In this Discussion
- beckysioux June 2010
- BeverlEy May 2010
- DJRose May 2010
- ezorvera May 2010
- Snack_Cakes May 2010
TAMPA - 5/14/10
My brother lives in St. Petersburg, FL. I raved about OK Go so much, he went to the show last night. Here is his review from Facebook:
Playing in a rather small venue for them, Ok Go put on a blistering show last night for the 450 patrons who crammed into the intimate setting of the Crowbar. The band pulled out all the stops. They reproduce their catchy rock/pop tunes flawlessly but it's the effort put into the show that makes it special. Technology is a big part of Ok Go's live show. There's a video backdrop, which we're used to seeing in large venues but is really special in a small club. A confetti machine covered the audience on several occasions. Small fisheye cameras attached to the microphones give a unique view of the proceedings. For the encore the band comes back on stage in black suits that have white LEDs embedded on the back of them. The lights change seemingly randomly accompanied by casino type slot machine noises until they eventually spell out OK GO (see my photo album). The three song encore was performed on fur trimmed guitars that shot laser lights out of the necks (see album). Apart from the technology there's good old fashioned showmanship. The band is very friendly with the audience and talks to them constantly. One song was performed on church bells. On another, lead singer Damian comes out into the middle of the dance floor and plays a solo acoustic number. On Here it Goes Again an audience member got to strum Damian's guitar for several measures. During a break to repair some spot lights, frontman Damian Kulash and bassist Tim Nordwind (friends since they met as 11 year olds) performed a song from Les Mis. Noticing a 12 year old girl up front who was there with her older Sister, Damian invited 12 year old Bridget up onto the stage to play tambourine, an experience she will probably never forget. So a great time was had by all, most of all the band, and for $15 it had to be the best value for a concert ever. If you ever get the chance to see them you should make a point of it.
Comments
Wow, your brother sure knows how to write a review, BeverlEy! I know Becky and Debbie had a great time Friday night too, but I'll let them elaborate.
I found this review of the show this morning and had to share with you guys. Someone GETS it.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/tbt/2010/05/review-photos-setlist-ok-go-bring-a-carnival-of-fun-to-crowbar-in-ybor-city.html
There's much more at the link, but it seems like the guys were in top form on Friday night.
Great reviews.
Tampa was EPIC! There's so much to post but I just haven't had a chance. I still want to get my photos online so I can link them. And I think Becky has been writing some stuff down.
I know my Facebook friends know about the gift I made Bunny Carlos. I'll share the story/pictures here soon.
So, the write-up I did, is super super long. So, instead I'm just gonna post my pics and vids. They are really the highlights of the show anyway.
Pics are available here. This one is my fave (even with the photobombers).
And now for the vids:
Invincible
Needing/Getting
Tim impersonates Ethel Merman singing Hot In Here
The Confrontation! aka Les Mis
Last Leaf
Get Over It
Back From Kathmandu featuring Bridget on tambo
You're So Damn Hot
LED Jackets
Also, Debbie made Damian's dog's dog a guitar. Reaction pics available here.
Well, the show was a week ago but I guess this is better late than never. Some of you already know this story but I'll post it anyway.
Becky, please jump in as I know I've probably missed things and gotten them out of order. Plus, I intentionally left out bits that I think you'd want to share.
I also apologize to everyone that this is so lengthy. This also serves as a personal souvenir memoir of my incredible evening. And please forgive my poor writing and grammar.
The Crowbar is a very small venue (capacity around 300?) in Ybor City. We arrived around 6:20(?) (doors opened at 8) and there was already a line of about 12 or 13 people. Needless to say, Becky and I were upset and assumed that we missed out on getting good spots. The whole wait was awful. We wore dresses so sitting on the sidewalk was out of the question, there were bugs flying around/on us, and it was incredibly hot and humid. Becky had also hoped to remain a surprise but it wasn't likely with the bus next to us. Had we been first in line I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have been so grouchy.
But everything turned out okay. Becky got in before me and managed to find an excellent spot between Tim and Damian. She was even sweet enough to let me stand on D's side (thanks, Becky)!
Robert Francis was the first opener. He has a 70's rock vibe and his song Junebug is really good, too. He was a great fit with Earl Greyhound.
OMG, Earl Greyhound's sound check was deafening! Ricc's drum set could barely fit on the small stage and they had trouble getting something right. I think the BOOM, BOOM, BOOM went on for maybe half an hour… Huh, did you guys say something? I still can't hear.
Kamara was still awesome but didn't seem to give her bass the usual “love” if you know what I mean.
OK Go highlights:
Seeing the band in the tiny venue was amazing but the lighting was horrible. Only Tim and Dan had lights on them and it made for very bad photos. Damian said that the confetti machine caused the problem and they needed to bring out a ladder to fix the lights. So T and D ended up performing “The Confrontation” from Les Mis with our very own Becky as Fantine! Squahedbanana already posted my video in another thread. I think after that Becky was okay with not being in Andyland.
With all their “Tampa is the strip club capital of the world” talk (funny stuff), Damian apologized to Bridget, the 12 year old standing right in front of him. If you haven't seen Becky's video, you need to check it out here. The whole thing was so sweet. Bridget did an amazing job on the tambourine and Damian was adorable talking to her. In Becky's words, “he's going to make a great dad someday.” I agree.
Next Damian let the crowd decide whether they'd play Debaser or You're So Damn Hot. This led to a bit of very funny “Florida screws up voting” banter. Of course the majority of the crowd chose YSDH
Although I was happy about that, I was really looking forward to Debaser. I still had the next night though.
Damian broke a string on his laser guitar during WTF? and had to resort to using his old guitar for the last two songs. A bit of a disappointment but once again we still had the next night.
Overall the show was excellent with lots of banter and impromptu entertainment. And our spots! I can't imagine being that close again (I hope, but doubt).
Check out my pics here.
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Afterward, Becky headed over to the merchandise table (thanks again for the USB!) while I made the very scary walk back to my car for the boy's presents. I had to meet Becky back inside but Dan was already waiting by the bus. I quickly asked if he was going to stick around to which he replied that he was there now. Gah! I said I had to go get Becky and hoped to see him later since we had gifts.
After meeting back up with Becky inside, I told her about Dan and she asked why didn't I call her? Now why didn't I think of that? Dumb.
Rushing outside we found that Dan had left but Damian was now by the bus. I was so sick to my stomach waiting to give him Bunny's present. First I gave him a little metal space shuttle (I had one for each of the guys) to commemorate the launch that day (which none of them saw, by the way).
Then I gave him Dora's gift, a dog toy in the shape of a kitty. I think I explained that I didn't want Dora to be jealous of Bunny's gift.
And then he unwrapped Bunny's furry guitar.
Becky already posted the link above. She was so awesome to take all those pictures. I can't express enough thanks. <3 <3 <3
I really can't remember what was said during this time. I was in a fog. I must have said that the guitar may be responsible for a divorce because that conversation continued later. Then Damian called Andy over to take a look. Andy asked me how I knew what was engraved on the guitar. Thank goodness for some excellent online photos (that I believe have been posted somewhere else on this board).
At some point we talked about Becky's Paracadute bracelets. Damian said that photos should be on the website and he'd have to look into why they hadn't been posted yet (I know this conversation doesn't go here but I can't remember when it happened).
From then we started talking to aross and I didn't notice that Damian had left to put the stuff on the bus (I think). I gave Andy the shuttle and Becky had a DVD for him, Girls Just Want To Have Fun. I'll let her tell about that.
Talking to him that night was fantastic. He wasn't in a hurry and was so sweet. We discussed where I was from and Florida geography (he didn't know where Palm Beach was). And Becky took her awesome 80's inspired back-to-back photo. We were kinda rushed to get to the other guys because we wanted to give them their gifts/get photos so we (sadly) left aross.
Tim was next. Each time I meet that adorable man my love grows. Anyway, Becky and I decided to give him red velvet cupcakes, which I had made the night before and we iced at our hotel. He seemed really happy with them and when we asked if he had received any yet, we were shocked to find out ours were the first! He even said he had been hoping to get some ever since he mentioned it on that online chat. I don't know if Tim is completely honest with all his comments but he's always so nice, appreciative, and seems very sincere. Then I had him sign my OTBCOTS album and he said that he was glad that I got it on vinyl. This led to a conversation about Becky's record player. Then she got her first tango picture of the night. AWESOME!
We still hadn't gotten pictures with Damian. I couldn't leave without a photo with the guitar and Becky needed her posed shot. I felt awful about asking him to go get the guitar just for a picture but he was kind enough to oblige. When he returned, he asked more questions about its construction. I got my photos and Becky got her DROOL WORTHY tango pictures. Seriously, the best photos ever! She really needs to give the details on this. Somewhere in there he told us that Bunny had a tooth removed that day but she was okay. And I think he mentioned that she had gotten a new collar? He also said that Dora is the really well behaved one and will sit and stay like, forever. I asked if it was the training and he said that she just really loves him.
(I'm sure I have stuff out of order because we talked to Damian three times.)
By this time, Dan was back. Yay! He had friends at the show and had been with them earlier in the night. I assume that he wanted to meet up with them again because he was a bit distracted and rushed. He was still nice enough to sign my album and take photos. Becky gave him his Groundhog Day DVD (great movie, Becky!) and she got a back to back posed picture with him. All the guys hammed it up for her photos. Just unbelievably awesome.
As we were leaving we passed Damian one last time. I wanted to tell him that there were Wasabi peas in the bag and asked if he had received any yet. Another shocking no! Where are all the people that participated in the chats??? He had forgotten that he mentioned it publicly and told me that I probably know more about him then he knows (it may be true).
I think it was at this point that he wanted to know what was this about the guitar and a divorce. My husband Chris, who was kind enough to cut out the guitar, wasn't too happy about all the time I invested in making the gift (for someone other than him) and he expected a really fabulous birthday present next year. Damian tried to come up with a gift for him and his final suggestion was that I should make some type of clock showing all the time it took to make it. Funny boy.
We also had a discussion about their unreleased material and making it more accessible to the fans. Becky, can you help me out on this?
And we remembered to ask about the New Jersey Hall of Fame ceremony. He said that his "friend" asked him to present. He didn't name drop but I guess it turns out that he's friends with Susan Sarandon. I'd love to know how that friendship came about. Interesting.
We then said our goodbyes and even got hugs!
We got back to the hotel around 2 am. But still couldn't go to bed without looking over our videos, pictures, and the USB message. Like I said before, it was an EPIC night!
First, best lines from Damian during the show:
"People, settle the fuck down, it's theatre time now."
"Could we have an F please? Can we have an F that we can understand?"
"It's like you people never went to church. Shut the fuck up. Yeah, peace be with you. Right. Exactly."
"Do I look like the kinda douche who has a flash on my camera? I'm old school."
"You guys wanna see what you look like. You look like that. Dirty and red."
"We're in sensitive time. It's time for everyone to be very fucking quiet. Thank you."
"Yeah, she's really good. She shakes more for more people. She's gonna be great in Tampa, if you know what I'm sayin'."
I'ma jump in from when we are talking with aross:
First thing he said to me, "What are you doing here?" I told him that I brought Debbie to Chicago, so she brought me to Florida. He asked if we paid for each other, I responded no, just the whole transportation and housing and whatnot.
Next, Debbie gave him the mini space shuttle and then I gave him my gift. Since she was giving something to each of them, I thought that I had to do something too. When were shopping earlier, I checked out the $5 DVDs and picked up Girls Just Want To Have Fun, one of my favorite ‘80s movies. Turns out aross likes Sarah Jessica Parker. Not the current version of her, but the younger version. So, he said he’d probably like it.
Then I asked if we could take a posed picture. I had us do an ‘80s inspired shot, our arms crossed and standing back to back. The pictures came out pretty well thanks to Debbie. Then Debbie wanted us to take a camwhore shot with the three of us. So, we made an aross sammich and I took two pics. The first one didn’t come out as well as I liked. We talked some more about stuff that I can’t really remember right now.
I would have loved to talk with him all night and it looked like it might have happened, but there were other people looking to talk with him and I didn’t want to keep him away. Besides, we still needed to talk to Tim and Dan. I really hate when I make decisions like that, but I've been on the other end waiting forever and a day for someone to stop talking with one of the boys so that I can talk with said boy.
We got to Tim next. Debbie had made red velvet cupcakes for him because he said that that is what he likes. We actually frosted them before the show. He loved it. He also got a mini space shuttle. I wanted to give him a copy of The Seedy Seeds CD, but I couldn’t find it. I thought I put it in my purse, but it wasn’t there. So, I told him I’d give it to him the next day. I also asked if he had a chance to check them out. He said that he saw my tweet about it, but didn’t check.
We asked how many cupcakes he’d gotten from fans. We were the first, which is really surprising. I told him that Maggie Moo’s makes red velvet cake ice cream. He asked if there was one around Tampa, there was, but it closed. I knew they are in my area, but not too sure about anywhere else. He asked if I ever heard of an ice cream place that’s popular in LA. I hadn’t heard of it. And I can’t remember the name of it now either.
Before we left him, I asked if we could take a posed photo. He put his arm up for the around the shoulder thing, but I said that I would like a Tango pose. We posed while Debbie took the pic. She took two and both came out pretty well. Then we camwhored with Tim. I also thanked him for making me Fantine. He said no problem. Some people were waiting to talk with him, so we let them and went to search for Dan. We couldn’t find him.
Debbie realized that she had also gotten Damian wasabi peas and they were in the bag. She also wanted to get a pic with him and the guitar. He was with some people, so we just waited our turn again.
She asked if she could take a pic with him and the guitar. It was on the bus so he went to go and get it. He came out and he had it hanging around his neck. We took some pics and he asked more questions on how it was made. Then he almost broke the light source. He told Debbie that he was going to put it in his museum or special place or something like that. We had also showed him our Paracadute bracelets. He said that he had taken pictures of his and wanted them to be on the website. He asked if they were there, they weren’t. I so didn’t know that he did that and wanted them online. I’m so happy!
Then I asked if we could take a posed picture. He said sure. So, I said Tango. Then he got all up into my business. As in pressed up against me, arm behind my back and other hand holding mine. Then Debbie said the first one didn’t come out that well. So, we took another. This time he had me put my foot back and he put his foot forward and he pressed up against me again. I had completely forgotten that his sister is/was a professional ball room dancer. I’m sure at some point he was her partner growing up, if only just to practice at home. I do believe that was one of the best ideas I ever had.
I think this is where I asked about the idea of putting up Appendices and older stuff up somewhere for fans to get. He said that he's not so proud of some of the earlier stuff and much of it doesn't have to do with OK Go as it's him and college friends. I told him that Oh My Little Kitten and Aren't We Dozy? are awesome and should be out there. While we were talking about this, he took notes. One said old music, the other said crappy music. He obviously wrote it so I could see it. I called him on it and he crossed off the crappy music part.
He said that he would think about it. However if it was posted, it would be hard to find, but if you were really looking for it, you could. I don't blame him, but I do think that some of his earlier work has merit and is pretty good.
Then we took another camwhore shot making a Damian sammich. And the pic came out so great.
Some other people were still milling about and wanted to talk with him, so we left again. We still hadn’t found Dan and saw Tim was still hanging out. I think I told him again that I would bring the CD the next day and he said he was looking forward to it. I might have given him a hug and then Dan had come out.
We talked to him very briefly. He got the mini shuttle and I, being the dork that I am, gave him a copy of Groundhog Day. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t remember DC two years ago, but I thought he might like it.
Then I asked him to take a posed picture. We took the ‘80s shot and it came out really well. Then we camwhored with him, too. Then he said he had to go, so he left and we were about to leave. We saw Damian and had to talk to him one more time.
I thanked him again for everything and the music and gave him another hug. We told him we’d see him again on Saturday and then we left.
That was simply one of the best nights ever. The show was fantastic, especially because of the technical difficulties. And then talking with all the boys, some more than others, and taking pictures with them was just pure happy.
I was so so glad that I decided to make the trip. It was worth it and something I really needed.
Wow. Debbie, that guitar is amazing. It puts everything I have even just THOUGHT of making to shame.
And I love your tango pics Becky! Too cute!
I'm not surprised that no one else has brought cupcakes. They are a pain in the ass to bring to a concert. Well, they are if you don't have a car to keep them in. I might attempt to do in San Jose since it's a few days before Tim's birthday and a few days after mine.
Thanks guys!
ezorvera, your knitting and cross stitch are awesome. And the fact that you created Tim's favorite scarf is an amazing accomplishment!
Good point about the cupcakes. They wouldn't have been much fun to carry around a concert.
Aw, thanks.