Hi everyone,

May has been quite the month of ups and downs. Looking back I've done a lot of things worth mentioning in a blog, however it will take forever to write about all of them. Here's the highlights:

Back in the scene!

Yes, it has been awhile but finally I went back clubbing in the village. I'd say it hasn't been since last year since i've been to a gay club. I've been itching to go and let loose awhile, and my sbf has never been to FLY. What better time to go then the beginning of spring! It was packed that night, heating up by 1:00 AM. From the times that i've been there before, usualy it doesn't get busy until at least 2 AM.

Boy, was it HOT! It was that usual FLY night, with lots of huge topless guys and pumping circuit music. The dance floor was totally packed and it felt like it was pride! It was some sort of Quebec night b/c there was a giant fleur-des-lys hovering above us. em, French men :). It's sad since I didn't know any of the music, but it was great to dance to. It was also great to come with a bf to the club too -- You'll have to ask me for details about this one personally.. :P

Just reminescing about this night I'm already starting to get the itch to go out again. It looks like that time will be during PRIDE, which is in only 3 weeks! Now THAT's one of the best parties of the year!!

Dashboard Confessional
On the next weekend I saw DC live in Toronto and Niagara Falls (Buffalo side). It was SO amazing to see dashboard live, since i've been hooked on them since last summer. Sure, it's quite valid to say they're another "i got dumped waa waa waa" adolescent angst-filled whining band, but i love them! They're such an anthem band. I just can't stop singing along to all their songs.

They performed at Arrow Hall, just by the airport. It was the first time i've ever been at this venue, and when I got there I was suprised at its massive size. On the inside it looks like a big airplane hanger facility, with giant bay doors that open on the side of the building where planes used to probably go in and out of. It's probably a great space for conventions or auto shows, since the loading area is so large.

Line-ups
What first annoyed me was how they managed the lineup to get into the venue. They treated it like it was a festival, with a GIANT line outside just to get into the place, opening the doors 2 hours before the 1st band came on stage. Doors were at 5:30, and we didn't get there until about 5:45. We stood in line outside until 6:45PM ! The first band didn't come on until 7:30. With thousands of people coming to the show, they had TWO single doors open to get in. Can you believe that? What was this, Edgefest? It's not like we're rushing the stage and will be there for 12 hours or anything. I guess because they didn't have designated seating they decided to run it like this.

The fans
The fans were quite young, but not as young as I had first anticipated. Sure, there were some 14-year old kids running around, but i saw more ppl in the middle of their 1st or 2nd year university. 'Course, these days that could mean as young as 17! I think the average age was probably 18-20 - Yes, that mean's i am "over the hill" in this respect. bah! Ah well. at least it wasn't full of yelling girls screaming "OMG OMG HE'S PLAYING MY SONG!!". Oh wait, It was me who was doing that that time :) (just kidding).

The opening acts
There were three bands opening before Dashboard. That's a lot of bands eh? But seeing that this is emo, the roadie set up time was longer than most of their sets!

This was a blessing in disguise beause the first band wasn't that good. Called "Say Anything" -=> more like "Say Nothing".
The next was "The Getup Kids". I have one of their albums, so i recognized a few of their songs. They set was good, but just too short! They've got great harmonies and catchy tunes.

Finally, the last band, THRICE came on stage. There is quite the following for this band, because the crowd went NUTS as soon as they burst out of the blocks. And boy, they came out HARD. They're of a thrasher emo band, with parts with nothing more than screaming and blasting power chords and punk drums as loud and fast as possible. Some crazy moshing ensued, and soon I was caught it in the middle of one right beside me! :). All in good fun eh?

They did have a few great tunes, i have to admit. I don't know much about them, but from hearing them you could get a sense of 2 general sounds they have -- perhaps from one album to another. One falls under the thrash punk to the more edgy emo/harmonic zone. Let's hope they latter is what they're growing into!

Dashboard
Finally DC came on stage. WHAT A SHOW! It was incredible. They pulled out all the stops here. It wasn't just another sing along, which I was afraid of. Sure there were a few parts where he stopped to let the crowd sing, but for those moments it was exhilarating and yell the lyrics at the top of my lungs (sorry for those bootleggers out there. They played an amazing set, with parts w/the full band, some solo acoustic, and a few with him and John (guitarist).

What was also nice was to hear Chris (lead singer, songwriter) tell the crowd how excited he was and how this is the biggest crowed they've ever had (i.e. their own show, not a festival / opening act). He could have been just saying that, but at the next gig he didn't say anything along those lines. yee haaww :)

Dashboard Part II
I was pumped to see them again in Buffalo the next day! My friend and I drove down on the Sunday to see them in Buffalo. This show wasn't as good as the Toronto show, but it was great to be at a smaller venue. It reminded me of the Lyric, and old theatre converted to a concert call in Kitchener. We stayed on the balcony and got a great view, although i did miss being down at the centre of the action. At least this time I wasn't DRENCHED in sweat and about to pass out from exhaustion!

Rather than standing for 6 hours, we drove down at got there for 9:15 PM, just as Thrice was finishing up. Just in time :). It was great because we scored a spot on the balcony on the railing. We got to watch the show from above with a great bird's eye view of the gig.

DC has been co-opted by Honda, as part of the "Honda Civic Tour 2004". Basically they showcased a new Honda + had tons of video games to play outside... Not to mention loads of Honda advertising and pamphlets. Good thing we walked right past it and to the show!

I will post some highlights from the next two weeks in May shortly.. My hands are getting tired!

Take care,

RE

"eat drink and be merry"