done it all before

When I was in the 7th grade, I was introduced to Taking Back Sunday. It was back in the day when John Nolan was still in the band and it wasn't just annoying ass Adam thinking he was so awesome for being able to swing a mic around. Through that band though, I fell in love with their "rivals", Brand New. The lyrics of a certain Jesse Lacey spoke to me more than anything I could've ever imagined. I figured that BN would be the soundtrack to my high school years.

And Deja Entendu came along. And The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me came along. Both reaffirmed my previous beliefs.

At the end of my high school years, Third Eye Blind seemed destined to take over the oh-so-coveted spot of my favorite band. But as I began my university journey, Daisy came out. It isn't my favorite Brand New album of all time, let alone my overall favorite, but it spoke to me. It helped me fall back in love with my first true love.

And last night, I got to meet my true love, face to face.

The concert as originally at Stubb's BBQ on the 27th. Some sort of weird thing must've happened because I then received an email from the ticket agency and the band street team telling me the concert was now the 28th at La Zona Rosa. It was all fine for me. I knew I'd be seeing my favorite band regardless.

A friend of mine dropped me off after my odd weekly BioFeedback sessions. I managed to get in line inside. Within minutes, the line to get in was curving around the small venue. I was to meet someone there and she arrived later than I did so I had to wait in line on my own. I stood in front of some nice people who made fun of someone we thought had arrived with his mother. Eventually, after 6pm, the doors opened. I guess I hadn't realized how many people were in front of me because the stage was already packed by the time I got there. I looked around for a good spot and found myself on the right side. Finally the person I was to meet up found me and we stood and talked. She saved my spot as I went and got a Tour t-shirt. I'm wearing it as I write this.

The wait felt like forever and I was skeptical of how I would be able to see things. Two skinny yet tall guys stood in front of me. But then there was this terrible fat couple who could do nothing but make out the entire show. They also smelled. There was a spot in front of the barriers that the person I met up with kept telling me to go for since I am so small. I was about to ask if I could stand in front of someone when Thrice came out. The lights went off and I made my move. Best move I've ever made.

Thrice was boring. All their shit sounds alike. The bouncer in front of me, who I dubbed Carlos, and the people around me made fun of the 5 people who were into Thrice's set. They sang a few songs and finally it was time for what I had come for.

Musically, Brand New is top notch. They sound great live. But as a show in general? The band doesn't interact with the crowd as much as I thought they should. There was no acknowledgment of them even playing in Austin. There was no real talking to the crowd at all. Are my standards just high? Or is Jesse Lacey the saddest man in the world? It's almost as if he lives in a permanent Blue Period. He honestly looks like he can't bear to be on stage. I still sang along and screamed and clapped and jumped up and down. Jesse's mood wasn't going to ruin my time.

In the end, I lost my voice and my body is still in pain. But I got great pictures and Jesse's pick from Carlos, the friendly bouncer. Afterwards, I got some Wendy's and ended up watching some Whitest Kids U Know and Scream in my RA's room.

Are Brand New still my favorite band of all time? Yes. Without a doubt. But was it the best show of my life? Nope. Third Eye Blind takes the prize for that.

I still have one more class to go today. Before that, I will try to download the new Lil' Wayne mixtape. I still have no costume for Halloween. I hope that gets fixed soon.

Until next time.