A Scratchie Christmas

I first heard about the concert at the beginning of December. I was invited to come to the concert and go backstage. I didn't think that my parents would let me go to Chicago because I was only 14, plus it was right before Christmas. To my luck though they let me go as their Christmas present to me. I decided to bring along my sister, since she would probably enjoy it more then my parents.

We flew to Chicago Saturday morning from Michigan. It was my first time flying, and I was scared to death. Chicago was a nice city to go to. Debbie and I went around shopping till around five. We tried to hurry and get ready, but we were still late to the concert. By the time we got there the line was at least 4 or more stores down from the Metro. So we stood in line for about 20 minutes. It wasn't that bad, we just talked to people around us. When we got in Kid Million was half way through their set. We hurried got our backstage passes and went to the stage. I think the place was sold out. The people was there of all ages. We stood on the left side for a couple of songs, but I needed a better view to take pictures. It was quite easy to get around people their since I was so short, and they hardly noticed me. I got to the middle and took a couple of pictures. I thought this group was very good. I've never heard there music before, and I was quite pleased.

Their was a ten-minute break in between each band. James and D'Arcy came out, and the crowd went wild. The two came out freguently during the concert and introduced the bands. Chainsaw Kittens was next. I've heard a couple of songs by them, and they seemed pretty good. The Kittens came on and they seeemed like they were having a great time. Tyson Meade, the lead singer, was very entertaining to watch. Dressed with a WAY to tiny shirt, who he later gave to the girl next to me, and blue nail polish did a great job. Everyone around me enjoyed the Kittens very much. People were talking about them all night. James performed a song with the Kittens, i'm not sure of the name though. It was really cool to see them play together.

The next band, Fountains of Wayne, was the highlight of my night. Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger (one of the co-owner of Scratchie) make a great duo. They preformed a great set, and I think they had the best sound (even though a roadie dropped Chris's guitar right before they came on). They preformed songs such as "You Curse At Girls," "She's Got a Problem," and there great new single "Radiation Vibe." This band is going to make it REALLY big one day. Fountains of Wayne was everyone that I talked to favorite of the night. The crowd kept moshing (or what ever you want to call it) right behind us which made us all really uncomfortable. I was right in the middle against the bar in front of the stage, so I kept running into that, which was really uncomfortable for me.

Fulfej was next on the list. I've heard such good things about this band, and they were even better then I thought they would be. M.C. No Joke G talked quite a bit to the audience, probably due to the problems they were having with there instruments or the sound. D'Arcy came out close to the end and sung "Shells" with No Joke. It was quite hard to hear.

After Shells Debbie and I went and got our jackets, and I bought the Fountains of Wayne CD. It's a great CD I must say. If you know what is good for you check this band out. We then went where we were supposed to go for the after party backstage. We got in there and we saw James, D'Arcy, her best friend, and a couple of other people. The lead singer from Kid Million came out for a little bit and my sister talked to him for awhile. He seemed quite shy and tired to me.

Chris Collingwood came around by us and I talked to him. He was really cool to talk to. He was quite funny and really nice. He thanked me for buying the CD and told me he'd see me at the party. D'Arcy came out again and signed autographs for the people that weren't backstage. James came down and talked to me for a little bit. He looked tired and didn't seem like he wanted to talk. D'Arcy called him over to help her with autographs. He said no because he just signed a million already. He left shortly after that.

We went up to te balcony and there was tons of people up there. I wanted to talk to D'Arcy but when ever we saw her, she had people all around her. I didn't really want to interrupt her conversations. I was quite nervous about meeting her, James, and truthfully everyone else.

It was hard to mingle with people there since we didn't know anyone. We went and talked to No Joke for a second or two, but tons of people came around and was asking for his autograph, so we left.

We saw Tyson Meade over by the drinks so we went and chatted with him for a second. He has the funniest laugh. I was trying to find Adam Schlesinger, but I couldn't find him.

Right before we left we looked for Jeremy Freeman, who's birthday it was, and we talked to him for a minute or two. He is a really great guy. It was quite impossible though to have a conversation with someone there without being interrupted. But that was ok, we made the best of it. Jeremy then introduced me to D'Arcy. Oh my god, I was so nervous. Jeremy told her I have been helping Scratchie out, and she thought I worked in the office. I told her though I know Jeremy from the internet. I also told her about the page and such, and she thought it was cool. She laughed and said that they don't even need offices anymore. Someone then came up and started talking to her and she had to go. I thought she was much easier to talk to then James. Even though I only talked to both of them for a second.

All in all it was a great experience. The whole thing was well worth the trip. I had a great time and I'm sure everyone else that was their did too. Make sure to check all these bands on Scratchie out, they are all great, and you won't be dissapointed.