witty, but only marginally: November 2011

This took place in Little Rock, AR at Juanita's on June 17, 2007

Starting before the album ((Cruel Melody)) came out, the street team ((We Are Wolfpack)) has been throwing out all kinds of contests and promotions. One of the very first being "Pre Order At FYE and receive tickets to a show of your choice and an autographed CD sleeve." I was all over that one, and I later received an email stating that I had won the tickets. Street Team promotions stating "post flyers for the show and get in free" ran acouple of times, and was how I really got signed up for the team. I hadn't received my flyers yet, and was getting impatient so I proceeded to make my own and post them at various venues and in the Hillcrest area. I took pictures, sent them in, and was told I'd be on the Will Call list. Awesome.

The week building up to the show it hits me. I wanna buy Wes something! Mace Windu! That's what I'll get him! No, wait. Han Solo is cooler. Noooo... I got it! Darth Fucking Maul! So I buy him the Sideshow Toys 12 inch Scale Darth Maul Action Figure, and am very content with myself. Saturday before the show (yesterday) I grab a bottle Bordeaux (wine) for him too. Kind of as an impulse. That night I also run to Kinkos to have some Hi Res 8x10's printed up for autographs ((You know me and my autograph wall!))

Now it's the day of the show, and I've got my backpack full of Wine, Photos, and Maul. I had decided to get to Juanitas real early to get dinner. Little did I know that Juanitas is closed on Sundays (the bar usually is to, but since they had a show that night, it was open). So the show started at 6, and I got there about 4:45. I was now the 7th person in line. Didn't expect that either. So, starving, I wait in line. Eventually I realize that no one was going ot get in line behind me anytime soon and wander over to the EZmart and grab a bottle of water and a King Size Snickers. Alright! Dinner in my stomach! Let's get on with the Drew-History! While waiting in line, Nick Annis (guitar player for BLB) asks me if I knew if there was a music store within walking distance, cause he wanted to pick up the new Queen of the Stone Age. I told him no, there isn't much of anything over by Juanitas. He thanks me, and as he's walking off I mention to the people behind me, "I was pretty damn close to calling my girlfriend and telling her to go to Walmart and grab a copy of it for him." We all get a laugh.

Time goes by. Still waiting in line. About an hour and a half total goes by when they open the door and start letting people in. At this point Jesse has made it, but was still in her car. I walk up to the ticket takers, tell them my name. "Nah man, you're not on the list!"
...
I start to get angry pretty quick. I don't say anything to them, cause what the hell would they know about Street Team promotions, they're just bouncers. I walk to Jesse's car and at this point I'm seriously considering just leaving. No no. I haven't waited this long for this to just leave. I walk back to the door where I ask a bouncer, who decided to be REAL helpful, if he knew anything about a Street Team Ticket List, or something. He finishes his cigerette and informs Daryl (their road manager) that I'm out here. When he came out and talked to me, while he was polite, he wary that I might just be trying to pull one over on him. Cause he knew nothing about the Street Team. Eventually he says, alright, just go up and tell them who you are and I'll get you in. When I tell him my girlfriend is with me he even says, "Look man, ye know how it is. I can't let everyone in who says their on some street team." I tell him I know, and I am VERY appreciative of anything he can do for me. I tell him this several times. So, Jesse and I get in ((she had to pay, but at least we both didn't)). The team at the door seemed to have an attitude that we were getting to come in and that their authority was being overruled. Bah!

Jesse and I get inside about the time the first band goes on (Prosevere). I'm still pretty upset by this whole fiasco, and I'm thinking I've got time to go home and print out emails to prove I'm not lying, but why bother. I'm already in side for free. It'll be worked out later, maybe. I do my best to not let all this get me down, and when Prosevere starts telling people to come up to the front on the dancefloor, I do. To show support for the little indie band, if nothing else. For an unsigned metal band, they were pretty polished... and pretty decent, actually. ((I'm gonna see if I can find them on MySpace here soon)) They wrap up, and are thankful of myself and the 4 other people that came up to the stage.

Second band goes on ((The Vanished)). The lead singer put on a good show, even doing a cover of Billy Idols Rebel Yell. The drummer was pretty intense too. Kinda scared me. Not much to report about the opening bands. They were really good, but they aren't why I'm writing this story...

So... the roadies for Black Light Burns are setting up. I'm front and center ((sort of, it couldnt really get any better though. There were only two girls that were a foot shorter than me between myself and Wes' mikestand)), and I'm standing firm. This is MY spot! I had never experienced a drum kit mike check that was quite this long or drawn out. Bass Drum Feedback Loops are seriously straight out of a Sci Fi movie. If you haven't heard one, keep your ears open at your next show!

Mind you, I'm still pretty frustrated about the tickets, but all that pain EXPLODES off of me when I see Wes and the band walk onto the stage. YES!!! This was SO worth it! Live music by bands that I have a passion for are always religious experiences for me. This was no exception. Wes flashes a "whats up" peace sign as he crosses the stage, and shortly after I realize that's basically what he had painted on his face. ((yes he still does the make up))

The show was awesome! I had heard the sound check while waiting in line, and was actually worried. That maybe the album and his vocals were just really produced, cause he didnt sound very good during the check. ((granted, he might not have been fully warmed up and honey'd and what not)) He did not disappoint. He puts on a great stage show, and they made sure he had plenty of room to do his thing on that tiny Juanitas stage. I think he took it upon himself to be the personal AC unit of the whole band. He went thru a lot of bottled water. Most of it ended up sprayed into the air and onto himself and his bandmates... and the front few rows of fans. Which I didnt mind. :) Early in the show, his stage trick seemed to be spitting straight up in the air and catching in his mouth. When first I saw it I thought to myself, "Oh! Right on! Good Catch!" Then he did it a few more times, which just made me laugh each time. Especially when he missed and he caught it in hand! Nick is a really intense guitar player, and he really gets into his music. A fury of hair and music! Wes, too, is a GREAT guitar player. You dont really realize it till you see him live and watch him play. Sean had a creepy focus on his bass during the whole show. Marshall was back in the corner, and what is it with drummers? I guess since they are BEATING THINGS WITH STICKS they always have this look of anger when they play. ((At least, the good ones do!))

So they play 9 songs and run off the stage. I kinda think they might do an encore, but the club turned their music on. That's when I made a B-Line for my car and my backpack of treats where Jesse tells me she is gonna head home, that she's about to crash out.

I'm pacing back and forth outside the club with my red patagonia day hike pack. Yes, I'm getting a few stares, but I don't care... I have a mission! The first person off the bus is Marshall. I get my photo out and my marker ready... and I freeze. He walks right by me. ((Ok, now I'll explain that before this point I knew who Wes was, and I knew who Nick was... from there I knew there were 2 more guys: Sean and Marshall. I thought I had figured out that Sean was the drummer... I was wrong)) A few minutes later, he comes back out of Juanitas. We exchange smiles and nods, and just as he passes I get out a "Sean!" He extends his hand and introduces himself as Marshall. "I'm sorry man." "It's cool. Did you enjoy the show? I saw you rockin' out up front!" "Hell ya I did. I've been looking forward to this for 2 years!" "Right on, whatcha got there?" I show him my photos, and ask for an autograph. He tells me he didn't even have a copy of these, I offer him one and he declines. We shake hands again, and he tells me the band will be coming out soon. ((Marshall is a really nice guy!)) Time goes by and Daryl comes out of the bus and is heading my way. Again with the smiles and nods, and I extend my hand and thank him earlier. He seems to be in a better mood now (not that he was upset earlier, but he's all smiles this time). I start talking to him in more detail about the Street Team and my flyers, and point to one in the window that happend to be just next to us. He starts asking me about the advertising in town. All I could tell him is that the only thing I ever saw or heard was where Juanitas had their schedule listed in the Arkansas Times. He found this very interesting, and thanked me for the information. I probably ellaborated to much by telling him that places like Juanitas and Vinos don't really advertise. They just expect their name only to bring people in. Again, he thanks me and tells me if there is ever anything I need to let him know. Heading inside he told me the guys will be out in about 30 minutes.

So now I'm 2 for 2. Successes and Nice People! I'm feeling pretty confident at this point.

I see the band come out of the van, and 3-4 people start walking their way... so I do too. I knew I couldn't just jump in after Wes, cause I was going to need a few moments to get my gifts to him. In the meanwhile, I get Nicks autograph. Where we talk about how he was kinda cropped out of the photo. While signing, Marshall chimes in with "yeah, and get Sean to sign over Danny's face!" "I was actually planning on that," I say to the 2 of them. ((The photo I have includes Wes, Nick, Marshall, and Danny Lohner, who was the producer and not actually on tour with them. I felt bad because of not having a real place for him to sign. I figured I'd joke around with him and get him to sign something like, "I'm not Danny Lohner.")) Sean's signature is next, and Marshall tells him to just draw over Danny's face. So he does. "It's a scribble. The scribble IS my signature." It's perfect by me. It might be his signature, but I'll know he did it!

So now it's just Wes. There is a small crowd around him, and I'm waiting for my opportunity to get a moment with him. He's signing napkins, and posters, and CDs, and tickets, and whatever else his fans could find. Pictures are being taken. Which this is interesting: I got the impression that while I saw plenty of cameras IN the show, all these people were getting photos taken with their cell phones ((in front of MidTown, I might add)). He says he needs to go inside and order some food, and makes his way towards me... as I had positioned myself between him and his exit :) He sees me and points at my photo and asks, "Did you need an autograph?"
"Oh... yes, I did."
"Oh man, what've you got here. Nice photo!"
"Thanks... Hey I know you're in a hurry, but could I have 5 seconds?"
"Sure man."
"This may seem weird, but I got you something. A gift for coming to Little Rock."
*he's mainly focused on his autograph, and a fan next to him.*
*he looks down at me*
"I don't know if you even drink wine, but I got you a bottle of Bordeaux ((its a wine region, look it up!))..."
"Oh wow!"
"...and I also got you a Darth Maul."
"OH WOW!!! *he squats down next to me* This is... Why did you... This is so cool! Why did you buy me this?"
"I was driving home one day, and decided I needed to get you something."
"This is so cool, I'm gonna go put these on the bus right now. You're gonna wait right there and I'm gonna give you tshirts to pay you for these."
"Nah man, it's my pleasure."
"I'm gonna put this on the bus, then you're gonna come with me."

So at this point he's heading onto the bus and I'm putting my things back into my pack when I hear a loud crash! I look up, and immediately know the bottle of wine was broken. He looks at the wine, he looks at me and says, "Oh my god I am so sorry. I feel so bad about this." He says to someone else that he was carrying the wine under his arm, and he was sweaty, and it slipped out. He had it there cause he was carrying Maul in his hands and pulling himself onto the bus. I'm just laughing for some reason at this point cause it really was funny to me. I put my hand on his shoulder and tell him it's ok. "I promise it's ok." He appreciated the gesture and that's all that mattered. Sure, I would have liked for him to enjoy the wine, but at this point I'm just glad he isn't freaking out. ((Being all... get this crazy man away from me... he's giving me presents!)) He looks at me and claims, "Well, it SMELLS really good." He squats down and sticks his finger into the curb, "awwww... and it tastes really good too!" The merch guy comes out, and Wes asks me what size I wear. Apparently they're all out of XL's. I tell Wes that if the XL's are REALLY XL then a Large will do fine. Merch guy goes running after... merch. Wes comes back off the bus and hands me a CD. "If you don't already have a copy, here you go." "Thanks, this'll be copy number 5 for me." Wes kinda takes a step back and says "Oh, well then." That's when Lee from the BLB forums that had recognized me mentiones the Best Buy copy, "yeah, and the Target, the iTunes, and the FYE," I add. Wes has gone on to talk to other fans at this point, so I get the idea to pick up the intact neck of the wine bottle. I was gonna keep it, but decided to get the cork out and give it back to Wes. I go inside and get a corkscrew, secure the cork, and head back outside. I snag Wes and hand him the cork, as Daryl walks by. "This is the guy that was putting up posters for the show all over town." *I just grin* Wes tells Daryl about the wine incident and we all walk over to the scene of the crime. We all crouch down and Wes "tastes" the wine again. Then tries to get the label ((which was still intact)) out of the glass, but couldnt. Daryl takes the dangerous label off somewhere, and Wes tells me that he is going to find another bottle of it and pretend it's the bottle I got him.

I tell Wes that I'm taking off, and he thanks me again for everything and I tell him no, the pleasure was mine. He apologizes about the wine... and then hugs me. It was a quick, but solid, man hug. Blew my mind. ((Did Wes Borland just hug me!?!))

As I'm leaving, I extend my hand to Daryl again and thank him for everything. He thanks me, and offers "We're all getting ready to have some fajitas inside if you would like to join us?" ((SHIT YES!!!)) "I'd love too! Thanks!" "Alright, if anyone gives you grief... just point at me!"

Sure enough, I got grief, but the same bouncer that was rude to me when Daryl let me into the show for free. The bouncer and I back and forth for a little when we finally walk over to Daryl and proceeds to the bouncer in his place. Satisfied, I walk back over to the fajitas, where I was told to hang out till the band showed up.

To sum this part up... I'm standing next to Wes while we're both loading up tortillas. All kind of surreal.

So we eat, and I finish first and wander over and get my flyer out of the window, put my email address on it, and then Wes asks to see it. "Oh cool, is this one of the flyers you made?" He said he liked it, and asked about my email address. "It's also my handle, so if you see this name around on MySpace or your forums... it's probably me." The band continues to eat. I only had the one, which considering my dinner was a Snickers 5 hours ago... I'm not hungry. ((CAUSE I'M WITH WES FRICKN' BORLAND)) During dinner, Juanitas was showing the Robot Chicken Star Wars special up on their big screen. So I just went from eating fajitas with Wes Borland, to watching Robot Chicken with Wes Borland. There isn't any real conversation to speak of, which is why I start to feel a little uncomfortable. I mean, I'm just some lucky fan, and I kinda feel like a vulture waiting for scraps (which I'm not, I'm just glad to be there). A couple of times I go for my backpack and figure I'm gonna leave.

Glad I didn't...

Wes gets up and says to me, "We're going to the bar next door ((MidTown)). Do you wanna come, or are your cool here?" ((SHIT YEAH I'LL GO!!!)) "Yeah, I'll go." We wander on over where the bartender cards Wes and it hits him... "Oh crap! I didn't recognize you! Big Fan!" Once inside we all just have one drink, and he says he's taking off if I wanted stay.

We shake hands. I clear my tab. I call it a night.

I feel like I'm leaving stuff out, but I'm glad I typed this tonight cause I wouldnt remember all the details tomorrow.

Thank you Wes Borland. You're a hella cool guy, and while tonight started off rocky... it exceeded my expectations.

Ok... I'm the LAST guy you want to ask about sports, but I care about my Razorbacks. Woo Pig Sooie!

But I have commentary on this College Football season.

We went into the season ranked #15, and after a winning season even dropped down to #18.
Guess who's #3 with just one game left? The Arkansas Razorbacks.

Here's my concern. We're good this year. Really good. Best I've seen in awhile.
But...
Are we good enough? No. Our last game is against #1 ranked LSU. A team that, I think, has been ranked #1 all season. I'm not confident that we can beat them. HOWEVER, historically, we've given them a helluva a game. All of our last 4 games could have been decided by ONE touchdown, and they've ALWAYS outranked us (again, I think). So... while I'm not confident, I'm optimistic. We COULD beat them. It will be a great game.

So what if we win?
There's a good chance we'd have to play them again in the BCS Championship, or even Alabama (a team we've already lost to).

It's frustrating. We're good this year, but we're not amazing.
I don't think we have it in us to be the Champions. Not this year. Perhaps next year. Petrino has really proven himself, but we're losing 17 Seniors this year.

For now... it sucks being 3rd. Like... we've come all this way. Pushed and pushed, and for what?
Personally, I DON'T want to go to the Championship. I'd rather be #1 in a Bowl Game, than #2 in the Championship.

With that said, I believe in my Hogs. They could pull it together and go all the way. It's always a possibility.

Woo Pig Sooie.

Besides... what do I know about sports? :P