In this Discussion
- DJRose May 2010
- hickster9 May 2010
- Snack_Cakes May 2010
- Sunnyside May 2010
- ugh May 2010
9:30 Club, Washington DC, 5/5/10
Wow. Epic of Epicness.
My brain is kind of spinning from how awesome it was last night, so this might be incoherent until I can listen to the USB and really make heads and tails of it. But.
Soo, I drove down to DC after work yesterday. Amy (azulaco who doesn't post as much as she'd like) got to the venue about 20 minutes after I did, but doors had opened by this point. Amy and I walked into the venue and found spots. We were about 4 people back on Tim's side, and had missed the first opener. Earl Greyhound came on and were in top form. And whoever was running sound was remarkable last night - I actually heard what they said/sang. The sound was totally crisp and clear. After their set a couple in front of us left and we moved up a teensy bit.
OK Go comes on and plays the same setlist they've been playing. The banter was way more political than usual, obviously because we were in DC and they went to the White House yesterday to discuss Net Neutrality (Bi-partisan effort for Free Speech on the Intarwebs FTW), as well as met with the chairman of the FCC for same. Also, since it was Cinco de Mayo, Damian discussed how they had gone out for Mexican food in Arlington, but the restaurant spilled Ceviche on his suit... right before they were heading to the White House. Poor guy. Headed to the White House and smelling like fish and vinegar.
Then they played the block of new songs - AINL, IWYSBICB, and White Knuckles - and before going into OLISQ, Damian started talking about us all putting our gadgets up in the air. I did so, and he recognized the wallpaper on my phone (a British flag), and he said "yes, like that one right there with the British flag. JESUS you've been to a lot of shows this week, Rachel! That British flag has been to like 6 of our shows in the last 6 days. Lovely to see you, Darling. I think we have only 400 fans and they just go to all the shows." I. Died. No, really, DEAD. It was half thrilling for him to call me out, by name, from the stage, but also somewhat mortifying to have him point me out and say "see this girl? She follows our asses around everywhere." But the tweets and texts from you guys helped me out, so thanks. Can I just say, I honestly didn't think Damian knew my name. I knew Andy and Dan did, and then recently when my friends went to a show in England and mentioned me to Tim he said "Oh the Rachel I know, with the red hair?" But Damian has never addressed me by name. That was a semi-shocking aspect too. But I'm pretty happy about it.
Damian also called out his parents. At the 9:30, there's a balcony overlooking the stage that you can only get to through the dressing room, and that's where Mr. and Mrs. K were. Damian didn't hold back on the cursing though!
The show in general was fantastic, although after Damian called me out, I was kind of in a daze and didn't really absorb too much. Thank goodness for the USB (of which I now have 3 because he keeps talking to me during shows so I have to keep buying the recordings - he's got me right where he wants me, the bastard, and I'm making up for all those shows I got to go to for free).
So then after the show, a woman I had never met came up to me and said "Are you Rachel?" It turns out that we have LURKERS in our midst, and this woman even knew what I looked like! She was very nice, Amy and I enjoyed talking to her, and I hope that she will JOIN THE BOARDS!
We (Amy, the lurker-who-I'm-not-going-to-call-out, the lurker's friend, and I) all went out to try and see the boys. Andy was the first out. He put his stuff on the bus first, but came back out a minute later. I talked to him about the boards and the website, pointing out the problems that people are having merging accounts for the boards and the fact that in IE the drop down menus don't line up. We had a nerdy little discussion over IE6 v. IE7 - since it's my work computer I A) wasn't sure which one it was and B) can't upgrade anyway. Andy suggested that I call my IT guy and ask them to upgrade me. BTW, Andy, if you're reading this, I did call IT. They said we're on IE7, not 6, and it's not a compatibility issue, so ball's back in your court. ;-) Also, they say hi.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. and Mrs. Kulash came by where we were standing. This was probably my fangirliest moment of the night. I looked at Mrs. K and said "I'm sorry, but can I just say you're amazing?" She laughed and said "I'm amazing?" And then I babbled incoherently for a moment (I have no idea what I said, truthfully) shaking both their hands. I know that as they walked away I thanked Mrs. K for being a boardie and told her we all love her. And it's true. Hi Mrs. K! Sorry I'm an incoherent fangirl sometimes. I've got no real good excuse.
Then, for various reasons I got paranoid about my car so I walked around the building to go check on it when I saw Damian, Tim, and Dan outside talking to fans. Tim and I chatted first, mostly about where I live and the awesome music he chose for the pre-show playlist (I mean, really, Pass The Dutchie is awesome). Then Damian came into the conversation, and I said "I didn't think you knew my name." He said "Yeah, well, I know your name." We then talked about how they've got to deal with me for one more show and then we're done, and how that show is in the town where my mother lives, on Mothers day, so where else do you take your mom for Mothers Day but the OK Go show? Finally, as he walked away back towards where Lurker and Lurker's friend were standing (that's why I didn't come back guys, sorry) I told him that I wasn't the one who untied his shoe on Monday, and he said he knew.
We talked to Dan for a couple of minutes with these girls who have been fans as long as I have, which was really cool. I got out my nerdy questions for him on Monday in Philly (that reminds me, I haven't told you guys a THING about Philly yet), so it was just chit-chat. Still, Dan is a sweetheart, and I always love talking to him.
I got home crazy late, but it was worth it. And now I am running on French Roast.
Comments
Amazing evening, Rachel! And after 30-something shows, plus miscellaneous other meetings, Damian should know your name!
And hi, Mrs. Kulash!
I heard him mention those...but I had to skedaddle right after and couldn't get one...Rachel, do you, or anyone else, know if they are available well after the fact?
Fun that you were called out!
Yes! They're in the store under accessories, I think. I'd check but I'm at work and the work computers are kinda crappy.
Oh, that *is* right. Damian did ask us out on a date. I hope he brings flowers. I love when my dates bring flowers. ;-D
Holy shit. WE should bring flowers. So stupid, but I know I'd get a good laugh out of it.
http://futureofmusic.org/news/newsletter#section-2
The FMC gave the boys and this show a nice mention in their newsletter this month.