Off Topic 2010

[Stroehms]

Re: Off Topic 2010

So I work at Quiktrip and I'm at the register this morning, this girl walks in, up to the counter and I say, "Hi, what can I do for you?"

Typical stuff, gas on pump 5, whatever.

Then she proceeds to say, "I'm not sure if you remember me or not but I just wanted to say that you have lost a lot of weight since the last time I've seen you."

My reaction: "Uh......" (Awkwardly looking around for a co-worker to help bail me out of this conversation. Btw, I'm a cool 150lbs and have never ever been over that.). "I didn't know I had weight to loose...?" (Again, looking around for help and trying not to be really mean).

And she just is staring at me for like 4 seconds and says, "Well, you look great." And now there is extreme awkward tension until I finally squeak out, "Thaaaaanks....see you later."

(That's what we have to say to the customer after the transaction [Thanks, see you later])

Then she turns and speed walks out the door and I am literally dumbfounded but this event. Still shocked since I honestly, have always been in shape. Always.

[55]

Re: Off Topic 2010

My beard looks a lot like Werth's but is a little bit longer. The only parts I have trimmed at all are my upper cheek areas and my neck, which I keep totally shaved. I also gave in and started trimming the mustache at my upper lip line since it was getting in the way when I ate but that's it. Think of CM Punk's beard before he had the mask put on him and that's about what I've got, just a lot more like the color of Werth's.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Off Topic 2010

Types of people I didn't expect to find out were a member of Alice in Chains: Black guy w/afro.

I feel bad for him. Stuck with the other 3 white dudes who've clearly done so many drugs they now look like wax statues of themselves.

[55]

Re: Off Topic 2010

Okay, I've got a bit of insomnia now (tomorrow at work will suck) so I figured I'd write up some details about the concert. It was INCREDIBLE! This is the third time I've seen Alice in Chains over the past year, and it was the best of them all. The entire band was just really energetic and seemed really happy to be playing for us. They repeatedly thanked us for our support and Jerry gave a heartfelt, and sincere speach at the end stating "Thank you for coming out to see us, and I promise you that you won't have to wait 14 years for our next album. We WILL see you here next year." The moment those tickets go on sale, I'm buying them. The setlist they played was:

1. Them Bones
2. Dam That River
3. Rain When I Die
4. Again
5. Check My Brain
6. Your Decision
7. No Excuses
8. Grind
9. We Die Young
10. Acid Bubble
11. Lesson Learned
12. Junkhead
13. Rooster

Encore:
14. Got Me Wrong
15. Man in the Box
16. Would?

For Rooster, they showed images from the music video in the background as well as images of the war in Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden, George W. Bush, Obama, etc. It really struck home as it did a chilling job of tying the modern warfare going on with the Vietnam War.

When "Man In The Box" started playing, the arena went NUTS! DuVall put a TON of effort into it and I've never heard the song have that much power and emotion in it.

Prior to the concert, I had the meet-and-greet with the band. There was a group of about 12 of us who took part, and in the room was their tour manager who writes the blogs on their website. The VIP Package I bought for $250 included my ticket to the concert (Where Mastodon and Deftones opened), a tour poster which was handed out at the M&G for the band to sign, a tour tee-shirt and a vinyl copy of the Black Gives Way To Blue album. (The tee-shirt and vinyl album are being sent to me and haven't arrived yet. I can't recall if the album is signed as well, but I think it may be).

I was the first to go through the M&G and it started with Sean Kinney. He was really cool and stuck up a conversation asking what happened with my arm. I figured the truth would be boring, so I said "I got drunk on my 30th birthday in NYC and tripped over a homeless guy in Times Square." Sean and Mike Inez broke into laughter while DuVall and Jerry Cantrell started to chuckle as well. Mike said "That is one of the funniest stories I've ever heard. Ha-ha. I want to sign your cast!" Sean then said "Oh yeah, me too. Give me your arm." I brought with me the BGWtB CD and the band signed that as well as the poster. (You were allowed to bring one item for them to sign in addition to the poster. DuVall said "Your cast is a part of you and isn't an item, so it doesn't count towards the limit.") I didn't really say much to Will as I was in shock about how cool Sean and Mike were, and I got to Jerry Cantrell at the end.

Jerry was fairly quiet but I told him that he is an incredible inspiration to me and I am so thankfull that he got the band back together and are continuing on. I thanked him for all the great music he and AiC have put together through the years and that it means a lot to be able to meet him. He was very humble and thanked me, and his signatures are all incredibly legible and artistic. He signed my cast and then said "Hold on, there's something else I need to do." He turned my arm over and started writing out "OZZY" on the end of my cast near my knuckles. He said "You need to sport some Ozzy knuckles. I can't tattoo this on you, so this will be good enough." and he cracked a smile. I then shook his hand and moved back to the end of the line. Afterward, the tour manager then took a picture.

I initially kneeled down in front of the band, but Sean Kinney picked me up by the collar and said "No no. Stand up with us man." It was just really incredible. They treated me as if I was an equal, and not some petty fan. That was the coolest thing about it. Below is the picture of me with the band.

Left to Right: Mike Inez, Sean Kinney, Me, Will DuVall, Jerry Cantrell.

That is awesome! People really underrate BGWTB but I think it is their second best album besides Dirt. I really want to see this lineup live but they aren't hitting Cleveland (where I live now) on the tour. Looks like you had a great time though and that setlist was pretty sweet, especially the mix of new and old songs. They even played my all-time favorite AIC song (Rain When I Die) too which is great. In fact, Down In A Hole and Angry Chair are probably the only two songs missing from that list that I would have been bummed not to hear. Also, I think Looking In View would have been a better choice than Acid Bubble for a fourth track from BGWTB but that's probably just because that's my favorite "new" AIC song.

[buckeyefan78]

Re: Off Topic 2010

It's just not the same without Layne.

[55]

Re: Off Topic 2010

It's just not the same without Layne.

Different doesn't necessarily mean worse, now does it?

The fact of the matter is that Jerry still sings a LOT and the vocal harmonies he shares with DuVall are eerily similar to the ones with Layne. I mean, they're not exactly the same but in some parts they remind me of Layne so much that it adds a bit of atmosphere to the record since you know Layne is dead.

The fact is, Jerry was always the main writer in the band and he's still there. I mean, Layne had a fantastic singing voice and it is a shame what happened, but Jerry has always been the "frontman" for AIC so to speak. It's always been Jerry's band and it always will be.

[buckeyefan78]

Re: Off Topic 2010

No, it's not the same and it would be a bit foolish to expect it to be. But if you put preconceived dislike towards the new singer just because he's not Layne, you'd be short-changing yourself. It really is akin to the situation with AC/DC when Bon Scott passed away.

Nah, it's apples and oranges. That comparison really isn't apt IMO.

I understand the band making some darker music in this first record back considering they haven't done anything since Layne died but you can't be in your mid 40s and still relate to Man in the Box on the same level like you did at 24.

[buckeyefan78]

Re: Off Topic 2010

Different doesn't necessarily mean worse, now does it?

The fact of the matter is that Jerry still sings a LOT and the vocal harmonies he shares with DuVall are eerily similar to the ones with Layne. I mean, they're not exactly the same but in some parts they remind me of Layne so much that it adds a bit of atmosphere to the record since you know Layne is dead.

The fact is, Jerry was always the main writer in the band and he's still there. I mean, Layne had a fantastic singing voice and it is a shame what happened, but Jerry has always been the "frontman" for AIC so to speak. It's always been Jerry's band and it always will be.

Wow, I also couldn't disagree with this more.

Layne wrote more and more on the later records and I believe is probably nearly 50-50 with Jerry in terms of lyrical contribution.

[ryan36]

Re: Off Topic 2010

haven't had nearly enough os time

[Bellsprout]

Re: Off Topic 2010

haven't had nearly enough os time

You came back just in time!!!............. if you're an Alice in Chains fan.

[l3ulvl]

Re: Off Topic 2010

Yeah i was amazed to NOT be disappointed with BGWTB. I just figured it had been so long and with a new singer, it was just not a good combo, but it worked really well. Sounds like you had an awesome time man, glad you enjoyed it, I love me some AiC. My old roommate was an absolute die hard, he'd be so jealous right now. His 3 all time favorite bands are Metallica, Alice in Chains, and Collective soul...

I didn't get into the Chains until the self titled disc, but I went back and listened to the older stuff and it's great, especially in an altered state (bite me TOS).

[l3ulvl]

Re: Off Topic 2010

You came back just in time!!!............. if you're an Alice in Chains fan.

pfff i had to suffer through like 3 pages of indie soft rock recommendations, and arguments over which album was least dreadful, you guys can handle a page about a real band

[buckeyefan78]

Re: Off Topic 2010

Is Collective Soul still around?

[Chaos81]

Re: Off Topic 2010

you guys can handle a page about a real band

So when are you going to start talking about one?

Is Collective Soul still around?

Man, now that's a band name I haven't heard in a long time.

[l3ulvl]

Re: Off Topic 2010

I believe there's a lady gaga thread awaiting you

Spoiler

jk of course

Spoiler

unless you really like him