It's 2.57am and I'm still awake.. Why? Probably 'cause I'm still on a high.
Cut to preshow: Amped! All day. Beyond amped! Trying to push back the excitement as I am not supposed to be excited about such things in this holy month. Guilt trip! But the closer it got, the harder it was to hide it! I hope you never have to be this confused! So stressful..
I know one set would never cover all that I love, 'cause they have so MANY great songs. I was stoked hearing "Take It Away" / "Empty With You" / "Pretty Handsome Awkward" / "I Caught Fire" / "Hospital" / "A Box Full Of Sharp Objects" / "The Taste of Ink" (the song that started it all for me almost 10 years ago) / "On My Own" / "The Best Of Me" / "Blood On My Hands" ? And more! I need to find a set list!!! Memories need to be burned into my skull.
I can say that they didn't play "I'm A Fake" which I so hoped but ultimately predicted wouldn't make the cut. As well as "Wake the Dead" and "Let It Bleed" and "Paralyzed" and "The Bird And The Worm" and so many more.. Again, they have too many great songs. Songs I love. So I will never get to hear them all live.. Unless they do an entirely new set next/every time they come around:)
To quote Bert "This next song is the greatest song ever written," and I concurred.. Every time! 'Cause it didn't matter what they chose from their repertoire, they would play it and make that statement true. Every. Single. Time.
I previously blogged about Rammstein being the best live act ever. They probably put on a better show than The Used, "production wise" / flames and explosions and all.. But I did lose more hair at The Used though. Maybe not to flames, but thanks to the moshers! Long hair, mosh pit, not a good combo. The Used definitely had the roughest moshing I had ever seen. I have bruising around my ribs, just hoping it's not cracked (how would I explain this to my doctor, eek). Rammstein's sound was awesome, better than The Used.. But that's technical stuff!
Tonight proved to me, that a love for a band can top all that show-stopping stuff. So now I say: The Used was the best live show I've experienced. 'Cause I was truly living a long awaited dream. For me, it's all about the the love and the passion I have for the band. And my love for The Used runs deep.. Real deep. Don't get me wrong, I still recommend everyone go see a Rammstein show. It's life changing stuff. Whether you're a fan or not. They will own you!
I have never been to a gig where I met so many fans truly passionate about the band. It's a great pleasure after experiencing some of the worst reasons for attending. Example: 'cause Jareds's hot (30 Seconds To Mars) grrrr.. Or 'cause they just want to have bragging rights or to be seen there -> I kid you not, I've been asked to attend a show I didn't want to 'cause I wasn't really a fan (why waste my money when someone more deserving can purchase it).. I got told, you don't go for the music you go to like socialise and be seen (with my passion for music this comment annoyed me greatly)!!
I was proud to see so many passionate fans tonight. I want to get to know all of those people! The Used has such a devoted fan base. The band have their sights set on returning to play for us again 2012, I am so there!
I ended up solo for the show itself, got separated from my friends during the first song!!! Moshing started immediately with "Take It Away." <3 In my sick state, I tried to get away from it.. While losing my sh!t at the same time. All I ended up doing was getting further and further in front, but not at all away from the mosh madness. Inescapable. At least I got to stand right in front of Bert! Well, second/third from the front depending on mosh patterns. I'm truly surprised I didn't throw up on the person in front of me as I was "squished" over and over and over again.. I apologise if that person gets my cold/flu/whatever I have o_O
it's probably just allergies, so you're safe?
No photo evidence possible as a result. I will hijack some from people I am sure will upload. Ones most accurate for the "see it through my eyes" type view, if possible. Else I'll just upload whatever reminds me of that sense of euphoria! And I mean it when I say, despite feeling ill and having a brief moment of panic every time Bert incited more moshing (my poor ribcage), there was a definite sense of euphoria when the music started. I lost it each time, as they played al(most)l of my favourite Used songs! I'd get so into it I'd forget I was being crushed and pushed around.. That was beyond my control! Singing at the top of my lungs.. Within my control!
I wish I recorded Bert swearing in Afrikaans, classic! But unfortunately, so sardined I could never have completed that mission. I'd probably have lost my phone had I tried. Or it would have been stomped on or lost in the mosh. Now that the fear of throwing up is gone I can smile and commend them for going all out.. Despite feeling that I might have whiplash and/or cracked ribs. If it were another band I'd probably be more worried, but no regrets <3
Bonus points: I've never caught anything at a concert before. Aside from an Evanescence guitar pick, that doesn't even say Evanescence so it doesn't count in my books! So.. Thanks, The Used, for the free "I Bert The Used" t-shirt!! Now the one purchsed preshow that was ruined from the moshing doesn't seem like such a big deal. Yataa! *air punch*
Dream came true tonight.. Still feels unreal! I'm not used to this feeling. I just got to cross The Used off my bucket list.. I saw one of my idols, Bert McCracken, up close, live, I just.. cannot explain that feeling. I'm getting goosebumps reminiscing. And kinda wanna cry with emotion overload! Well worth the decade wait. And if they keep their pinky promise and come back in 2012, I will be back for more!!
My hope for Bert / Quinn / Jepha / Dan is that they continue doing what they do as a band, they inspire and bring hope and provide an escape from it all. Can't wait for that new album!!!
And my hope for you, is that you too experience what I felt tonight. There's nothing like seeing the bands that you're most passionate about putting on a show for you.
The Used for life <3 <3 <3
[P.S. If anyone I know does end up reading this, I know it's bad that I went. I know I don't have to explain it to you or make you understand, your judgements weren't even part of the equation. I would have been self loathing whether I said yes or no. But a part of me literally died with the idea of this opportunity slipping me by. And when the pain didn't fade over time I knew I had to.. Agree or disagree, in the end I did the best with what I could.. And I can't regret that]
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