Anyways, last year on the 30th of December I went to a show with my friend Derek. We went to the first Ska Luau starring: Stupid Flanders, La Banda Skalavera, Chase Long Beach, Suburban Legends, and Starpool.
I must say that I've been enjoying ska shows a lot lately and I'm tempted to say that it's better than a punk atmosphere...
The evening started out nice. Derek and I were able to get out tickets at the box office before they sold out and we got a nice spot close in front. We walked in right when Stupid Flanders were playing and they were alright, not really my cup of tea. There was a huge skank pit though, and people got really rowdy. I love skanking, but I'm quite terrified when there's HUGE people in there and I know I'm going to get killed.
La Banda Skalavera was a mix of ska with salsa and cumbia. It was definitely an interesting mix. They had some good songs, but I felt like too many of them were too slow for the night. Some started off well but it went downhill afterward. The saxophonist was really cute though and it made me wonder where he's from. Columbiano? It was during this time that these two chicks rudely pushed their way up to the front; it was annoying as hell. They were recording the whole time and just being completely RUDE. The people around me ended up pushing 'em out though, THANK GOD, 'cause I would've been pissed if they stayed there the whole night.
By the time Chase Long Beach got on stage I knew it was going to get wild. They're a really well known ska band and they've got amazing tracks to skank to! I always love when there's a female in the band, it's the feminist in me that gets happy, lol.
Suburban Legends were next and by this time I had already reached the barricade (yeah!) and this chick I'd made acquaintances with was right next to me. She was really chill-- she came from Pasadena so that was cool. Surprisingly Suburban Legends were a lot of fun. My Asian fascination kicked it when I realized the singer was Asian haha. I think one of the main thing that makes this band fun and stand out is that they have audience interaction. I've attended a handful of concerts and I've noticed that those that involve the crowd during their performance make a stronger impact than those that create a bridge.
They covered "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King and it was totally great! I felt my childhood memories sinking in, and surprisingly I knew majority of the lyrics. :) They had some cool choreographed dance moves too.
It was during this band that I realized this creeper had been creeping on me. I don't think I've ever been so terrified in my life, especially at a show! Fortunately for me I had met amazing people that protected me from his creeperness. That bastard. I don't think I would've enjoyed the show if it wasn't for those amazing people I met.
Starpool went on next and they were SUPERB as always! I can't remember the set list but it was loads of fun. They played some new songs I hadn't heard before and it was nice just relaxing a bit and watching them perform. Their encore song was 'Shout' by the Isley Brothers and while I prefer Green Day's version of the song, they did justice and it was still great fun. It was a great feeling knowing that all the people on the barricade were rockin' out for Starpool. This had been their first sold out show and headlining gig.
T-Bone Willy gave me a Dum Dum and I ended up catching another as well along with a luau thingy. I don't know what it's called but it's this:
Overall the night was spectacular. ♥ I really can't wait to start driving (I got my permit last Wednesday!) so I can just follow their gigs around California. And now that it's the New year I wonder what will be my first concert of 2011; I can't wait to see what the world has in store for me academically, socially, and musically.
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