotel and fest ground zero. We exchanged info and he gave me a kiss before departing.
We have spoken on the phone and texted back and forth a lot. I am going to MPLS to visit next weekend on my four day weekend. I'm looking forward to it, although not getting my expectations up for any long distance situtaion. Plus, like I said, Sam is good looking, and he know girls think this. Worst case scenario is that we end up fucking each other's brains out for four days and nights. I've no complaints about that whatsoever.
Summer in October. Everyone's Favorite Holiday. This girl included.
