The Warped Tour rocked. The
The Warped Tour rocked. The outside venue was rained out, so they started turning people away at the gates (even if you had a ticket) per the fire marshall's orders. Limited space in the Reliant Center was the reason given, but regardless of logic, fights ensued. I was already inside and enjoying the scenery. The skaters were great, but there was one skater that caught my eye and I found inspiration. He had no foot. Yeah... that's right. This guy had no foot and basically had a small prosthetic that imitated a foot, yet he was doing all the jumps, spins, and tricks that the two footed guys did. Amazing. There were a lot of bands that performed today however, the ones that I wanted to see specifically were The Eyeliners, Lagwagon, and NOFX. I wanted to see the Eyeliners because I had to work the last time they came into town. I stopped by their booth after their performance to tell them I liked the show and the lead singer kept telling me that she knew me from somewhere. I don't think I have one of those faces... you know, that are easily mistaken for a lot of people. During one of the later shows, this girl got passed over the area I was at and was accidentally thrown in the pit. Obviously, no one was there to catch her and she landed on her head. Mike and I were screaming at these idiot kids to pick her up and get her out of there... finally, they listened. There was no way we could get there in the fray, but eventually they drug her out. Her eyes were glazed and she was semi-conscious. Obvious concussion, but maybe there was more damage. Poor girl. Remember kids: if you're going to surf the crowd, stay away from the mosh. Mosh = ouchie. Anyway, the pressure wave during NOFX was a little much and I had to struggle to get out to the edge. I was wearing some Jincos, a surf tee, and sandals... note to self: sandals are not a good thing to wear when everyone around you is in combat boots. I think 90% of the folks there were tatted or pierced in some (or many) ways. Very nice. Also, there was this beg tent labeled "reverse day care - parents only" for chaperoned teens to place their parents for the duration of the show. they had movies and refreshments. I thought that was absolutely clever. It was great all and all except for the $3.25 water, $5.75 beer, $4.75 plain hot dogs, $3.00 chips, etc. I suppose that's the norm though, so you just have to go expecting those prices. The coolest thing was how there were so many punk bands that were more interested in getting their name out there than getting paid, so you could get compilation CD's for a dollar each. I think I came home with 9 or 10 CD's that were $1.00 each. Many of them have more than 20 tracks. Good deal on some good tunes! I went to the tour with Mike and his niece, but left with Sam and Lou. They were going out afterwards and that sounded appealing. They asked me for a suggestion. I picked the Richmond Arms. They make a pretty mean spicy bloody mary there... yumm! We didn't stay long before we decided that we didn't have our fill of live music yet (I think that when live bands are involved, I am truly insatiable... I love live music!). The closest place with a band was Outback Pub on Fountain View. It was a cock-rock hair band ala 80's style... gawd how I wished Harry was there with me. I wouldn't be the only one there simultaneously offering the devil-horn salute and laughing so hard in reminiscence that tears were rolling from my eyes. They sucked soooo bad and rocked at the same time.... if you know what I mean... I get such a kick out of those time capsule guys. Bad perms and Spandex... what more could you ask for? Anyhoo, another thing I thought was hilarious... everyone at the bar dresses exactly the same! Well, maybe not exactly, but the same style... little meat market cookie-cut fashion. The guys wear the same type of pants and the same cut shirts... the Roxbury Compound. The girls all shop at the same mall stores. They all stand around looking at each other... waiting for some magic moment when mystically, they'll find themselves enthralled in stimulating conversation about his sportbike and how much he can bench or how her friend is so superficial, but she has real goals. You know, world issues. I couldn't take much of it... the sarcasm was bubbling inside and I quickly grow exhausted from speaking and watching my words fly over the heads of the deer in the headlights patrons. Maybe I need another drink... or two. I asked Sam if he'd mind taking me to Taqueria Tapatia down the street. He was down and I had some latino goodness. Queso, guacamole, and chiliquilles... just what I needed. After the feasting, Lou and Sam dropped me off here (home). A great day. Did I mention I love live music?
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