SORRY…
That’s right, sorry folks…it’s been quite some time since I’ve done anything productive on this thing. Still, I’m here now, so jobs a good un, right?
So, what a week it’s been for me! I got back from Download Festival 2008 around 9ish this morning, absolutely knackered from five days of debauchery in a tent that i nicknamed ‘The Den of Iniquity’ for many a reason.
I’ve drank so much woodpecker over the past few days, it’s unreal…Yet i still wanted more when it had all gone, but i think we’d drank the Co-Op out of it, and i didn’t fancy Strongbow [because as nice as Strongbow is, once i've had woodpecker, i just can't go back to it...]
The past 5 days have been full of so many ups and downs [litterally in some peoples case eh Kyle?] but it’s been top! I’ve met some cool people [like the two scottish guys, Gaaaaary and his mate,] I’ve seen some great bands, and i’ve been pleasently suprised by some bands that i didn’t think i would enjoy. I’ve gotta say, mad props to Airbourne, who i dispised before coming to download because they ‘just wanna look like metallica and sound like ac/dc.’ Their set on the second stage on Sunday was imense! I’m even tempted to get their album now…although in all honesty I’ll probably just download it…haha.
So, here’s a sort of list of the bands I did see, starting from Friday and working through to Sunday:
FRIDAY:
Zebrahead: Caught most of their set, and it was as enjoyable as i thought it would be. Great live band, full of energy and always happy, which if you know me [and as your reading this, you probably do] then you’ll know how many of the boxes that ticks for me.
Stone Gods: Wow, performance of the festival for me! Having been a fan of the Darkness’ first album, but losing faith in them after the release of the second, I had pretty much lost faith in them after they split up. I’d heard that the rest of the band were now called Stone Gods and i was also told that they’d gone a bit harder, with hints of metal, but i really didn’t expect them to be as amazing as they were! It was like watching The Darkness without the glam or catsuits! I will DEFFO be buying their album next month when it comes out…
Disturbed: What a dissapointment…Ok, so i’m not exactly the worlds biggest fan of them, but i’ve always found myself tapping my foot or nodding my head when they’re on in the pub or in the traywash. Their performance just goes to show how over-produced they are on their albums, because their set just seemed lifeless. Such a shame!
Simple Plan: Because we were busy playing drinking games back at the tent, I missed the start of their set, which i was a bit gutted about, but the half an hour i did see, was really impressive. I’m hoping that they come somewhere near to sheffield when they tour later this year [which i'm sure they mentioned while i was watching them.] Good mix of old classics and new songs, a set i wished i’d seen the end of….but unfortunately i had to leave because of…
KISS!: Anyone who’s known for me some time will know how much of a KISS fanboy i used to be in my teens. Well, finally, after seven [or so] years of waiting, I finally got to see KISS! Because they were on the same time as Simple Plan, I had to split my time between the two stages, so i saw the last half hour of their set [although from what I'm told, the first half of their set wasn't as good as the second!] I’m glad I went on down to the main stage to see them, because once i was there, i found myself singing along to all the old classics like i was 15 again lol. Great experience.
SATURDAY:
Army Of Freshmen: Fifth time seeing these guys, and they just get better and better in my eyes. I’m glad to see that they’ve finally gone out on the road on their own over here, because they deserve to be the one’s in the limelight for a change, instead of standing in Bowling For Soup’s shaddow. These guys are fast becoming one of my top three bands, possibly even replacing BFS in the Number 2 slot. Great energy on stage, and a great collection of songs. Dont know them? Go check them out!
Ace Frehley: Well, if KISS didn’t fully take me back to my teen years, this performance deffinately did. Ace Frehley was always the part of KISS that I was most into at the time, and although he has a large collection of solo material, he played mostly the songs that he would sing in KISS, including ‘Shock Me’ which i filmed all of!
Pendulum: Not my cup of tea at all. I spent the length of their set sat at the side with Dickie, while Ant and Kerri raved it up in the crowd. I can see why some people would like them, but I’m not really into the whole dance side of Alternative culture. Still, an experience indeed.
Ash: Second time i’ve seen these guys, and actually, i was quite dissapointed. I don’t think that they’re as good as they were when i saw them last time, opening up for The Darkness. They suffer from being a three piece these days, as their sound isn’t as strong as it was. Bring back the bird guitar slinger!
The Offspring: I went to watch the Offspring, with an air of cynicism after a friend send me some clips of them from last year, but I was pleasently suprised! I only stuck around to watch an hour of their set because i wanted to beat the crowds back to the campsite, after feeling like cattle walking back from KISS the night before. I still got to say a few of my favourite songs, although it would have been quite nice to catch The Kids Aren’t Alright too…
SUNDAY:
Airbourne: As i said earlier, every time i’ve heard Airbourne over the past few months, i’ve taken it as a chance to point out my disgust at them. I saw them as nothing more than a clone of 2 older bands, re-branded to try and make some money off of the resurgence of rock and roll recently…I WAS WRONG! Yep, i said it, i was wrong. They were fantastic, although this is mainly owed to their front man who, so far, doesn’t have an ego bigger than his and the bands skills. What was most impressive however, was the fact that he climbed all the way to the top of the rigging at the right side of the stage, to attach an Australian flag to the light rig, all done with a guitar strapped to his bag, which he played while at the top of the rafters!
Within Temptation: Ok, so i’m not really a fan of Operatic Metal [if they even are operatic metal lol] but i actually enjoyed the two or three songs that i heard at the end of their set. Might actually have to invest in some of their stuff.
In Flames: Once again, not exactly into this band, was watching them because Ant and Lightie wanted to see them. DId enjoy one or two of their songs though…And the singer was quite funny, making a joke about tape on stage ready for LostProphets, although I guess you’d have to be there.
Coheed & Cambria: I think I was expecting a little bit too much from these guys…maybe it’s because I base most of my enjoyment of this band on the fact that Claudio Sanchez looks so brutal and sounds so girly lol. Gotta say though, that he’s got incredible skills on the guitar! Gutted that they didn’t play The Suffering though.
Jimmy Eat World: For me, a great end to the festival [i didn't stick around to see LostProphets headline because, well basically it was the LostProphets!] J.E.W were fantastic. For a fairly emo-sounding band, they still came across as happy while on stage, and they didn’t ignore the crowd which is the thing that annoys me most about bands. Knew more songs than I expected, might even have to invest in some cd’s.
And there we have it. That was my download this year…and now, here i am, laid in bed, writing this up, because as tired as i am, I’ve got too many things running through my head to let me sleep.
So, as a general rule, I put the radio on and listen to the confessional on hallam fm as i drift off. Once every few weeks, they have a medium on the show, who answers questions about people’s futures and what not. Unfortunately for me, she’s on the show tonight, and as i was laying there trying to sleep, i couldn’t help but get drawn in…but not in the way you’d think.
No, i wasn’t laying there questioning the concept of communicating with those who’ve ‘passed on’, no i was actually sat there, listening to people ask about their future/past love lives and i found my self thinking about my own relationships, past and future. I can’t help thinking that I seem to be a kind of consolation prize for a lot of people. So, i’m tired of getting shouted at for mentioning people in here whenever its not nice, so no names mentioned, but let’s just say “cake and eat it” and hope that you get the reference.
I trully believe that i’m sort of a ‘back up’ for people, in case the guy they’re after isn’t interested. Like, I know i’m not some skinny scene kid guy with big plugs and a floppy fringe, but i have a decent personality and can make people laugh, so I’ll do as a second choice. I dont know if i’ve got a problem with this though, thats the main issue. Like, do i really mind being second choice as long as i get somewhere every so often?
I sometimes wish things could be much simpler. Maybe if i lived in Dronfield, things would be far easier, but hey, i’m not going into that one anymore…maybe i should just text the confessional and ask the medium whats gonna happen haha, now where’s my phone…
Anywho, thats about all i have the energy to write about now, so maybe this will be added to at some point…
remember kids, be excellent to each other!
x
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