Happy 10th anniversary to The OC

Today marks the 10th anniversary of one of my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows, The OC. I was fifteen at the time, but I was not watching the premiere back in 2003, because my family only got one TV channel at our house. But one of my best friends quickly became obsessed with the show, and I remember watching several episodes while lounging on her couch after school. I liked to think I was too cool to be into a teen soap, but Seth Cohen’s CD collection was practically identical to mine and the sense of humor won me over. Eventually, I borrowed the DVDs and binge-watched until I was all caught up. Better late than never, right?

Lots has already been written about The OC’s effect on indie and emo music. The Huffington Post created a great list of the best musical moments on the show, and Vulture has an interesting interview with creator Josh Schwartz up. So I won’t rehash what others have already said. But in honor of the show’s birthday, I created a playlist of some of my favorite songs featured on the soundtracks. Consider it my Seth Cohen starter pack.

Music from The OC from xanne on 8tracks Radio.

There's also a Spotify playlist of every song featured on the show. And finally, here’s what the characters would be up to now. Enjoy!

Concert Double Feature: Green Day and Andrew McMahon

Is it 2005 again? I’ve been having so many musical flashbacks to high school this week.

First, I saw Green Day on Sunday night. Like so many kids before me, Green Day was my gateway into rock music. And I know I don’t get any street cred for admitting this, but I absolutely adore American Idiot (and I will fight anyone who disagrees with me). It’s been a few years since they came around, so needless to say, I was psyched to see them again.

Sadly, this was the best picture I could get.

As you can see from the picture, we didn't have the best seats. Green Day shows are just not the same if you're not in the pit, but unfortunately, general admission tickets sold out way too fast. But it was still an incredible show. Billie Joe Armstrong has always been one of my favorite frontmen to watch perform, and his rehab stint certainly didn’t change that. He’s still the crazy ball of energy he always is— although I felt like maybe he didn’t drop quite as many F-bombs as usual. (What is this world coming to?!?)

Side note: after years of talking up Green Day’s live show to my friend Ali, she finally came along with me. And now she just keeps asking what the hell took her so long. So seriously, if you haven’t seen them yet, do it. Just DO IT.

And then on Tuesday, I saw Andrew McMahon (formerly of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin) play at the Highline Ballroom. In 2003, Something Corporate was the opening act to my first concert (Good Charlotte, hell yeah!) and I immediately fell in love. Andrew and I have been through a lot together over the years, but his music has always been there for me. So it was a blast to take a musical tour through the last decade of my life. Obviously the highlight was when Andrew crowdsurfed to the bar, took a shot, crowdsurfed back to the bar and then finished singing “La La Lie.” The best.

Andrew McMahon prowlin' around on his piano.

And because these concerts apparently just weren’t enough to make me feel 16 again, Fall Out Boy, Paramore and Jimmy Eat World have all released new music this week. I wish I could pretend that I'm going to listen to some cool indie band after this but let's be real. I'm too busy learning all the words to this Fall Out Boy song featuring Elton John so I can belt it out next time I'm alone in the car. My inner teen is in heaven and I’m never growing up.

Happy birthday, Sing the Sorrow!

Yesterday marked ten years since the release of one of the most influential albums in my life. I was just a baby freshman in high school when Sing the Sorrow came out, and I was beginning to figure out what kind of music I was really interested in. After finally switching from listening to the local pop station ("New Hampshire's #1 hit music station") in favor of rock radio, I caught the tail end of "Girl's Not Grey"and immediately fell in love. Obviously, I quickly scrounged up some hard-earned babysitting cash and bought the CD. And when I posted about the "experience" on my DeadJournal (seriously, I miss angsty 2003 so much), my AFI-loving friend immediately burnt me a mix CD of a bunch of their older stuff. And just like that, I became a devout member of the "Church of Havok."

So happy birthday, Sing the Sorrow. Thanks for being my gateway drug into the wonderful world of AFI (and rock music in general). Also for making me feel like such a 14-year-old badass. I can't thank you enough.