March 14th, 2003

the Rave with Unbecoming You and White Knuckle Trip

Kat and I manage to get to the concert as early as usual, despite the fact that I live an hour away from her now, and we went to the golden arches and grab some fries. We stood outside the Rave munchin' and about the time we finished, Andy strolled out the door. We hugged him like we hadn't seen him in years and talked to him about the college show they had put on a night or two before. He said it went well and then told us he was going to walk over to a near by hotel to meet some friends, but he changed his mind and invited us in.

Kat and I went inside with Andy and we all started looking at the 80s concert picture that were proudly displayed on the wall. While we were in the midst of browsing, Andy commented that he wanted to be like and 80s rock star, everything from the mullet to the funky pants. We told him to go for it.

Shortly after Andy wandered away, Bill popped out to say hello. We gave him a big hug and questioned him about photo passes, and he went to go get them, but since the last time we were at the Rave, the changed their policies. They were no longer allowing photo passes. Grr...that upset me.

Later on, Kat and I went into the bar, the place where the concert was going to take place, and we stood around talking with whoever and looking at more 80s pictures. Kevin came out and we hugged him. He introduced us to Brendon (brandon/merch guy). They only time I ever caught the kid's name was out of the side of Nate's mouth, but he was super cool! Anyway, Kat, Kevin, merch guy, and I stood around talking about horror movies. Thanks to merch guy's tatooed leg(which was really flipping cool). Most of our conversation revolved around "The Ring," which was odd because the horror buff merch guy had never seen it. Kevin told me about an egg on the dvd. I checked it out, and it was flippin' awesome! Thanks Kevin!

When the opening acts started to play, Nate finally came out to say hello. We gave him hugs and chatted a while. He complimented me on my nightmare before x-mas shirt (which kevin also liked) and my pin striped pants. After we finished chatting with Nate, Kat and I started to assist the merch guy at the counter (who was starting to get a little tipsy). We kept telling people that certain shirts would look really good on them and that they were great shirts. People bought a shit load of merch that night. I felt like I contributed. At the end of the night when we announced the grand total of merch sales Kevin even said, "This place is like a 2nd Detroit to us." That's good, if I can't be near Detroit, at least I am near 2nd best. That counts for something.

Anyway, since Kat and I were selling merch during the opening acts, Kevin let us go back stage to watch the show. We stood on the side rocking out to all the new music. It was great. At the end of the show, during Peace Officer, nearly half the crowd got up onstage and started moshing. It was so awesome! While we were up there, I notice that Kevin wasn't in his usual spot, I looked at his sound equipment and his little Nightmare Before X-mas guy wasn't there. I was like holly cow, I hope he got that or he is going to flip! I about had a heart attack, but when he came back, he returned it to his stand. That was a sigh of relief. He loves that thing!

When the set was over, people started clearing out and Kat and I stood around talking to people. I met my first nice slipknot fan that night. I was amazed (that's a long story). When the security guy came over to kick us out merch guy covered for Kat and I. What a nice guy! So Kat and I stood around going...gee we should help, but when we offered our services, we were denied. Eventually the security guy told us to scram, so we waited out side. the guys were busy talking to people and packing up. When things settled down, the merch guy was telling everyone how he made SO much money, he tried to take all the credit. But Kat and I piped up, and said we helped out. After making a comment about feeling used, Nate looked at us and said, "We don't call it using...we call it borrowing talents," or something to that effect. It was a pretty clever comment, and I have said it to a number of people since then.

After all the guys were gathered around the bus, we started snapping pictures like mad, since we couldn't have them inside. We got a few pretty cool ones. So, after we took a group pic, the guys all gave us hugs and climbed into the van. it's always sad to see them go, but it's bittersweet...since I know I'll see 'em again.

-Chelsea