Last night, AFI made me fall in love with music all over again.
Not that I was ever “out of love,” of course. I first discovered AFI when I was 15, and they’ve been one of my favorite bands ever since. And obviously, I devote plenty of my free time to listening to music and discussing it. But lately, I’ve become too old and lazy and boring at concerts. I’ve started missing the opening bands and recently, I skipped a show when I heard the headliner wouldn’t go on until 11 pm. Many times, I’ve caught myself feeling tired after a long day and wishing I could just go home instead of out to see a band. Part of me feels this is justifiable, as I’m no longer a college student who can sleep until noon. But deep down, I know 16-year-old me would be disgusted to know about this.
(For the record, I am always happy once I actually make it to the show. It’s just the effort of getting there and standing around waiting that seems to be the problem).
So, on to last night. I actually was extremely excited to see AFI again, as it has been many years and the guys are my musical gods. But wow, I did not know what I was in for. Davey Havok stepped onstage and I lost my mind like I was 15 and at my first concert again. (It was okay though, because all the hardcore dudes around me did the exact same thing). The music sounded incredible and Davey was strutting his stuff like the world’s most fabulous rock star. He even did a flip into the crowd. They blasted through a ton of my favorite songs, and I shouted along with all the lyrics that used to fill my AIM away messages. It’s probably a little odd to sing “I Hope You Suffer” while grinning giddily, but that’s what I did.
It’s not that I’m less passionate about music now than I was back in high school. It’s just that lately, I’ve been acting like a mature adult and focusing on my career, the future, etc. That’s all well and good, but I needed a jolt to help me out of my rut and to help me recapture those angsty teenage emotions again. Today, I feel like I’m carrying a little bit of last night’s show with me, and I feel lighter and bouncier because of it. So thank you to Davey, Jade, Adam and Hunter for being the best ever. There’s nothing like a truly great concert to make me feel alive again.
Fall is finally here, and I could not be happier about it. In the past, I've created special autumn playlists to pump me up for apple-picking and pumpkin eating, but this year I'm pretty much listening to the same few albums over and over. So instead, here are a handful of things that have been entertaining me lately.
The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
Every time I listen to this album, I fall a little bit more in love with it. Before Handwritten, I was a casual Gaslight listener—I liked a bunch of songs but could not have told you anything about the band. Well, this was the album that transformed me into a fan. Every song has its own personality, yet together they make up such a complete, cohesive collection. Beautiful.
Songbook by Nick Hornby
I bought this book on a whim when I found it used for $2, and I am so glad I did. If you don't know who Nick Hornby is, you should stop reading my blog immediately and run to your nearest bookstore, because he is a far better writer than I am. Songbook is essentially a collection of short essays about his favorite songs. While I am not familiar with most of them, I found myself struck by his musical musings. He took all my passions and emotions towards music and turned them into beautiful prose.
On the concert experience: "...You could feel the whole audience fall in love with her, and the song, and the evening. It was one of those rare moments—miraculous, in the context of a rock show—which make you grateful for the music you know, the music you have yet to hear, the books you have read and are going to read, maybe even the life you live." Amen.
Lost
Years ago, I watched bits and pieces with my college roommate, but I have finally decided to watch this show from the beginning. I am so with the times. Do you think George W. Bush will get reelected, you guys?
Blaqk Audio - Bright Black Heaven
Electronic music isn't usually my thing, but I'll buy pretty much anything Davey Havok wants to sell me. This album was actually finished years ago but did not make it to shelves until a couple weeks ago, so I'm just grateful to finally have it in my possession. I haven't decided yet if it's as good as their previous release, CexCells, but I do know that "Let's Be Honest" makes me dance like a fool and "Ill-Lit Ships" is one of my all-time favorite BA songs. Not too shabby.
Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
A short blurb won't do this book justice. Usually after finishing a book, I close it and move on with my life, but after this one, I sat speechless for a while. It's a coming of age tale about 14-year-old June and how the death of her uncle turns her world upside down. The story was moving and the writing is just poetic.
There you have it. And this upcoming Tuesday, three different bands I love are putting out new albums, so I will soon be flooded with even more recommendations. Until then, enjoy.
Last night, I had the honor of being at Davey Havok's Broadway debut in American Idiot. I could get into all the reasons why I adore and respect this man so much, but that'll have to be a post for another time. Just suffice it to say that he is a real hero of mine, despite the oh-so-witty title of this post. I'd already been to see the show back in September, but when I heard Davey would be taking over a role for two weeks, I obviously had to go back.
And as if that wasn't enough to persuade me, I heard that Justin Guarini, that guy with the crazy hair from the first season of American Idol, was going to be there too.
Remember this? Solid gold.
In fairness to Justin, he really did a great job. I just wish he hadn't cut his hair, because that 'fro was pretty much the only thing I knew about him.
Seeing this picture in the Playbill was so surreal and bizarre, but awesome.
So anyway, back to the guy I really went to see. Davey was utterly fabulous. I felt like a proud mother when he made his grand entrance and started belting out the lyrics to "Saint Jimmy." (I even got super nervous, complete with butterflies in my stomach, before he came out on stage, like I was on the one who had to perform in front of all these people. There may be something wrong with me). But Davey was so into the role, and if he was nervous, no one could tell. His death scene was particularly powerful, and my mom, who came with me to the show, was blown away by his voice.
But the most rewarding moment was during the end performance of "Good Riddance." He looked like he was having the time of his life (har har har), beaming and laughing and strumming his guitar.
You can also see Justin Guarini behind Davey. I hope they become BFFs for life.
Apparently performing on Broadway has been a dream of Davey's for years, so I am blessed that I was able to see him accomplish his goal. I wish him the best of luck during the next two weeks of performances.
I saw AFI again last night at the House of Blues. It was definitely one of the best shows I'd been to in a long, long time (excluding AFI at Hampton Beach a week ago, of course). I got to hold Davey Havok up while he walked on the crowd. He also did a flip into the audience and I helped catch him then too. Now my left arm is sore, but I can't think of a better reason to be in pain.
In honor of these two absolutely incredible shows, here's a list of my top 10 most memorable concerts, in no particular order. (NOTE: None of the videos belong to me, except for the Sugarcult one).
1. Third Eye Blind (Babson College, 4/21/07 AND Bamboozle 2009). Honestly, I have seen this band so many times that it's hard to narrow it down to one show. But Babson was the first time I was in the front row, and the first time I met the band afterwards. (It was completely accidental too. We were lost and managed to end up right behind the guys in some parking lot). And Bamboozle was just plain awesome.
(Not the best quality, and possibly one of the band's worst songs, but this video really captures the fun of Bamboozle
2. AFI (Hampton Beach, 10/17/09 and House of Blues Boston, 10/25/09). See my last entry and the paragraph above. AFI is seriously one of the best live bands around.
3. A Fine Frenzy (The Paradise, March 2008). I adore Alison Sudol, the voice and mastermind behind A Fine Frenzy. She is one of the sweetest, most talented individuals in music today. She is so grateful and appreciative of her fans. She's on tour right now, so go see her if you get a chance. (www.afinefrenzy.com)
4. The Airborne Toxic Event (The Paradise, 3/7/09). Well first of all, during the encore, they threw out cheap tamborines into the audience. I got to go up onstage with my tamborine and a handful of other fans to dance around during "Missy." This band is so tight live, and they sound awesome every time I see them. It's also refreshing to see a group of musicians who can play so many instruments well. This isn't just a bunch of guys who decided they wanted to be rockstars so they picked up guitars. Rather, The Airborne Toxic Event are trained many instruments including the viola and the cello. Another must-see live band.
5. Good Charlotte with Something Corporate and Mest, (UMass Amherst, October 10, 2003) Yes, this was my first concert. I went with one of my best friends, Veronika, and we had an absolute ball. At the time, I was completely obsessed with Good Charlotte (and even now, I will defend them, so don't mess with me!). I counted down to this concert for months. It feels like a dream now, it was so long ago, but I was always treasure the memories from this show.
6. Sugarcult (Framingham, MA Community Center, sometime in winter or spring of 2008, I think). This was the most punk-rock show I have ever been to. I know, SUGARCULT?!? Punk rock? They were label-less and playing at this deserted community center full of local high school kids. The atmosphere was so laidback and intimate though. Sugarcult interacts with the crowd anyway, but at a show that size, lead singer Tim Pagnotta spent half his time joking with fans. Then, at 11 pm, the cops showed up and said it was curfew time. Sugarcult was not even half way done their set, and they refused to stop. They kept playing until the sound was cut off, and afterwards, they hung out in the lobby to talk to fans and apologize for the short set.
7. Green Day (Verizon Wireless Arenain Manchester, NH. Spring 2004). Green Day is without a doubt the greatest live band I have ever seen. It's not a "show," it's a masterpiece. There is no way to put into words just how mindblowing a Green Day show is. I know several people who don't even care about the band's new songs, but will still go to see them just for the epic performance. So seriously, drop what you're doing and go see them right now.
(This video is from their Bullet in a Bible DVD, not my show. But it really captures how completely awesome Green Day is live).
8. Blaqk Audio (The Roxy, 9/10/07) The first time I got to see and meet my idol, Davey Havok. He and fellow AFI member Jade Puget were on tour promoting their side project. I shook Davey's hand after the show and was in shock for the next week.
9. Jimmy Eat World (The Orpheum, October 2007, I think). Yet another one of the best live bands I've ever seen. The music is even more perfect and beautiful live. And the fans are pretty chill and normal, so it's nice not to have to deal with screaming teenyboppers all night. 10. Fiona Apple (Bank of America Pavilion, July 21, 2006). Fiona is a little kooky to begin with, and when you put her on stage, she becomes even more insane. She flails around like she's possessed, but boy, has she got some pipes. Her music sounds amazing live. 'Nuff said.
So there are my top 10 concerts. What are yours? What bands do I need to see still?
