On Monday night, I was just screwing around online and happened to look at the rest of the "Scream the Prayer" schedule, only to discover that the tour would be in Dayton, Ohio the very next night. I thought to myself, "Self, I wonder how far Dayton is from here." Through the wonders of the internet, I deduced that it was only a two and half hour drive. I thought again, "Self, I could totally drive that far tomorrow for a concert." So on Tuesday, right after work, me, myself, and I hopped in the car and headed for Ohio.
I arrived at the venue (The Attic) just before 4. The show officially started at 3:30, but I didn't really care much about the early bands and had seen them all before anyway. When I arrived there was still a long line in front of the door, so I got in line and slowly made my way toward the front. But to my horror, with about twenty people still in front of me, a security guy came out and informed us that the show was sold out. SOLD THE FREAK OUT!
I stood there for a minute in disbelief, then not knowing what else to do I headed to the car and called Anna to inform her that I was on my way back. But then as I was talking to her a thought struck me. Project 86 had said they would be grilling out back before each show. So once again I thought, "Self, let us go see if we can find Project and at least hang out."
I pulled the car around to the back of the club, and low and behold, there was Andrew (the lead singer) himself setting up a grill. I quickly parked and started making my way over, when once again all my dreams were crushed. There were already several kids gathered around Andrew, and a security guard came out and informed them that they couldn't be back there. Andrew quickly informed the guard what was going on, which he decided was alright, but he said they would need special wrist bands. I didn't have a wrist band period, since I hadn't been able to even get into the show. So I decided the only thing I could do was walk up and say "hi" to the band and wait for the security guard to come back and kick me out.
I walked up as Andrew was introducing himself to the other people, and when he saw me, I am pleased to say that he did remember me (though I'm not sure if he knew exactly from where). I quickly informed him of my predicament, but he just told me I should hang around awhile because there usually would be some way to get into a show eventually.
So I hung around behind the venue with Project 86, while Andrew grilled hot dogs and bratwurst to order. There were maybe fifteen kids back there, but I was surprised when I gathered that only two of the other kids really knew who Andrew was. Which leads me to wonder how those other kids even ended up back there. It was actually kind of funny listening to them ask Andrew whether he was with one of the bands and if he was just along for the tour as a roadie or something. The best was when a kid asked if he was a permanent member of any of the bands or just a replacement, and he assured the kid that he was one of those people a band couldn't do without.
While out there, I got to witness Andrew do a tv interview with a local station and record a vodcast for their Youtube channel. I think my torso might end up in the vodcast.
I ended up out back with the band for roughly two and a half hours chatting and such and hoping for a way to get into the show. As it got closer to the time for their set I got more and more worried. The band started discussing what they could do for me. They said normally they'd try to just sneak me in, but the security there was apparently super anal. They finally decided that they could give me their extra all access pass. I started to feel better, but then they came back after roughly an hour of searching to inform me that they couldn't find it. Again, I was stuck.
With about ten minutes 'til the start of their set, Andrew suggested I just try back at the front again and hope maybe enough people would have left for them to sell tickets again.
It worked. Just as Project was about the take the stage, the venue decided they could let more people in. It was such sweet relief to know I had finally gotten in to the show and that my trip had not been in vain.
Project took the stage and was awesome as always. It took me a couple songs, but I was able to force my way to the front and center in order to sing along. The crowd was much more decent to them than they had been in Indy or in Louisville. They got a good response, and it seemed like most of the crowd was actually into the set instead of trying to look like they were too cool to care.
After Project played, I stood in back to watch Sleeping Giant, The Chariot, and Haste the Day do their thing. Sleeping Giant sucked again. The Chariot was good, though not as good as they had been in Indy. Haste the Day just bored me.
When the show was over I was able to chat with Andrew again as well as with the drummer. Both truly seemed glad that I had made my way in. I talked to the drummer for a bit about college and his life. I also got Andrew to sign a vinyl copy of "Picket Fence Cartel" for me.
It was a good time. I realize too, that by being sold out, I actually had a better time at this show than I would have had I gotten in right away. I got to hang out with my favorite band for a couple hours, and they actually know me now. The bassist and guitar player both remembered me from singing in Indy.
All in all, it was just a cool chance to go to another show and then magically hang out with Project 86.
I guess I'll keep this entry concert related and not completely change directions. But check back soon to read about me getting yelled at on the phone for fifteen minutes by a complete stranger.
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