Bouncing Souls » Comet Tour » Milvale, PA

» Linds

It's time to taste what you most fear.

I rarely post and/or take photos of myself, but I guess this may be an important thing to document in my life that I might want to look back on some day, right? Taking pictures with my Nikon is really strange to me, with it being a such a big, heavy camera and with the lens and all but the new live view shooting mode does make it pretty easy and interesting. Yeah, here's my face. That's all.

Oh, I guess I do want to mention (my shirt reminded me!) that this past Wednesday, Corpsey gave me a free ticket to go with her to see Jello Biafra at Altar Bar, in Pittsburgh. I must say, that was definitely one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time. I was so close to passing up the opportunity just because it seemed like too much of a hassle and took too much energy, but now I can certainly die a littler happier after hearing that voice live, that is for sure! What an amazing man! I get giddy thinking about it. It was pretty moving in some strange way? You know how I feel about live music. It was a crazy day of work and then going to a show. Being on my feet all day and drinking on top of that was pretty exhausting. Not to mention I had to go into work early the next morning, on about four hours of sleep, and work a ten hour day. You know what, though? It's a night I'll never forget and that's what matters. If you would have asked me on Thursday at work, I may have told you otherwise, but I impress myself sometimes when I put my mind to it. No, but seriously, I would have been kicking myself for life for not going, if I wouldn't have!

» Linds

Church of Level Tracks

Ever feel like you need a vacation from your mind? I do. Pretty often.

 Last night I went to go see Tim Barry play at the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh. I'm really happy I forced myself to make the effort to go. So many things just get put off because well.. a lot of times it just seems easier not to? Sad excuse, but true, nonetheless.

 I had originally saw Tim open up for The Bouncing Souls and The Gaslight Anthem several years ago. I instantly was in love with his music. I remembered he came through Pittsburgh a short while after that but it was 21+ and I hadn't turned 21 at the time. I'm glad I got the opportunity again and I know I would have completely regretted not going. Sometimes that happens.. more often then it probably should.

 It was nice to get out of town. Nice to do something. Spend time with my sister. Get away from the daily grind. The dirty apartment. The dishes. The chores. Dirty liter boxes. Annoying alarm clocks. Try to forget about work. Money. Cars. Try not to think ab out anything. Just enjoy the moment. The people watching. The drinks. The spontaneity. The night time. The environment. The city. The music.

I love small venues like bars so much.  Tim even came into the crowd and played acoustically for a song or two. It was so intimate and moving. A great performance. One that leaves you going to bed feeling all giddy and waking up the next day still feeling that way. I needed that.

Ahhh, yes, music..... this is why I love live music in particular so much. It's a total escape from life. There isn't anything comparable, in my opinion, and hardly anything I love more.

 Happy Weekend.

» Linds

Happy Days

I'm pretty happy today. It's unusual for a Thursday but let me tell you why....

First of all, look at these photos of Ick. I took these a while back when I was home visiting with the ferrets. They really weren't too pumped at all about the ball pit like you'd think, but it did make for a super cute photo op.

I'm just glad to be home.. after a long day at work, with no break. Plus, it is Thursday, so that means, no children at work tomorrow because it's Friday. No children till Monday. I do love my weekends. Plus, coming home to these little furry critters.. all  5 of them. On top of that, Michael was off today so I got to see him earlier than 10PM. That's a good reason to be happy.

But... what is making me even happier this week? Well, Tuesday I found out that 2 of my favorite bands are stopping in the Pittsburgh area within the next few months.... The Bouncing Souls and Modest Mouse.

Of course, you know, The Bouncing Souls are my all time favorite but it's been a few years since I've saw them in my own city. It cannot compare to the shows in Jersey, I know that much, but it was be very convenient and I'm looking forward to it very much. I can't wait to check out their new record.

As for Modest Mouse, I've been pretty jealous for the last couple years over the fact that Michael got to see Modest Mouse before. I was beginning to think I'd never ever get to see them because they are constantly over seas or just playing here or there, never anywhere close.

So.. I got tickets to both this week and it's definitely something I'm pretty excited about. If you know me, you know how giddy concerts make me. This makes my summer.. no matter what other crappy situations are going on currently or are going to happen within the next few months.

I was seriously very close a couple times on splurging and buying tickets to see Modest Mouse in Atlantic City at some big festival. Going to Atlantic City, in general, is something that's been on my list of things to do, but I know deep down how much I loathe festival concerts and getting the time off work and the drive.. it just would have been a hassle all around.

I was also close at some point to buying tickets to see the Souls in Philly because I was going to withdraw of seeing them. In hindsight, I'm so glad I never got crazy and went through with purchasing tickets to either of these. This is so much better.

I would like to believe this is one of those  "everything happens for a reason" things but I'm not sure if I believe that. Though, sometimes it's nice to.

However, I know The Adicts are playing in Cleveland next month and I love The Adicts.. hands down, some of the best, most entertaining shows I've ever attended. Plus, the first time I saw them was also in Cleveland at Peabody's. Brings back so many good memories, but as for funds and time off work, I'm not sure sure the stars are completely aligned for me.

Not completely, but close.

I must mention, too, that Primus is coming back to Pittsburgh. It really hasn't been that long since I was fortunate enough to see them, but I think they are another band I could see time after time and never get enough. I haven't got tickets for that, but I think it is something I'd like to do. If not, I'm sure I'll kick myself for it when the day comes and I'm not there.

Oh, and Tim Barry is playing at the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh next week. I first saw him several years ago when he and The Gaslight Anthem opened up for The Souls in Pittsburgh. I fell completely in love and I haven't had the opportunity to see him again yet. I'm thinking this is something that need to happen and there isn't really any reason that it shouldn't.

One more thing, I was just reminded when I typed that, The Gaslight Anthem is coming out with a new record. In fact, I just read they are releasing the first single off of it very soon. That is also another new record I can't wait to hear! But you know what that means... new record calls for a tour. Let's cross our fingers that Pittsburgh is on their agenda!

Okay, so that is probably more than a few things to be happy about. Let me soak it all in.

» Linds

Pinch me!

Sorry for the lack of post the last couple days. I've been pretty busy.

Friday I took off work because I had planned on going to see Primus with Laura that evening at Stage AE. Somehow it all worked out even more perfectly because on Wednesday morning I had found out Leftover Crack was playing at Altar Bar on Thursday night!

Here's a couple Instagrams I snapped.. I love my camera, but unfortunately, I'm rarely allowed to take it into venues with the detachable lens and all. I did get a couple quick couple minute videos. I'm sure they are bad quality all around but perhaps I'll post 'em later because I know looking back on them will bring a smile to my face.

 Les Claypool of Primus @ Stage AE in Pittsburgh

 Stza Crack of Leftover Crack @ Altar Bar in Pittsburgh

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. So far so good over here. Tomorrow afternoon I get to shoot some engagement pictures and I'm off work Monday, also! Ahh.. niiiice.

xo, Linds

Landlocked Blues

Thursday night, Michael and I went to go see Bright Eyes at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. I'm still a little giddy over the whole thing. Nothing can make me as happy as going to a good concert. I still feel all bubbly inside when I think about seeing The Adicts. It's a kind of long-lasting happiness that I'm always ready to refresh!

This is the first time I saw Bright Eyes but I saw Conor with the  Mystic Valley Band twice before. I was excited to hear some of my favorite Bright Eyes songs. Here's a few of my faves they played:
-Landlocked Blues
-Bowl of Oranges
-Road to Joy
-Lua
-Hot Knives
-The Calendar Hung Itself
-Something Vague
-Lover I don't have to Love

I'm sure I'm missing a ton. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take any pictures this time. That's about the only downfall of having a camera with a detachable lens; I'm usually not prohibited to take it in a lot of venues. Besides, there was a TON of people there and I didn't really have the best view.
Here's a few more pictures from the previous show at a smaller club/bar/venue that I'd like to share instead:

I hope the computer continues to cooperate with me. It's been super frustrating. Now that the computer is working, our internet keeps going off and on!! Oh my. I need to get back onto some kind of blogging schedule. I was on a roll for a while. I still have tons of ideas swarming through my head.

I don't have any real solid plans for today. Michael and I were talking about thrifting this afternoon. I guess it's time to shower up and see what happens!

Happy Saturday!

xo. Linds

All photos on this post are copyright of Lindsey Evans.