Thursday December 14, 2000

the Rave with Tinfed, Roast, and Gravity Kills

Well, this was my first Factory 81 concert. I got there about 2 hours early with my friend Kat. We went to the McDonalds next to the Rave to use the restrooms, and when we came out and headed toward the Rave we saw Nate standing outside of their blue van. He was wearing a pair os long baggy short and he had no coat on. Of course it was FREEZING! So we called out at him and ran over. Well, we took pictures with him and had him autograph our stuff. We talked to him for a little while and then he headed in. We stood outside freezing until the people in charge let us in early due to the cold. We stood around for a while and watched as they warmed up. Then we tried walking into the bar, but the bartender yelled at us, so we turned around. Then as if that wasn't mean enough the security people told us to wait further away from the open door. So, we stood around some more. Or at least until Kevin popped out. Then we went to go talk to him. Two other guys were already in conversation with him. So we walked over (I mean ran over with a crazed look) and asked to take pictures with him and get his autograph. Then he told us about this time when he was driving and the van ran out of gas and he had to walk to the nearest gas station (two miles away). I will never forget that. His expressions were so funny! Then he mentioned something about a commercial they had on tape in the van that would be played on ESPN, during wrestling, and on some other channels. Kat and I were like WHoa! We can't wait to see that! So, Kevin said after the show he would take us out to the van to see it. We were like AHHHH!!!! Well Kevin eventually went back into the bar and the people started to form a line. Me and Kat got fron row center directly against the stage! Right next to the two guys that we talked to Kevin with. Well, we all had to go buy merchandise before the show so we saved spots. When Kat and I got over there Bill was standing over there with Kevin. So we got Bill's autograph and a few pictures with him, and then we bought our coats from Kevin and returned to our spots. The show was GREAT! The opening bands did such a awesome job! A few times during the other shows we got a "rock on sign from Kevin!" However, by the time Gravity Kills came on we were off to go find Andy and talk to the rest of the band. We spent most of the night talking to Kevin and looking for Andy. We got autograpghs from the rest of the bands too! We finally saw Andy near the stage and ran over to get pictures and autographs. He didn't really say all to much. He looked REALLY tired. Then as the end of the concert was approaching, Bill came up and I asked him for some Factory 81 stickers. The end of the concert came and the bar was taking forever to clear out, so we asked about seeing the video and Kevin sent us out to the van with Bill, after giving us both hugs. So we got out to the van, and boy was it a mess. We looked around for the tape, but couldn't find it, so we left. OH THIS IS HORRIBLE (please prepare yourself)....over the black top there was a solid piece of ice, not that I was aware of it, and I got out and fell right on my ass! I felt so dumb! Bill was like are you okay? I was just thinking physically yeah, but I am emotionally dammage and will remain to be that way for the rest of my life. My friend Kat finally said....she will be alright, and I got up. We walked towards the car saying our good-byes. I was just thinking, and Bill will know me as that girl that fell on her ass, but it didn't really bother me. How could it? Nothing could have bothered me at that moment, that was one of the best nights of my life!

-Chelsea