Bouncing Souls » Comet Tour » Milvale, PA

» 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

Asbury Park, New Jersey 2011; Videos

Before I forget to post these ever...... :) I took a lot of photos on this trip but unfortunately, couldn't take any at the shows at Stone Pony due to their camera policy. Luckily, I had my trust ol' iPhone with my to take some little videos. Now, I know they aren't at all the best quality but hearing and seeing them sure brings back some fuzzy memories for me! What a good post to end February with..

xo, Linds

Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park, New Jersey

One afternoon, we decided to do a little exploring in the hotel before we wandered outside. It's a pretty large hotel. There are several huge ballrooms. It kept us pretty occupied for a while. We found some dead end, dimly lit hallways, storage rooms, and stairwells. A little bit creepy. Kind of reminded me of The Shining. Ha ha. Just kidding. This hotel is seriously beautiful and I can't imagine staying anyplace else when visiting Asbury Park, New Jersey.

xo, Linds

Asbury Park, New Jersey 2011

As you know, I had been counting down until the last week of December to when I go to Asbury Park, New Jersey for all the Bouncing Souls Home for the Holiday festivities. Well, this year was no different. I had a great time and came home with a lot of photos to share!

So first.. I will give you a little sneak peek by posting some of the photos I snapped with my phone (via Instagram) throughout my days there. Unfortunately, I was not permitted to take my Nikon into The Stony Pony so these are the only actual pictures I've got as far as the shows go. Also, I didn't have my camera on me when we stopped in at the Pinball Museum. Total bummer! I think I will have to be even more prepared next year!

 Every year The Souls like to do something a little different with their set lists. In the past years, they have had contests for their fans to write set lists and last year, they we going to play through full albums start to finish. Well, this year.. a bingo machine chose their set list. Yep, each song was wrote on a bingo ball. Awesome concept and made for some very interesting combinations of songs!

Down below some of the shops on Cookman Ave., there is an old black and white photo booth that had been rescued from Palace Amusements. It takes them 3 minutes or so to print. The quality is amazing! I'm so glad I've got this fun little strip to hang on to forever. Great memories.

 That would be Stza. I honestly couldn't tell you if I was more excited to see Leftover Crack or The Bouncing Souls this evening. Such a tough decision! It was a great final show and went by way too fast!

 This is Cookman Ave. We ventured down there a couple days when we were in town. They have an antique emporium that I could have spent a life time tinkering through! There is also a sweet record shop in this building pictured. Downstairs is where the photobooth is located.

 There were also a couple Skee Ball machines at the Pinball Museum. Laura was really so much better at it then me. She beat me like 3 times!

 An Elvira Pinball machine called Scared Stiff. This one was pretty fun.

 This was the view from our hotel. I'm not sure how we lucked out and got a ocean view but it was definitely a treat to look out the window and see this every morning and every night!

 The Bouncing Souls, of course.

 This little shop on Cookman Ave. had a music store downstairs where the meet and greet for The Bouncing Souls happened earlier before the final show. I was the only one that had a pass for this, so I went by myself, or else maybe I would have took a camera for some pictures. They are a bunch of very nice guys and it actually wasn't too nervous to meet them. After seeing them play probably more than a dozen times live, they just kind of feel like old friends.

More pinball goodness. We were no pinball wizards, though. That's for sure.

 Thee boardwalk.

 Stza of Leftover Crack.

 Greg of The Bouncing Souls.

 Michael hanging out in the lobby of Berkley hotel.

 Bryan of The Bouncing Souls.

 Obey in Asbury Park.

 The Bouncing Souls.

 Pinball.

 We set the alarm so we could wake up and watch the sun rise over the ocean. Waking up early sounds miserable but it was completely worth it. Such a beautiful thing to see.

 The Bouncing souls with the Bingo machine.

This was my favorite pinball machine. It was exactly like the one in Detroit Rock City, one of my favorite movies. Right down to the sounds and everything. Perfect!

Hanging out in the lobby.  Berkley hotel is quite beautiful.

Lots more photos to share later!

xo, Linds