Sep 15, 2013

After a breakfast at Chicago Diner we drove to Humboldt Park and found a parking spot a block away for free all day. Funny how we've been getting closer each day with the car. It was raining and chilly out so I wasn't looking forward to a day in shorts and a t-shirt, but I also didn't want to bring a hoodie that would just get heavy and wet, so I went with the possibly uncomfortably cold choice. 

When we got to the gate we witnessed a girl casually walk past the ticket-takers, one of whom called to her and started to go up behind her. She noticed and she began to run (very slowly. very. slowly.) prompting a "security guard" to run after her for all of about 10 seconds. At that point they threw up their hands and said "I guess she got away." I was tempted to chase her myself as it wouldn't have taken much effort. The rest of walked on saying, "Oh that was all we had to do to get in for free? Shit. I wasted a hundred bucks!"

We got to the Rock Stage shortly before Hostage Calm came on. There were very few people there, partially because it was early and probably because of the rain. A handful of people knew their songs and were getting into. I was just standing in between people to stay warm. I would repeat this technique for the rest of the day.

We stayed at the Rock Stage near the front for the half hour between bands so we would be close for The Wonder Years. They came out and played an awesome, energetic set including new songs. I hadn't heard them play anything off the new album yet and the songs work very well live in their set. I love that album. Soupy ran off the stage and climbed a tree as we sang along and then did a front flip into the crowd and they surfed him back up front. I really love this band more every time I see them.

Next we had to run the straight line to the Rise Stage way at the other end of the street through crowded, muddy grass and dirt. We got there before Bayside started somehow and caught their whole set. Of course they were awesome. I was right up front, which was better than being along the curb last night at this stage. I felt very packed in at that point and had a hard time enjoying it at times when people around me weren't getting into it much. After that we went back to the other stage to watch Bad Books, which is Kevin Devine and Andy Hull's project. I don't know their music really, but seeing them was great. I think I'll be listening soon.

We went back to the Rise Stage yet again to see Best Coast. I don't know their music at all, but I figured I'd give them a shot. I squeezed up front to steal warmth from people, but no one was moving or really showing any recognition or interest in the band at all, so I decided it was time to go to my apartment. Yes, I did spent about a half hour alone in a porta-potty. No, I do not feel bad about this. It was warm-ish, not windy, and I could still hear the music. All wins for me.

I begrudgingly exited my warm little personal space and went back to the Rock Stage for Saves the Day. I was happy to see that the crowd was very into them. They played a fast and fan-pleasing set as they always do. I never leave a Saves the Day show thinking, "I wish they played this song," because they always play all of those songs. The new songs were fun and sound really good live as well.

I headed over to the mud pit formerly known as the Roots Stage and squirmed my way forward waiting for Brand New. There was this really perfect line of people that were standing on the edge of the grass, staying out of the muddy gravel area of the baseball diamond so when I got to this point I broke through like an event horizon and popped out on the other side mildly confused. Once my shoes were muddy it really didn't matter anymore so I trudged on. Brand New played songs. They played "Tommy Gun" of course but also "Quiet Things," which I would never expect. It was an okay set but much too Daisy-heavy for my taste. Not to mention the huge sea of people between myself and the stage really took away from some of the fun and energy I enjoy. I did have fun shooting photos of hundreds of cell phones taking video of the video monitor though. Ah, proof that they saw Jesse on a big TV in a park in Chicago. They will be the talk of their respective towns.

I ran away during the last song of Brand New to get to the Riot Stage in time to hear the opening guitar riff to "The Leaving Song pt. 2" which got me excited for AFI's set. I rushed up to the front of the crowd the best I could as they screamed through songs from Sing the Sorrow, my favorite album. They played some older songs that seemed to please the pit crowd and some newer songs that I almost didn't remember that I knew so well. They were, above all else, entertaining and fun. I was happy at this point that I bought tickets to see them in New Jersey next month.

After the awesome finish of AFI we walked the one block back to our car and then went back to, you guessed it, Chicago Diner. This was after a quick change out of wet, gross clothes in the car. I mean we really couldn't leave without one more visit. I decided to go for the Rodenbach flemish ale. It was quite tasty but not exactly what I'd wanted it to be. I got a reuben of course because I knew I would never regret that decision. I was right. I mean, just look at it. I thought about another milkshake, but I decided against that one as I might regret that.

With full bellies we hit the road heading back east into Indiana. We drove for a while until we were getting tired and then pulled over and set up camp for the night.

Apr 27, 2011

My car went in for a much needed checkup in the morning. Once Chopper had checked it out and figured out what would need to be done, he put in my new spark plugs and sent me away.

I went to work on my liquid emulsion photos for a while until I met with Keith to go over the images I had chosen for my portfolio. We pared it down to about ten for each section and now I just have to decide what size I want them printed and get my box.

I was going to look for food, but I found out it was coming to me. Several of the graphic design graduates from Rowan came back to talk about their real world experiences and what it's like in the design world right now. They were all doing really interesting things and it seemed like they were enjoying their jobs. We had a lot of pizza while they talked. The presentations were quite inspirational and made me want to get busy.

Soon after eating some more pizza, I loaded Christy, Tracy, and Tracy's friend, Sharon, into my car and we headed to the Electric Factory for Brand New. We saw a bit of the opener and then made our way to the front for Brand New coming out to "Sowing Season."

The set was great and even included "Quiet Things..", which I feel like I never see them play. Jesse ended the long set with "Soco Ameretto Lime" by himself on stage. We left happy, if not slightly blinder as Christy lost her glasses in the crowd somewhere (and didn't even notice until I asked where they were..)

We went looking for food at Maoz, but it was closed! New hours. Not cool. So we wandered South Street until we realized nothing would be open and then just went to Wawa for food. After a brief stop at Westby I headed back home to sleep after a nice night.

Nov 28, 2009

I met Katie at the Looking Glass to have breakfast before I had to finish working on a paper. It was a good burrito with tofu instead of eggs. I found out the candy store across the street has Zagnuts in the wrapper! Crazy.

After writing for an hour, I finished packing and got on the Turnpike north. After a few hours of so much traffic, I made it to Joanna's house in Avenel. Her mom fed us some pierogies that were really good and then we headed out. We went through Staten Island, slowly snaking our way down the Belt Parkway into Long Island.

We got to Nassau Coliseum and got a great parking spot but we missed the first part of Kevin Devine's set. We really only saw the last song. It was a good last song though.

We ducked out to the acoustic stage where Vinnie Caruana from The Movielife was playing. He played some Movielife tunes and some I Am the Avalanche. He was great and he attracted quite a big crowd.

We caught the tail end of the Manchester Orchestra set as well but we missed a good deal of them. Andy from Hot Rod Circuit played next on the small stage. He played some of my favorite tunes and made me want him to release a solo acoustic album. Really great by himself.

Thrice was the next band on the main stage and they played a great set. They played a mix of slower stuff with heavier songs mixed in. They didn't play "Deadbolt" again though.

We decided to stay put since we were so close to the front. There were an insane amount of people there; it's hard to believe they sold out a place that big.

Glassjaw came out next and, even though I don't know their stuff, they played a really good set. The crowd really got into them, probably because they never play shows. I need to get their cd.

Finally, Brand New played a long set once again. It was a little different from the last show but still really good. They played a lot off of their latest two albums and closed with "70x7." I realized somewhere during their set that I lost my keyless entry for the car and that I couldn't open the doors without it since the key only works the igniton...

The key opened the trunk so we tried getting in through the back seat with no luck. I went to find a cop to help jimmy the lock but when I came back to the car, I saw Joanna sitting like this in the car, triumphant. It was pretty hilarious. She managed to get in through the back seat and open the doors from inside.

This is what had to be done to get into the car... the only way in.

We made it back to her house by 12:30, much earlier than we expected with so many bands playing. After looking a few things up it was bedtime. I was graciously offered her brother's old bed to sleep in and I had no problem getting to sleep.

Nov 14, 2009

I picked up Joanna from Rowan when she was done work and we went into Philly to find Justin from Motion City Soundtrack. I was following his tweets and he was running a little late, which was good for us. We got there early though and took some pictures around the art museum steps waiting for him to show.

Justin updated more that they were stuck in traffic because of an accident. A van pulled up eventually and he jumped out with his guitar and ran over to apologize and quickly start playing "Everything is Alright."

His crew was telling him he had to go but he stuck around and played a great version of "Attractive Today." It's one of my favorite songs and it was really awesome with crowd participation, everyone yelling "I like you!" He's really entertaining, I wish he could have stayed longer.

We got on the road to find the Exton Mall where he was headed next to play songs off the new album. We weren't exactly sure where to go but we saw this car and decided we should follow it since we probably had a better chance of finding the mall that way than guessing.

I turned out we were right to follow the car right to the mall and she even knew where the Hot Topic was! Plus, we made a friend. We got there before Justin somehow and hung out waiting for a little until he showed up.

While waiting to get everything set up, he hung out and talked to us, answering questions and joking around. And taking pictures, obviously. He's a really awesome guy and he just seems like he's having a great time doing what he's doing. I would be too.

They got the iHome set up and started playing some tracks from the new albums that sounded really great. They sound like Motion City Soundtrack. And Mark Hoppus produced it so of course it's even more awesome. I think it's a great pairing. I can't wait to get it.

After the songs were over, he hung out and talked to us for a while longer and the Hot Topic staff offered him this Edward cutout which he graciously accepted. It was a nice, fun listening party.

We went back to Philly and got Gianna's. They didn't have the vegan chicken steak that I wanted and had been craving all day but I got the bbq vegan cheesesteak instead and it was quite good.
Joanna's vegan sausage sandwich was not as good...

Everything was timed pretty well. We only waited a little while before it was time to go in to the Electric Factory. We saw the end of Crime in Stereo before we moved up and saw Thrice. It seemed like they didn't play for very long but they were good, of course.

Brand New came on after a seemingly long wait in the huge crowd of people. They played a lot of songs. A lot of old and new. They even played "Jude Law.." and "Seventy Times Seven" which is very unusual but a nice surprise.

It was a long and awesome set that ended with "Play Crack the Sky." I feel like I always enjoy them but this was a great performance. The new songs really fit in with everything else as well. The video screens behind them and the lighting were awesome as well. It really set a moody ambiance.

After an awesome day of music, we headed home, not quite ready for sleep but I tried anyway.