Blink 182 - (Part 2)

There is some history behind this post – if you have not already checked it out,
be sure to visit the Blink 182 - (Part 1) page.

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The day of the concert arrived.  I had talked to my mom about the concert, and to save time, she offered to pick #3 of 5 up after school, bring him to her house and feed him before the concert.  Then after I got off duty, I would go to their place (my parents live three miles from my work), pick him up and we would head out to the concert.

After work, I rushed to my parents house where they were just sitting down to eat.  We visited a little bit, then headed out towards the venue.  Once we arrived, we found a decent parking spot and headed in.  It was a lot of fun watching all the concert goers as headed towards the Excel Energy Center. 

Goth.  Emo.  Punk.  We saw them all. 

We arrived at the Excel, and headed in.  We were handed a “program” for the concert.  Blink 182 was headlining this year’s Honda Civic Tour.  Matt & Kim and My Chemical Romance were the other bands playing.

We headed off to the t-shirt stand.  I was planning on getting #3 of 5 a t-shirt.  I debated one for myself, but between the prices, and my size (and lack of “gargantuan” sizes) I passed.

We found our seats, settled in and waited for the show to start.  The jumbo screen behind the stage showed various clips, and ads, and videos from Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance.

They also had a “scroll” across the bottom of the screen.  It scrolled “text” messages that people sent in to be displayed on the screen.  I tried sending several, but in the end, only one of mine made it up on the screen.  I tried “Father of five and #3 of 5”, “FOF and #3 of 5”, “Fat forty and still a fan”, but in the end, the one that made it on the jumbotron was a phrase that #2 of 5 uses (often…)  “Indeed!”

 

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Before long, the lights dimmed and the crowd went WILD!   

I sent a text message to update my facebook page…  “1st opening act – Matt & Kim takin’ the stage”…  And just like that, the show started.

   

They were A LOT of fun to watch!  They told us that this was their VERY FIRST “arena” concert, and I tell you what – they REALLY “brought it” – their energy level was off the charts.  They were playing (well) and had some really catchy tunes!  It was obvious that they really WANTED to be there, and were having tons of fun!  I’d love to see Matt & Kim again sometime! 

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Between the shows, the lights went back up, and the jumbotron began it’s endless loop of ads, clips, and music videos (including the text scrolling).

So we waited for My Chemical Romance to start up.  To be honest, before the show, I had never really listened to My Chemical Romance.  Seeing as they were going to be playing, I started checking out some of their work on YouTube…  Really great stuff there!  Don’t know why I never listened to them before.

Here it is!  Proof positive that I was at Blink 182!

 

 

  

The crowds started getting bigger in anticipation of My Chemical Romance.  Before long the lights dimmed again, and I quickly updated my facebook page again with the following text…

“Better living through MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE!!”

   

They had a very colorful set.  Lots of reds and blues and oranges…  Sort of matched Gerard Way’s hair ( lead singer).

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Of course from where we were seated and given the quality of my camera phone, my photographs are less than stellar.  Thankfully, the next day – I received an email from Ticketmaster.  The email included several photographs of the bands, and a video of the first three minutes of Blink playing!

These photos are courtesy of AT & T, the Excel Energy Center, My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, and the Honda Civic Summer Concert Tour! 

  

Above Left
My Chemical Romance

Above Right
Gerard Way (Lead vocals)

 

Above Left
My Chemical Romance

Above Right
My Chemical Romance

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My Chemical Romance preformed wonderfully!   I really enjoyed “hearing” (and I use that term loosely – it was more like “feeling”) their music.  A small group in front of us were obviously big fans – they were up on their seats, dancing, singing, shouting – Just going wild! 

I noticed that the volume between Matt & Kim and My Chemical Romance had seemingly been turned up a notch or two!

Once My Chemical Romance was finished, the lights went back on, the jumbotron started it’s job of keeping us occupied while the roadies took down MCR’s stage and set Blink 182’s up.

 

We knew it was going to be close when they started testing the laser show.  (I was looking forward to seeing the laser show.  Tom DeLong had been posting on FB about the lasers during their first show a few weeks back)

There was a feeling of excitement in the air… 

The lights dimmed.

I sent another Facebook update…
“BLINK FREEKIN’ 182”

 

 

Then Blink 182 took the stage and the whole place went CRAZY!  Most people around us were standing, but the folks directly in front of me were sitting, so I did not need to stand – and the ladies behind us were all shorter, and if I stood, I would block their view… 

So there I was.  A forty (year old) fat fan – trying to rock in my seat!  I must have looked quite the site.

I don’t care.  Blink is one of my favorite bands, and they were playing the music I love.

   

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Once again, my photos were less than “stellar” – so here are more photos sent to me courtesy of AT & T, The Excel Energy Center, and Blink 182.

Above Left
Mark Hoppus (Bass) in the background on the left and Tom DeLong on the right (holding the guitar up high)

Above Right
Tom DeLong (guitar) doing what he does so well!

  

Above Left
Mark Hoppus (bass) playing and singing.  See how much fun he is having!

Above Right
Mark Hoppus (bass)

 

Above Left
Travis Barker (Drums) – who did an AMAZING job!  He is really a talented percussionist! 

Above Right
Tom DeLong (guitar) – hamming it up as only Tom can!

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They played the following songs… (Links are to YouTube videos for those who are interested)

They opened up the show with Feeling This – followed with Up All Night, The Rock Show, Down, I Miss You, Stay Together for the Kids, Dumpweed, Always, Violence, After Midnight, First Date, Heart’s All Gone. Man Overboard, Ghost on the Dance Floor, All the Small Things, Josie.

They took a short break, and came back for an encore.  The encore started with a lengthy and mobile drum solo by Travis Barker.  His drum set was put on a crane, and moved all over the set, up to the top of the venue, turned face down, and all around.  He really did a great job on that solo.  After the solo, the band played Carousel, and they finished off the concert with Dammit.

The show was supposed to end at 10pm – but did not get over until after 11. 

Blink played amazing.  The music was LOUD!  I doubt #3 of 5 has ever heard music played at that volume!  When Travis Barker used the bass drum, you could feel your heart vibrating (literally).

#3 of 5 says he had a great time!  I think I may have had an even better time!

I am very grateful to the Mother of Five for “making” me take him.  It was really a bonding experience!

I remember my very first concert to this day.  My mom took my cousin, my sister and I.  We saw Quite Riot at the old Metropolitan Center (where the North Stars played before they moved to Dallas).  I hope that 30+ years from now, this concert is still in #3 of 5’s memory as much as Quiet Riot’s is for me!

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As we drove home in the almost “deafening” silence, I turned to my son and said “Hey… We did some permanent damage to our hearing tonight.  You know that, right?” 

He turned to me with a big smile on his face, shrugged his shoulders, and replied with a “yeah” that was barely audible through the ringing in our ears.

Thanks #3 of 5!  Thanks for a great time!  Thanks for having such great taste in music too!