-The Trophy Life, Just a Joke, The Paper Dolls, The Troys-
So, I've been in college right, for oh I dunno, the past three weeks, so everyone that I know, or who's been around me has heard about The Trophy Life. However, everyone is all paranoid about not getting enough sleep and such if they come to shows, but that's cause their lame.. Oh, well. Molly however decided to come, so I drove to Erin's house, and we went to get Molly, and were on our way. My friend Ann, who used to be in my English class last year, wanted to go, just cause she thinks Weston's hott.. Isn't that always how it is.. LoL. But, she didn't come. Oh, well. She missed out on a good show.
So, I drove to Erin's house, and then we headed to Molly's, to get her, and then to the gas station for gas, and I'm dead broke so I couldn't buy Red Bull, but Erin bought me one, so it was ok enough. : Thanks Erin. Then, we got on the freeway and were listening to Daniel Bedingfield's "Gotta Get Through This", the acoustic version, and it was beautiful. For those of you who know the song, it's sweet, but the acoustic version is beautiful, download it sometime. Then, we listened to our traditional CD, and then some Trophy Life, and then we were there, and it was only 6:30pm!
We stood around outside for a while, not really doing anything in particular, just watching people on the boardwalk. Then, it was nearing time for the show to start, so we wandered over to the front of Cane's but the window wasn't open to buy tickets, so we just stood over there for a while. Evan showed up, coffee in hand, kinda zoned in his little Evan bubble, but mostly there. I tried to give him the CD money for the CD's I took from him at the last show, but he told me just to hold it. It was like 7:10 when he got there, and shortly thereafter people started showing up for the show.
Evan's parents arrived shortly after we bought our tickets, and they informed me that Dirk, German soccer and bass playing king, would be coming to the show. Yay! All the while Evan and The Trophy Life were warming up inside, and it sounded beautiful. For some odd reason, Cane's has one of the best sound systems in San Diego, thus it actually sounds good inside and out. In between warming up, Evan was singing the infamous "Check" song. It was quite humorous. Oh, the memories of RxDrama in my backyard.. Such good times.
Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. So, Evan needed more of his vocals in the monitors, duh, that's not something new to say the least. Jason walked outside, with his pants in hand, seeming like he was going to change them, but never did. Evan was randomly talking to this security guard, and then we finally went inside and sat on the leather couch that in the same place as the Christmas tree, when it's Christmas time. Mark actually said hi, and was being immensely cheery, Jason introduced himself, and seems like a very sweet character, and Roy was having ticket issues, but that's how it goes. They didn't ask me to sell tickets, so I didn't, so apparently, according to Erin's eavesdropping, they didn't sell all of the tickets that they picked up.. Well, it happens.
Then, the greatest thing happened in the history of going to shows, or at least one of the greatest things happened.. Dirk Krause, my silly German friend, showed up. In he walked, black form fitting t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and that charming smile of his, that no one could ever forget. Now, I was giving him shit about not being at the last show, but that was because he was up in Canada for a three day soccer tournament - he plays soccer mind you. But, this show, he finally listened to the e-mails I'd been sending him about these kids and their shows, and he decided to come, so I was very happy. Tom Clark arrived as well, and I almost didn't notice him, but he waved, so I said hello.
Erin, Molly, and myself sat on the couch some more, and people kept on staring at Erin cause she still has the remnants of her black-eye left. Don't ask about that one, it's a long story. There was still no Weston, or any of the other TwentyOneRest members, so I was sad, but there were a ton of videographers and photographers around, which was a little random, but nice to see. The band showed up on stage, and Jason hit his head on the mic stand, which was rather amusing. He laughed, we laughed, and then we noticed that Evan was all dolled up like Mark. A little heavy on the eye-shadow, but I suppose it works. Personally, I'd lay off a little, but that's just me. Either way, Evan actually seemed more focused, yay!
The show began with 'New Sast Fong', what the hell that means anyway, I don't know. I haven't talked to the band about that one yet, but either way, it's all good times. For some odd reason through the course of the song, it was like the entire band were a bunch of superheroes, they kept on randomly striking poses, but it worked, because it would be at subtle pauses in the music. Evan almost punched Jason at one point, that was funny, and Evan kept on drinking his coffee periodically through the course of the song. And, I was taking my notes right, to write this tale of the show or a review if you will, and who walks in but Mr. and Mrs. Boucher, and I saw Weston out of the corner of my eye, but I was writing. So, what does he do? He comes up to me and bumps my arm so I made this big squiggly line across my page, it was funny. I laughed and we said our hello's and it was all good.
But, anywhoo.. The lyric "Close your eyes" sounded impeccable, Erin even noticed it, and gave the subtle little smile of approval. Mark kept on randomly posing, and it worked with his make-up, he looks better in it, well, in it being that heavy that is. Jason knocked over Evan's mic stand near the end of the song as they were frolicking around on the stage, but then it was over.
The linkin park intro to 'Lotus' caught us all a little by surprise. It was beautiful nonetheless, but a little odd, because, well.. It was a linkin park intro, but we were at The Trophy Life concert. Eh, whatever. Mark was reminding Erin of Benji from Good Charlotte, and Jason was playing bass like how Wes Borland, ex-guitarist of Limp Bizkit, plays. "My love" was superb, and the swell after that was awesome, much applause. The break in the song, where it was just Evan, "You're not the same" had an interesting feel to it, but the way he sang "hopeless" was really hott.. Just so you know. Mark turned himself, so that his back was to the crowd, and was playing guitar into Roy, it was sweet, because they fed off of each others energy. At the end of the song though, Evan dropped his mic, and was attempting to sing into Jason's, but Jason's mic is set way taller than Evan is, so it didn't necessarily work, but it was kinda funny nonetheless.
'Lotus' ended, duh, and Evan proclaimed "My goal is to bruise him [Jason] this show," which was rather humorous in a sense, but a little odd. 'This By Then' followed, and the intro seemed a little whiny, a little too emo if you will, but that's how it is. Jason was in this weird little zoned bubble, but the bass was beautiful nonetheless, so it's ok. The most compelling lyric though was "I see enough me in your eyes, this moment is killing me". It was so SO great. There are no words to describe it, it was just great. And, by God, Roy, the drums were spectacular. About midway through the song, the vocals picked up, and were stunning, and then the song ended and Evan was choking himself with the mic chord.. Interesting, but in all honesty it's totally chill because the song was one of the best of the night.
The song following was called 'Trophy', a new song, at least I hadn't heard it, thus making it new enough to be called new. The guitar intro, thanks to Mark, was sweet. The guitar would continue, then the drums would pause, then the bass, or vice versa, but the guitar sound, soft and almost surrealistic. In the midst of the perfection, was more of it, Marissa was taking pix of the band, being their own personal paparazzi if you will. Oh, and she wasn't a blonde anymore, of course neither was Weston - he had British hair.. And, in all honesty, it didn't look that great, but it's Weston, so it works, of course, it's him anyway, and if that's what he wants to do, then that's cool.
Mark was making these duck lips, in the middle of the song, kinda ruining the feel of it all, but it was funny nonetheless. Like you know how you can hold two Pringles between your lips, open side to open side, and it looks like duck lips.. Yea, that's what he looked like, minus the Pringles. Evan, sang "listen to me" in such a fashion, that you wanted to say "ok, I will… just don't stop singing"… It was indefectible. Then, Evan went into his bobble-head land at the bridge of the song, which I must say, was nicely executed, bravo to Jason, Roy, and Mark. Bravo! And, the ending! OMG! The ending! The vocals were so choice, so SO choice! "That was…" I dunno, it was beautiful. There's no way to describe it, I have no words..
'Hide Away' followed shortly thereafter, and Jason was playing bass like a genius. There's no way to explain it, I don't play bass, LoL, but it was SO awesome. Applause for Jason! He was picking the strings, above the neck, on his bass, it was this tinny sound, but it sounded SO cool. Evan said that the song was about his apartment, the four walls… And, who said Mark could be on a cordless guitar? That's so awesome, but why does he get to be the only special one, the only cordless one? Hmm? Oh, well. It's not really that big of a deal, but still.. As Jason was picking the strings at the top of the neck, Evan was facing the back of the stage, facing Roy, but he was standing at the front, it was interesting.. Nice butt..
Mark and Jason were playing into each other, Mark on stage right, Jason on stage left, both facing each other at center stage just downstage of Roy.. It looked cool. It was like the entire band had come together, like they had found their stage chemistry, and then there was Evan. Evan was wrapped up in his lyrics, wrapped up in the moment, in the meaning.. He found his voice again, middle of the show, it's about time, but he totally found it. Then, there was Dirk.. Dirk was skipping around, and saying "Everybody mosh! Come on! Every-body! Mosh!" It was quite amusing, but nobody started moshing.. LoL. He was causing a complete ruckus, but it's ok. Weston gave me this half confused look, like 'do you know him?" Erin, Molly, and myself couldn't stop laughing. Simply could not, stop laughing.
The end of the song approached, Jason was all over the place, Mark was on his right foot, then his left.. And, the ending. Good Lord, the ending of this song was fabulous. It was like the ending of a day that had previously seemed to have no end. A thankful, appreciative tone, where you finally understand what it is that's truly important, what it is that truly matters. The ending was like that, it was strong, so STRONG.. You wanted to just fall over and revel in the moment, but you couldn't. Evan was randomly walking across the stage, singing the ending lyrics to himself, but the music was exquisite. Second shows are always better than the first, it just happens like that.
Then, Evan was trying to strangle himself as 'Phoenix' began. Strange, and it worries me a little, but it's alright. The light ball turned on, remember the ball I mentioned at the last show, yea, that one. It looked beautiful, except for when it was shining in my eye, as I was trying to write, so it was a little complicated. And, then there were all of these people taking pictures, so their flashes, and the light ball, it was insane. But, the way that Evan sand "everything" was funny.. He sounded British. Danni would've appreciated it if she were there, but no.. Oh, well. Evan had this one hand motion just before the chorus, and it reminded Erin of Aaron. I know what she was saying, it was like when Aaron would sing "So many notes are on the fret board", and the way he'd move his hands, and stand on his toes.. Yea.. Mark had this subtle scream/sing affect going on, it reminded me of 'Property of Goatfucker' by Lennon. It sounded very cool, for scream/singing that is.
As the photographers were sitting on the floor talking amongst themselves, I realized that it was the musical score behind the lyrics and the vocals that truly made 'Phoenix'. There are some songs where one element is stronger than the other, either the vocals, or a specific guitar, or the just the drums.. Well, this song, in it's entirety, the entire musical score, made the lyrics what they are, and complimented the vocals beautifully. The bass line though, was completely moving. I thought I would cry. Especially, as the song fell, there was this soft guitar, and the drums were awesome… "She took my heart", Evan grabbed his shirt and then was completely enraptured by the lyrics.. Fighting with the chords on the stage.. "Trying to find her".. On his knees, Mark and Jason hovering over him.. "Falling down a landslide".. Overall though, I think it was a VERY good song, very very.
At the end of the song, Evan mentioned something about beating up Jason in the midst of the show, and about him being the bass player.. Then, from behind me, Dirk responded, loud enough for myself to hear, but it was directed toward the band, "Bass players can take it". It was beautiful. Moments later, the first chord of 'Ink' began, and it sounded like the first chord of Lefty's 'Girls'.. But, it wasn't. Obviously.. It was 'Ink'. Personally though, I love this song, with a passion. I know I say that about a lot of their stuff, but I really do enjoy this song. "But I believe in something more".. That lyric.. That line.. It hit me hard, and I don't.. No, I do know why. It was just perfect. Evan was in his bobble-head zone again, but the whole song had an ethereal feel to it.
"Time to really know".. "The reason that you're leaving".. "Time on your side".. "It's all I really know".. Something like that.. But, nonetheless, it was indefectible, ethereal, perfect. There are few songs, performed live, that can have a strong enough affect upon a person to move them to the point where all of the walls are torn down and the focus is entirely upon the music.. One person, standing in the midst of nothing, and yet in the midst of everything, and all that's there is that one person and the music.. The moment. The song faded out, with just Mark playing guitar and Evan singing, and then.. It was just Evan, and then.. It was over. 'Ink' is a piece. I love it.
'Do You Know?' followed short behind, and was SO much stronger than it was at the first show. There are times that I'm glad someone listens, or at least it seems like someone listens.. This definitely was one of those times. "Save me" was so strong, like he meant it, like he need to be saved.. At that moment, at that time.. The chorus was beautiful, it was shaky at the last show, but this show it was peachy. Jason's bass sounded completely awesome! Dirk even commented on it later, it was impeccable. "Fight has grown" was stunning, it sounded like a dream. Mark and Roy were the epitome of awesome, and Jason would randomly, but literally, jump in sync with the awesomeness. (Man, do I sound lame right now? It's all cuz I'm writing this at Steve's house early in the morning.. Yay!)
Then, Mark decides to hock a fat loogey across the stage, just in front of Evan, and it would've been REALLY gross if it had hit him in the face.. Ew.. And, the break could've been stronger. It really could've. It was nice though.. And, then Evan was singing sideways, toward the exit, his bad toward the bar.. Random, but tonight was the night of positions and poses, for them all, and for the crowd.. Hell, look at Dirk. Speaking of Dirk, the bass, Jason and his bass, it was beautiful. It sounded SO good, and I don't know why, but it did. Maybe cuz Chris is gone? J/K! But, you know the lyric "Don't turn around, don't turn around".. Well, Molly and Erin, yea.. They were turning around, constantly. It was really lame, but really funny, and extremely appropriate..
'Someday Maybe', the greatest song ever, the most emotion ever, the silliest beginning on the drums by Roy.. Like a good Saturday morning dream, when you wake up at one of your friend's houses, and you look around to find all of your closest friends next to you, around you, and you realize that the most perfect dream you were just is, isn't quite as good as what you woke up to.. The most beautiful intro, the strongest conviction from each of them, then the break, and the vocals.. Good God, the vocals. The conviction, the emotions, the passion.. The need for perfection, for understanding.. The want to simply convey the purpose.. The vocals were SO powerful, so perfect.
Jason was randomly grinding, literally grinding, into his bass.. "Someday".. Yes, someday.. "Maybe, I'll be-lo-o-ong".. That's how it breaks up, how it sounds.. It's the coolest enunciation, inflection, and tone.. It's cause he's British.. LoL. "Tossing and turning", Evan was pulling up his pant leg, again.. Then, Mark had this BEAUTIFUL guitar riff.. And, Jason and Mark had the most beautiful stage chemistry.. Roy was all alone at the back of the stage, but he felt the passion, it was thoroughly painted across his face.. Evan was simply all over the stage, with his mic chord wrapped around him.. Then, he was on top of the stage monitor, oh the memories of the RxDrama days.. And, then he was touching the stage lights..
The most seamless ending to the greatest song, and show [thus far], ever.. Jason began to softly rub the neck of his guitar on his mic stand, creating this eerie feel, just enough so as to tingle the back of your neck, in that good way.. Your fingertips start to quiver.. Then, Jason slowly fell back, onto the floor, took off his bass, and just sat there. Mark and Roy continued to play, but quieter and quieter still.. Evan just stood there, in bobble-head land, taking these slow little penguin steps toward the front of the stage.. The drums slowly faded, followed by the guitar.. And, Evan just simply said, in the greatest of tones, "And, that.. was The Trophy Life".. And, it was over.
It was the most professional ending to a local show I think I have ever seen. Honestly, you guys. It was beautiful. Simply beautiful. Standing ovation all the way around. Bravo.. Bravo! I love you guys, and I love what you're doing.. Please, PLEASE.. This time Evan, don't let go of it.. Hold on to it.
Bill liked the show much better overall than the last one. He felt that it was stronger, and agreed that the sound is definitely better at Cane's versus The Scene. Duh. But, really, he did enjoy it. Dirk felt the same way, though he hadn't seen the band before, he truly liked the stuff. He thinks that they're "Good kids". Yay for that! Weston liked the stuff, but his hair.. I dunno. Either way, he really did enjoy it, in that weird little Weston sort of way. I never got to ask Marissa what she thought though, but I'm sure she felt the same. Erin and Molly were impressed, and Erin agreed as well that this show rocked the house. Woo! There was no Aaron, or Sean, or Brant at the show.. Tyler was there, with his icky sideburns.. I hate body hair, so it's no offense to him, I love the kid, but no bueno on the sideburns. Either way though, the show was beautiful.
We left after that. Dirk went to the bar, again. Bill and Carol headed to the same. Weston and Marissa decided to follow. I finally got the CD money to Jason, and got a nice sweaty bass-player hug from him. Erin decided that Jason should play bass like what's-his-face from Metallica, the new guy, with the pony-tail braids.. Whatever. I agreed, and we explained it to Jason, I think he thinks we're a little nuts though. No worries. Erin, Molly, and myself left. I said bye to Evan, but I think he was wrapped up in the moment rather than my saying bye to him. He said he was going to pay me back though, I don't think he will, but I'd be shocked, amazed, and stoked if he ever did.. We talked to Mark in the parking lot, told him the show was awesome, but he needed to get back inside rather than chat, no worries. Nonetheless.. I left on cloud nine.. The show was indefectible.. I love you guys, keep it up.