a little magic, a little kindness

I saw Stamps last night at the Beat Kitchen. I wanna take an opportunity to reflect on this amazing evening by typing my fingers off. Here’s what happened;

My friend and her dad were the ones that took me. We got there around 4:45 and there was already around under 10 people standing in line. We went inside right away. I got my name crossed off and there was some problems getting my friend and her dad in. I had asked Bob a few days ago if he could save 2 tickets for them but I never gave and he never asked for their names so they weren’t on the guest list. Taken aback, we went in line outside. Not knowing what I should do, I noticed 2 guys standing outside the back door of the Beat Kitchen. I went over there and asked if they knew Bob. They did, so I explained the situation. He asked for my name and he said how he loved my last name, which in my name is a complete disaster. Anyway, Bob eventually did come out around 20 minutes later. I watched as he looked walked toward us with a slightly bewildered facial expression haha. I asked him if he still had those tickets and sure enough, he went in and got them. Man, we got lucky. 

The show started at 6. The first band was Famous Like You. Not going to bash on them. Then was Farraday. I am going to bash on them. The lead singer was a chick and she was wearing a skimpy outfit. I don’t think it really qualified as shorts or whatever the hell it was. It was just barely under her ass and the neck whole in her top was exposing her bra strap. Not very classy. So yeah, I hate her looooooool. 

Then STAMPSSSS! I was in the front row, standing in front of Bob. When he was setting up, he acknowledged me with a nod. He then went on of joking about he should just play with all the effect pedals and then people would say “I hate this band, I hate him!” Oh you had to be there. He was making a weird face at me when I told him that I liked his shoes. I just felt obligated to do it! He always has awesome shoes. Bob and Ren were cracking jokes on stage before their set started for a good 10ish minutes, mainly Bob. I wish I could remember some.. I remember Bob saying how he was rich because he was wearing a leather jacket.

When they played, I was not really expecting what was about to be played. I was blown away. It was so different and so refreshing. It’s a giant step up from their past more laid back California rock style. They still maintained their strong sense of pop music. I wouldn’t call it techno. I’d call it refined or organic tinged electronic music. I only recognized three songs, Modern History, I Won’t Tell A Soul, and a song that Ren had written before she entered Stamps, Tell Me True. Whoever doesn’t like Stamps’ new sound can go eat a dick. I’m serious. I mean I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed because they didn’t play any old songs. I remember have somewhat mixed feelings at the show because I still longed for more songs related to the songs off Tramps and Ventures. I’m not complaining. This band is going to get so far and I’m so excited for them. 

After their set, my friend and I went to the back of the room. I am SO glad we did that. The headlining band, Goldhouse, was more aimed at the crowd that enjoys that mainstream shit on the radio today. I honestly couldn’t stand them. They had these lights that would probably given someone 19 seizures if they were prone to them. Almost their entire set was electronic, so it wasn’t even live music. I was in the way back, so I only saw 2 guys on stage. But anyway, before Goldhouse’s set, I met up with my friend and bandmate and met his friends and mingled with them. I then bought 2 shirts, Stamps of course. Drew was in charge of the Stamps merch, so it was nice to see him again, and he recognized me so that was really cool. But back to Goldhouse; During their set, I saw Darren and Mike! They were standing there nearly stoned face side by side behind me, maybe 5 feet from me. I really wanted to go over and say hi, but I got that feeling that they just wanted to be normal people at a concert. I made eye contact with Mike but that was it. Ah well. In the middle of their set was when I greeted Hannah and Ren. I talked to Hannah first. Well, really screaming in her ear. She asked me what I thought of the songs and I was gushing over how good it was. I got a picture with her and so did my friend. Ren came over and we hugged and it was basically the same situation with Hannah. 

When Goldhouse’s set ended, the majority of the audience was still inside conversing. Ren came over to talk to me again. I talked to her for maybe 7 minutes. Eventually, we all went outside and stood in the cold and talked. We were all waiting for Bob to come outside for literally a half hour. It was worth it though, even thought he didn’t come out. Adam did. He initiated a hug to me and we talked about the show and everything and made jokes and took pictures and yep. 

That’s pretty much it, folks. Company of Thieves in 12 days, bitches