Dragon*Con gig

[PokerKitten]

From Catlady at F4F:

One other thing I wanted to tell you about the con. Last night I went to the GotR concert about an hour before it was scheduled to start. The room which seats 1400-1500 was already completely full. There was a line stretched across the lobby, down a hallway, up some stairs, outside along the front of the hotel, then it turned and went way down the sidewalk. People continued to walk up and join the line. It eventually turned the corner and went all the way down the block.
I know people criticize Julie Caitlin Brown, but she knows how to get things done. She came outside and told us that there would be a delay because they had to change the room. She said we were the largest crowd that the band ever had and that they were very excited and wanted to give us a great show. She assured us that we would all get inside. When we finally got inside, they had taken down a set of partitions to double the size of the room. The place filled up quickly.

James said that it was probably the largest crowd they would ever have. They were clearly very excited about it.

Also, today, there was a GotR autograph signing session for all of the guys except James. I went up there just because I didn't want them to feel bad if they didn't get many people. An hour before the autographs started, there was a huge line. By the time they started, it went completely across the lobby of the Hyatt Regency hotel and out the door. I thought that was great since those people were obviously there for the band and not for James.

[PokerKitten]

This is extracted from Bookworm's Con report at MTS, because no-one else seems to have the balls to write about it *cough*Marilyn*cough*

A few GOTR tidbits: James broke his chair during the talk and had to get another one. They had balloons tied in bunches on the back of each of their chairs and Charlie would cut one off and give it to each person who asked a question. Kevin and Aaron were walking around in the "Walk of Fame" getting autographs from all the sci fi stars. Charlie and Kevin walked around the hotel in their bathrobes late on their first night there and were astounded that no one gave them a second look. Lord, bathrobes didn't even register on these people's geek radar. I've never seen so much leather, peircing, tattoos, hair colors, boots with 12 inch platforms and/or 7 in spikes, etc. etc. And they were the underdressed ones! Marvelous stuff!

The concert was late in getting started due to the madhouse of getting the room ready for the crowds. Due to fire marshal regulations, the had to have a large clear spot in front of the stage. Julie had set up a handful of folks to stand in front of the band, but I knew that wasn't going to fly. The boys need a lot of energy in front of them and after about 2 songs, Kevin said "where is everybody? Get on up here." Of course, there was a mad dash to the front and the concert went on in its usual form with lots of bouncing, dancing, and singing along. James was not at his best at all, but I think this was because he couldn't hear much at all, even with his ear device. It was a hotel ballroom, not the best place acoustically for this type of thing. However, it was packed and I truly believe I've never seen James so joyous before. He was completely swept away by the experience of playing to such a large house and it reflected on his face, in his moves - excitement was just shooting out of his fingertips. It was great fun to watch him enjoy himself so much. Still, the quality of his singing was not good and he missed a cue during David Letterman, making him an entire measure off for the last verse of the song. He just couldn't hear himself is what I think. I also want to add that I heard Over You for the first time and I think it's by far the strongest thing he's written. Leap years ahead of his previous stuff melodically and structurally. I told him so at the autograph line and he said he keeps hearing that. I begged him to put it on the next album and he said it would be. Apparently, they've all had a long, productive writing streak and have come out with enough new material for about 3 albums. They are now at the place where they are going to have to choose whose songs get to go on the next one. James said, "THAT'S going to be an interesting discussion."


forums.morethanspike.com/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=1511&s=

[PokerKitten]

A report up at the GOTR forums at last..... here is the link to the board but I think you have to be a member to view the forums now - www.gotr-forums.com/

It's in the gigs section, natch.

From mebs12:

Charlie arranged for us to get back stage to decorate before the show and of course we stayed there .
Had great GoTR balloons made up, also a banner that was hung on the back of the stage. Show was scheduled to start at 10:30. Finally got started at midnight.
They pulled a lot of us to act as a human wall of security right in front of the stage so when James gets the crowd hyped they won't rush the guys. We had maybe 2 songs with that area to ourselves before we were crushed.
The energy was fantastic. The music was awesome. Watching them play for the first time, and being so close to them was a real treat. Charlie is an absolute trip.
He puts so much of himself into performing. All of them put everything into the show. They did have some tech problems. Where we were standing we heard very little of the lyrics but all the music. Since we knew the songs we still sang along. Only heard a few of the words to Katie and Over Now(?).
Heard from others that were in the back, the sound was better. So it must have to do with being on the back side of the speakers???
James had some trouble with his voice but he definately gave it his all.

We were able to work a little with the guys and their manager at their signing table on Sunday, then took them to lunch before they had to leave for the airport. (not James. He was scheduled for his own signings.)

Did get to see James for a little bit this afternoon and had a few minutes to actually talk. He had this huge bodyguard with him most of the time. I swear he growled at me the first time I was near him, but today he was smiling and a bit more relaxed. Guess he figured I wasn't a crazed groupie.

People tried to start lining up for the cocert 6 hours ahead of time but the Con security would move them on and a little while later they would all be back. Probably had over 1000 attend the show.
So much more to tell.
Thanks so much to everyone wo helped with everything.
M/E

[PokerKitten]

Berry has a report up at gotr-online, and as you aren't allowed to copy posts from there, here is the link - dragon*Con GOTR report

[PokerKitten]

Ooooh, can ayone confirm that they guys said Aaron wasn't leaving til December?! Time for more gigs and the second album, methinks!

[PokerKitten]

I have brought over rockgodess' comments re the gig, from MTS. She needn't be worried about telling it like it is. GOTR seems to have a half and half thing going - 50% of the time they rock the house and james is in tune, the other 50%, not so hot!

Count me as someone else who wasn't overly impressed by the show on Saturday night at D*C, but there were other factors involved for me as well, so I can't say it was just the band I was unimpressed with. And actually...it was mainly the sound where I was that sucked. The word "muddy" doesn't adequately describe it. Bleargh.

Having said that...I am also one who doesn't think James is a great singer. Please feel free to throw whatever you want but it's only my opinion, don't be threatened by it. He's a passable singer, but he needs more lessons and I totally agree, he's got to learn how to breathe properly to do this. He's gonna end up with nodes if he's not careful, and they're AWFUL, especially for someone dependent on his voice like he is. He also needs to learn his limitations better 'cause he should never ever do "Goodnight Sweet Girl" in concert; he cannot sing that song, period. It's just cringeworthy to hear.

I've only seen Ghost twice, this weekend and in Chicago at the first Flashback show (which was actually quite fun), and as someone who's been going to live shows since she was 12 (which was far too long ago now to bring up in polite conversation) and has seen hundreds of bands, literally (not something to be that proud of, actually)...I am really not very impressed with Ghost. It doesn't matter what I think, I know that and am under no delusions about my own importance, REALLY. I would like to see them in clubs a few times to get a REAL feel for them, though, 'cause conventions are just so not real situations for a band; Ghost's natural environment is the club scene and I want to see them there some day. I think that perhaps I might be better able to make a more informed decision on whether or not they really are any good.

But from what I've seen so far...really not that impressed.

But then again, no one asked for my opinion so just ignore me, I eventually go away!

rockgoddes


I KNOW James has a good voice.... when he sings solo! I have heard and seen many clips, even a whole gig, of him performing at 14 Below back in the day. And I know he doesn't want to go back to doing that. In which case, the guys need to rehearse together more, and get the sound and earpiece crap sorted out because it is a pity so many folks don't know what he is REALLY capable of. Oh, and for the record, I loved The Garage gig, winced through a lot of The first Scala gig. 50-50 ;D

[PokerKitten]

Gig pics from samifiddler - homepage.mac.com/samifiddler/Dragoncon-2003/PhotoAlbum52.html

[nightnurse]

;D PK I asked on the GOTR forum if anyone could confirm if Aaron was staying with the band till December, and had this reply from Joy

'Nightnurse...from what Steve and Aaron, himself, told me...he won't be leaving until November or December (probably). I wish he wasn't leaving at all...but hey...at least it's for a good cause...and at least we'll still have him for a few months yet.'

Joy.

Yup, I saw that yesterday, thanks NN

[PokerKitten]

Setting up for the gig - Behind the Scenes pics