Artery tours are my favorite 
Always the most fun and best bands!
June 30th @ Key Club in Hollywood, CA
I wasn’t planning on going to this tour at all because I thought I would be on tour myself but I’m really glad I did. I missed Our Last Night so much. I really haven’t spent much time with them but they are some of my favorite dudes to I’ve met on tour. They just like to kick it, no hooking up, no drama, no extreme partying.
The show in Hollywood was really fun. It was kinda like a big bro down because there were so many different homies there. Amber & I were driving down Sunset Blvd. and oddly enough passed Eric, Chris, & Devin from I See Stars walking toward the venue. “uhhh don’t we know them….?” I said to Amber. “hahahahaha! omg!” she exclaimed as soon as she saw who I was talking about. “Should I pick them up?!” I asked skeptically. “Of course!!” she replied. So, I veered right, across a couple lanes, and waited for them to walk past the car. They were just as shocked to see us and they all piled in and were very grateful to not have to walk the rest of the way back. We dropped them off & parked.
We strolled up the hill on the right of the Key Club to the load-in area. It was so good to see Our Last Night! They all thought I wasn’t going to make it out to the show so I think they were glad to see me too. It’s been way too long! In Fear & Faith couldn’t play that night because of Mehdi (drummer) having swine flu & his brother Ramin (guitarist) having some unexpected legal trouble but Cody and Tyler still rolled out to the show. Billy (Confide) came out to the show also to hang out! Jerry Roush (Sky Eats Airplane) who I knew was in town & before I saw him knew would be at the show. He was there kickin’ it all night, being his ridiculous self. Shane (The Divine) was also there & is somehow still surprised that Amber & I are at every show he goes to. My friend Willie was there who I literally know from pits. We go to an uncountable number of the same shows & are always throwing it down in the pit together.
After spending a lot of time sitting & chatting in Our Last Night’s van, we decided to head in to watch Burden of A Day who I hadn’t seen in over 2 years. They were good, legitimately really good. I would highly suggest checking out their new album. I See Stars played next & I have NEVER seen them that good. Normally, I don’t even watch their entire set cause I’ve just never got into them but I was thoroughly impressed this night. While watching them I became increasingly puzzled at why people are constantly comparing them to Attack Attack! I guess they’re in the same genre but they really don’t sound or perform anything alike.
After getting myself a Cherry Coke, we went outside to cig and shmooze. Our Last Night was getting ready to perform & Woody was doing the most extensive stretches on the sidewalk that I have ever seen any band dude ever do. haha I talked to Shane for a while….or more like just joked around with him for 10 minutes straight. That guy is every level of good. Soon enough, Our Last Night was starting & we ran back in. I realize I don’t see them play too often but I’m positive they get better every time. Woody (bassist) is one of the most physical people I have ever seen onstage. He’s all over the place, doing jumps & kicks & all kinds of crazy shit. Trevor’s voice keeps getting better. A lot of people had their speculations because he’s so young but I was always positive he would only improve. For being so very very young he has always had a surprising ability to really command the crowd.
Emarosa. I could probably write a book about this band but I’ll keep this short. They were incredible; and that coming from me is really saying a lot. Their live show has turned into something that is completely stunning. First of all, they couldn’t sound better musically if they tried. Visually, it’s breathtaking. I also have to give kudos to their choice of songs. Jerry (Sky Eats Airplane) got onstage and did a cameo for their encor which was “Casablanca.” An old song from their EP before Jonny was in the band. It was pretty obvious that Jerry did know a damn word but kids don’t care. Everybody just seems to love cameos.
After their extremely respectable set was over, I got myself another Cherry Coke & hung around a bit as the venue cleared out & the guys in Emarosa got offstage dripping with sweat. Will (Emarosa bassist) came over to me while I was at the bar, unaware that I was even at the show, and gave me a big wet hug. It was good to see him, it’s always good to see him. The venue had been vacated with only a few friends still hanging around. Jonas said Hi to me from stage and said he had no idea I was there. Then again, they’re not really the band that I hit up anymore when I’m going to be at their show. A security guard told us all to either leave or move backstage so Jerry, Billy, Amber, & I headed downstairs to the green room. Jonny and his girlfriend were the only ones in there and I’d be lying if I said he was at all happy to see me walk through the door. Just as I was telling him what a great show it was, he quickly told me to shut the fuck up and some other rude comments that he often throws my way.
For some reason, he insisted that everyone in the room take a shot of Jack Daniels. Jonny Craig is the kind of guy that when he tells you to do something…..you kind of just go along with it without even thinking twice. haha It was hilarious watching him try to hand Billy a shot. If you don’t know who Billy or his band Confide is, they’re a Christian screamo band that is more known for sharing the gospel than liqour or drugs. Billy simply said, “no thanks, dude. I don’t drink.” Jonny glared at him for what seemed like an over extended moment & then simply replied with, “I respect that.” The rest of us took a shot and left. The green room is generally boring at Key Club.
Back outside, Cody & Tyler from In Fear & Faith suddenly reappeared [I hadn't seen them since I first got there] much drunker than they were early in the night. All the bands hung out on the sidewalk for a while, laughing, joking, talking. It was a good time. It felt simple and easy and fun in a lot of ways….all things I didn’t always feel at shows anymore. I See Stars left, Emarosa left [basically only saw them onstage] and soon Our Last Night, Billy, Amber & I headed down the street to get pizza. It was a lovely night. I truly enjoy Hollywood shows over an other city.
