I am currently at home, winding down and relaxing, trying to organize my thoughts of the awesome weekend that just unfolded.
On Friday night, I took a nap after work and before heading to demo for Copyrights. I showed up shortly after ten, and two of the bands were finished playing, and the third of four was just starting. I decided to keep plowing through this mess, and headed to the bar to kick off the night with some whiskey. Saw lots of friends, most excitedly Krissy, who I haven't seen in nearly a year.
I had contacted Brett earlier in the week about purchasing a pendant he had made out of a re-used wood palate. It was cute!! I paid him and put on the necklace.
The demo is a pretty sweet, simple place. Sound was great out on the floor. My only complaint is that the stage is a little high. Like if I stood in the front, I would have to crane my neck waaaay back to see. It was a great height, though, to see from in the back.
I'm going to skip straight to The Copyrights' set now. It was great. They played a lot of the songs from the newest record, which was awesome. Then we all got a treat when they played Four Eyes and Not For Shaving. Closed with Cashiers and Kids Of The Blackhole, which are great sing-a-longs. They all sounded tight, too, from what I could tell. I was initially down near the front with Ashley, not paying attention and joking around about guys we used to bang. Crowd was kinda sorta tame. But, we were in the front, so I was unaware if people behind were into it. When Not For Shaving and Four Eyes came on, I really noticed that people livened up and were into it.
The show was done pretty early, and several of us stayed drinking until we were kicked out. Josh wanted to go home, but Ashley wanted to hang out, so I told Josh I would bring her home. Jay wanted to stay, too (this surprised me, but also didn't surprise me), and asked that since I had tix to the show in Chicago, I could drive him up in time for load in. Everyone else drove up to Springfield.
So Ashley, Jay, and I went to Lemmon's for after hours. There was a lot of people there. We played Shuffleboard (girls won!). 'Hawk was not amused. We all stayed until 3am, then to some wiener house in the CWE for additional after hours hangouts. We had some margaritas (delicious!) and some banana Schnapp's (disgusting!). Some people were playing music, Ashley fell asleep, and Jay and I banged out on the couch. It is DESTROYED! And I'm not sorry. Seriously, the hosts were total boners (read: arrogant assholes). I haven't been with Jay since 2008 and well, fingertips have memories. I hadn't forgotten how nice it is to have his strong hands on my body. He is also really warm, which was comforting since that house was freaking cold. He does everything I want, and he loves when I come all over him. Drink it up!! Drink it up!!
We passed out naked, holding each other close on cold, wet couch cushions. We tried to flip them over, but there was Velcro/we were unable to remedy the situation by covering it up and flipping over the cushions. Again, I'm not sorry.
We slept probably about 45 minutes before Ashley opened the door and found our naked asses. We needed to get home, and she was concerned that Josh was angry with her for staying out all night (we didn't get home til 7am). Jay and I slept in the spare bedroom downstairs, Ashley baked some cookies, and Josh didn't seem too pissed. We slept just over 3 hours then went to Everest before leaving for Chi.
Drive up was uneventful. Good conversation. We made it in time for load in, and I went to Eads Manor to relax before heading to the show. Ben and I ordered delicious sandwiches from 90 Miles and then walked to Beat Kitchen. The sandwiches were delicious and the walk was nice. Not too cold, crisp air, brisk pace.
I thought the show started at 8, but it started at 630, so we missed the first two bands.kind of a bummer because I wanted to see Slow Death, but they tour and I will see them another time.
Copyrights were up, and I was down on the floor, kinda near the back. Not a lot of people were jumping around, even down near the front, and it was kinda pissing me off. There was a pit three different times, though. The sound was great in the venue, and the band sounded tight. The crowd didn't seem to know or be into the songs from the new record, but went nutzoid for the older stuff. There were no surprise songs, but an. Excellent set.
OWTH were the headliner. They played the new record from start to front, and that was sweet, but this was the release party, so no one knew the songs!! I kinda lost interest for a few minutes, then started having an allergic reaction to something in the air, and went out to get some fresh air. I came back and the band played some of the old jams. I Am You, Self Check, SOS, Jackie Lee, Die Today, and Keep Falling Down. Closed with Clear the Air. I was happy they played the hits we all wanted to hear, but I understand thay they get tired of playing the same songs each time. Before I left, I bought the new record. It was $20 (holy shit!) But that came with both vinyl and CD formats. I said goodbye to several people and Ben and I rode with some Ohio friends to Cole's for after show show.
Cole's was "at capacity" so we had to wait outside for a few minutes. When we were let in, there was not a lot of people inside. I got a beer and saw a lot of friends, including Josh, who I was not expecting to see and therefore did not have a MoneyMelon for him, which we joked about this. I was very anxious and Ben knew it, but I went up to the front and watched The Fur Coats, who I thoroughly enjoyed. Plus, it was so....refreshing seeing Logan Square gays out and about and enjoying the show. Brickfight was up next, but I was about to pass out standing up and Ben and I walked back to his house. I later found out that Slow Death played a second set, and I would have seen it had I stuck around. Like I said, they tour, and I will see them again soon enough.
Ben let me sleep in his bed because he is an accommadating host. I feel asleep right away, and he left to go to another party and when he came back, he passed out on the couch.
I woke up about ten am and showered (oh, it was wonderful!) and went to Handlebar to meet up with Booker for brunch. It was pretty crowded there, which surprised me since it was spring forward with the clocks so I figured a lot of people would still be asleep. We sat at the bar so we could joke around with Russ, and Booker told me all about his moto trip out West/to the Hoover Dam and Death Valley. Sounded badass!
We parted ways and I drove back home. Met with rain the whole way, sometimes pretty hard and it was difficult to see the road. I drank three glasses of water at brunch and peed before I left Chicago, but I still had to go. I made it to Lincoln, the last 30 minutes were one giant kegel exercises session, and I peed for 77 seconds. I kept passing exit after exit that didn't have a gas station/food. I seriously considered for a moment about sacrificing a hoodie or floor mat.
All said and done, an excellent weekend. I'm glad that I went up for the show; it was a great time. I definitely feel the mental clarity/release that comes after a weekend of cutting loose, but no shameover. On the way home, I listened to the new OWTH numerous times, and I admit....I LIKE IT!! Side B is def better, but lyrically, I'm way into the new record. I would even say I like it more than the previous one. Granted, it's no 'Hospitals' but nothing ever will be.
No comments:
Post a Comment