Check out this event: CHIODOS w/ The Showdown / Emarosa / and more!

Hosted By: Matt Wilson
When: Saturday Aug 30, 2008
at 6:30 PM
Where: TATTERSALLS
847 S. Broadway
Lexington, KY 40504
United States
Description:
Matt Wilson

Click Here To View Event

5:47 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

CRAZIEST NIGHT EVER

I am in LA.
First off, I am not usually one for freaking out for famous people, but tonight was just amazing.
The first celebrity of the day was Justin Guareni (didn't spell that right, don't care), he's the first American Idol runner-up. Whatever.

We then had dinner with Emarosa's managers at a place that Brett Michaels is having his birthday party, and that is just the start.

We got on the guest list for this 80's metal cover band called, "Steel Panther." After some small issues, we all got in and waited for the band to go on.
First off, I love 80's metal so I was entertained regardless.
Then out of nowhere while they were playing Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer," BON JOVI HIMESELF comes out and sings the song. To those of you who doubt me here is the picture to prove it.

I love Bon Jovi, so I freaked out.

Then we all recognize Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine hanging out downstairs. The singer then points him out and Tom confirms it's him. then the singer goes out and says that VINCE VAUGHN is also there in which they he also acknowledges his presence. So by this time we are star struck.
Then during "Sweet Child Of Mine, I think" they coax Vince Vaughn and Tom Morello to come up and sing it. they also then reveal that all the Dodgers baseball team is there and coax them up on stage. Here's a picture of it:

Also the singer of Simple Plan was there and we got to meet him, but none of us cared and I was a bit of an ass about it, by yelling "Atticus 1" when he shook my hand, ha.
Then during the last song i recognize a bald bearded tat'ed up man in the corner as KERRY KING from Slayer, so I had to go say something.
My phone was dead, but I assure you I shook his hand.

All in all, Hollywood rules and I want to live here.

3:34 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Things That Have Been On Mind Recently...
Current mood: aggravated

I am going to get all of my feelings and such of my chest about many things.


First off I am depressed, and this is due to the fact that I am sick of mediocrity. I am sick of not being moved by music that has been through here recently (if you haven't guessed already, this will mostly be all about bands/musical things). I am sick of dealing with rockstar bands. And I am really really sick of bands disgracing the genre of music they are trying to represent, mainly with "harder" bands. Go back 5 years, you would of been laughed at and never booked again.
I am sick of your lyrics having no meaning and just meant to sound cool.
What is the message you are trying to get across?
Being in a band is meant to be an outlet, therapy to some, and an influence to others. People will learn those lyrics and sing along at shows, do you really want them to walk away with lines like, "I kill for the breakdown?"
Have some depth and meaning behind those words you ink on paper,
show me you have passion about what you are doing and not just following a trend.


Another thing, it seems all that is being booked by myself and others are "harder" bands.
Would you go to a show that was an indie show anymore?
Do you know at this very moment I have one of the best bands in the south in my opinion just waiting on a reply to confirm a show here, and I can't say yes yet, because I don't want to give them a crap show if no one wants to come out because they don't have breakdowns or screaming.


Which brings me to money issues.
Gas prices are super high.
Touring is super expensive and guaranteed instant debt.
Guarantees (how much the bands are paid) are higher because of this.
Do you know that most cities charge $12 to $15 a night just for around 3 or 4 local bands?
So please, stop complaining to me when I bring in 4 national touring bands and it is over $8.
I know I might be a hypocrite on this subject due to trying to keep the shows at a lower cost, but we have to face the facts, prices are not going to go down and the economy is not in the best place right now.
These bands are on tour for sometimes a few months, with little to no money, no place to sleep, and $80 gas bills A DAY.
I am not trying to rip you off, I am just charging what has to be done to make sure everyone is taken care of, and I don't book as many shows as I used to so when i do book them you can bet they will be a fun time. There done with that.


I am just so annoyed with how things have become. I have gotten past the fact that things will never be the way they used to be so many years ago, but our "scene" is pathetic.
I am going to call out bands on this next thing: JUST BECAUSE YOU AREN'T PLAYING A SHOW/DONE PLAYING DOESN'T MEAN DON'T GO TO IT/LEAVE IT. Most of the time I'll watch a band pack their stuff up and say well we are heading out to a party see ya, and it is only 3 bands into a show. Don't you want to see the other guys? Sometimes your friends? And from a musician standpoint, how are you going to be inspired by a band if you never watch them play.
It's like going to see As Cities Burn and deciding to leave right before Anathallo plays (bad example but you get it) you are missing out on an experience.


And now I call out you concert-goer,
are you going to watch bands or are you just going to gain "scene points" or see if Wes is going to punch somebody.
Its like the Sistine Chapel is in front of you on stage, yet you are more concerned with the finger paint that is around you.
I mean, if you really want to just socialize about a bulletin that was posted on myspace, why pay $8 to watch the bands when you can just sit at home and continue your drama? I am not saying not to come to shows, but I definitely could care less if you showed up for status.


Continuing on, support your friends/local bands, no matter how good/bad they are.
They are still giving it their all at that moment and you would rather stand there with your arms crossed looking pissed off. At least clap when they finish a song, what would make them want to continue on to become a better band if they feel what they are doing isn't gaining any support from their friends/crowd.


Support your scene, help it grow into something that you would stand up and fight for. Become more active in it, even just reposting a flier on myspace helps A TON.


I promise you that I would be in a much darker place right now if I didn't get a flier in middle school/high school about a concert that was going on. I have some of the best friends anyone could ask for and I found an outlet for myself and I owe everything to this "scene." I love Kentucky, well most of it anyways ha, and I love you guys that are truly passionate about what you do, you make all the crap worthwhile.
OK, I am done ranting now.

Sorry about the grammatical errors, it's like 2:30AM.

Currently listening : Proving Winter Cruel By Kill Creek Release date: 18 June, 1996

10:21 PM - 8 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

THE NEW AMSTERDAMS FEB 21ST LEXINGTON, KY
Current mood: chipper
Category: Music

3:59 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Mecca Dance DiSaStEr!

The show was crazy.
Cops.
Destruction.
Coldness.
Circuit breakers.
Time issues.
Bands not playing.
etc.

So first off I am going to bitch at some people.

DUDE IN THE HALLWAY (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE):
YOU ARE A VA-J-J
IF I FIND YOU I WILL FORCE YOU TO DRINK YOUR OWN URINE.
YOU DESERVE ETERNAL FIRE.

Next,

PEOPLE WHO BITCHED AT THE PERSONS WORKING THE DOOR:
IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH HOW THINGS ARE DONE AT SHOWS, PLEASE COME TALK TO ME AND NOT TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE TO MAKE THINGS GO SMOOTHER. THEY HAD NO PART IN HOW THINGS WERE REFUNDED.

Continuing,

PEOPLE WHO BITCHED ABOUT ONLY GETTING HALF OF THEIR MONEY BACK:
SORRY YOU DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE FULL SHOW, BUT YOU DID SEE OVER HALF OF IT. IN A REAL VENUE ONCE MONEY IS TAKEN AT THE DOOR AND SOMETHING LATER ON IN THE SHOW CAUSE THE SHOW TO BE CANCELED, MOST 90% OF THE TIME THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. AND SO YOU KNOW, I GREATLY APPRECIATE THOSE WHO WERE COOL WITH IT, BUT TO THE OTHERS PLEASE NOTE THAT IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT ON MANY DIFFERENT PARTIES TO MAKE THESE SHOWS HAPPEN. THE EXPENSES FOR LAST NIGHT'S SHOW WERE EXTENSIVE, PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT I SPEND MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET TO HELP THESE THINGS TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN WHEN A MESS-UP LIKE LAST NIGHT TAKES PLACE.

PEOPLE WHO BITCH AT ME FOR NOT HAVING THE SHOW START ON TIME:
ONE, WE COULD NOT START TILL 8PM DUE TO A DANCE CLASS.
SOME THINGS WERE MY FAULT I ADMIT, BUT I AM PUTTING ALL MY EFFORT INTO TRYING TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN ON TIME. IT'S NOT THAT I AM AFRAID TO ASK PEOPLE TO HELP, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK WELL FOR ME WHEN NO ONE RETURNS MY CALLS. IF YOU WANT TO STAND THERE AND BITCH AT ME, THEN WHY NOT DO IT WHILE HELPING ME LIFT SOMETHING. (not directed at all to you, John.)

and lastly,

PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AND DECIDE TO GO AFTER ME AND OTHERS:
YOU HAVE NEVER DONE A SHOW.
NOR WILL YOU PROBABLY.
I AM ALREADY STRESSED OUT ENOUGH, SO GET THE HELL OFF MY BACK.
IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN I SUPPORT YOU DOING IT 100%. ME, JOHN, AND OTHERS WANT TO SEE THE SCENE GROW LIKE A MAGICAL PINE TREE, AND ONE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO DO THAT IS TO PROMOTE SHOWS AND WORK WITH EACH OTHER.

In closing,
Thank you to all the people that helped out last night and put up with all the shit, I AM ETERNALLY SORRY to IEI and the Parlour Boys and all of you.

Know that both bands will be doing a rescheduled show sometime in the near future.

Also, note that both of the cops that searched the area were probably some of the coolest policemen I have ever met. So you know that not all cops are like the cops that broke up Firebird over a year ago, (long story short, 8 cops came into Firebird and said we could continue doing the show for $300, yeah, WTF) both of the cops used to be apart of the old all-ages scene back in the day. So please don't blame them, they actually wanted the show to continue.

The reason the show had to end was in fairness to everyone there. If the cops were to be called again for a complaint, then we would of been forced to shut it down and Mecca and myself might of been fined. Also note that I wasn't afraid of being fined and wanted the show to continue, but after much talking with others, it was in your best interest to cancel. We would of had to cut sets to like 3 songs and probably would had to stop in the middle of one of the bands sets'.

And a quick final note, I didn't only give $4 back instead of $8 because I wanted to make money at this show. Any real promoter knows you hardly ever go above breaking even in the scheme of things.
All the money went to the various expenses, no money for used as profit.

Again, I am very greatful for you guys putting up with me. I love you, well, most of you oodles.

10:39 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

MY BIRTHDAY BASH!
Current mood: happy

Currently listening : Kid Dynamite By Kid Dynamite Release date: 27 October, 1998

2:20 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Chasing Victory, The Devil Wears Prada, Gwen Stacy, In Endeavors Italya!, and O' Jerusalem
Current mood: Festive
Category: Festive Music

Currently listening : I Call This Abandonment By Chasing Victory Release date: 04 October, 2005

12:33 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Bless The Fall: The Story
Current mood: infuriated
Category: Music

OK

Here's what went down at the Norma Jean show the other night:

Me and Ashley get to the show during Misery Signals. Great band.
Anywho, Ashley goes upstairs to the balcony area of Headliners and I go to the "pit."

After they get done playing I go upstairs to be with Ashley. She is standing on the rail to the right near a band called "Bless The Fall's" merch table.
I go to stand next to Ashley when some 16 year old groupie tells me I can't stand there, VIP only.
First off, 16 scene kids get on my nerves enough, second ones that try to act like they have higher powers over me just because they get busy with a guy in a band just to get a VIP pass makes me furious.
So I ask the girl, "What gives you this authority?" in which I am told "We are guests of the band."
Now I know for sure I am not going to back down to this kid.
Just because you are on a guest list doesn't mean you're better than the people around you. In fact it just proves your too cheap to support the bands.
So I tell her "When Terry Harper (the promoter) comes up here and tells me to move I will, but you don't own this piece of the floor or the rail."

She then goes to say that the band is the one who wants me to move cause they don't want me to steal there merch.
So now the story has changed from "You have to be VIP " to "the band doesn't want you to rob them."
So I then decided to ignore this thorn of the Earth and watch Fear Before The March of Flames.
After they are done, the merch guy tells me I need to move. I don't listen to him, after all hes a merch guy that seeks power.
So I then hear him start yelling at people in front of the merch table saying "If you aren't buying our merchandise please leave the area" and then giggling like he was acting gay, but really he was straight. Why do scene kids do that?
Anyways, to give you an idea of where we were standing I have drawn this quick photoshop image:


We aren't even bothering them! Nor are we behind the table at all!
So the guy he is yelling at gets pissed off and says he's not even near the table! The guy leaves and then all the sudden I feel the heat of a light on me.
The merch guy is shining his merch light on me!
Now I am pissed.
I ignore it, even though I want to smash the light in his eyes.
Between the Buried and Me goes on and he turns off the light.
At this time he starts throwing down stickers to the crowd in which he receives looks of "Why are you doing this, I don't want this" from the crowd below.
So sometime during this, most of the band comes up and sits behind the merch table.
After BTBAM finishes, the merch guy turns on his light on me again and the band then starts heckling people to move unless they are buying their merch.
Keep in mind none of the other merch guys around them are complaining about anything, and they actually don't have as good as a spot as them, being in the corner and all.
So during Norma Jean, the band throws an empty box of CD's down on the kids below. This gets the security guards attention and he flashes his light at them.
So it goes on and I hear the band making fun of certain kids down below, when they themselves have the hair of he who must not be named.
So one of the members throws something at a kids below and now the security guy starts coming up the stairs after them, when a fight breaks out in the pit and he goes there instead.

On the last song of Norma Jean, I go down to the pit to make a fool of myself. After it's over, I notice something on my butt.
A sticker shown below:


I am raving mad.

I run back up to the merch table and slam the sticker at the merch guy and promise the demise of him and his band. He just smiles.
I then decide to keep the sticker to make sure I would remember the name and so everyone could see the proof.

So I ask you, Myspace, World, for me:
BOYCOTT THESE DOUCHE BAGS!
If you didn't get their myspace here it is again:
They are on tour with such amazing bands such as Greely Estates, sure seems like they are playing with some talented acts! (insert hints of sarcasm)

myspace.com/blessthefall

Give those guys hell. Make them know that Kentucky doesn't want them here.
Their music blows anyways.
We don't need another one of these


Also

Chasing Victory on Dec. 15th
I need help
and Bands.

Currently listening : Floating World By Anathallo Release date: 06 June, 2006

12:36 AM - 10 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Anathallo

11:39 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment