Incubus at Jimmy Kimmel Live

This past Wednesday I was fortunate enough to get tickets to see Incubus play live for Jimmy Kimmel's late night show. I invited my two good friends Danielle and Michael. The latter is a die hard Incubus fan and we always said that we would see Incubus together since our early high school years.

Knowing it would be for Jimmy Kimmel I knew it would be a short gig, I was thinking maybe 2 to 3 songs but I was hoping they would play an hour long set like they did for David Letterman. Anyways I didn't want to think about that for too long and rather I just enjoyed the thought of finally having the opportunity to see Incubus live and in the flesh.

By the time we arrived the line wasn't too bad. I had no idea there would be two lines-- general and VIP. Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough in getting my tickets to get VIP but I was content that I got any in the first place. As we got in line we could hear Incubus during soundcheck practicing Adolescents and Promises, Promises. I must confess that I wasn't a big fan of their new album when I first heard it but it has definitely grown on me and I'm lovin' majority of tracks. Hearing Promises, Promises was absolutely beautiful; Brandon's voice does wonders to ballads.

By the time we got let in to the Jimmy Kimmel stage my friends and I were way in the back. I knew this would happen considering VIP ticker holders got let in first but I tried to stay positive. I had never been to a Kimmel performance so it was definitely an experience. Eventually a security guard instructed some instructions on how they would be recording us walking to the barrier so there was to be no pushing and if he saw anyone push, they would immediately be kicked out. I was relieved knowing there was still room to head forward and that my friends and I wouldn't be stuck in the back the whole night. I had done this before at concerts so I knew we had a chance of being closer. Once the crowd starting shuffling forward I slipped through spaces and was about 3 feet away from the barrier. Success and happiness washed over my friends and I. Thankfully my friends quickly followed suit or we would have been separated. My mother was there with us so she knew to quickly follow along and not get stuck behind other people.

While waiting we were able to watch the actual recording of the Jimmy Kimmel show on plasmas that were surrounding the stage. I don't always watch Jimmey Kimmel, usually only for band performances but I did enjoy this episode. :)

Finally someone instructed us on how the recording would be. The crowd would first have to cheer and clap for thirty seconds which would be used between commercial breaks before Incubus would hit the stage. Once instructed, the crowd went wild and cheered and chanted Incubus. It was awesome! Then finally came the moment where Jimmy would be introducing Incubus and the band would play Promises, Promises first and then Adolescents but the latter would be aired first. It was a bit confusing but the point is that we were soon going to experience Incubus live. Holy crap. Excitement!

DJ Killmore walked on stage and crowd went nuts. DJ was followed by Mike, Ben, and lastly Brandon. Oh my god, there they were in the flesh. Wow. I couldn't believe I was finally seeing them after so many years! Promises, Promises was beautiful to see. I only knew a bit of the lyrics to this number so I couldn't sing along (not many people did--bummer!) but sometimes it's nice just focusing on the band. Adolescents was next and people including me seemed to know this song better and quite a few people around me started singing along with Brandon. One thing I noticed was that live I could definitely hear Ben's backup vocals than on their CD it isn't as obvious. I loved hearing Ben and Brandon's harmonies-- such an amazing duo.

It was after those two songs that the real excitement began. I listened intently and the band started up their intro for Megalomaniac and I seriously lost it. I swear I was the only one who knew what was coming up. I looked over at my friend Michael and started jumping up and down squeezing his wrist and smiling of utter joy. My friend only laughed and responded with a huge grin and quite honestly I don't think he even knew what was happening but then Mike's guitar kicked in and the crowd went WILD. As the energy built up, Jose pounded his drum kit and kicked off the crowd into singing along and head bopping. Everyone was singing this track and I must say we sounded amazing. The chorus of this song felt so liberating to sing:

Hey megalomaniac
You're not Jesus
Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis
Special, as you know yourself, maniac
Step down
Step down

It took me a while to realize what song was next until I realized it was Consequence once Brandon sang the first line. I heard this girl behind me ask what song they were playing but I was too engrossed with watching the band to answer her. I absolutely love watching Brandon perform because he does odd movements throughout songs, lol. His vocals were spot on though, absolutely perfect! I don't listen to the Make Yourself album much (it's too much rock for me) so I didn't know all the lyrics to this track but it was still great hearing this rare little number live.

Unfortunately, it was after that track that Brandon told the crowd that they had one more for us. Some booed, some cheered, I was somewhere in between. I was disappointed the set was so short but was so thankful they performed five great songs for free.

I forgot to mention that early on that day when my friend Michael came over to my house he was telling me how Pardon Me came on the radio right before he left and he knew it was a sign-- a good one. It was then that the band started into Pardon Me and everyone sang along again. My friend turned to look at me and have me a smile, a knowing smile and we both knew what we were thinking about-- it definitely was a sign. I sang my heart out to this song knowing this would be the last song they would perform and the last time I would see them until hopefully next year.

The band said their goodbyes and left the stage as we all cheered them on. I was in ecstasy and still couldn't believe I finally saw them live in person. Holy crap. A huge appeared on my face as I looked to see my friends and mother. I was basking in happiness and sweat. My mom was surprised I was sweating during such a short set and hell, even I was surprised since there wasn't a pit. I must say the crowd was very calm. There was hardly anyone jumping or fist pumping; definitely my first experience with such a calm crowd.

As we were heading back I also was lucky enough to run into their manager, Steve Rennie who I took a picture with. I swear, he is thee best manager a band could have and such a cool dude. I thanked him for all he does for the fans and how he gets us involved with the band.

Two days later I'm still in utter bliss that I finally got to see Incubus live, the band that has inspired my writing, my persona, and my view in life. I'm hoping they come back next year and tour in North America so I can fully experience their concerts live.


The Setlist
1. Promises, Promises
2. Adolescents
3. Megalomaniac
4. Consequence
5. Pardon Me

I can't believe what you do to me...

It's been forever since I last posted on my blog mostly due to the insane amount of stress and work I've had with college applications. However today it is FINALLY all finished. I just submitted my final application for BU and all I have to do now is submit transcripts.

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.

蛍火

京


I can't recall when I drifted away from the Japanese music scene. I'm assuming it was when Thee Out Mods left to Japan, but I could be wrong. Nonetheless, my love for this artist & band has been rekindled. I'm definitely seeing them again in October.



I still remember the first song I heard by them. After viewing the film above, I was memorized. I didn't think this would be the band that would alter my life: musically, socially, and personally.

I feel the nostalgia coming on.