Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Your Favorite Band Sucks!!!

Write your story about your favorite band as a comment below.

Check out the work of my last class here at MsTracey1001.

Make sure you include your name and email address.

Good luck!

43 comments:

  1. My favorite band is the alternative rock band Weezer. I consider most of their songs to be classic, and I do not think I could grow tired of listening to them. I did not listen to them much when I was in high school, but a trip to the Mellow Mushroom made me fan.

    A group of my friends and I went to the Mellow Mushroom on a Wednesday night, which is when they play karaoke. We arrived about five to ten minutes before the karaoke would start when a group of girls I knew came up to me and told me that they had requested the first song. They said the song was "Say it ain't so" by Weezer and that they wanted me to come up on stage and sing with them. I wanted to say "no", but they were were very persuasive. I remember being nervous, because I was thinking about how bad I was at singing and how I hate to sing in front of people. Luckily, one of my friends brought me a couple of shots of kool-aid and a bottle of root beer to accompany me on stage.

    As much as I thought the drinks would help, I could still tell how nervous I was when one of the girls handed me the microphone right before the song started. It was awkward at first, but the crowd started singing along with the chorus about halfway through the song killing the awkward vibe. I could not really tell who anyone was in the crowd, and people ended up jumping up there with me on the stage making it a lot of fun. After that night, I had found a new favorite song. And since then, I have listened to all of Weezer's cds and added the majority of their songs to my ipod.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My favorite band is the post-hardcore band Chiodos. I had no idea what to expect the first time I listened to them and was moderately impressed when I listened to a couple of their songs online. But my impression of them changed a few days later when I went to see them a show.

    When Chiodos started playing the energy of the room was electrifying. They played with such passion and intensity. Soon I was hooked on their music. Lead singer Craig Owens' vocals that can easily pierce the heavens, and the rest of the bands increadible music.

    Chiodos is a band that can only get better with time and so far they have done so and more, raising the bar for their incredible music, while Craig Owens is able to combine his own personal hardships with quotes from Shakespere and Charles Bukowski to create catchy, intense lyrics. One thing about Chiodos is that once you become a fan it will be hard to stop being one. They are frequently playing on my iPod and it is doubtful if they will ever leave.
    Blake; bmcduf1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Two bottles of cheap chardonnay and 6 shots of bourbon straight from the handle. Drunk is an understatement. The band at the party just finished playing “Sweet Child of Mine” and the opening chords to “Livin’ on a Prayer” could be heard as I walked out of the back door of the house and onto the basketball court where the stage is located.

    I begin to swim through the crowd. The smell of beer and bourbon fills my nostrils as I head to the front of the stage where I find Kelsey. As soon I grab her, everyone else disappears. It was us and the band. I am twirling her and she is spinning me. We heard everything from Third Eye Blind and 311 to the Rolling Stones and ACDC.

    Suddenly, the singer rips us from our own world by screaming “Its early in the mornin’!” Everyone at the party yells back “WHOOO WHOOO!” as a huge burst of CO2 shoots fifteen feet in the air. I am so close I can feel the temperature change. At this moment, I know the Chee Weez will forever be my favorite band.

    Trey Bacon
    treybacon@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My eyes began to tear from the smoke. My head was pounding, and my feet began to ache from standing so long. The new shoes I had just bought were cutting into my ankles, but I did not care. All I could focus on was the dancing that was taking place before my very eyes. Her lavishly costumed frame was drenched with sweat, but not in a disgusting way, in an alluring way. The combination between her sweat, body glitter, and tan made her glisten. Her belly button ring caught my attention as it dangled down her midriff. I could even see her hair shining in the darkness. She smiled. Her teeth were so white. She was glowing.

    Two hours preceding, the place had been completely dark and full of nervous babble waiting to finally see her. The big screens to the left and the right of the stage began to show pictures of her throughout the years. As the instrumental music began and she appeared, the crowd screamed widely, and the cameras flashed eagerly. I could not believe what was happening. Goose bumps crept down my spine as the sound echoed and her voice projected over the uncontrollable crowd. I stood transfixed. I wanted to be her. She was so perfect.

    She thanked the crowd for coming. Her voice made me feel warm and giddy. It made me love her more. She crooned the next tune and danced more intensely than anyone I have even seen. Her colorfully dressed and painted backup dancers gathered around her, almost as if an orgy was taking place, and breathed heavily over her body. She convulsed with dance movements, and I felt as if I could see the adrenaline running through her veins. I could not take my eyes away. She was fascinating. I still had goose bumps. She slid across the stage to end her famous number one hit. I could feel my heart throbbing because of so much excitement. She panted into the microphone and told the audience she was going to sing us a slow song. Her voice was not the best of all singers, however. It had more of a moaning sound than usual, but I loved it anyway. It was unique. It made her “Britney.” She concluded the show and just like that she was gone. I wished at that moment that I could see her again live because it was the best performance I had ever seen. Luckily, on March 3rd, I will see the legendary Britney Spears again.


    Meghan Dauzat
    mdauza1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  7. It was a cold day at Jazz Fest, and the ground was still covered with massive puddles from the day before. I had been looking forward to seeing this one band in particular ever since I had bought my ticket months in advance. Of A Revolution, O.A.R., was not my favorite band, but it was a band that I vowed I would never miss if they came to New Orleans. That Saturday had come. Jazz Fest was not as crowded as the previous years, mainly because it had been pouring down rain almost every day completely covering the ground in a layer of water with grass blades and dead bugs floating on the top. Even so, there were a good number of people sticking it out to see a great band play.
    When O.A.R. stepped on stage, the crowd, or lack thereof, went wild. It had started raining, which soon turned into an all-out downpour. Everybody was cold but when O.A.R. played that first note, the cold rain vanished from everybody’s thoughts. O.A.R. had a great set and each song seemed to be even better and come more from the soul than the last. They knew they had to take their performance above and beyond due to the conditions.
    Blue tarps were being picked up out of the muddy puddles on the ground and tossed over people’s heads to take shelter from the rain. I stood under a huge blue tarp, which was being supported by one hand of at least thirty different strangers. All of the devoted fans were huddled under the tarps shoulder to shoulder jamming to music that sounded better than any music that had entered my ears before. It seemed like we were all dancing and moving as one, splashing our feet around in the cold, muddy puddles not even noticing the mud trickling down our legs being splashed by our neighbor. It was as if O.A.R.’s music took us into another place where we were at the perfect concert. It was not until the Jazz Fest marshals cancelled the remaining bands still performing that we remembered how foul the weather really was. The heart and soul that the band was putting into their concert took the crowd to another level of music where our icy, shivering bodies were completely separate from our warm, music filled minds.

    Jessica Talbot
    jtalbo8@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. My favorite band is Three Days Grace, and it should be yours too. I will admit that there are many great bands out there, but Three Days Grace is, by far, the best band ever. This band has great guitar riffs, awesome vocals, and drum solos. The three guitarists are beyond belief. Watching them play just makes you want to go to the store and buy a guitar. Their songs are really catchy with intense energy and emotions.

    I first heard “I Hate Everything About You” a couple years ago. The school day just ended. My whole body was tired, and I just wanted to go home and sleep like a baby. I hitched a ride in my friend’s brother’s big red van. In his van, the middle row of seats were missing and in its place were two feeble looking speakers. When Three Days Grace came on, my heart popped out of my chest and my eardrums were vibrating violently. The speakers were so loud. Adrenaline surged throughout my body like a dam had burst. I started head banging up and down. I felt energized. The song made me want to jump up from my seat and spin with my imaginary guitar.

    When the car ride was over, my mind was blown away. My eardrums had melted. The hairs on my arms stood up. As time past, I still think that Three Days Grace is the greatest band on the planet. I have never seen them perform live, but when they sweat, they sweat awesomeness.

    Binh Doan
    bdoan1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  10. I could write about the earsplitting experience of Incubus inside of the New Orleans Arena, but the most memorable musical moment in my existence is very simple. Lying on the beach in Panama City with no one around and the only noise heard is tune of Brandon Boyd’s vocals and the rustling of the waves.

    Everyone else was departing for the hotel room to get all set for what the night will have in store for us as I told my girlfriend that I would soon be up. If only she knew that two hours would pass by as I sat and wandered away in my own world. I can still remember as the opening verse of Incubus’ “I Wish You Were Here” states, “I dig my toes into the sand,” and instinctively I do the same. When the sun began to set, every muscle in my body was relaxed beyond belief as I was getting up from my soothed state of mind.

    No matter what mood I am in, Incubus’ music always puts me in a great one. Even though I can’t always listen to them on the beach, their calming melodies make me comfortable wherever I am.

    Nick Chunn
    nchunn1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  11. My friends and I chilled in the parking lot as we waited for the party to start. Advertised to be the hypiest party of the summer. One friend asked "where the liquor at" and we laughed because he always asked the same question. We eventually purchased the liquor and had drinks for about an hour. The party started up and we entered it an hour and a half late as usual.

    Already kind of tipsy I immediately started to vibe to the music. Bobbing my head and doing a little two step. Time past and a Lil Wayne song came on named "the sky is the limit." The beat started, the bass kicked in, then Lil Wayne started rapping. Before I knew it both of my hands were in the air, my fingers were pointing to the sky, I started bobbing my head hard and slow, suddenly i zoned out. Singing "the sky is the limit." I knew there were people there but I could not see or hear them, it was if I was the only one there. Singing "the sky is the limit," as the sound of the music fainted in and out in my head. Shortly I could hear nothing, everything slowed down, my hands were still in the air, I could feel nothing except the pulse from the fifteen inch subwoofers under my shoes going through my whole body. Swinging from side to side, hair bouncing from left to right, smiling, rapping, and wasting my drink all over. Singing "the sky is the limit, the sky is the limit, the sky..." Then suddenly my friend tapped me and hollered my name "Jay!"

    Instantly everything sped back up to normal speed, my hands came down, and I could hear almost everything. Everybody in the party singing "the sky is the limit," people jumping up and down into other people, fights nearly breaking out, DJ talking on the mic, chairs falling, and the place started spinning in a circle. Then he grabbed me and said "you straight?" I slowly turned my head in his diection, I looked at him for like five suspense filled seconds as I slowly gained my composure, I slowly nodded my head up and down taking long deep blinks and slowly said "im good." Turned my attention back to the party, put my right arm around his neck and my left arm back in the air singing "the sky is the limit." He looked at me laughed and did the same thing. Since this day Lil Wayne has been my favorite rapper. "The sky is the limit!"

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I headed directly to my truck with my nostrils flaring, head hanging low, and my eyes pointed straight ahead. After yelling at the manager and going on break without permission, my boss wouldn’t be pleased, even with five and a half years experience under my belt. I was right and I knew it. I quickly jumped into my white F-150 and began to assess the situation but it angered me again. The best thing for me to do was forget about the whole thing and try to enjoy what was left of my 20 minute break.

    I turned the radio to my favorite station, Eagle 98.1. The DJ introduced the next song as Tom Petty, “I Won’t Back Down.” At this point, the volume was only about mid-range and my mind was still jumbled about theories of terrible revenge against my manager. Unexpectedly, when the music started playing my mind immediately cleared and all I could do was smile. I turned the radio up and for the first time that day I actually felt good. It was one of those songs that you try to sing along with even though it’s the first time you hear it. After it was over I turned the truck off and went back inside to quit my job.

    When I left work that day I knew I made a decision that would effect the rest of my life. The crazy thing about the whole situation was how good I felt when I walked out the door that day without looking back. I enjoy my new job and I now own every Tom Petty song I could find. It’s amazing how listening to one song could change my life and it could do the same for you.

    csalom3@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  14. My favorite musician and guitarist is John Mayer. To some, his music may see slow or mellow, but to me it is full of meaning and memories. Listening to his music has been a stable part of my daily routine for four years. I started listening to John Mayer in high school. It was summer time, and the carefree atmosphere still fills my mind when I listen to “Neon”. My four best friends and I had been lying by the pool all day long, listening to John Mayer on the stereo. We were all too young to work and we had no obligations or responsibilities. The only thing that was in our thoughts was the pure, beautiful voice of the one and only John Mayer. As we laid our towels down on the hot concrete, fantasies overtook our minds. We looked into the cool water and thought about the future and how we would always be friends. While all five of us were burning in the hot summer sun, we all wished we could experience John Mayer live in concert. I sat up from my hammock and excitedly stated that we needed to see him live together.
    Months past, and we anxiously searched for a concert near us. When we found one in Baton Rouge, our home town, we all started jumping with enthusiasm. The shrill of our happy voices sent my friend’s dad down the stairs to quickly tell us to keep it down, because it was two in the morning. Whole watching him slowly walk upstairs, we quickly ran to our purses and pulled out our credit cards in exhilaration. However, not all of us were as stimulated. One of our friends sat at the computer staring at the price of the one ticket that she knew she could never afford. We all knew that if all five of us could not go it would not be the same. She was agitated and decided to go upstairs to bed. I whipped around to my friends when I finally saw her close the door. I simply stated that we could not go without her. We all came up with the plan of buying her a ticket and giving it to her as a Christmas present. We bought all five tickets, and went to bed. As I lay on the floor in my friend’s bedroom, my restless body was without sleep for hours. The anticipation overwhelmed me. Finally when it was time to pass around Christmas gifts, she opened her box. Complete delight filled her face. She looked at each one of us and thanked us repeatedly with glee. Now it was complete, and the five of us could experience John Mayer together.
    The day finally arrived. It was the day of the concert. We jumped in my car and sped over to the building. We slowly walked up the aisle looking for our floor seats in bliss. We anxiously waited for him to come on stage. The joy on each of our faces was evident. As he walked on stage, we screamed in excitement. I sat through the entire performance in awe, unable to even go to the restroom in fear of missing something. I danced and sang and was finally content without any other stress on my mind. I looked at my four friends and knew they were happy which made me happy. The experience of my life would not have been the same without them. And finally when the concert came to an end, we all looked at each other with pure joy in our eyes and knew that we would always be friends. From lying on the hot concrete to dancing at a concert to moving away to college, John Mayer’s music would always bring us together.

    Jamie Dean
    jdean11@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  15. I intently believe that music is the medicine for any illness in life. It effects your soul and your emotions. That is why I knew that my life would never be the same after I saw Avenged Sevenfold live in the Houston Rodeo Arena. As soon as I bought their "City of Evil" album, my friends and I knew that this trip was destined to happen.

    My two friends and I entered the arena in awe at the tens of thousands of fans awaiting the arrival of one of Synyster Gates thrashing guitar solos or one of the Rev's gut-busting drum solos. After the opening bands had completed their sets, there was an anticipating twenty minutes in which the stage was getting arranged. In a moments notice, all of the lights went out, and just as quick as they went out, a burst of flames exploded on stage as Synyster Gates threw down the opening song on that albuw "Beast and the Harlot." As M. Shadows gave every breathe he had, which seemed to be necessary, to push out those raw vocals, I new that this was going to be an amazing event.

    Throughout the concert, we felt the burst of flames explode from the stage all the way in the cheap seat as if we were in the front row. My body trembled from the bass line shooting straight from the stacks of subs, and the trebles screeched from the amazing stacks of Marshall amps. As everyone moshed down on the floor, there was nothing us "cheap-seaters" could do but yell the lyrics at the tops of our lungs.

    Johnathan "Colby" Coghlan
    jcoghl1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  16. I listen to all kinds of music, but I will always be a sucker for the blues. With that said, I can begin my relatively unexciting and uneventful story of how Stevie Ray Vaughan has recently come back into my life as my favorite musical artist of the moment.

    After a long night out with my friends last summer, I walked through the front door of my house to find my father still awake in the living room with the TV on and Stevie Ray Vaughan blaring from the speakers. He was watching a recording of one of Stevie Ray Vaughan's concerts at Austin City Limits. The second I sat down on the couch, I was mesmerized. The man exudes charisma. Watching him play VooDoo Chile on the guitar is the coolest thing I might have ever seen in my young life. He plays as though the guitar is another part of his body, and when you watch him play, you can almost feel the love he has for his music. His voice is filled with soul and has a slight sandpaper feel to the ears as he shouts at the top of his lungs, which is a sound that I think is unique to Stevie.

    Blues music is already very full of emotion, but Stevie Ray Vaughan brought so much to his performances. Being one with his instrument is truly an awesome thing to watch. But I'm sure that merely seeing him on a TV screen would be incomparable to an actual live performance. I admire his passion and dedication to what he did as an artist, and I have a blast listening to and watching him play. Stevie Ray rocks!!

    Emily Worsham
    eworsh1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  17. I remember the first time I heard them. It was the summer my grandmother died. The summer before I started college. I put in their cd on the way back to my house. At first listen I knew I was in love. The second song on the album had the most beautiful guitar melody I had ever heard. It's rare when I fall in love with a band as soon as I hear them. I usually ease myself into a new band's music like easing into a really hot bath. Very slowly, letting each part get used to how it feels before going further in.

    When something bad happens to me and I feel impossibly sad, music seems to mean more to me that it normally does. After my grandmother passed away, I needed anything to make me feel better. The band Wolf Parade somehow put a smile on my face, even during the times when I was missing her the most. There is something powerful in their music. You can hear their dedication ringing out in the singer's voice, in the stirring rhythms and the powerful lyrics.

    Even now, after a year and a half of listening to their first album I have not gotten tired of it. Every song has a warm familiarity to it, but the originality of their sound keeps me interested though I have heard each song many times. Just before I started writing this treatise on Wolf Parade I uploaded their second album on my itunes. If you are looking for a resounding musical experience, then so should you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I completely agree with Colby when he compares music to medicine. I feel like it helps me with whatever kind of mood I'm in. Kings of Leon plays a major role in this situation, because they can play any kind of music that I can listen to wherever, whenever. This rock band will put you in the mood for anything. If you want to just mellow down and chill, if you want to scream and rock your head off, even if you just need something to "pep" you up- they got it.

    I first heard the band this past summer while I was living with two boys that are my best friends. We get along so great because we listen to all the same music, when it is usually so hard to find someone like that. One of the first nights I moved in, we had people over, so my friend Jack pulled out his ipod and started playing "Milk" by Kings of Leon. The instant the lyrics poured out of the box and streamed into my ears I fell in love with them. There is something about their music that makes it addicting like cigarettes. The way they play and perfectly manipulate the music makes you feel like your in another world, like your by yourself but all around you is walls of music playing everywhere.

    I spent the rest of the summer listening to the band, rarely watching t.v. As much as music is a medicine, it's also a sickness for me. I will spend hours on end listening to all kinds of music, looking up new bands and upcoming concerts. Kings of Leon plays a major role with this passion of mine. Every summer I work Bonnaroo and I cannot wait for the day they come back so I will be able to meet the four men who have helped me through so much.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So as a young lad I always loved to listen to creative and inspiring music. The Killers inspire me everyday to go out into the world and kick the day in the dick and give it my best. Now The Killers is an interesting band because they don't really fit into any type of musical norm because they are too "indie" to be a rock band but too "rock" to be an indie band. However, The Killers are awesome regardless.

    I first fell in love with The Killers when I heard their second album called "Sam's Town". "Sam's Town" is a beautiful mixture of indie inspired rock ballads as well as kick ass get up and jam music. As I listened to the third album my love for The Killers grew. I'm serious, this music really does get you off your feet and ready to do anything life throws at you. I honestly punched an old lady in the face one time I was so rocked out. Seriously.

    Well anyway The Killers ball hardcore and that's the long and short of it. If you're hesitant to listen to them don't be. The music they make is so well rounded it fits everybody's tastes. From sappy love songs to raging workout music, they do it all ladies and gentlemen. No one can even compare. No, not even Brittany Spears herself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was approximately ten years old, crisp summer wind in my hair, surrounded by the distinct sights and smells of south Louisiana’s rivers when I heard the first beats of my favorite musical group. I was sitting at the front edge of my father’s boat when I first fell in love with the Black Crowes. The fast paced rock and emotion-filled voice of the lead singer forced every inch of me to dance like I never had before. I was not concerned with who was watching or what the lyrics were saying; I only wanted to hear more.
    Now, anytime I’m driving around tired of listening to the same overplayed songs on the radio; I turn on their CD. Even though some of the songs have no personal relevance, the memorable beats always take me back to the carefree days out on the river.

    ReplyDelete
  21. My best friend Keri and I decided to drive to my house in Hammond in order to rescue my sister, Cassie from her pains of cabin fever. Baton Rouge is only about thirty minutes from my parent’s house, but when you are as lazy as me and Keri are, some kind of entertainment is required. Our idea was to pack our little friend, Nemo. As I started the engine and as Keri lit up Nemo for her first hit, I fumbled through my CD case to look for the perfect music for the drive. My fingers landed upon “Explosions in the Sky”, an instrumental rock band known for their cathartic sound.

    The sound was exactly what we needed to make the drive complete. It triggers different emotions with every beat. Hearing them play made every hit worthwhile. Then the song “The Death of Birth and Day” came on. Both Keri and I fell silent. My eyes were no longer on the road. The song takes your imagination to a different realm, creating images based on the way the instruments are played. At that moment I escaped from the pains of reality. I was at peace for once in my life.

    There were hardly any words on that car drive; no lyrics to “Explosions in the Sky” nor any discussion between me and Keri, but there was a sense of excitement and peace among us. That day as I stared down the interstate through the slits in my eyes, finally arriving at the Hammond exit, so much emotion was streaming through my body that I wanted to do it all over again.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The most perfect gift I have ever gotten was a ticket to see Radiohead in Houston last year. I waited for two long months, so when the day came I was shaking with excitement. My three friends and I piled into the car and the atmosphere was thick with emotion because none of us ever thought we would actually get to see them live. Radiohead touring in the U.S. is a very rare occasion.
    It was an outdoor concert on a gray rainy day. We had tickets to sit on the lawn, which was set on a hill facing the big, tented stage area. I sat on a big blanket, filled with friends and friends of friends who were all considering themselves pretty lucky to be seeing this band that we'd been fans of for years. As the grim daylight started to fade, we got more and more anxious for the show to start. A comfortable breeze was bristling our skin and our hair, and slowly it started to drizzle. We wrapped ourselves in trash bags and braced ourselves while Radiohead finally walked onto the stage.
    One of the best aspects of Radiohead is that it's not just a musical experience, they are also visual artists. The stage was filled with iron bars that hung form the top of the stage. There were different colors and images that were reflected onto the bars. It was beautiful and the best part about the visual aspect of it was that it fit perfectly with the music. They played songs from their new album, but included a lot of their old music that was very nostalgic because it reminded me of all the times I had listened to it before. The most important thing about music is if it has the ability to change your mood, and I've never smiled so much in my life.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Most believe that an individual’s taste in music is influenced by their moral principles and cultural upbringing. My favorite type of music is alternative rock, not only is it a mixture of rock and pop, it also contains a flare of soul. To me, the best alternative rock band out there for the female teen who longs to feel empowered to do just whatever is my favorite band Avril Lavigne.
    I got to know about the band from of course MTV’s TRL, which is the best source to get to know about the coolest and most recent entertainment stars. It was exactly the music video for “Sk8er Boi” that was playing and the first thing that I admired about Avril was her style and the fact that she skated with no sense of fear. She and her band members all seemed to be just carefree youngsters that were having fun and Avril stated her voice with the lyrics about a guy she fell in love with who was ditched by a girl who had before treated the guy as a looser.
    Like many teens, the time this song came out I was going through the stage where your parents will tell you to “stop playing because you are not a child anymore,” yet when you try to be series or do anything wrong then they will say, “don’t think that because you are a little older, that you can do whatever you want! You are still a child!” Hearing this made me feel imprisoned by walls that would crash me down if I tried to move out of the boundaries acceptable to my parents. After I got the band’s first Album “Let Go,” I usually locked myself in my room and just listened to the songs as loud as I could yet low enough to hear when my parents would call me. Laying there on my bed, the lyrics quickly heeled all the wounds inflicted by the rocks that flew straight at me as a punishment for not adhering to the parameters of the wall. My favorite song quickly came to be “Anything But Ordinary,” which I used as a temporary shield whereby I would imagine myself in the singer’s shoe and just screaming out loud all the hurt and drench that I felt. My favorite part of the song being:
    “Somebody rip my heart out and leave my here to bleed.
    Is it enough to die? Somebody save my life,
    I’d rather be anything but ordinary please.
    To walk within the line would make my life so boring
    I want to know that I have been to the extreme”
    “Sometimes I get so weird
    I even freak myself out
    I laugh myself to sleep, it’s my lullaby”

    Maria Tati
    mtati1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  24. It felt as if five years of my life had passed by the time I had made my way out of the line and into the crowd. Personal space was not an option as I was bumped, nudged with an elbow, and rained on by the occasional spilling of beer. “CHRIS”, I heard shouted as my buddies and I made our way to buy a few drinks. I turned to see a face, of a familiar girl, that was lit up with excitement to see me. Her smile was contagious and cheerfulness was inviting. “I haven’t seen you in forever! We have the first song and you are coming up on stage to sing with us,” was all that she said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me through the sea of people.
    Butterflies entered my stomach and thoughts began to race through my head. “I can’t sing and I don’t even know the song,” was all that I kept thinking about. Now, the bar was dark with only one area lit up which was the stage. Time passed and I soon heard “The party singing ‘Say it ain’t so’ please come to the stage,” which came from the sweaty hefty man on stage wearing a Mellow Mushroom shirt. “That’s us,” Amy exclaimed. Everything moved in slow motion as we made our way towards the stage. Just as we made our approach, one of my buddies crossed our path. I could not see his expression as a shadow covered his face, but what I could see is that he was holding out a grey metal bucket in his hand filled with ice and Budweiser bottles protruding to the surface. Contently, we all grabbed one and made our journey up the two steps and onto the platform stage.
    No one in particular face stood out as we looked out into the crowd of unknown faces. The song started, more Budweiser was consumed, people climbed on their tables in the booths, and the singing began. “Oh yeah, Alright” in bold yellow righting was projected on the screen across the bar, and I gave my best attempts to sing the lyrics in tune to the song. My worries faded as I could hear Amy and her friends atrocious, raspy, off tune singing. Comforted by the fact that I was not the only terrible singer on stage, I was able to loosen up, dance, and even shout the lyrics without caring. Soon the loss of personal space was back when the people in the crowd climbed on like animals to sing along to the chorus “SAY IT AIN’T SOOWOOOH!”. Being bunched in, I could smell the alcohol on everyone’s breath and for some on their clothes as well. My adrenaline rush had reached its peak and I felt electrified, but the song eventually came to an end like all good things do. Not only had Amy succeeded in making me sing karaoke at the Mellow Mushroom, but as well in making me a fan of Weezer and the song “Say it ain’t So.”

    ReplyDelete
  25. Brant and I arrived at the concert early Saturday afternoon. Many different bands of all genres were playing, but we were there to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I grew up listening to this band, and I could not wait to see them perform live. We wandered around City Park listening to the eclectic blend of musical styles. No one there really impressed me, and I found myself staring at my watch, waiting for the main event to begin. About an hour before they were scheduled to come on, I grabbed a beverage and made my way to the stage where they would be playing, making sure I had a good spot.
    About an hour and a half and two blue pills later, they finally took the stage. The popping and slapping sounds from Flea's bass seamed to shake my soul. My heart was pounding as I sung along to "Can't Stop." I felt Brant tap my shoulder and heard him scream "Do you feel this shit?"
    "Yeah, it's incredible," I responded, not sure if he was asking about the music or the pills. Either way, they perfectly complimented each other to create the most complete euphoria I had ever felt. The blend of alternative rock and funk just sounded...perfect.
    After a few more songs, The Chili Peppers introduced a group they grew up with called "The Meters." They came on stage and the two bands began to improvise. They just jammed for about twenty minutes. I had no idea how truly talented these guys were before I heard them play straight from the heart. I jumped up and down, non-stop until the show was over. By the end of the concert, I was soaked with sweat. My mouth was dry and filled with the taste of cigarette smoke and orange juice. I felt dirty, but I still had loads of energy. The show was easily the most amazing musical experience of my life.

    Chris Morvant
    cmorva3@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  26. My favorite band would have to be, Bob Marley. As a person he represented peace and equality and through his music he believed that racism could be in a sense, cured. His music kept me company throughout some of the hardest times in my life, and with the upbeat tempos and the positive attitude it made me happy to listen to him. The reason i think he is so inspirational to me is because last year my best friend got into a car accident and had less than a 10% chance of living, well there was ol' Bob to make me feel better. My friend recoved, just to be def in one ear and have short term memory problems. Not that im saying Bob marley did this cray miracle beyond the grave, but he was comfort when comfort was needed, through every complicaion or bad news we got from the doctors, there was always something to fall back on.

    Sarah Johnson
    sjoh117@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  27. The big screens to the left and the right of the stage began to show pictures of her throughout the years. The place had been completely dark and full of nervous babble waiting to finally see her. As the instrumental music began and she appeared, the crowd screamed wildly, and the cameras flashed eagerly. I could not believe what was happening. Goose bumps crept down my spine as the sound echoed and her voice projected over the uncontrollable crowd. I stood transfixed. I wanted to be her. She was so perfect.

    My eyes began to tear from the smoke. My head was pounding, and my feet began to ache from standing so long. The new shoes I had just bought were cutting into my ankles, but I did not care. All I could focus on was the dancing that was taking place before my very eyes. Her lavishly costumed frame was drenched with sweat, but not in a disgusting way, in an alluring way. The combination of her sweat, body glitter, and tan made her glisten. Her belly button ring caught my attention as it dangled down her midriff. She smiled. Her teeth were so white. She was glowing.

    She thanked the crowd for coming. Her voice made me feel warm and giddy. It made me love her more. She crooned the next tune and danced more intensely than anyone I have even seen. Her colorfully dressed and painted backup dancers gathered around her as if an orgy was taking place, and breathed heavily over her body. I felt the adrenaline running through my veins as she convulsed with dance movements. I could not take my eyes away from her. She was fascinating. I still had goose bumps. She slid across the stage to end her famous number one hit. I could feel my heart throbbing because of the excitement. She panted into the microphone and told the audience she was going to sing a slow song. Her voice was not the best, but it was sensuous, burning, soulful, and barely above a moan. A little over two hours felt like minutes, and just like that, the show had ended. Britney was gone.

    Meghan Dauzat
    mdauza1@lsu.edu
    Revision 1

    ReplyDelete
  28. It felt as if five years of my life had passed by the time I had made my way out of the line and into the crowd. Personal space was not an option as I was bumped, nudged by an elbow, and rained on by the occasional spilling of beer. “CHRIS”, I heard shouted as my buddies and I made our way to the bar to buy a few drinks. I turned to see the face of a familiar girl that was lit up with excitement to see me. Her smile was contagious and her cheerfulness was inviting. “I haven’t seen you in forever! We have the first song and you are coming up on stage to sing with us,” she exclaimed as she grabbed my hand and pulled me through the sea of people.
    I felt as if butterflies were in my stomach and thoughts began to race through my head. “I can’t sing and I don’t even know the song,” was all that I kept thinking.
    Now, the bar was dark except for the stage was provided with light. Time passed and I soon heard “The party singing ‘Say it ain’t so’ please come to the stage,” coming from the sweaty hefty man on stage wearing a Mellow Mushroom shirt. “That’s us,” Amy exclaimed. Everything moved in slow motion as we made our way through the congested bar. Just as we made our approach, one of my buddies crossed our path. His face was covered by a shadow, but I could see that he was holding out a grey metal bucket filled with ice and Budweiser bottles protruding to the surface. Contently, we all grabbed one and made our journey up the side steps and onto the platform stage.

    No face in particular stood out as we looked out into the crowd. The song started, more Budweiser was consumed, people climbed on their tables in the booths, and the singing began. “Oh yeah, Alright” in bold yellow writing was projected on the screen across the bar, and I gave my best attempts to sing the lyrics in tune to the song. My worries faded as I could hear Amy and her friends’ atrocious, raspy singing. Comforted by the fact that I was not the only dreadful singer on stage, I was able to loosen up, dance, and even shout the lyrics without caring. The song was nice and slow, the chorus was catchy, and the melody had flow as we all sang “SAY IT AIN’T SOOOWOOOH!” The crowd climbed their way onto the stage, most losing their balance and bumping into me. My adrenaline rush had reached its peak and I felt electrified; having a blast could definitely describe what I was doing. The song started winding down and came to an end. Taking a much needed breather, Amy and I walked outside to the patio. Conversation started between us and time flew. Before I knew it, her friends walked up ready to leave. And in my favor, Amy put her hand on my shoulder and said “We’re going to head out, but let me put my number in your phone because I definitely want to hang out again.” After that night at the Mellow Mushroom, I could not help but listen to Weezer and to my surprise have become a lifelong fan of “Say it ain’t so” and many of their other songs.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lying on the beach in Panama City with no one around and the only noise heard is tune of Brandon Boyd’s vocals and the rustling of the waves. Being on the beach with no one in sight during Spring Break is a rarity, but in this case it was a blessing to take a break from all the chaos that had been happening during our trip already. All I had was a $15 dollar radio and three albums from the band Incubus and it couldn’t have been any better.
    I can still remember as the opening verse of Incubus’ “I Wish You Were Here” states, “I dig my toes into the sand,” and instinctively I did the same for some reason. Their music just put me in that mindset where all I could hear is their music no matter what would have happened. I was in my own world and zoned out for two hours and loved every minute of it. The sun was setting over the water when I finally decided to get up from my musical escapade. My mind was clear and my body was relaxed which was exactly what I needed after the couple of nights that happened.
    Incubus has such a unique sound that it is hard to classify them into one genre. All you have to do is listen to the song “Are You In” and you will be able to listen to how experimental they truly are with their sound which works with every track. Their vocals mesh perfectly with their instrumentals which together creates incredible music. No matter what mood I am in, Incubus’ music always puts me in a great one. Even though I can’t always listen to them on the beach, their calming melodies make me comfortable wherever I am.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The hot summer sun was baking my pale skin as I wished that day would never end. The carefree atmosphere still fills my mind every time I slip a John Mayer CD in. My four best friends and I had been lying by the pool all day long, listening to John Mayer on the stereo. We were all too young to work and we had no obligations or responsibilities. The only thing in our thoughts was the pure, beautiful voice of the one and only John Mayer. As we laid our towels down on the hot concrete, fantasies overtook our minds. We looked into the cool water and thought about the future and how we would always be friends. While all five of us were burning in the hot summer sun, we all wished we could experience John Mayer live in concert. I sat up from my hammock and excitedly declared that we needed to see him live together.
    Months passed, and we anxiously searched for a concert near us. When we found one in Baton Rouge, our home town, we all started jumping with enthusiasm. The shrill of our happy voices sent my friend’s dad down the stairs to quickly tell us to keep it down because it was two in the morning. While watching him slowly walk upstairs, we quickly ran to our purses and pulled out our credit cards in exhilaration. However, not all of us were as stimulated. One of our friends sat at the computer staring at the price of the ticket knew she could never afford. We knew if all five of us could not go it would not be the same. She was agitated and decided to go upstairs to bed. I whipped around to my friends when I saw her close the door. I simply stated that we could not go without her. We all came up with the plan of buying her a ticket and giving it to her as a Christmas present. We bought all five tickets and went to bed. As I lay on the floor in my friend’s bedroom, my restless body was without sleep for hours. The anticipation overwhelmed me. Eventually, when it was time to pass around Christmas gifts, she opened her box. Complete delight filled her face. She looked at each one of us and thanked us repeatedly with glee. Now it was complete, and the five of us could experience John Mayer together.
    The day finally arrived. It was the day of the concert. We jumped in my car and sped over to the building. We slowly walked up the aisle looking for our floor seats in bliss. We anxiously waited for him to come on stage. As he walked on stage, we screamed in excitement. He was in a plain button down, black shirt and jeans. His sweat was apparent. In the corner of the stage he had over a dozen different guitars, which he played throughout the concert. I secretly wished he would call me on stage. I looked around at my friends wondering if they felt the same way. The joy on each of our faces was evident. I sat through the entire performance in awe, unable to even go to the restroom in fear of missing something. I danced and sang and was finally satisfied without any other stress on my mind. I looked at my four friends and knew they were happy which made me content. The experience of my life would not have been the same without them. When the concert came to an end, we all looked at each other with pure joy in our eyes and knew we would always be friends. From lying on the hot concrete to dancing at a concert to moving away to college, John Mayer’s music would always bring us together.

    Jamie Dean
    jdean11@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. My favorite band is Three Days Grace, and it should be yours too. I will admit that there are many great bands out there, but Three Days Grace is, by far, the best band ever. I like this band because the members of the band work extremely well together. Everyone pitches in with the lyrics and his own ideas. Every single song expresses an atmosphere with intense emotions that anyone can easily relate to. Three Days Grace has great guitar riffs, awesome vocals, and thundering drum solos. Words can hardly describe how amazing talented the guitarist are. Hearing them rock makes you want to dash to the store and buy a guitar.

    I first heard "I Hate Everything About You" during my early teenage years-the years of rebellion. My whole body was weary and exhausted when the school day was over. I wanted to go home and sleep like a baby. On that day, I hitched a ride in Joseph’s, my friend's brother, big red van. In his van, the middle row of seats was missing and in its place were two gargantuan speakers. When Three Days Grace came on, the music was so loud but so good. My heart popped out of my chest and my eardrums were vibrating violently. Adrenaline surged throughout my body like a lightning bolt. I started "head banging" up and down. I felt energized. The song made me want to jump up from my seat and spin with my imaginary guitar.

    When the car ride was over, my mind was blown away. My eardrums had melted. The hairs on my arms stood up. The music was so powerful that it completely extinguished my bad mood. I immediately listened to all their songs on YouTube. I even went out and bought all of their CDs because they were so awesome. Even several years later, I still think that Three Days Grace is the greatest band on the planet.

    Binh Doan
    bdoan1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  33. It was a frigid Saturday at Jazz Fest, and the ground was still covered with massive puddles from the days before. I had been looking forward to seeing this one band in particular ever since I had bought my ticket months in advance. Of A Revolution, O.A.R., was not my favorite band, but it was a band that I vowed I would never miss if they came to New Orleans. That day had come. Jazz Fest was not as crowded as the previous years, mainly because it had been pouring down rain almost every day transforming the ground into an ocean with blades of grass and dead bugs floating atop. Even so, there were a good number of dedicated fans happily waiting to see a great band play.
    When O.A.R. stepped on stage, the crowd, or lack thereof, went wild. It had started raining, which soon turned into an all-out downpour. Everybody was cold but when O.A.R. played that first note, the cold rain vanished from my thoughts. O.A.R. had a great set and each song seemed to be even better and come more from the soul than the last. When Marc Roberge, the lead singer and guitarist, strummed the first chords of “Love and Memories” the music was instantaneously drowned out by the thunderous screams of the crowd. I had listened to O.A.R.’s music a thousand times, but I felt like it was the first time ever hearing them. Although the crowd was small, it sounded like not even one more person could fit onto the race track at the Fair Grounds. O.A.R. knew they had to take their performance above and beyond due to the fierce conditions.
    Blue tarps were being picked up out of the muddy puddles on the ground and tossed over our heads to provide shelter from the rain. I stood under one of the tarps, which was being supported by one hand of at least thirty different strangers. All of the devoted fans were huddled under the tarps shoulder to shoulder jamming to music that sounded better than any music that had ever penetrated my ears. It seemed as if we were all dancing and moving as one, splashing our feet around in the cold, muddy puddles ignoring the mud trickling down our legs that had been splashed on us by our neighbor. It was as if O.A.R.’s music took me into another place where I was at the perfect concert. It was not until the Jazz Fest marshals cancelled the remaining bands still performing that we remembered how foul the weather really was. The heart and soul that the band was putting into their concert took the crowd to a different level of music where our icy, shivering bodies were completely separate from our warm, music filled minds.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Some people believe that legends never die, and music can live on forever. As my favorite artist, Bob Marley fits both of those categories. He helped me through some of the hardest times in my life, and yet it all came down to simple rhythm and rhyme, and the one-two beats of regaee.

    Bob Marley is a hero figure to me now. His thoughts about how music can actually "cure" racism and songs about living life happily and simply has grabbed me and pulled me under.

    One year ago my bestfriend i saw on a daily basis was ripped away from me by a major car accident. He arrived with less than a 10% chance of living, and an even smaller precentage of living through the required brain surgury. There was a deadly silence in the ICU waiting room. All i had with me at the hospital was my ipod. The only music on it was all Bob Marley's CD's, so i was forced to listen to him. Patiently waiting, watching every second tick by that could take my bestfriends life is enough to make a person go insane. However, that ipod and the music stored on it kept me going.

    With every minute that ticked by ment my friend was that much closer to keeping his life. song after song after song played through the white wires of my headphones, and with each songs conclusion an unconsious smile came over my face, knowing that my friend was still fighting.

    Bob Marley talks about living life simple and being happy with what you have been given. To take every opportunity and turn it into something great. To take in love and reject fear and hate. For me, it was easier said than done sitting there in the ice cold waiting room. All of a sudden a song came on with the lyrics "dont worry, about a thing, cause every little things going to be alright" came on. As soon as i heard those lyrics i laughed, thinking that no, not everything is going to be alright. I have a dying friend a few doors down kept alive only by machines. But i listened to the entire song anyways. By the end of it, i had taken in the message the song was trying to get across, which was not to worry, and that whats meant to be is meant to be.

    The very second that song ended a tall figure approached me while i was sitting on the floor against a wall. This was Shauns's doctor i realied! I ripped the headphones from my ears and tried to prepare myself for the news he was about to give. Scared to death that his words would include phrases such as "we did everything we could" and "he lived longer than we expected," I sat up and gave him my entire attention. He looked at me and said "Don't worry, everything is going to be alright," and then he said "hes in a coma, but you can go back and sit with him, he needs some good vibes in his room."

    I jumped to my feet, snached my ipod, and was an olympic speed walker for a second it felt like. I hooked up the ipod to his TV in his room, and played what i had on my ipod. Not knowing if he could hear it or not, i played it for hours as he lay motionless.

    I dont know to this day if listening to the inspiring lyrics of Marley helped, but today my friend Shaun is alive and well, and thats all i care about. But because of the doctor's words that matched the song "Three Little Birds" and how much it kept me going, Bob Marley has a special aura associated with his music. This legend never died, and his music gave life to my bestfriend.

    "The thing about music, is that when it hits you, you feel no pain"
    - Bob Marley

    Sarah Johnson
    sjoh117@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  35. I intently believe that music is the medicine for any illness in life. It affects your soul and your emotions. I knew my life would never be the same after I saw Avenged Sevenfold live in the Houston Rodeo Arena. As soon as I bought their "City of Evil" album, my friends and I knew this trip was destined to happen.

    My two friends and I entered the arena in awe at the tens of thousands of fans awaiting the arrival of one of Synyster Gates thrashing guitar solos or one of the Rev's gut-busting drum solos. After the opening bands completed their sets, there was an anticipating twenty minutes in which the stage was getting arranged. In a moments notice, all of the lights went out, and just as quick as they dimmed, a burst of flames exploded on stage as Synyster Gates threw down the opening song on that album "Beast and the Harlot." M. Shadows gave every breathe he had, which seemed to be necessary, to push out those raw vocals, I knew this was going to be an amazing event.

    Throughout the concert, we felt the burst of flames explode from the stage all the way in the cheap seats just as if we were in the front row. My body trembled from the bass line shooting straight from the stacks of subs, and the trebles screeched from the amazing stacks of Marshall amps. Everyone moshed down on the floor, there was nothing us "cheap-seaters" could do but yell the lyrics at the tops of our lungs.

    Johnathan "Colby" Coghlan
    jcoghl1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  36. My friends and I chilled in the parking lot as we waited for the party to start. Advertised to be the hypiest party of the summer. One friend asked, "where the liquor at?" and we laughed because he always asked the same question. We eventually purchased the liquor and had drinks for about an hour. The party started up and we entered it an hour and a half late as usual.

    The building was pack. Already kind of tipsy, I immediately started to vibe to the music; bobbing my head and doing a little two step. Time past and a Lil Wayne song came on named "the sky is the limit." The beat started, the bass kicked in, then Lil Wayne started rapping. Before I knew it, both of my hands were in the air, my fingers were pointing to the sky, I started bobbing my head hard and slow, suddenly I zoned out. Singing "the sky is the limit." I knew there were people there, but I could not see or hear them. It was if I was the only one there. Singing "the sky is the limit," as the sound of the music fainted in and out in my head. Shortly I could hear nothing, everything slowed down, my hands were still in the air, I could feel nothing except the pulse from the fifteen inch subwoofers under my shoes going through my whole body. Swinging from side to side, hair bouncing from left to right, smiling, rapping, and wasting my drink all over. Singing "the sky is the limit, the sky is the limit, the sky…" Then suddenly my friend grabbed me and hollered my name "Jay!"

    Instantly everything sped back up to normal speed, my hands came down, and I could hear almost everything. Everybody in the party singing "the sky is the limit," people jumping up and down into other people, fights nearly breaking out, DJ talking on the mic, chairs falling, and the place started spinning in a circle. Then, he grabbed me and said "you straight?" I slowly turned my head in his direction, I looked at him for like five suspense filled seconds as I slowly gained my composure, I slowly nodded my head up and down taking long deep blinks and slowly said "I’m good." Turned my attention back to the party, put my right arm around his neck and my left arm back in the air singing "the sky is the limit." He looked at me laughed and did the same thing. Since this day Lil Wayne has been my favorite rapper. "The sky is the limit!"

    John "JAY" Brignac
    jbrign4@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  37. Drifting in the car for which already seemed like an eternity, listening to the radio's barrage of commercial ads, and the inhalation of muffler breath could make a simple trip home seem like a highway to hell. The smell of exhaust from diesel trucks and the pollution of nearby factories gave my throat a dry feeling equal to inhaling chalk clouds after cleaning your elementary school teacher's blackboard. The constant bumping from the construction filled roads could make those who own a Mustang wonder if they are still driving it or saddled to one and just now hitting the Oregon Trail. Knowing I had about two more hours of driving, I searched for his latest album.

    From the start of the first track from the album 808's and Heartbreak, I began to escape the never-ending journey home. The song titled "Say You Will" by Kanye West gave me a feeling of numbness from head to toe. The constant bumping, or coming to a sudden stop because some idiot cut me off, drifted from my thoughts, as the instrumentals invaded my ears. Hearing his lyrics put a smile on my face and helped me forget about both the past and the future for just a moment. His lyrics also relate to every day life and a light headed feeling as I began to wonder what he'll say next.

    After first listening to Kayne, I found most of his lyrics bold and humorous. He not only represents a few of the lyricist that are left in hip hop, but he also has many inspirational songs. For instance, "Jesus Walks" is not the type of song your favorite DJ would play in a club with your friends, but it sends a different message through music. Other songs make me think about the future such as "Street Lights" from his latest album. The song makes me wonder if I'm on the right track in life. Another reason why he is my favorite artist would be his ability as a producer. His instrumentals are often as captivating as his lyrics. I appreciate the work he does as an artist and will continue to support him. I can relate to his competitive spirit and often his lyrics give me a boost of confidence. So take it from ya boy (excuse the grammar?) and definitely include him in your musical library.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were about to come on and I wanted to make sure I had a good spot. Since I wasn’t too caught up in any of the other bands playing at Voodoo Fest that year, I made my way over to the main stage as early as I could. I grew up listening to the Chili Peppers, and couldn’t wait to see them perform live.
    The stage went completely dark as the preceding band left the stage, and the crew began to set up for the main event. Suddenly colorful lighting and piercing bass simultaneously replaced the silent gloom of City Park. The band’s charisma and energy seemed to lift my feet off the ground. I immediately recognized the opening song from the second I heard Flea slapping his bass. I began to sing along to the lyrics of “Can’t Stop” while I continued to jump up and down. The sound of their unique mix between funk and alternative rock was much better live than on any CD.
    After a few more songs, The Chili Peppers introduced a band that they grew up with called The Meters. The two groups began to improvise right there on stage. They jammed for about twenty minutes. Before this, I had never recognized how truly talented my favorite band was. I had heard just about every song they’d ever released, but I was even more impressed with their improvisation. To hear unscripted music sound so perfect was just amazing. By the end of the concert, my mouth was dry and my body was soaked in sweat, but I wanted more. If it were up to me, the show would have never ended.

    cmorva3@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  39. Most believe that an individual’s taste in music is influenced by their moral principles and cultural upbringing. So it may shock some to know that an African girl, who as a child used a grocery bag as a backpack for school, came to fall in love with an American alternative rock band. I love alternative rock, not only because it is a mixture of rock and pop, but also for its flare of soul. To me, the best alternative rock band out there for the female teen who longs to feel empowered is by my favorite singer Avril Lavigne.
    I got to know about her from MTV’s TRL, which is the best source to get to know about the coolest and most recent entertainment stars. The music video for “Sk8er Boi” that was playing and the first thing that I admired about Avril was her style and the fact that she skated without fear. She and her band members seemed to be carefree youngsters that were having fun. On the song, Avril expressed herself with the lyrics about a guy she fell in love with whom once was neglected by a girl who thought that she too good for him.
    Like many teens, at the time this song came out I was going through the stage where my parents will tell me to “stop playing because I was not a child anymore,” yet when I try to be serious or do anything wrong then they say, “don’t think that because you are a little older, that you can do whatever you want! You are still a child!” Hearing this made me feel imprisoned by walls that would crash me down if I tried to move out of the boundaries acceptable to my parents. After I got the band’s first Album “Let Go,” I usually locked myself in my room and just listened to the songs as loud as I could yet low enough to hear when my parents would call me. Laying there on my bed, the lyrics quickly healed all the wounds inflicted by the rocks that flew straight at me as a punishment for not adhering to the parameters of the wall. My favorite song quickly came to be “Anything But Ordinary,” which I used as a temporary shield whereby I would imagine myself in the singer’s shoe and just screaming out loud all the hurt and anger I felt. My favorite part of the song and the part that describes how I felt is:
    “Somebody rip my heart out and leave me here to bleed.
    Is it enough to die? Somebody save my life,
    I’d rather be anything but ordinary please.
    To walk within the lines would make my life so boring
    I want to know that I have been to the extreme”
    “Sometimes I get so weird
    I even freak myself out
    I laugh myself to sleep, it’s my lullaby.”
    This experience shows just how powerful music. A person’s upbringing does not necessarily pre-destines the type of music one is to likely prefer, in contrast, it may introduce the individual to many genres depending on their state of being. This is why Avril Lavigne became my best friend, my healer during my confusing teen years. Today her music still rocks and I still love her style.
    mtati1@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  40. Two bottles of cheap chardonnay and six shots of bourbon straight from the handle. Drunk is an understatement. The band at the party has finished playing “Sweet Child of Mine” and the opening chords to “Livin’ on a Prayer” are heard as I walk out of the back door of the house and onto the basketball court where the stage is located.

    I begin to swim through the crowd. The smell of beer and bourbon fills my nostrils as I head to the front of the stage where I find Kelsey. As soon I grab her, everyone else disappears; only us and the band. I am twirling her and she is spinning me. The band plays everything from Third Eye Blind and 311 to the Rolling Stones and ACDC.

    Suddenly, the singer rips us from our own world by screaming “It’s early in the morning!” Everyone at the party yells back “WHOOO WHOOO!” as a huge burst of CO2 shoots fifteen feet in the air. I am so close I can feel the temperature drop fifteen degrees. As the band begins to play Sublime’s “Wrong Way”, I manage to glance around and notice everyone in the crowd writhing to the music. At this moment, I know the Chee Weez will forever be my favorite band.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Compare music to medicine. I feel like it helps me with whatever kind of mood my mind wants to put me in that day. Kings of Leon plays a major role in this situation, because they can play any kind of music that I want to listen to wherever, whenever. This rock band will put you in the mood for anything. If you want to just mellow down and chill, if you want to scream and rock your head off, even if you just need something to "pep" you up; they’ve got it. 


    
I first heard the band this past summer while I was living with two boys that are my best friends. We get along so great because we listen to all the same music, and it is usually so hard to find someone like that. One of the first nights I moved in, we had people over, and so my friend Jack pulled out his ipod and started playing "Milk" by Kings of Leon. The instant the lyrics poured out of the box and streamed into my ears fell in love with them. There is something about their music that makes it addicting like cigarettes. The way they play and perfectly manipulate the music makes you feel like you’re in another world, like you’re by yourself but all around you are walls of music playing everywhere. The sensuous moan the lead singer lets out makes even the smallest piece of hair on your body stand up, as he guides his voice to play with the music walls that surround you.


    
I spent the rest of the summer listening to the band. As much as music is a medicine, it's also a sickness for me. I will spend hours on end listening to all kinds of music, looking up new bands and upcoming concerts. Kings of Leon plays a major role with this passion of mine. Every summer I work Bonnaroo and I cannot wait for the day they come back so I will be able to meet the four men who have helped me through so much.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I headed directly to my truck with my nostrils flaring, head hanging low, and my eyes pointed straight ahead. After yelling at the manager and going on break without permission, my boss wouldn’t be pleased, even with five and a half years experience under my belt. I was right and I knew it. I quickly jumped into my white F-150 and began to assess the situation but it angered me again. The best thing for me to do was forget about the whole thing and try to enjoy what was left of my twenty minute break.
    I turned the radio to my favorite station, Eagle 98.1. The DJ introduced the next song as Tom Petty, “I Won’t Back Down.” At this point, the volume was only about mid-range and my mind was still jumbled about theories of terrible revenge against my manager. Unexpectedly, when the music started playing my mind immediately cleared and all I could do was smile. I turned the radio up and for the first time that day I actually felt good. It was one of those songs that you try to sing along with even though it’s the first time you hear it. After it was over I turned my truck off and went back inside to quit my job.
    When I left work that day I knew I made a decision that would affect the rest of my life. The crazy thing about the whole situation was how good I felt when I walked out the door that day without looking back. I enjoy my new job and I now own every Tom Petty song available. It’s amazing how listening to one song changed my life and it could do the same for you.

    Corey Salomone (csalom3@lsu.edu)

    ReplyDelete
  43. I remember the first time I heard them. It was the summer my grandmother died. The summer before I started college. I put in their cd on the way back to my house from my ex-boyfriend's house, where I had been crying about my grandmother all afternoon. My ears perked up when I heard the second song on the album. It had the most beautiful guitar melody I had ever heard. It was so soulful that it somehow lifted my spirits, which at the time were incredibly low. Even at first listen I knew I was in love.

    When something bad happens to me and I feel impossibly sad, music seems to mean more to me that it normally does. After my grandmother passed away, I needed anything to distract me from the crushing sadness of losing someone that you love. The band Wolf Parade somehow put a smile on my face, even during the times when I was missing her the most. There is something powerful in their music. You can hear their dedication ringing out in the singer's voice, in the stirring rhythms and the powerful lyrics.

    Even now, after a year and a half of listening to their first album I have not gotten tired of it. Every song has a warm familiarity to it, but the originality of their sound keeps me interested though I have heard each song many times. Just before I started writing this treatise on Wolf Parade I uploaded their second album on my itunes. If you are looking for a resounding musical experience, or a band that sounds amazing during the good times and the bad, then so should you.

    ReplyDelete