The Groupie in Me.

Ok, as promised, I'm about to tell you about how this little insomniac got to watch her favourite band.

It all started last week wednesday when I saw on myspace that they were playing a secret gig at Koko and that you could only win tickets.
So I entered...and entered...and entered again. Rinse and repeat.

Turns out I didn't win.

So my mate Louis and I decided that even though we couldn't go see them play, the chance to see them...just see them...would be worth it.
So we set up our stake out in the pub adjoining Koko. This is the usual spot for the crew and sometimes lesser known bands to hang out.
I had an interview in the morning but by lunchtime we were both ensconced in a booth by the window with a good view of the street.
We also decided to keep an eye out for any minivans with tinted windows.

An hour later one pulls up. Louis and I race outside and end up standing not even a meter from the van when the door slides open and Bob (drums), Frank (rythm guitar), and Mikey (bass) emerge and basically high tail it inside.
We wanted to say 'Hi', and other cool things, but we were afraid of the inevitable stupid gene will kick in and make us say something stupid like 'I want to have your children!'. Also, my throat just squeezed shut, so I could barely croak.
The band didn't stop to sign autographs or anything as they were running late. DAMMIT!!

Louis and I retreated back inside the pub to await the second car carrying Gerard (frontman) and Ray (lead guitar). An hour later they arrive.
This time I remembered my cellphone and ran outside only to have it freeze on me!! But at least I saw Ray and Gerard...close up..ish.

Back to the pub. And there we sat, watching the line grow and stretch past our window, our hearts sinking with each arrival of more 14 year olds!

Suddenly some guy walks in flashing tickets. He was a tout. How the fuck he got the tickets if you couldn't buy them was beyond me. His story was that his daughter won them...a lot of them.

By now, I was quite a few pints down. I haggled, settled on a price and had to race to the ATM to draw the cash. By the time I got back, he only had one ticket left! Louis had left about an hour ago to run an errand and I was sitting with Sy when this went down.
So I bought the ticket. But it really really broke my heart to go alone!

But I went.

Pushed my way as far forward as I could. Took far too many blurry photos cos the crowd had fused at the hip and whereever teh kids moved, I was moved to. I may have a cracked rib due to this.
The last few songs had me on the balcony, getting better pics and pissing this one woman off who was sitting in front of me. Sorry? Sitting? at an MCR gig? old cow!

The show was great! check out the links to see footage! I can see my hand in one of the clips!!!!

Retreated back to the pub where I had another pint, discussed bringing them to SA with teh stage manager, somehow was given the general manager of Koko's business card and woke up to find a huge poster in my room. It was a good night.