First concert?
New Kids on the Block, Magic Summer Tour, September 14, 1990 at Dodger Stadium. 60,000 sold out. 2nd row seats. INSANE.

Who did you go with?
Two middle/high schools friends Erin and Claudia. Erin’s parents drove us.

Last concert?
Phantom Planet’s final show at The Troubadour on December 12. *sniff*

Who did you go with?
I went alone.

Was it your idea to go or were you invited?
I got my ticket the day they went on sale. Everyone else lost out.

How many concerts have you been to?
If I include TV show tapings, then close to 300.

Best band to see live?
Duran Duran. Blur. Phantom Planet. James. The Hives. Ash.

Worst band to see live?
Run Run Run. The disLike.

Life-changing concert?
April 1, 1999, Blur at The Mayan. I realized I never had to settle in regards to boys I dated. 7 days later I met Remi.

Best friend to go to a concert with?
Eddie, my partner in crime.

Worst Friend to go to a concert with?
Anyone who brings the drama!

Best thing to bring to a concert?
Tickets, digital camera, ear plugs, and comfy shoes.

Worst thing to bring to a concert?
Anything that will hold up the line to get in.

Best season to go to concerts?
All seasons.

Favorite concert location?
For nostalgia purposes, probably The Troubadour or The Roxy.

Best concert memory?
- The opening notes of “Serious” at the Voodoo Music Festival and JT noticing Eddie soon after, New Orleans, October 29, 2006.
- Getting invited to hear the soundcheck before Blur’s show in Vancouver and being treated to Damon singing a song he’d made up on the spot, Vogue Theatre, June 21, 2003.
- Ash roadtrip… getting into two shows free because Chaz put us on the guestlist, November 2-5, 2002.
- Crowd taking over the stage during Hot Hot Heat’s last song, Troubadour, January 30, 2003.
- Phantom Planet members only show, Club Vinyl, January 2, 2002.
- Somehow zipping straight through the crowd when Damon came onto the barricade and holding his hand for half a song, House of Blues Vegas, June 12, 2003.
- My moment with Chris when Coldplay played an amazing show at the El Rey, August 20, 2002.
- Nick handing me a rose and Roger shaking only me and Eddie’s hands when Duran finished their encore at the Roxy reunion show, July 15, 2003.
- Being front row for New Order’s set at Coachella and then having the security guards lift me (and other NO fans) out of the pit to escape the NIN crowd, May 1, 2005.
- James at Spaceland, June 6, 2008.
And SO MANY MORE!

Funnest thing ever done at a concert?
So many… most listed above and then some.

Worst thing ever done at a concert?
- John Taylor announcing at a Durannie convention that he was leaving Duran, then playing “Lonely in Your Nightmare.” BASTARD!
- Getting so drunk at Duran’s last HOB show during their stint (6 shows in a row in 2000) that I don’t remember most of the concert.
- The Linebacker. A Duranie who as soon as she got into the Joint in Vegas literally ran into those who were already at the front of the stage like a linebacker to shove them out of the way. One of the most insane things I’ve ever witnessed.
…And I’m sure there’s way more…

Longest concert ever attended?
Inland Invasion… or 3 day Coachella… or any Cure concert.

What’s the most you have paid for tickets?
All Madonna tickets. I think one was $250+. Ridiculous.

Upcoming concerts wishing to attend?
Not that I can do it, but Blur in London. OK Go when they announce more dates. And Duran. Always.

Age people should start going to concerts?
Whatever age they can appreciate the music.

Age people should stop going to concerts?
Day they die?

Stupidest thing to get at a concert?
Anything that is hard to keep nice if you buy it before the show starts.

Coolest thing to get at a concert?
T-shirt. Buttons. SET LISTS!

Most annoying thing at a concert?
POT SMOKERS. Jerks who push for no reason. And people who think they can just get around you to get a better spot when they haven’t been waiting as long as you have and then try to pick fights when you won’t budge. UGH.

Outdoor concerts or indoor concerts?
Depends on situation. Either is fine by me.

Clubs or larger venues?
Clubs.

Least favorite venue?
Viper Room for their lame camera policy. Greek Theatre for the awful parking.

Name three bands that you would love to see tour together:
Duran Duran, Blur… the Hives. Almost happened once when I saw the Hives followed by Blur at Coachella in 2003.

One band that you would love to see reunite for a tour:
It’s happening. Blur.

Do you prefer seats or the pit?
Pit.

Do you usually buy food/drinks at a concert?
Depends on if I was able to eat before hand or if I’m feeling like I need a drink that night.

Hardest concert you’ve had to get tickets for?
Probably Duran Duran at the Roxy for the reunion in 2003 or Weezer’s secret show at the Viper Room in 2001 or well, any “secret show”.

Best music to see live?
Whatever is your favorite.

Nudity at a concert:
Prince’s assless pants at the MTV Video Music Awards, September 5, 1991. I guess that’d be the first.

Drinking at a concert:
Sure.

Best way to end a concert:
With my ears buzzing, a smile on my face, camera full of great photos/footage, and stories to tell!

tired too. line is drama-full. just like life.

i’m lucky to have the hubby i do. he puts up with my mood swings. and gets me. i fall more in love every day. it’s sickeningly sweet.

spam sucks. as do folks like j. stover and w. wheaton.

i can take a joke. i can make fun of myself. i do. all the time. but when you knock my friends down and you’re not even near as witty as you pretend to be, watch out. we don’t need you. so get over your arrogance already.

episode III is not playing at grauman’s. paramount, adam sandler, mann’s, lucas = suckatude. miracle would be nice. can the new pope help?

but it’s all going to be alright. in the end. cause love is all you need. friendship matters. making a stand matters. having fun matters. life’s too short. not having passion in your life is sad indeed…

can you tell i slept in a tent on hollywood blvd last night? getting loopy. harleys are too loud. and screw safety. they’re loud just to piss off people who are trying to sleep through noises of dumptrucks and drunk people fighting. at least the crazy guy trying to set things on fire last night didn’t torch down any tents or the grauman’s theatre itself.

ok. i’m seeing new order next week. and going to coachella. and seeing good friends tonight and sleeping in line again. life is super awesome.

The more I hear about Coachella and the possible line up, the more I feel meh about the whole thing. Part of me wants to go. And seeing New Order live would make a dream come true. However, a lot of the bands supposedly playing I’ve seen plenty of times before. And it’s a lot of money. And it’s in the middle of the desert and super dooper ridiculously hot. And it’s during the Star Wars line. So I don’t know. Monday they announce the line up. Maybe I’ll finally get excited when I hear the full details.

One thing I’m extremely jumping around excited about is seeing Ash in March. I’ll be going to at least 3 shows. San Diego on March 25 and here at the Troub on March 26 and 27. The Bravery are opening for them so double the fun. CAN’T FRICKIN’ WAIT!

Oh… ORC! It was one crazy, busy, and fun weekend! I worked almost the entire time, which I was expecting, and didn’t see any of the actor panels, not that I cared. Just 5 minutes of being near all the fan girls that attended the convention and I was more than glad I spent the majority of my time in the sanctity of the art show. It was quiet and festive and filled with gorgeous Tolkien inspired artwork. And I got to meet Daniel Falconer, Ted Nasmith, Colleen Doran, and Tim Kirk along with many other amazing artists. I got two amazingly rad prints by Colleen and 1 amazing piece of art by an incredible amateur artist Olga Bosserdt.

I tried reading a lot of live journal accounts of ORC to get some idea what people thought of it and maybe see if anyone had comments about the art show itself. But I had to give up. The fan girl gushing was really giving me a headache. And the whole slash nonsense. If I only posted the things I know and have experienced, a lot of people’s fantasy worlds would dissolve. I wanted to read more Tolkien fan responses not just gushing about how cute Billy and Dom were when they hugged on stage. I think in time, the types of fans who come to ORC are going to change because we’re doing this next year and want to make it a big annual convention. There was a strong fan community for Tolkien before the movies and after the movie hype dies down, there will continue to be fans of all ages who are not just there to scream over a cute actor. Ok, enough ranting on that.

All in all, I think we did a great job running the art show and certainly learned a lot of what to do and not do for next time. I did get to enjoy a few things like the Women in Middle Earth panel (next time they need to talk about Ent-wives!). There was certainly an intimacy at this event that a big one like Comic Con does not allow for. And I’m actually quite happy and proud with my part in the event. It was great to see the entire convention turn out to be so successful!

Oh… one more oh! My wedding dress is now in at the shop. I think I’m going tomorrow to pick it up with my mom. Happy day!

First up… Ash’s latest album Meltdown is FINALLY getting a release in the US. From Filter:

Record Collection is proud to announce the US release of ASH’s new album Meltdown on March 8th 2005. The album’s release will coincide with a new Lucas Arts Star Wars videogame Republic Commando that features ASH’s single “Clones” as the theme song. This marks the first time Lucas Arts has ever used a band’s song in anything Star Wars related. The US release will feature exclusive bonus tracks and DVD footage not available on the European full length version of Meltdown.

Ash will tour the US in support of Meltdown this Spring.

Such Star Wars geeks. Love it!

Also from Filter:

According to BBC’s Channel 4, the newest album from post-Joy Division legends New Order will be released in February. The scheduled title is No Pain No Gain.

Oh, and I get to see the Hives tomorrow. And Elefant and the French Kicks are doing shows next month. Fun times ahead!