Why did I go out to L.A. for a 5 night trip? In December '06 I gave up my seat on my flight back from Charlotte last December. As a reward for doing so, USAir gave me a free round trip ticket to anywhere in the continental U.S. Plus, my cousin offered up her house in Tarzana as a free place to stay anytime I wanted. So when I saw that Unwritten Law was playing that area on 8/3, 8/4, and 8/5, and that Papa Roach was playing in the same vicinity on 8/6, I booked a trip out West.
I will refrain from rehashing the fucking nightmare it was to redeem my USAir voucher, because I covered that in my blog right before I left (which has since been deleted because I would like to forget about that part of the experience). To sum up: if you ever get a voucher of any kind from an airline, go to an actual airport counter to do any booking. And do it as soon as you know you want to go away. There are so many hidden rules which made this whole booking process extremely frustrating. The time and effort it took to sort it all out took a lot out of me.
Anyway, without further delay, here is the report from the Unwritten Law shows:
FRIDAY- HOLLYWOOD:
I took advantage of my cousin's pool as it was BEAUTIFUL outside (it was every day there, just like the movie Swingers points out) then headed out to Melrose to hit the trendy Fred Segal store. The extremely organized side to me, that only seems to kick in when it's time to plan entertainment for myself, had printed out directions to everywhere I needed to be before I left for L.A. But just as I was ready to go, my cousin examined my printouts and insisted I go a different route that would be less traffic-y. I definitely appreciate that she cares, but that whole episode, which included looking for her own personal maps and explaining it all to me, ate up precious time. As a result, I got to Fred Segal just as it closed.
This was one of those many moments I have where I realize this is why I can't live with any kind of roommate. In this case, I was annoyed because I didn't plan for any disruptions that could happen outside of the traffic I was about to face. I am just so used to getting up and leaving whenever I want without worrying that someone will hold me up. I ended up wandering the streets for awhile until I decided it was time to just go to dinner.
There was no way I was making a trip out to L.A. without going to the Rainbow Bar and Grill. I love this place because of its history. So of course since the show was at the Key Club on the Strip, the Rainbow was the obvious choice for my pre-show meal.
I found parking about a block and a half away from the club, next door to the Roxy, and half a block from the Rainbow. I was so excited that it was only $8 to self-park until 3am that I gave the attendant $10 and told him to keep the change. Not that all of the sudden I should be compared to Rockefeller as $2 is nothing to write home about. But still the attendant was so happy with me, he let me park right at the entrance to the garage. The attendant and I were so happy that the other was being nice, it was like I had this mini-lovefest going. It was kinda cute.
When I got to the Rainbow, which was blaring "Body Talk" by Ratt when I arrived, the bouncer asked if I would be drinking. When I told him I wasn't sure, he said "Well let us stamp you anyway- in case someone ELSE wants to buy you a drink."
I was seated right away at the Ronnie James Dio booth. I didn't feel weird at all that I was by myself. I had bought the OK! magazine that detailed some hilariously tragic meltdown that Britney Spears had, so I read that in between interactions with my waitress. And while the entire Shout at the Devil CD blared over the speakers, followed by the entire Appetite For Destruction CD, I was in heaven. Ever have those instances where you think "This is exactly where I should be at this moment. All is well in my world right now?" That's how I felt. I don't feel that way very often, so when it happens, I recognize it and savor it.
I got to Key Club while Bullets and Octane were on. I watched from center-crowd and made note to myself that I should try to get there before they go on the next night, because they were actually starting to grow on me. At the other three shows, I didn't want to deal with them at all. It's not that I thought they sucked, it's that I was so anxious for Unwritten Law at the time that I didn't have the patience to sit through the openers. But since then, I've come to appreciate them. Especially Gene (the singer). He's really a character. He's on ten all the time- very chatty, funny and easy to goof around with. The time I spent with him on this tour was limited to run-ins at the bar or merch booth, but he seems like he would be a good hang. As I watched B&O, I kept an eye out for an opening down front by the stage. When the floor crowd flocked to the bar after their set, I made a beeline for PK's side and got barricade with no problem.
Zebrahead was up next. Again, I was in no mood for them the last block of dates I went to, but since I was alone and had nothing better to do, I gave them another shot. Their style is pretty close to Sum 41, who I like a lot, so I was able to enjoy their show. True to form, I guess I was giving my scowlface even though I liked what I saw. So when I physically showed appreciation in the form of applause or a slight smile, the singers would flash me a smile back and nod like "Yeah you love us!" Little did they know that half my smiling was due to the fact that Ali is total eye candy and I couldn't stop thinking bad things when I looked at him. Hey, I pride myself on not being a shallow person. But when a guy with a body like that is parading around shirtless with baggy pants hanging low enough that boxers make an appearance, what the hell else am I supposed to do. I'm not made of stone.
Unwritten Law was up next. For whatever reason, their entrance song is "ABC" by the Jackson Five. While that seems kind of odd, when you see the crowd get down while they wait for the boys to come onstage, you understand why they chose it. It just gets you in a good mood. So now whenever I hear that song, I'll think of UL fondly.
They played pretty much the same set as the other dates, but this time I got to hear "Mean Girl", so that excited me. I like when setlists are altered night to night, even if it means only one or two songs are different. Unlike other bands that shall remain viva la nameless.
At this show, there was a psycho girl in the front row who kept grabbing at Scott's pants. At one point she reached for his belt and almost got his already half-off-his-ass pants completely down. He immediately pushed her off laughing nervously. She kept grabbing at him the rest of the show, but didn't come as close to making it happen as that time. Is it wrong I was a little disappointed she wasn't successful?
After hanging out at a friend's til 4am, I headed back to Tarzana. While driving down Santa Monica Blvd, I saw this random woman standing on a street corner wearing really short shorts and thigh high boots. I wondered wtf she was doing there at that hour and realized "ohhhh...she's a hooker!" I looked to my left and saw two other ladies of the night similarly dressed walking down the street. Feeling like I was in my own HBO episode of Hookers At The Point, I locked my doors and sped up so I could get to the 101 that much quicker. L.A. is scary at night. In NY I feel like it's home territory. L.A. just seems to have weirder opportunities to get into trouble than NY.
Anyway, I got on the traffic-free 101 North and got home at the crack of dawn, satisfied with my first real night in Cali.
ANAHEIM- SATURDAY:
I was looking forward to the idea of not spending a dime on a hotel this trip, but after two days of dealing with the horror that is L.A. traffic, I didn't want to have to drive in it anymore than I had to. Since I'd be in Anaheim two nights in a row, I decided I had better stay over Saturday and Sunday.
After sitting in more than a few parking lot scenarios on the 5, I knew I made the right decision. I couldn't believe there was so much traffic on a Saturday afternoon- and this wasn't even due to Disneyland, as there was hardly any traffic when the exit finally came up.
My theory, besides the fact that there are millions in the area, is that there are so many highway options, the frequent splits cause all the jams. I know this is part of it because when there were a few miles without one, traffic was moving at 70 mph. So there you go. I just solved all of L.A.'s traffic problems: cut down the population and get rid of a few highways. Should be simple enough to accomplish.
My hotel was in a great location across the street from the park on Harbor Blvd, a strip of hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the park entrance. Because I didn't want to worry about my car at the end of the night, I walked to Downtown Disney, where House of Blues is located.
HOB is notorious for not allowing photographs to be taken during the show. But I tried to sneak mine in anyway. I hid it very well, but what I didn't count on was security asking me flat out if I had one. I have a compulsion to be honest and as much as I try to suppress the desire to tell the truth even when it can work against me, I can't. So I had to go check it for $3. The most annoying part of this is that the camera check-in is outside of the club and closes at show's end. If you leave the club for any reason, you can't get back in unless you have an All Access pass. I couldn't lie and say "Oh yeah, I checked it" because security asks to see your receipt as proof.
Seriously they need to calm the hell down with that nonsense. Thousands of other venues in the country allow pictures to be taken, and I don't see them suffering in any way because of it. I know it's because HOB hires their own photographers, but it's not like they sell those photos and will lose money if the average fan takes a few photos and puts them up on Flickr. For real HOB- CHILL OUT.
When I walked into the venue, I was surprised to see that it was so full. The Hollywood show was a good crowd, but not sold out. The shows back east were half empty. I was glad for them though because they deserve to play for a packed house. They put too much energy into the performance to deserve anything less.
Because this crowd was fucking nuts, I didn't bother trying to get up front. I had arrived literally 5 minutes before B&O went on and once I saw how crazy they were for them, I resigned myself to the fact I'd be stuck in the middle of the crowd. Luckily I found a spot right behind the sound board. Aside from 2 VIP bitches who would randomly stand right in front of me to make themselves feel special, I had a great unobstructed view of the whole stage.
What a different experience this show was from the shows in July. Even though I wasn't front row, I was still way into the show, dancing like a fool and singing along. The pit was in full effect, it was hot and gross, and the crowd was into every song. It was great.
ANAHEIM- SUNDAY:
I spent Sunday at the mall in Buena Park. I wanted a new suitcase and new clothes so I went out there to shop. There was a part of me that desperately wanted to go on the rides at Disneyland. But after listening to High Pitch Mike's beatdown on Stern for going there alone, my pride wasn't going to let me go through with it.
I stopped at Carl's Jr for a sandwich, part of my mission to try at least one thing from every fast food chain in America. I ordered a chicken sandwich, which came with some weird melted substance I assumed was cheese, on what I think was a wheat roll. It was terrible.
I drove to the Downtown Disney lot, annoyed I'd have to pay for parking. It ended up working out though, because by the time I left, the exit gate was open and I didn't have to pay a dime. I also left my camera in my car to avoid that whole scenario again.
When I got to the show, Bangkok Five was on. If I'm not mistaken, they opened for Roach in Europe. Which is funny because UL was on tour with Roach and 311 2 years ago, and B&O was supposed to be on Roach's Zippo Tour. So once again, all roads lead to Papa Roach. Anyways, I got a drink at the bar and ran into Jeremy (aka JPoon apparently) and Gene, who constantly tells me that I look like Michelle Branch. Now when he sees me, the taunting has escalated into him just bursting out with singing the piano intro to what I just realized while writing this is actually Vanessa Carlton's song "A Thousand Miles.".
For this show I was able to get down in front for B&O so I was happy. What didn't make me happy is that the people in the balcony above me kept chucking drinks and ice cubes at the crowd below, where I was. One time I got pelted in the shoulder with an ice cube, which at that velocity, feels like a rock being thrown at you. Where the hell was security then, huh? OMG people taking pictures! Freak out! People throwing ice daggers and dousing the crowd with drinks? Who cares! WTF?!
Before Unwritten Law, one of the songs played over the loudspeakers was "One in a Million" by Guns N' Roses, off of GN'R Lies. It's been so long since I've heard that song, I forgot it existed. Yet I remembered all the words. It was major flashback-to-7th-grade time. They were so good.
UL put on a great show as usual. A highlight: Scott's kids came up with members from the other bands to sing the chorus of the jam (I sadly don't know what the song is actually titled) which was cute.
This was the last night of this tour, so I don't know how long it'll be till they come back East. I'd waited two years since the last album, so I hope it doesn't take them THAT long to get back on the road!
As far as Monday goes, it was a usual kickass show by Roach. I'm really psyched crowds are showing up for their set and responding so well to the new stuff. I didn't get front row, but I managed to live ;)
PHOTOS
UNWRITTEN LAW SETLIST (not in order):
Teenage Suicide
Rescue Me
Shoulda Known Better
Mean Girl
Blame it On Me
California Sky
Lonesome
Rest of My Life
Save Me
Seein' Red
Shallow
Up All Night
Welcome to Oblivion
She Said
CPK
