Lovely ladies who were there also, please feel free to contribute and discuss.
Geez. I still haven't told you about Philly. Not like Philly was hugely epic or anything, but it had some definite moments. Nonetheless, last night in Baltimore was a very interesting and new experience for me. You wouldn't think that after all the shows I've been to I could have a new experience, but believe it darlings, I did.
My Mom, as many of you know, lives in Baltimore. Yesterday's Baltimore show, being on Mothers Day, was exceedingly convenient therefore. Not only for the obvious reasons, but also because it meant I could take my Mom to the OK Go concert! Hooray! Now Mom could *finally* see what the big deal was. So Mom, Adam (my husband), and I all went to the show.
Samanferr came down to Baltimore and met us at the club. Azulaco Amy and her fabulous husband also surprised us by showing up! We all ended up watching the show somewhat separately. I stayed at the back with Mom, Adam, and Mr. Azulaco for most of the show. Amy went up front during Earl Greyhound's set, and Sam headed up front for OK Go. Being at the back meant I had loads of room to dance, which was a definite plus. Here's the thing, guys - the show was FAR from packed. I think that the combination of it being Sunday night and Mothers Day, and then potentially during finals, were what hurt attendance. However, this meant I was able to enjoy the show from multiple vantage points. For All Is Not Lost I went up into the middle of the crowd, and then I got a text from Sam "It's EMPTY over here, come on up!" She was right. I was able to walk RIGHT UP to ARoss' barrier and stand next to her, making faces at Mike whenever he came onstage for Confetti Cannon duty. So I basically floated all night - between Mom at the back, Sam at the ARoss barrier, and into the middle of the crowd. I had a stroke of PURE GENIUS, too, when I thought "hmm, I wonder if I can get up close for Last Leaf." During the Bells, I guessed whereabouts Damian might come to in the crowd, and the next thing I know the tour manager is bringing the box for Damian to stand on into the audience and puts it down directly in front of me. Best guess I ever made. I've never been up close for an acoustic set before, only at the barrier. I got some fairly decent shots, but they were taken with my iPhone because the Rams Head has this ridiculous no camera policy. I left my camera at home thinking I'd gotten enough photos of this tour anyway, and besides, I had enough trouble getting the Starbucks VIA and Earl Gray teabags I brought for the crew through the Gestappo at the front door. Others had gotten their cameras in, but whatever. I'll get them posted later.
At the end of the night, I even got Mom to come up to the ARoss barrier with Sam and me. She was *really* tired, poor thing, but I think she still enjoyed it. She was up there for Skyscrapers and DWYW. After the show, she said "they're very talented, Rachie. I had a good time." And then she bought t-shirts for the both of us, meaning me and her. Yes, my darling boardies, My Mother now owns an OK Go shirt. One of the proudest moments of my life. Now all I need is for her to make her Facebook profile photo a shot of her wearing it (like she did with her Gents t-shirt), and I will be in heaven.
So after the show we hung around inside (Sam and I may or may not have been seen running around scooping piles of confetti into our purses, I can neither confirm nor deny), got an Earl Greyhound CD and got it signed. By this time I found Amy hanging out with Lurker (who still needs to de-lurk herself) and her husband. Lurker tried to convince me to go to Raleigh on Tuesday (NO). Amy and I saw the bartender charge Kimara (the EG bassist) for a drink, were properly horrified, and then paid for it before she could come back with the money. I mean really. She is IN THE BAND. She should not have to pay for drinks. Then we went outside and found Damian and Tim talking to fans and signing autographs. Damian saw me and said "Hi Rachel." So now, we're using names. Alright then. "Hi Damian, this is my Mom!" Damian then opens his arms and gestures for Mom to hug him. Mom needs to have this pointed out to her, but then the two of them hug and it's the cutest thing ever. No scratch that, Mom *talking* to Damian was the cutest thing ever. The following approximates the exchage:
Mom: You are a very talented band, I had a good time.
Damian: Well, thank you.
M: I liked your acoustic guitar.
D: The playing or the guitar itself?
M: The playing.
R: Mom plays acoustic herself.
D: Oh that's good. I was worried that you were envious of one my guitars and then I'd have to be all "STEP OFF, LADY!" (Goes into Karate pose)
R: Haha, no, Mom's a Martin snob anyway.
D: Oh, yeah, I have a Martin, but it's at home because it's too nice for the road.
M: Oh yes. I have one from the 60's and one that's newer.
D: Mine, I think is from, 1974?
I think it was around this point that I told Damian that he was done with me, and that last night was my last night on tour. He said "Yeah, I'll see you Raleigh." Lurker then says "I'M TRYING to get her to come with me!" And I said, "No, Damian, I love you a lot, but no." (Seriously? I've got a really important gig of my own on Saturday. You will not win this round, Kulash.) Damian posed for a photo with me and Mom, and then the other ladies took over. Amy talked to him about Bonnaroo. Poor Sam missed out and didn't get to talk to him, so I MADE SURE that when Tim came over a minute later he took a photo with her. Actually, let me take this moment to say that Sam is way more gorgeous in photos than she gives herself credit for. We took photos with Tim, and talked to him for a LONG time. In fact, Amy, Sam, and Lurker - let me just apologize for running my mouth as much as I did at that time. I don't know what got into me. I must've said goodbye like 5 times. So seriously guys, Sorry about that.
After tearing myself away, Mom was cold so we went back to the car, took her home, and went home ourselves. And that was my OK Go week 2010.
Comments
I love how you totally fail to mention that we spoke to Tim (well more you did, but I spoke too lol) about the New Kids on the Block cruise! hahahaha.
JHOON RHEE SELF DEFENSE VIDEO UP ON FACEBOOK! Don't call it a comeback, it's been here for years.
I don't know if this will work here: link
Ok, here I am, officially stepping down as a full-time lurker. Hi, everyone!! My name is Beverley and I am an OK Go addict. I've been a huge fan for years so never got around to posting. I've been around so long, though, I feel like I know some of you, which I why I finally introduced myself to Rachel at the DC show Wednesday. I had such a great time at that show and Baltimore last night, these guys just get better and better. I was able to smuggle my camera in to the Ram's Head but they confiscated my Sharpies! What exactly did they think I was going to do with those?! I didn't take any photos of the show though (too afraid I'd get caught) but I do have a few photos of the DC show that I took before my batteries died. I'll try to get them posted soon. I've met the guys before but this was the first time I've had a real conversation with them. Actually, I'm surprised I can put two words together in front of Damian. I almost forgot, while taking a picture with him, he told me he was a vampire. I totally forgot to have him expand on that subject!
It was great to meet Rachel, Amy and Sam. So glad to finally have some OK Go buddies. My husband will go to the shows with me but he's not really a fan. I already can't wait for the next one!
What is this about a New Kids on the Block cruise? A friend of mine in middle school won a NKOTB cruise!! She talked about it NON STOP!!!
My friend Stacey (the blond girl in my FB photo) is a HUGE NKOTB fan. Actually, it started out kind of innoccuous. Her best friend was a Donnie nut and she wanted to go on the NKOTB Cruise (basically, The New Kids get on a cruise ship and thousands of women pay to take a cruise at the same time, it's a real hoot from what I hear) so she tells Stacey that she is coming too. Stacey goes for "moral support" and comes back a FULL-FLEDGED NKOTB FANGIRL. We were telling Tim about how Stacey came to the concert in Philly and now is on Team OK Go. She'll be at Terminal 5 with us. :D I think he was a little intrigued by the idea of a NKOTB cruise.
So I just wrote this to Becky, but I thought I'd share this with you all as well: I think every Boardie that goes to an OK Go show should take a Rachel cardboard cutout. You know, for Damian's sake. So he won't miss her too much. ;)
And hello BeverlEy! My best friend also spells her name with an "lEy" 'cept her name is Kimberley. You "lEy"s are the best. :)
I find that idea incredibly amusing. As is, I was telling my friends in Raleigh (it turns out I have several) that they should go to the concert and bring a photo of me along.
What can I say? Damian gets sad when I'm not around. How else is he going to remember the words to Oh Lately It's So Quiet if I'm not in the front row singing it to him?
I think that idea is hilarious!
And thanks, I'm glad to be here. People always spell my name wrong so I try to emphasize the extra "e" at the end.
Were any of you around for this moment???
My best friend Brad was watching my cats while I took the long trip up to Baltimore for OK Go. (I'm from Kentucky.) Brad LOVES Dan, and so I brought this sign, and a picture of Brad. Showed him the picture, and asked if he would be cool holding up the sign and he seemed amused and cool with it. (Which is why Dan Rocks!) Brad loved it and said it was the best thing I've ever done for him. :) Seriously though... Dan is so nice.
I totally missed this encounter but I wish I didn't! When I was outside I only managed to see Damian for a tiny bit and Tim stuck around for a while. Missed Dan and Andy!
But that is so awesome and silly. Dan was a great sport haha
WMIFF Live - Laura Hartmann interviews OK Go on the concert in Rams Head Baltimore:
That woman just wasn't *there* at all. How embarrassing.
I'm loving Damian's Mister Rogers' sweater, though.