love love love love (NFG + Ok Go)
I know, I lag when it comes to writing about events. Sorry, kids, I’m too busy living. If you’re still holding your breath for Coachella Day 2 or Bamboozle Day 2, now is the time to let go. Just… let go.
😉
Alright– New Found Glory in SD (HOB)– all there really is to say is there is no live show I love more than theirs. There’s no band whos music makes me as happy. And there is no band that will inspire me to elbow a few people just to get in front so I can jump up and down and sing the songs from the top of my lungs. There is no band whos music becomes a part of my life so effortlessly– I know the songs, the words without even really trying. I doubt there is any other place that I am 100% in the moment like I am at their shows. They played songs off almost every album– but you know, it’s funny… some bands, when I hear them play songs off old albums, it draws up so much emotion because they always correspond with very specific moments in my life (moments I havent thought about in years)– but I listen to NFG like, every day, so even though it brings those memories to the front, it isn’t like getting hit with a nostalgic brick.
By the end of the show my voice was cracking & my calves were sore from jumping. I was exhausted and elated. Best show all year. Love love love.—————————————-
…
Next time, listen to me. I know whats good for you. I know the music that will make you happy.
The synergy in the room left something to be desired. There was so little rocking out and so much smiling– like the “thank you for the pie” kind of look. I know, I know– I had a bias because I stalked the ok go message board every single day when I found out that show was sold out (it sold out in 2 hours! I checked hour 3) and I bought a pair off of some kid in AZ who was going to drive but couldnt because he had school. So my attitude was “You’re the people who got the tickets before me? BE HAPPIER TO BE HERE!” Haha.
The best show I went to of theirs (coincidence?) was at HOB San Diego… it was the tour before Oh No came out, but they had new songs written– they played “Let It Rain” and it was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. I wanted to crawl up Damian’s leg and just become a pocket-size clip on toy so he could sing me lullabies every night.
The stage set up both nights was very visually stimulating, if not distracting– constantly changing graphics projected on a screen behind Dan– sometimes it switched between cameras attached to their mics. I nearly died when they played “What To Do” acoustic, because it is one of my favorite songs. They threw out ok go tamborines to people in the audience… at the Troub those who caught it were way into it, but at The Glasshouse everyone must have been paranoid it was going to get stolen, because no one who caught one would play it. Ha. At the Troub they played two covers by two bands I’d never heard of, which sort of defeats the purpose of a cover. But at The Glasshouse right when they were about to play one of those covers again, one girl in the front yelled “I’ve been to your show before!” and Damian says, in a snobby voice: “Oh. This girl in the front wants everyone to know she’s been to our show before.” [pause] “Fuck you, then, we won’t play a cover by (some band I’d never heard of)– we’ll play a cover by Violent Femmes.” It initially excited me, but I didn’t know the Violent Femmes song, either, ha. Near the end of the set some girl yelled “Will you dance?” and Damian yelled “I AM NOT YOUR MONKEY!” Ha. He also continually explained how although his countenance may seem nice, he is really an @$$hole. I love him for that. I wish I was standing on Tim’s side, because he is a little more animated. Rusty is hot, but it’s like he’s afraid to look at the crowd. Or just too busy to do so.
Also great: When Damian said that Variety had written up a review of their Troubadour show, and called “Televsion” a social commentary. He said: “Don’t they know a love song when they hear one? I love my television.” He is so quotable. Too bad I didn’t have a pad of paper and pen– I would’ve got them all.
So, whatever, there are my reviews. I liked the opening band @ the Troub night– Something For Rockets. All Ok is a fantastic song. I bought both their CD and their EP.
Oh, man, I just want to go to 800 more NFG shows.Every other band can drop off the face of the planet for all I care. No disrespect– it’s just a complete experience that I can’t get from any other show. Yet, at least. You know how there are those ideas floating around that when you die, you go back to your happiest moment? If that’s true, I’m happy to annouce I’ll be spending eternity at an NFG show.
But I may say this about Jimmy Eat World as soon as they come out with a new CD.
love love love love.
