June 9th, 2002

the Rave with Sketchy and White Knuckle Trip

Okay, so we got there like two hours early once again and literally ran to the door. Just about a minute after getting there Kevin walked out, so we each gave him a great big hug! He was so happy to see us. So then, Bill walked out and we gave him hugs. He put our name on a list that allowed us into the show with a video camera and our cameras (we e-mailed him earlier that week to ask if it was okay). We told them that we had brought gifts for them and that they would have to come and get them before we left that night. So anyway, we just hung out with the for a little while. Most of the time we were with Kevin. Once we walked out to the van with him and he realized that he had forgotten the key so he had us gaurd his stuff while he ran back inside to get the key. He also pointed out during this time that he was wearing brand new shoes for the first time that night. Anyway, it was about time for them to start letting people into the show. So we tried to get in, but the security dudes at the door wouldn't let us in with the camera. So we found Bill and he instructed us on what to do to get in with the camera. So we went and got a photo pass. So we got in. We were hanging out with Bill for a while and then Kevin came in. He pretended to break his water bottle on a counter and then pointed it at Chelsea. I was like, "Hey Kevin, that is quite violent." And he told me that he was a violent person. So I said, "You don't scare me." Then he said, "I bet you I could scare you eventually. How do you feel about clowns?" The real funny thing here is that I am really frightened of clowns. So I admitted it to him and he said that some time he'd have to come up to me all dressed like a clown just to freak me out. So we laughed about that for a while. Anyway, we hung out with them for a while. Then we walked about five feet away from them. And very soon Nate showed up. So we hugged him and talked to him for a little while. Then, we saw Andy. So we hugged him and talked to him about what we had been up too. We told Nate and Andy about the gifts too. Then the opening bands began to play. They were good, but then of course you'd have to be good to play with Factory 81. So then right after White Knuckle Trip we made our way to the backstage door so we could film from the side of the stage. But we didn't want to just walk into there, so then Nate came by. So we asked him if we could go in there already so he said that he's check. He went in for like two seconds and then popped his head out again and said that he wasn't sure if it was okay but that we could anyway. So we stood back there until the band was ready to go onstage. So we filmed as much of the show as we could. But we ran out of tape. But that's okay, it's still pretty cool. Kevin asked for a copy of the show, so I am making him one and sending it to him. We also took a bunch of pictures of them. The show was great as always. The new music kicks ass. Nate did forget some of the lyrics to Diary of a Serial Killer and Cheese Wheel though. It was quite funny. He was even laughing at himself. Oh and during Peace Officer Chelsea and I got to go on the stage and rock out next to Kevin. It was so much fun! So after the show we talked to Andy and reminded him about the gifts (which good we did because he had totally forgotten). But then he said that he had to go to the bathroom before he had an accident. So we rounded up the guys to go out to the car to get the gifts. But as soon as we got outside a bunch of fans started talking to them, so we had to wait until they were all done. So we walked over to the car and got out their gifts, homemade cookies for them. We had made frosted sugar cookies the day before and decorated them with their names and 81s and chaos symbols and sprinkles, etc. There was plate for each of them. So we had our picture taken with them and the cookies. The WHOLE band and Chelsea and me, plus the cookies. It was cool. Then we were just standing around talking and Andy tried one of the cookies. So I asked him is they were good. And he said that they were great. So then Nate tried one and said the same thing. I then told Kevin and Bill that they had to try one. They loved them too. Andy just kept eating them, but Nate and Bill only ate one each. Kevin did ask, however, if he could eat another one. And I said, "Yes, Kevin they are your cookies." So he ate another. Then we realized that they had to get going cause they had to drive all the way back to Michigan (7 hours according to Kevin). So Andy told us to have a big group hug. So we hugged them, all four of them with me and Chelsea together. It was so sweet. So then we parted ways (well a few more hugs were exchanged). Once again it was a great night.

-Kat