memnus: A stylized galaxy image, with the quote "Eternity lies ahead of us - and behind. Have you drunk your fill?" (Default)
Brian ([personal profile] memnus) wrote2003-11-07 07:47 pm

Ataris concert

Robin declined to go. I moped around the dorm a bit looking for company, but East is not the best place to find hardcore fans of emo/ punk/ mainstream/ whatever-the-Ataris-are-considered fans. So I grabbed some earplugs (on Victoria's suggestion) and headed down.

I wandered in, got frisked, sat down, and approximately 3 seconds later the lights dimmed and Vendetta Red began their set. Immediately I was thankful for two things. First, the bass was not only so loud that I could feel it in my chest, but I could also feeling it moving my shirt, pants, and arm hairs. I thus realized that Robin would be infinitely happier doing her Foo-yah than suffering that, and put her absense out of my mind. I was also thankful for the earplugs that reduced the volume from icepick-to-the-eardrum level to loud-but-bearable level.

Vendetta Red was okay. Mostly it seemed like bass and a screaming lead singer, neither of which I appreciate, but they also had some decent melodic pieces. I kinda felt sorry for them, though, because they were very much upstaged by the Ataris, and their fanbase could have been better. I did, of course, hear some calls of "The Ataris suck, yeah Vendetta Red!" Not my sentiments.

The Ataris opened with a song I don't know, then segued immediately into 1-15-96. Frankly, I consider this song to be the best piece the Ataris have ever done. I stood up with the crowd, and would have crowded the stage if my side of the theatre hadn't had the Aisle Nazi From Hell for a security guard. If you even looked like you were thinking of walking farther forward than your assigned row, she'd glare and wave her finger violently at you. So I stayed in my place, put my hands in the air and waved them like I don't care. The music washed over me, and it was all worth it. They played a mix of old and new, playing the crowd by leaving San Dimas HS Football Rules for their encore, and dragging a fan out of the audience to play guitar.

It's really a pity that their best-known song, The Boys of Summer, is not their own. They've got so much that they deserve credit for, and they do a good job with that song, but it's not their best. I was also struck hard by Summer Wind Was Always Our Song, and tried to submerge myself in the music, to banish the memories and dry up the tears, but I failed. I'm glad no one was paying attention to me. (Edit: actually, I think it was The Saddest song that got to me worst.)

I returned to the dorm in a much better mood than I left it, and today has done nothing to squelch that mood. It will be a good weekend.

click

[identity profile] artificialfurr.livejournal.com 2003-11-08 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I wish I could have gone. I was really pissed that I missed Vendetta Red at Warped Tour this year. Depite most of their screaming songs their softer songs like "Shatterday" are really good. I'm glad you had fun, why don't any bands that I want to see come here??

[identity profile] memnus.livejournal.com 2003-11-08 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought you got some awesome concert during Orientation, though? Or am I making things up?

[identity profile] artificialfurr.livejournal.com 2003-11-08 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh glorious, glorious orientation. But besides that it seems like all the action is in L.A., which is three hours away which can be quite a drive when I don't have a car.