Wavves!!

Yesterday was quite possibly the weirdest day ever.
It started with my mandatory reporting for Jury Duty.  When I got the original jury summons last October, I had to have it rescheduled because of Cassie and Mark's wedding.  The rescheduled date wasn't a problem until we had to reschedule a mandatory software training at work in January.  I reported for that date but I informed the staff that I had mandatory training at work but I showed up because of the reschedule.  They told me I could reschedule again but I HAD to report or else!  Just kidding - but I really did have to report or else I would've been in trouble (apparently).
Lo and behold - my jury duty was scheduled the same day as Wavves!  So I made a day of it in the city.
I had anticipated being at the courthouse all day but I was luckily let go at lunch time so I rolled around Atlanta - stopping at Cameli's for pizza, killing time at UO (getting a wardrobe update for that night and good thing I did because it was hot!) and meeting up with Michael for some coffee talk



And then it came time to hang until showtime.  I settled in to the parking lot of Book House until they opened (getting my eyebrows wrangled next door) and once the doors opened, I planted myself at the bar and had a few dark and stormies.  Lauren was kind enough to meet me once she got off work and I entertained myself by talking to this guy who had his California driver's license on the bar.  I asked him where in Cali he was from and he told me that he was actually from Hawaii and we started talking about island living and all that fun stuff and I honestly had no idea it was the lead singer of FIDLAR that I was talking to.  WHAT



So - that was crazy.  FIDLAR was AMAZING.  So were the Cheatahs.  I wish I had more cash so I could've bought CDs from each but I spent most of my cash on booze and some Wavves goodies.

Wavves was INCREDIBLE.  The energy was so much better than last time, I have to admit.  Last time was awesome, don't get me wrong but this time was even more awesome because this happened



I was able to get way better photos than last time (despite having to crop out some guy's ridiculously large and obtrusive afro - which you can see here) and overall, it was just fucking awesome!!  I mean, we all know how much I LOVE Afraid of Heights and experiencing those songs live was pretty amazing.

I also ran into my most FAVE BLOGGER EVER - Matt T.  He let me know they were hitting up the Clermont - which you can read about here.  I kinda wish I had stayed but I was really exhausted since I got up so freakin early for jury duty...All in all, it was a great fucking night!  Thanks Wavves, FIDLAR and Cheatahs!  You guys were great!

Check out more Wavves photos here!

Best Coast

I was having a lot of "old lady" moments with Lauren last night at Best Coast!  Ugh!  It all started when I realized I hadn't been inside Variety Playhouse in over 14 years.  Yes, it has been that long!  I went with my friend and her Mom to some jam band concert thing because her Mom was friends with the band.  I couldn't even tell you who it was, I was just excited to be in Little 5 Points so late at night!  Oh, those were the days!
Anyways - old lady feelings aside, the show was wonderful.  I hadn't heard either of the opening bands but I heard very good things about them on the internets.
Moodrings was wonderful and I wish I had purchased their EP...
Those Darlins were awesome! I don't really know what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised! Those girls are feisty and their songs are super catchy and I kinda wish I had gotten some of their music as well. Guh - I was on the Fail Train last night! I think it was because I had to get up early this morning so I high-tailed it out of there as soon as the show was over.
Best Coast was wonderful! The last time Lauren and I saw them play was a their free show at Criminal a couple of years ago. I was glad to get tickets for the actual show this time! Hooray!




I think I also figured out the trick to my camera. The flash automatically comes up when the camera turns on and I usually push it down - which results in blurry photos (of course) or I'll let it flash and the result is whatever is below my flash is lit and the actual subjects in the middle of my frame are totally dark. So last night I tried what I do at work sometimes (on a different camera) - I let the flash pop up and I covered it with my finger so it would still go off. Oldest trick in the book, right?! Why didn't I think of that before?! Not the greatest results but much better than before!



I still like the camera for the zoom capabilities - on videos especially because I got in pretty tight for their cover of Storms and although it's pretty bumpy (because I'm in so tight), it's pretty damn good.



And here's a bonus video of No One Like You (before I was feeling adventurous with the zoom)


I was kind of hoping for them to play Angsty but that's okay. I loved the show and it was all kinds of wonderful and I hope that she comes back soon and I hope that Wavves will release their album so that they can come to Atlanta too!  I need more good shows this year!

More of my photos here!

Nothing but love for Sharon Needles

Turns out Sharon Needles' presence in the A was a little more intense than I thought it was!  Though I didn't see any protesters, they were there.  She also met up with some activists before her show - which didn't go so well.  That explains why when I told her she was awesome she said, "Well, that's debatable".  I also learned that we have the same glasses.

Soulmates!  I kid.  Anyways - the bizarre meeting is also what spawned this during her show:

Honestly, it almost brought me to tears.  (I say "almost" because I didn't want to smear my makeup.  Priorities, people!)
But seriously though, I think the whole uproar is unnecessary.  I'm familiar with the pushing of buttons and that's all she's doing.  I think she's great and if Drag Race and Absolut has a problem with her, don't you think they'd come out and say something?  I'm guessing their absence from all this means they don't have a problem with it - though it would be nice of them to speak out on her behalf...
Either way I stand by Sharon Needles and I think she's very progressive and wonderful and she's definitely the future of drag.  Sure, there's minor bumps along the way but I love what she's doing with drag and I wish I had seen her particular brand of drag growing up.  Technically, I did with Marylin Manson but that's not really the same.  But it was pretty great that she opened with Manson's "Beautiful People".  Here's a short clip I took


I didn't want to watch the show from behind my camera so I turned it off right before it got really good.  Oops!
Here's a better clip from Project Q Atlanta


And here's more photos. I still stand by that it was a GREAT night and I hope she will return to Atlanta because I know I won't be the only one to welcome her with open arms.

Sharon Needles visits Atlanta

Last night!  Oh my lawd last night was so much fun!!  At first I wasn't sure what to expect with all the protest talk and all that but I didn't see a single protester.  I guess they must have showed up later since Sharon kept saying they were out there.  Either way - last night was AMAZING!  I love a good drag show and last night's did NOT disappoint.  I mean how could it?  Phoenix was there.  Nicole Paige Brooks was there.  Savannah Leigh was there.  One of my most FAVOURITE performers Envy Van Micheals was there (Love her so much!!!).  And, of course, Sharon fucking Needles was there.
I'll let my photos explain the rest but I'll also let my photos state my case for a new camera since I can't get it to behave EVER.  Ugh...

Pardon me while I get all glammed up...

 



I was told to pose so this was the best I could come up with so excuse the crazy look on my face! Sharon was an absolute doll and I'm glad I stuck around to meet her! She was great! I couldn't think of anything clever to say so I said, "Sharon, you're so awesome" to which she said, "Well, that's debatable". I told her she was the best part of her season of Drag Race and that she was the future of drag. She was lovely and amazing up close and I'm so happy that I was able to experience her.  Thanks for a wonderful night, ladies!

Check out more photos here!  And if I find anymore, I'll be sure to post them or direct you to them.  Enjoy!

Childish Gambino

I had technically waiting for last night's performance since December (when I originally bought my tickets).  There was an injury that postponed the original show date in March to yesterday and let me tell you - IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.
I'm talking about the Childish Gambino show
Holy crap - I've never had so much fun!  And I'll admit my hopes were a little low when we were standing amongst bratty, teenage white suburbanites in line.  In the rain.
All of that aside, the show was AMAZING - although the opening act was not really my bag.  His beat man was tight but the performer was okay...
ANYWAYS - I felt a tiny bit out of place since *GASP* I don't own Camp just yet and it was the Camp Tour BUT I had my fingers crossed for some Cul-De-Sac stuff and that wish definitely came true.  I admit: I had a bit of a contained crazy moment during I Be On That (since that is my ultimate Gambino track) so that was definitely a highlight.  The other highlight was a short performance of Cashin Out.  I was NOT expecting that.
It's a bit of a joke with J and me since I was playing him Spend It and he said it sounded a bit like Cashin Out so now we'll text each other those tracks randomly.  But I think I win this one with Gambino



The energy was great, the old man and I got great seats, there were lots and lots of strobe lights and THE BAND WAS AMAZING. Don't get me wrong - I love me some Donald Glover but his band was INCREDIBLE. Where on Earth will you see a guy go from playing the keyboards to a violin to a guitar to a floor tom in one show? And on the other side, the guitarist went from guitar to keyboard to floor tom and the bassist went from bass to synth to floor tom and back again. WHAT.  And the drummer hopped off the drums for a minute to hype everybody up.  It was AWESOME. I tried to get video but I was having way too much fun (sorry!). I have a bit of the performance of Freaks and Geeks mainly because I liked how the lyrics were flying in on screen.





But look how energetic this kid is. And this was earlier in the show! So much fun!

My favourite is all the comments I'm getting in the Tumblr-sphere about this photo


Sounds like it's funny that there were lots of white kids there.  And Donald himself was like, "I know the answer to this because I'm in my hometown but, are there any black people here?"

ANYWAYS - all of that aside - it was an amazing show and I had a great time.  I hope he comes back again real soon!

Photo Post: the weekend

Had lots of fun this weekend! I went to Star Bar for the first time, I ran into an old friend from high school AND met a MySpace-er in person! That right, MySpace. Whatchu know about dat





Can I just say that I'm still in awe of how great the camera is on the iPhone 4S?! I'm loving the picture quality! Too bad my lens kit doesn't fit since I originally bought it for my 3GS. Luckily they make a set for the 4S! Hooray! But it looks like I'll have to wait for them to get back in stock...

Photo post: Bleached and The Black Belles

You can see more photos HERE

Star Slinger in ATL!

I didn't realize last night was going to be so cold so I didn't dress accordingly.  As I stood outside and shivered, I listed to conversations being had by kids who were at Drunken Unicorn for the first time ever - which made me wonder: What was my first ever Drunken Unicorn show?  I can't remember but I can say that I've seen almost everything there and the excitement that the kids were feeling about seeing Star Slinger was so great that I was getting all giddy too.

Star Slinger was one of my first ever Tumblr friends.  I'm always happy to get reblogs from him and even happier when he posts tracks.  I had this idea in the back of my mind that he might remember me from Tumblr, so I decided I'd use that as my intro - at the complete risk of sounding like a fangirl (which I totally am).  Not gonna lie, I was expecting to be a little star struck when I sat down with Star Slinger last night at Drunken Unicorn but instead, I felt like I was talking to an old friend (and yes, I was completely star struck too).  I called him by his real name and said, "I don't know if you know me but we blog together on Tumblr" to which he said, "I know!  You're Katzi!  Thank you so much!"  I was beyond ecstatic that he remembered me even though I haven't been on Tumblr that much lately.  I was totally fangirling but I had to reel it in.  He was saying that I have been there from almost the beginning and I said it was amazing to have seen his progress so quickly.  He's the coolest, mot chill guy and it was great talking with him.  It was even cooler when kids came up to him while we were talking to tell him how awesome he was.  Crazy!

After the initial shock of "OMG I'm talking to Star Slinger", the show was really great!  I didn't realize Time Wharp was from Atlanta.  I need to check that kid out more!  His set was the perfect start to an amazing show. 

I have to say, I only knew Shlohmo from the Friends of Friends comp and Star Slinger, so I wasn't expecting the awesomeness that was Time Wharp and Shigeto.  Shigeto blew me away!  That kid played live drums over his loops!  Crazy!!


His set was pretty chill too and I started getting more and more into it.

I got a little bold and decided to try and make it front and center for Shlohmo.  Done and done.  He opened up with Aaliyah - which was fucking amazing - but as I scanned the crowd, I saw more blank stares than I thought I would - which made me sing out even louder!
His set was the perfect lead in to Star Slinger.
I maintained my place at the front of the stage and jumped up during the last song. That shit was crazy! He got the whole place going NUTS!!  It was the most fun I've had at a smaller venue in a long time and I was so happy that Star Slinger was FINALLY in town and getting his music out there for more people to experience.  It renewed my faith in Atlanta's music scene.  I saw so many smiles in the crowd when I was on stage and it made me so happy that there's at least one genre of Atlanta music fans that can get over themselves and just enjoy the fucking music.  It was amazing!  I want Star Slinger to come through again!  Maybe next time he'll let me buy him a shot or two...

Katzi
S.L.Y.A.S.D.I.