hello!

The crowd claps, jumps, flails around, sings along and would probably attempt cartwheels in the pit at his command. Girls lose their composure and scream like idiots when he's near, dying for the slightest trace of a smile or even the wave of a pinky. They elbow each other to get closer to him, resort to hair pulling, and endure extreme discomfort for his (and his band's) sake, some even cry or flip out upon meeting him. A taunting lift of his shirt, the promise of a peek-a-boo at his pale, skinny boy tummy, causes chaos to ensue. I've witnessed it myself. He has incredible power over a crowd. Charisma is his weapon and with it, he can get an entire packed venue to perform tasks at his beck and call. Countless have experienced it, and all have fallen victim to it.

(Photo Credit: jchevallier.buzznet.com}

"American and European teenage girls seem to lose all common sense and volume control of their voice whenever they see the tall, dark, and handsome William Beckett." - Sara (xblanksface)

I call it The Beckett Effect and until this past week, I knew but never fully understood exactly what it was like. The personality that pops out in video, through words, from song and out of photos is all the more potent when you are physically in its presence. For the duration of a 3 minute song at a time, one becomes completely enthralled. A spell is cast and you become prisoner to it.

I woke up this morning and my right calf muscle decided to take vengeance on me for Wednesday night, but I'm still functional enough that I can tell you guys all about it!

That's right dudes and dudettes! After much anticipation, Bill & Trav's Bogus Journey Tour featuring We the Kings and The Academy Is... finally arrived in California on Wednesday, and yours truly had the pleasure of being there to experience it first hand.

My companions were my friends (and dedicated TAI fans/SLH members) Heather and Janaye. We arrived at the House of Blues Sunset Strip about 6ish so Janaye and Heather could make it to the SLH meet and greet at 7. Janaye still needed her ticket, so upon arrival we wandered around in search of the box office.  None of us were familiar with the venue, so I just walked into the first open door that I saw. No one stopped me so I figured it was an okay direction to go.

"This is sooo sketch," Janaye commented. We chuckled as I led the way inside. Two steps into the doorway and to my left, emerging from a stairway, was a quite confused Mike Carden. My immediate reaction was SAY SOMETHING!:
As he walked past us, a security guard came up to us and asked us if we were lost. Apparently we had walked into the artists entrance...oops. The nice man directed us to the box office for Janaye and the bathroom for Heather and I. As Heather and I came out, we saw Janaye striking up a conversation with Jack the Camera Guy:

Jack: Are these your friends? Ohhhh, I'm REALLY sorry that you guys missed the meet and greet! Please don't freak out, do you want a poster? Here take a poster! Just don't freak out. You guys can probably still get early entry.

Frazzled and apologetic, he handed us some posters and explained that the House of Blues had pushed the door time, hence the meet and greet time, forward an hour and they didn't have enough notice to alert the SLH members of the time change (they need a mobile mob...) so the meet and greet was actually at 6 instead of 7. He assured Janaye that "we" would still get in early entry, and I alerted him of the fact that I was not SLH and would not be getting early entry. He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "So what?" and escorted us to the side of the venue for the early entry line. What an absolute sweetheart.

On the way there, we waved at a passing Butcher and Jack apologized again, "I'm really sorry you guys, but I can try to get you guys to meet someone after the show. I can't promise the whole band but I could probably get like, William or something. Just meet me at merch at the end and I'll see what I can do."

As we waited, the security guards reprimanded me for having my camera and told me it would not be allowed inside. I've snuck cameras in at HOB Anaheim before, but since security had seen it I did not want to take my chances. So sorry I didn't get much visual stimulation for you guys! I wish I had the skills to merit a photo pass =/. I walked my camera back to Heathers dad, but not before snagging a photo op with Cassadee from Hey Monday:

Isnt she adorable? I loved her outfit.

I told her that I was excited to see them live for the first time, and that I liked how catchy and infectious their songs were. She thanked me and gave me a hug, and I returned to the line to wait for a little while longer.

We entered the venue and made a bee line for the pit. So close to the barricade (behind one person, really), yet so far. There was still some breathing room, but we knew that would gradually change and we'd get more squished after each band.

Hey Monday kinda looks like they could have gone to my high school. The newest adoptee into the FBR/Decaydance family, you've probably heard of them at one point or another if you e-stalk PWentz at all. (He constantly mentions them on his blog and they contributed to the CFOB Mixtape.) Not gonna lie, Hey Monday is right up my alley. At the moment, the best way I can describe it (and I feel terrible for making this comparison), is a pura pop version of Paramore. (But wouldn't you wanna see Cass and Hayles singing a duet while Vicky-T backs them up for an estrogen charged side project in the testosterone pool that is Fueled By Ramen?) Complete with a clean cut sound, catchy riffs, bouncy beats, and stuck-in-your-head hooks to boot, I can tell they're going to fit in quite nicely around here. (Coincidence that they hail from the same area as power pop titans We The Kings?) Fresh off the Why So Serious? Tour with The Cab, This Providence, A Rocket to the Moon, and Breathe Carolina, the band exhibited a high energy, Cass provided vocal chops, and Alex kept making faces at the crowd while he played. Overall an enjoyable display. Expect them to really take off after this tour. Even if you dont like the pop sound, I guarantee that Homecoming will get stuck in your head. Speaking of, guess who decided to join in on the fun for a chorus or two:

 

Oh haiii Billiam!

This is one of the most genius promotional devices in the FBR/Decaydance bag of tricks. Bill and Cass harmonized while the crowd got really into it. The band was already putting on a good show, but for some reason as soon as William Beckett sets foot on that stage, things immediately get even better than you thought they could. A quality I am yet to wrap my head around. Luckily, the Bill-blitzers didnt get too crazy. Other noteworthy moments: Cass broke out the acoustic guitar for a rendition of their power ballad Candles and I really got a feel for her vocal talent. However, my favorite song is How You Love Me Now, which closed their set. It has mass appeal and should make for a good follow-up single.

Hey Monday's new album Hold On Tight is available now on iTunes and in stores. You can also check them out on MySpace and their official website. I totally recommend it.

Next up was the LA-based Carolina Liar, it must have felt good to be home. I had never heard anything of Carolina Liar before, and I found their sound to be a tad more alternative in contrast to the other bands in the lineup. So, *disclaimer* I may not sound as stoked on them, but really there's nothing negative to say. They make good music, they put on a show that I enjoyed watching, but I wasn't really into it simply because of my own personal preferences. Check out their myspace, and consider getting a few songs off their album Coming to Terms. I personally liked I'm Not Over and Show Me What I'm Looking For. My favorite moment was when Chad dedicated Show Me What I'm Looking For to anyone who was confused in life. That was deep. =D Heather fell for their guitarist, Rickard, who had this endearing, loopy, goofy grin the entire set. I don't think he dropped his smile once. As soon as Chad Wolf declared it their last song, I came to this realization...

We the Kings was next. I love those guys. They're really the ones who got me stoked for this tour in the first place (I've been waiting since I left the Hurley Stage at Warped Tour Carson). As the roadies made the switch between Carolina Liar's equipment and We The Kings equipment, the girls behind us tried to negotiate us out of our spots, assuring they would give us our spots back as soon as WTK was done. Unfortunately, I am the big We the Kings fan and would not budge.

[Tangent alert! If you don't care, just skip down to where We the Kings gets on stage.]

I overheard the girls complaining about the squish and the fact it was really hot, trying to get us to inch to the left or the right for them so they had wiggle room. Yeah right. In my opinion, you agree to a certain terms of service or etiquette contract upon entering the pit. These girls then began to strike up conversation with other girls around us, at which the boxing bell went off in my head. Lllllets get rrready to rumble! *Ding ding ding!* Its amazing to me how they were passive-aggressively trying to outdo each other based upon who had the better experience, got closer to that lead singer, caught this drumstick/guitar pick, or got beat up while defending their spot on the barricade. Maybe its because Ive been to enough of these now that Im a bit jaded, but all the stuff they were talking about though very cool, seemed ridiculously trivial to me. It was almost laughable how each one was trying to trump the other with a different band, different show, different member, all trying to get each other more jealous. But in the end, doesn't everyone win? Were all there to see the same great band. Why is there so much stress on that little extra stroke of luck? Why do we have to elbow each other in the face to catch a piece of plastic? I lobby for more sportsmanship in the pit. Just be happy for your fellow show goer, because you know what? They want it just as bad as you do.

[/rant] 

After what seemed like forever, We the Kings finally showed up. Their electrically charged set opened with Stay Young and the rest, though a blur, I can remember as best as this:

• Stay Young
• The Quiet
• Whoa
  
• Feel Good Inc. (Gorillaz cover)
• Skyway Avenue
• August is Over
• All Again For You
• This is Our Town
  
• Secret Valentine
• Check Yes Juliet

That's also a general idea of the order. Basically, the only songs missing off the album were Headlines Read Out and Don't Speak Liar (We the Kings - Self-titled debut is in stores now!). We the Kings writes the kind of songs you cant help but jump to. As expected, they put on an amped up show. Travis had the crowd eating out of his hand, DanDan got crazy behind the drum set, Drew was chill on the bass as always, and Hunter in his baseball cap was hilarious during Feel Good Inc. I am still amazed by how crazily the crowd responds to their music. The pit and the fangirls got crazy. Of course I wanted to jump around too and I fear for the safety of my phone at times, but I got one for you. Bit shaky though. (If you really want a better taste of what its like, check out my Warped videos):


They played The Quiet and All Again for You, which are my favorite songs and made me incredibly happy. Singing along to those for the first time was the most amazing feeling ever. I still wish I had my camera. I would have loved to share it with you guys. August is Over was a highlight too, since I happen to know its a personal favorite of the band and they were happy to play it, and This is Our Town was a treat since Travis came out and played the keyboard for us. The set closed with Check Yes Juliet, which is always always always fun. The Kings did not disappoint. =)


But thenn..Uh ohhhh, here comes the BIG SQUISH! As soon as We the Kings wrapped up, the battle to get ahead ensued. WTK fans left the pit, while TAI fans tried to fill in and get as close as possible. Lucky for me, I had become pretty good friends with the girl I was accidentally humping. I have no idea what The Academy Is...'s setlist was like, since I dont view myself as a fan (don't get me wrong, I really like them, but after being in that pit with "real" TAI fans, I am no way/shape/form that anywhere close to being a TAI fan) but I know they played a fuckton. XD Mostly off of Almost Here and Santi, only about 5 songs from Fast Times (Available Now!) I was surprised at how many songs I actually knew. Had they really been subconsciously beaten into me? Attention Attention, The Phrase that Pays, and We've Got a Big Mess on Our Hands were my personal highlights, along with The Test (acoustic). Here's my play-by-play of ups and downs.

I'm more of a big picture person so I was bummed that there were these two taller girls on the barricade, so this recap is a bit limited. All I really got was heads at times, and never really got to watch any Chizzy or Sisky, but I was still satisfied by the show produced by TAI. This is the first time I have ever legitimately watched them (walked by at Warped 06, watched a little bit last year at Sleeping With Giants, and seen them from afar at Warped 08. They just always show up with bands that I like, hence I title myself the accidental fan) so I was semi-familiar with their stage antics, but had never really experienced it myself. While watching I could tell there was something that set them apart from other bands I had seen, but I couldnt really put my finger on it. It couldn't have been just the fact that they're all really really ridiculously good looking...could it? I listened for awhile with my eyes closed and...nope. The music was still good! So what was it?! As I fell under the spell of The Beckett Effect (sounds like a band name...), I kept trying to figure out what it was about The Academy Is... when it hit me, they are genuinely doing it for the fans and you can tell. Just five guys on a stage with their instruments, playing their music for their audience and having fun in the process. I realized this when Billvy gave the most genuine and sincere thank you to us that I have ever heard in my short experience going to shows:

William: I just wanted to thank you all for sharing this with us and being here. We know how hard it is to get tickets to these things, especially this show, and driving out and all, so yeah. We just want you to know how much we really appreciate it.

It was absolutely sweet, and completely different from the usual YOU GUYS F*KN RAWK! THANKS FOR COMING that I'm so used to hearing, and I really believe that is the difference. As my friend Tyler once said, "I just like to play." Yes, thats it. The Academy Is... just likes to play. Well you know what? The fans like it too.

I apologize for not having a good idea of the setlist for you guys, but it was a heck of a lot of songs that I'm not personally familiar with, but enjoy singing along with. {Expect an edit here later, I'll get Janaye and Heather to help me out with this one.} In my limited view, I happened to fall for the quiet onstage intensity of Mike Carden, but I really can't get over how stunning William Beckett is. I still cant get over the amount of charisma that boy possesses. Anytime he got remotely close to the fans, they went absolutely nuts. As he walked back and forth, I swear it you were on the top level you'd be able to see the girls doing the wave or something. I just kept my arms up and tried to bat away the arms that were trying to rest on my head in order to reach for Bill. While the pit wasn't jumping around, I managed to get some video:


What I did not manage to get a video of was About a Girl, since I knew it would be omg lyk srs bsns for the fans and I didn't want to risk my phone. Partway through, none other than Trav "Travis" Clark waltzed out onstage to duet it up with Bill E. Beckett, Esq.

If it was a Fall Out Boy album, it would be called Folie a EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE PLACE!!! Janaye and I were dead center, and mid song, Bill and Trav decided to jump down into the photo pit to get a little bit closer, kinda cool in theory, but quite painful if you ask me. They extended their free arms out into the crowd and I had the "pleasure" of being stuck RIGHT in between the two areas where their arms reached. My arms were still up (they were pretty much up for all of TAI), so as Trav reached out, he unintentionally brushed past my arm. Then there was a MAD SQUISH as everyone on the right side of the venue was trying to get a piece of Trav, and everyone on the left was trying to get a piece of Bill. Once each side got their piece, there was a mad push in the opposite direction to get the other pretty boy. As the girls who got Trav reached for Bill, I got pushed over to the left and coincidentally, hacked at Williams arm. Girls on all sides of me were shrieking of excitement and gushing over the fact that they had just touched [insert name here].

Jeepers it was crazy. I was most entertained at the fact that after the song, Billvy's button-down was unbuttoned a lotttt farther down than when he started...

Afterward, to calm the kids down, they brought out the acoustic guitar and I got this yummy clip of The Test:

Everyone's favorite tatted up drummer, Travis Barker appears to be recovering from his recent accident slowly, but surely. Travis recently updated the masses from his hospital bed via MySpace blog: Read up...

Before MTV Games/Harmonix released Rock Band 2 this September, it was a highly anticipated release, but with Guitar Hero: World Tour hot on its heels and set for an October 26th release, it's supposed to give RB2 a run for its money (I mean come on they've got Hayley Williams!).

However, since September 14th, MTV and Harmonix have employed ever-so-skillful marketing schemes to immerse the public in RB2 promotion to take precautions against competing sales (even against themselves!), including a skit during the VMAs, a VMA Pre-party, a North American Tour, a commercial and even an in-game appearance by VP candidate Sarah Palin!!!

Eat that Hayley Williams! [source]

Now, MTV is taking it even further by premiering a Battle of the Bands style tv show.

VH1 Classic already did an internet competition earlier this month called Rock Band 2: The Stars featuring Alice Cooper and Sebastian Bach. In reality, it was just a prolonged commercial showcasing RB2's new features. The winners appeared last Friday night and played at the Staples Center just before Panic at the Disco's set. The 6-week competition is set to air on VH1 Classic at a later date.

But MTV is now taking it to the airwaves American Idol style with their new show Rock Band Battle:

Rock Band Battle is MTV's all new television competition based on the video game Rock Band! Be in the audience as everyday people, who normally moonlight as rock stars at home just like the rest of us, face off against one another in a battle of ROCK! The show harnesses the power of the Rock Band video game, the hit sensation that has taken casual gamers by storm and challenges the American public to form a band and rock out to their favorite songs on guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Now, for the first time, video game fantasy merges with rock star reality, as contestants will bring their Rock Band prowess to a real stage, performing for a live crowd and competing for great prizes. Each band will have their own identity, and their success will ultimately depend on the impression they leave on the audience.

Their first taping is next Thursday, October 16th at The El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, and you have tickets! Go ahead and thank me later. =P

Which leads me to my random question: Which of your fellow Buzznetters do you think would absolutely PWN at Rock Band Battle?

Last night, I had the pleasure of going to the Rock Band Live Tour at Staples Center in LA. I got there at about 8PM, just in time to hear The Plain White T's finish their set. I got into the arena, sat down next to BreeSays in our fake seats (there were people in our real seats) and quickly found out why the tour was called Rock Band Live.

Rock band LIVE! from Rosalie Anne Cabison on Vimeo.

Literally, a "band" went up on stage and played Rock Band 2...live. These guys who probably weren't much older than me and a severely un-hot William Beckett wannabe hopped up to perform a song by The Foo Fighters. They weren't bad at the game, but srsly? If I wanted to watch a couple of kids play Rock Band I would have stayed home and gone over to my neighbor's house. I guess it's cool in theory, you're on stage in front of a bunch of people and technically opening for Dashboard Confessional, but in practice? It's kinda lame, no different than just listening to the song really loudly in the arena since you don't get to hear the singer's actual vocals. I myself prefer reading text messages up on a jumbotron. The Wanna-Foo's follow-up act was an epic fail attempt at That's What You Get by Paramore, they almost failed a bunch of times but in conselation, the girl who was "singing" was wearing a cute outfit.

Two really loud Rock Band music videos, and at last a fedora-flaunting Chris Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional opened with Vindicated. 

He looks awfully hip for 33 years old.

I wouldn't call myself a Dashboard fan and I'm guilty of only knowing the likes of Chris Carrabba, but I like the music. (Or at least what I've heard, which is apparently quite a bit. I found myself singing along to wayy more songs than I would have guessed, but I only know the names of Vindicated and Screaming Infidelities.) Other songs I can remember that they played were The Good Fight, Thick as Thieves, Don't Wait, and These Bones. Correct me if I'm wrong. The band continued with a little surprise cover of El Scorcho by Weezer featuring a couple members of The Cab (Ian and Alex) Bree got this bit 'o' video:

Woo-hoo!

There's more on Bree's page and I got this jumbotron clip:

Dashboard on the jumbotron from Rosalie Anne Cabison on Vimeo.

From watching them and listening to them, I can see why they've been able to stick around for such a long time. I like their harmonies. The boys wrapped it up, thanked the other bands and got us hyped for PATD.

And then...more lame Rock Band 2 product placement, but the emcee dude promised a special surprise! Wonder what it could be!?

LOLWHUT?!?

...Wes Scantlin?! That was your surprise? You had Wes Scantlin from Puddle of Mudd sing Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi with some zomg best rock band evarrrr internet tournament geeks? Betcha he was drunk. [What is Puddle of Mudd doing these days anyway?] GTFO and gimme sum PATD! (Granted, you might be stoked if you like Puddle of Mudd and all, but come on, how many REAL Puddle of Mudd fans are going to be at Panic at the Disco?)

We thought the suffering was over, but this time it was FOUR rock band videos, including Man in a Box by Alice in Chains and a Barack Obama/Jada Pinkett-Smith looking (description courtesy of Bree's friend) digital character singing Girl's Not Grey by AFI. At that point, Bree and I were praying for the Panic boys to deliver us from KROQ-songs-that-should-be-retired-land. Wayyyy past their prime, let me tell you.

And now what you've all been waiting for:

=D

They're still the same band! from Rosalie Anne Cabison on Vimeo.
They just sound completely different! Lol.

Even though We're So Starving is only an intro to the album, I almost have a mind to say it's my favorite one off Pretty. Odd. I laughed really hard the first time I ever heard it and damn, it's catchy. In fact it's stuck in my head right now! 

Panic's new minimalist perspective on the stage show proved to me, a success. I never saw theatric Panic, so I can't say that I could make an accurate comparison. My only personal comparison point would be their VMA performance in 2006, which was disappointing to me. But the past is the past and I have incredible respect for PATD. They're finally letting the music speak for itself.

And believe me, it spoke volumes. I think they've matured a lot in two years and it shows.

If I'm not mistaken, Panic played highlight songs off Pretty. Odd., which I am now officially a fan of. Originally I just kinda liked listening to the songs, but after watching them perform live I can say I'm a big fan and supporter of the reinvention. I daresay that the songs sound better live and the cd does them no justice.

The setlist off Pretty. Odd. (as I believed them to be, in no particular order and thanks for help from my fellow reviewer Orchorde):

• We're So Starving
• That Green Gentleman
• Northern Downpour
• When the Day Met the Night
• She's a Handsome Woman
• Nine in the Afternoon
• Mad as Rabbits
  

Highlights and surprises included: *gasp!* some musicality involved? An amazingly sweaty and pitstained Brendon Urie showcased a ridiculous amount of musical talent on top of majorly improved vocal technique (I love his voice now, btw). At different points in the show he was either at the piano, had a guitar or had a bass while singing and even sat behind the drums for a bit! Ry Ross singing? Close knit four part harmonies? A keyboard? TWO drum sets? And a bajillion guitars to switch between on stage? The only thing missing was a string quartet and the kitchen sink! My PATD world was flipped upside down! I have officially adopted the mantra New PATD > Old P!ATD. I say good riddance you nuisance of an exclamation point! Say hello to periods in the middle of album titles! They absolutely excited my mind. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, it did:

Ryan Ross: Anyone in the mood for an old song?

That's right. Songs off of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off, Time To Dance, London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines, I Constantly Thank God for Esteban, The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage, But It's Better if You Do, and I Write Sins Not Tragedies (did I forget one?) populated their set, seamlessly woven in and adapted to their new mop-top and flowers inspired sound. Where can I buy this album? Like srsly, I like them better than the originals and for now I even like them better than Pretty. Odd.

We finally arrived in our musical journey to Nine in the Afternoon and I thought the show was over and the Panic boys were about to say goodbye when...

P.S. Not my video.

Oh yeah. I mean, not bad, but  ROFLrandom! I suppose it was a pleasant surprise but it definitely made me bury my face in my hands and SCHWAA?

Re-enactment of my reaction.

All in all, my experience was absolutely lovely, and definitely Pretty. Odd.

Again, thanks to BUZZNET for basically making this possible for me. Big e-hugs.

...and I'm not just quoting Panic at the Disco, I'm referring to BreeSays and Kindofadraag.

*sings* Therrre goes myyy heeroo...

If you didn't know, I got incredibly lucky and saw Dashboard Confessional and Panic at the Disco at Rock Band Live last night at Staples Center in LA. 50% of my entire thanks is due to the beloved Buzznet personnel. If you wanna skip to the show: click it here. But for those of you curious about my stroke of luck, here's how it all happened:

Yesterday I arrived home from rehearsal at about 5ish looking forward to my usual uneventful Friday night. I plopped down on the couch, started up the laptop, and proceeded to make my daily rounds on the interweb. When I got to Twitter, I had a new direct message from Bree:

breesays Hey, are you a fan of Panic/Dashboard/The Cab?

I was under the impression that she wanted me to write something about them or had a question, so I replied that I was a fan, but it was more music based and I didn't know much about the guys themselves. I proceeded to scan my twitter feed for fellow buzznetters' shenanigans [newageamazon, xblanksface, formerme, crash13 etc. etc. etc.] when I saw a tweet from Bree:

breesays I have 2 extra tix to panicdashboard tonight. youd have 2 meet me at staples center

2+2 = BREE WAS OFFERING ME TICKETS!

I don't live super far from LA (on the way home, we've gotten back in about 40 minutes), but with traffic it takes at its longest about 2 hours to downtown. It was 5:30 and I checked TrafficNow. It would be about an hour and forty five minutes. I'd never get there by 7, but it was worth a shot. After twisting some parental arms and convincing my cousin to drive me (I introduced her to Panic and The Cab), I was good to go. Now all I had to do was contact Bree and let her know...

...CRAP how was I supposed to contact Bree? It's not like she was on the computer, and of course I didn't have her phone number, but that's when

*triumphant super hero music* Carrie tweeted! The lightbulb in my brain went on. A frantic direct message to the Mistress of the BuzzMob and BAM! Carrie was in like flint (I'm not sure what that means, but Carrie said it so I figured I'd use it). I gave Bree a call and let her know that I wouldn't be there by 8 and asked if that was okay. She was absolutely amazing and told me that she didn't mind waiting outside for me since there wasn't a will call drop off option and she wasn't a huge Cab/PWT fan.

I wanted to hug her right there. So I threw a bunch of stuff in my bag (but no camera!! =/ I fail), pulled on a jacket and flew out the door. Things were pretty smooth as far as traffic went, until we neared Universal City/Hollyhood

Curse you Los Angeles and your infamous traffic.
I'm officially lobbying to pass Prop 1.

The entire way we drove behind a car with a bumper sticker that said I'm 64, White, Bald, and Voting for Barack Obama. I thought that was worth sharing.

Traffic wasn't stop and go so I remained optimistic, and we weren't off the hour and forty-five mark. My cousin and I stayed entertained via 102.7 (I haven't listened to the radio in ages) and came to the conclusion Jesse McCartney = LOLWHUT? but not bad and Katy Perry Hot and Cold = Surprisingly likable. Other than that, the ride there went off without a hitch. When we neared Staples, Shake It by my boys Metro Station came on the radio and I took it as a good omen. I texted Bree to ask her where she would be waiting for me, and I had my cousin drop me off so that Bree and her friend could go inside and didn't have to wait for us to find parking. I waited by the box office where she said she'd meet me and with apologies for sounding fangirlish...

OMG IT WZ BREESAYS! *le gasp* If any of you were ever skeptical as to whether or not Bree was a real person, she is, unless you are also skeptical as to whether or not I am a real person. There was the blue-streaked fidgety beauty in the flesh. (I really liked her jacket. It was shiny and golden.) It was really weird, I've never actually met any of my "e-friends" before. I think meeting Bree was like my equivalent to meeting MySpace Tom (though really, meeting Mark would be the Buzznet equivalent of meeting Tom. Y/N?) I thanked her so much and got the tickets from her and let her go inside. I turned around and locked eyes with a cigarette smoking Mason Musso from Metro Station, lacking red pants and no doubt fresh off their CityWalk performance Thursday night. I've talked to him before so I thought about waving or saying hi or something when we made eye contact, but my gut told me not to bother him.

Oh haiiii irony? Didn't I just listen to your song in the car?

My cousin met up with me and we went inside and sat next to Bree as The Plain White T's finished up their set.

I have a lot of good karma to pay back. In the meanwhile, a BIG ENORMOUS THANK YOU to Bree, Carrie, my cousin Anne, and of course, my parents!

Good old Mom and Dad =)

PART TWO! =D

I stumbled upon this mockumentary called 'Forming the Band' starring artist Moby, on a quest to start up a punk rock band with a couple of kids he found off Craigslist. Even if you're not a Moby fan, I guarantee you'll laugh. It's a smart bit of satire and I rofl'd all the way through. Just promise you'll stick it out until 2:20, k guise?

There's lots of FOB related madness going on this weekend, so I wanted to post so you'd all know about it! If you don't already know, that is.

• Right here on Buzznet! Folie a Deux: by YOU! Challenge: Create cover art for the album based on your interpretation of the CD title. Ten of the best entries will be chosen by the staffers, and one winner voted on by the community! Contest ends October 17th 10am PST
  

• There's another message from your friends, Fall Out Boy. Call the number, hear from Andy and Joe at the airport on their way to Europa! You really haven't added it by now? 847-512-4065
  

• Awwwwe, Japan gets all the fun! Along with the rumored dvd I talked about in my last digest, the Japan release will feature SEVEN bonus tracks, among them an acoustic version of America's Suitehearts (which is what I'm most jealous of) True FOB-ing Love reports the bonus tracklist is as follows:
  

  14） I Don't Care (Machine Shop Remix)
  15） America's Suitehearts (South Rakkas Remix)
  16） Pavlove
  17） America's Suitehearts (Acoustic)
  18） What a Catch, Donnie (Acoustic)
  19） I Don't Care (Acoustic)
  20） Beat It
  

  I'm super intrigued by the song Pavlove. That's a fun little play on words, and more psych jargon to boot! Mehh, it's a $40 hole in the pocket if you wanna get it shipped stateside =/

• TFL also alerted of a Sirius Satellite Radio appearance by Peterick tomorrow at 10AM on The Morning Mashup. I went to the Sirius website for a little more info:

  Fall Out Boy on The Morning Mash Up!
  Fri 10/10 7 am, 8 am, 9 am & 10 am ET
  Fall Out Boy has a new album coming out election day so daddy-to-be Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump are coming by to talk about it! Also, last time Pete was on the show his relationship with Ashlee was tested during the game “How Well Do You Know Ashlee Simpson?” This time Rich, Ryan, Stan and Nicole are going to test his daddy skills! We’ll also learn about FOB’s new venture into the movie business and their future tour plans.

  A daddy skills test? Sounds interesting...if anyone catches it, review the interview! Or better yet, record it for us! If you don't get Sirius you can listen in online using their 3-day Free Trial. It's worth it, right?
  

• Set your TiVos! FOBR announced that Fall Out Boy will be performing on NBC this Saturday. Don't miss it! Apparently there's a little bit of a surprise in store:
  

  Fall Out Boy is going to be performing "I Don't Care" and another song (we don't want to reveal too much!) on NBC this Saturday, October 11th at 8/7 central for Macy's Passport special!! Check your local listings.

  Oooh and another song? You think the other song will be Cooperstown? Or something else? What A Catch is slated for the next release (Oct. 14) would they play it for the first time for everyone to hear?

• BreeSays got a word in with Peterick about...well lotsa stuff! Check it it's a pretty sweet interview, as most of the Pete/Pat interviews are and we learn among other things that Patrick does an AMAZING Sarah Palin impression. I myself, decided to get creative thanks to a halloween costume idea by doroteathegreat:
  
  

More as it comes...stay tuned!

I got my Photo Finish newsletter today and ticket presale starts today, ends tomorrow. I don't live ANYWHERE near where the tour's going, so I can't buy tickets but I'm sure some of you can. I have no problem sharing the love:

Envy On The Coast will be hitting the road this December with hometown friends TAKING BACK SUNDAY as guests on their Winter Tour! A limited number of tickets have been held for our fans and will be available through an exclusive Ducat King presale that starts Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 10:00AM Local Time and ends Friday night, October 10, 2008 at midnight! THE PASSWORD FOR THIS EVENT IS: NEW (not case-sensitive)! Click here to buy tickets!! Tour Dates: Dec 3: Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Amphitheatre Dec 4: Mission, TX @ Las Palmas Race Park Dec 5: El Paso, TX @ Club 101 Dec 6: Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Pavilion Dec 7: Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre Dec 9: Tulsa, OK @ Cain s Ballroom Dec 10: Columbia, MO @ Blue Note* Dec 11: Loves Park, IL @ Victory Sports Complex Dec 12: Louisville, KY @ Club Oasis Dec 13: Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room Dec 14: Toledo, OH @ Civic Theatre Dec 16: Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa Dec 17: Winston Salem, NC @ Millenium Center Dec 18: Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club Dec 19: Knoxville, TN @ The Valarium * - Presale for the Blue Note show ends 10/9 at midnight. Visit their Myspace Page for the latest Envy On The Coast news and a full list of tour dates!

Click here to purchase on iTunes PFR Store

XOXOXO,
PFR

Anyone else smelling a nostalgia trend in TV this Fall?


Riding in on the nostalgia trend that has hit television, ABC Family just picked up a pilot episode for a TV series based off the beloved 90's comedy 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, that girl from Alex Mack, and that dude from 3rd Rock from the Sun.

The movie's director of "10 Things", Gil Junger, will also shoot the pilot, which is written and executive produced by Carter Covington. The series will focus more on sisters Kate and Bianca Stratford in facing their new high school environment. "10 Things" is based on the Heath Ledger romantic comedy film which was also starred by Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film itself was based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". - [source]

So they got the original director to sign up, big whoop. Gil Junger hasn't done anything cinematically notable since 10 Things I Hate About You. Wasn't that hard to get him anyway since the guy's pretty much contracted with ABC. I suppose putting it in his hands brings the original vision of the movie, and his experience directing TV will help adapt the big screen to the small screen. It all depends on how much you like the other TV shows he's directed. ["The Untitled Jenny McCarthy Project" ? Yeah, total win.]

Writer/Exec Producer Carter Covington is also the writer for the ABC Family show Greek. Which I'll admit, is enjoyable for me to watch (but that's more thanks to Clark Duke). It also proves to me that Covington has the wit to handle the teen humor that was so essential to the movie.


But I swear, if The Plain White T's make even ONE guest appearance on 10 Things, it is going to seriously affect my upchuck reflex. =P

And of course, my number one anxiety is that whoever is cast in the TV show will have a hard act to follow. Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, Larisa Oleynik, Gabrielle Union, Larry Miller and obviously the late Heath Ledger all established hilarious, lovable characters who are now staples in pop culture. It'll be hard to fill those shoes and do them justice.

Am I gonna watch? Of course, I'm not a picky TV watcher. If it's about high school, I'm in. But I just pray to God they don't butcher it.

Attention to the creatively inclined! After many of us on the interwebz enjoy following him by reading his blog, William Beckett now wants to read your stuff. Your newest e-outlet for creative expression is MONDAYEYES. A new group right here on Buzznet/FOE and founded by William, he wants it to be a community for writers to share their work and discuss. Named after his original livejournal account, William will be getting involved himself. He plans to read what's posted to the group from time to time, and maybe even share stand-out pieces with the world via The William Beckett Blog:

I’ll periodically be posting some of the work that stands out to me, but this is in no way a competition.  Any form is acceptable.  (For instance, I never really write in traditional forms or stanzas, mostly because I don’t know how to write proper-by-the-book poetry, so that should ease your worries!)

With 806 members already, I decided to peruse a few of the journal entries already posted (Holy jeepers there's already over 500) and it all looks like a promising little melting pot of poetic potential. My only qualms are that most of the works are real downers, but understandably, I mean, Art is Pain right?

I think it's a pretty cool idea.

• DVDWHUT?

• True FOB-ing Love is offering a non-iTunes download (for non-iPod users) of Headfirst Slide but ONLY in exchange for a donation to Invisible Children or the No on Prop 8 Campaign:

• And lastly, The One and Only Joe Trohman recently posted a passionate blog on his FOE profile about criticisms of the band's support of CA Proposition 8:

Talk. =)

The West Hollywood City Council is currently reviewing a case to suspend or possibly even revoke the business license of the House of Blues Sunset Strip. This policy has spearheaded by councilman John Heilman. Part of a popular national chain of live music venues, the Hollywood, CA chain location is currently under fire due to a recurring pattern of fights and violence at the location:

Within the last 12 months, events at the House of Blues have led to 44 arrests for incidents including fights, drunk and disorderly behavior, and grand theft [...] During the same time period, there have been more than 100 sheriff's radio dispatches to the venue.

The LA Times article goes on to say that although management "claims to accept responsibility and expresses a desire to change," the establishment "continues to host events and promote the venue to groups which disrespect the community and the business."

WHAT?! What "groups" are they talking about? The bands? The people that like the bands? That's the only thing I can assume. The last time I checked, bands don't tell their fans to beat the shit out of each other. They promote fun and a good time. It's booze and idiotic people in pits that cause violence.

Like fangirl battles over who can get closer to William Beckett, which is a quarrel I can totally understand. JK! Those girls are filed under idiotic people in pits.

Bands just want to play and the House of Blues provides a place where they can do that. People can only be controlled to a certain extent. Maybe a mandate for improved security measures should be on the agenda, but I don't believe it's a reason to shut down the HOB Sunset entirely. I feel like that's a bit of an exaggeration. How many other venues are there in Hollywood? You don't hear about "pattern violence" there. If they start with shutting down the HOB, what's next? The Knitting Factory? The Whiskey? The Roxy? It'll be madness!!!

The HOB spokeswoman wasn't available for comment. Read the rest here.

Absolutely fantastic. Just in time for my dad to have second thoughts about letting me go to Hollywood for Bill & Trav's Bogus Journey next week. Luckily democracy is a slow process and there's no way they're going to do anything about it until AFTER I go. =)

What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? Is councilman Heilman beserk? If you've been to the HOB, do you even like the venue? Any good memories? Any bad memories? TALK!

Which reminds me. I need a new pair of shoes. My trusty Converse have inevitably shown me signs of failing (though I refuse to trash them, I think 5 years is a pretty good run for an everyday pair of shoes), the usual holes, crappy worn laces, etc. etc. I was okay with it, but my mom keeps bugging me about getting new shoes. I was going to just get another pair of black chucks, but I've always wanted a pair of real shoehead-esque sneakers, but never had the 60-100 dollars nor a pair that I liked enough for 60-100 dollars. I'm setting a goal, by Christmas this year I will save up enough for these.

Other personally notable Supras (see the full Fall and Holiday 2008 Collection):



I picked out the more girl-friendly Supras, but seeing as they're skate shoes, obviously they're unisex. I'm a big fan of those star ones too, I might get those instead since I'd get too lazy to keep them clean and white.

The Supra signature design crew are a team of pro skaters and some of them dabble in other areas like music, dj-ing, art, etc. So you can bet that these shoes are hella functional if you do plan to skate in them, if not, you can bet they're comfortable to wear everyday. And as you can see, super stylish.

I'm a fan.

Award-winning, acclaimed (and personal favorite) music video director Shane Drake is teaming up with Paramore once more. Shane has previously worked with P-More on Pressure and is now slated to direct their Decode music video! More more more...

The Buzznet darlings Danger Radio have just released their video for Slow Dance With A Stranger to the MTV.com masses! You can bet that their fan base is going to multiply exponentially very very soon.

From my dR e-newsletter:
After the recent and seemingly insta-popularity gained by fellow 2007 PureVolume.com Tour-mates Forever The Sickest Kids, We the Kings and Metro Station, it seemed to me only a matter of time before Danger Radio followed suit. Hopefully the boys will finally get the amount of recognition and success they deserve. They've definitely been my ace in the hole on my list of loved bands and after seeing them my third time (first in a real while) in August with Meg & Dia, it was a wonder to me why they hadn't gotten as big yet. Now at last, the public will learn to love the funky fresh 80's inspired sounds of Danger Radio and their "sophisticated dance rock."

And before you say anything, I'm not afraid of MTV gained fame, and you shouldn't be either. I've come to terms with it completely and I'm happy for the coming success of Danger Radio and future bands to come. We just have to embrace it!

Last week, my friend Mariah asked the group of us sitting at Denny's the question:

While it's true that I am truly a pura vida pop music fan, I do stray away from my laurels every now and then. I started liking TBS about around the same time I became a Rejects fan circa 7th/8th grade, and they've definitely become a staple in my music taste. I'm never one to skip over a Taking Back Sunday song while listening to my iPod.

The last time I had an opportunity to see them was promotion for Louder Now, and I missed that concert. The closest I got was a featured guest star spot on Degrassi a few seasons ago (What's it Feel Like to Be a Ghost? Ep. 6.9/6.10), and I haven't had an opportunity since, UNTIL NOW!

Ironically, shortly after getting asking and answering that question, I received a ticket alert for none other than Taking Back Sunday at Club Nokia in LA. November 13, 2008 is T-Day. I need to figure out how to get there! I spent my money on TAI/WTK and Metro Station, and I'm not so sure my parents would be thrilled to hear that I want to go to another one.

=/ Failure. I need a job/car/license.

Oh well, someone go for me and tell me all about it?
I'll even give you my phone number so that you can call me from the show!

Worst comes to worst, I'll just wait until they promote the upcoming new album.
P.S. Takingbacksunday.com's splash page features Ryan Russell photography! For some reason I got the warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing I'd seen it on Buzznet first. =) Win!

*record scratch*
Say what?!

From The William Beckett Blog:

This is page one

The tour is officially on. Adam, jack and I just landed in charlotte, and we’re about to go find mike, michael and butcher at the baggage claim. I spent the flight over reading an excellent screenplay by a certain oscar winning writer, and I want to be a part of it. More on that later. MONDAYEYES . Are you in? - William, Bill for short

Attention, attention may I have all your eyes and ears paying attention to this storyline? If you hear it before me, def let me know!

I have actually wondered if an acting career would become an option or not because the boy has got the looks and the dedicated fan girl following to properly support success in Hollywood. (Case in point? Bill Beckett lookalike Ben Barnes did the band-to-screen crossover, tee hee.) In my opinion, the movie could be shit on the screen and we will go see it because *sigh* just look at him. Nonetheless, I trust he is a smart boy and would make a sincere and educated decision and the movie would be of quality if he's going to want to be in it. I'm intrigued to see what follows. I'd spend my 10 bucks to gaze at that for an hour or two in the movie theaters, whether the movie's good or not. Call me shallow, but it'll be worth my money no matter what. My only concern is that a movie would = break from band. *le gasp!*

Your two cents?

---

• In other, TAI news, Bill and Trav's Bogus Journey Tour featuring The Academy Is..., We The Kings, Hey Monday and Carolina Liar has officially begun! Will you be there? I know I will! Who's going LA or Anaheim? Let me know, we'll meetsies!

• And in yet another blog, apparently J-14 found out that Disney Channel sweetheart and Barney and Friends alum Demi Lovato has a celebrity crush on The Beckett! Score points for Team Demi/Selena! Could they end up costars on the movie? lolcatz.

Ps. I heard from numerous sources (my friends at J-14) Demi Lovato has a “celebrity crush” on me. I’m very flattered, but I find it amusing that I’m considered a celebrity by someone much more known than me… Even celebrities have celebrity crushes.