Stabbing Westward/Ash

My sister and I drove down to Rhode Island, about an hour from our house. It was raining when we hit Rhode Island. We drove around to find a parking garage. We were parked about 2 blocks from the club. We stood outside in line for about 15 minutes(and we thought we left to late). I walked through the doors and went over to where they were selling T-shirts and other stuff. I bought a brown Stabbing Westward shirt that has the cover of Wither Blister Burn + Peel on it. I wanted to get an Ash shirt too, but didn’t bring enough money. I looped my shirt through my belt loops and headed through a second pair of doors that lead to the stage and floor area. The security people weren’t letting people on the floor yet. So we stood up a the front barrier and waited about 10 minutes. Then they moved the barriers to the middle of the floor. Everyone was pushing and running to get up there. The security people kept yelling at us to move back. Then they put up the metal barrier that goes up about 4 feet from the stage. They let down the barrier in the middle of floor, and everyone again was pushing and running to get up front. We waited some more. I Mother Earth was the first band to perform. I couldn’t really get into them, because I was waiting for Ash and Stabbing Westward. Ash came out next introduce themselves and Tim announced it was recently Rick’s birthday, Tim said he was 15. I don’t remember their opening song. They all looked great, especially Tim with his sparkling guitar and the sexy dances he was doing with it. The guys that were in front of us were singing along to “Kung Fu” they weren’t being serious, it was funny. “Goldfinger” came on and the so-called mosh pit was filled with people dancing around. A lot of people left after Ash, but that left more room for real fans. I moved up front and waited anxiously for Stabbing Westward. The room darkened crowd began to cheer and chant “Stabbing Westward." Then this heavy breathing started and kept getting heavier and louder. Andy snuck up to his drum set from behind and started playing. Then Walter appeared and started playing his keyboard. Jim came out. Then Christopher. They looked great dressed in their usual leather attire. They opened with “Sleep” one of my favorites. Christopher would stand on these black (monitor)? and reach out to the crowd just enough so they couldn’t touch him. The red lights would reflect on to his face, lighting it up. Then he’d look out into the audience and stare into our eyes. I was surprised to see that a lot of people were singing along and knew the words. The mosh pit began to turn and grow bigger, people jumping, crowd surfing. It was fun. I kept getting pushed into the pit, what would a good show be without a mosh pit? Boring, I’d say. I enjoy mooching, jumping, singing along. Nothing could ruin my good time, not even being kicked in the head buy a crowd surfer, which I didn’t notice cause I was really into the music. Christopher spilled water from his bottle all over us, it was so refreshing. I got pulled back into the mosh pit and ended up on the opposite side of where I started off. This guy that we were talking to earlier came over and grabbed my hand and brought me up front again. I kind of liked it better in the pit. He stood behind me and blocked the crowd surfers from hitting me. I didn’t get a chance to thank him though. I was singing along to all their kick ass songs. The songs that I remember were all of WBB+P except “Crushing Me," Most of or all of UNGOD (they definatley didn't play "UNGOD" though), songs I remember from that were “Violent Mood Swings”, “Control”, “Lies”, “Can’t Happen Here”. They dedicated “Why” to a member of Lush that died. I heard “Everything I Touch” for the first time, Christopher said it was a new song. My sister managed to find me in the crowd and asked me if I wanted to leave to try to catch the band on their way out. You know what I said, “YEAH!” so as we were leaving they played “Red On White” we went outside and around the corner to where the tour buses were parked. Walked down the alley where we met previous bands. We looked around for Ash, but they were no where to be found. I stood up against the brick wall in between two stage doors. I could hear “Red on White” still. Every time the doors would open I would jump. I had on a short sleeved shirt but the cold felt good from being hot inside. The set ended. It started to rain a little. There were about 5 people back there with us. Andy walked right by me I said “Hi” he was heading for his tour bus. He walked by me again and I said “Bye." He didn’t hear me though. We waited some more people showed up and we were standing in front of their tour bus. Christopher and a female friend came out and someone had asked for an autograph and he replied, “Let me put my bags down first.” I’ll hold em, I said. He went onto the bus, and a lined formed at the door. So we stood in line too. He signed autographs, let people take pictures and gave someone a hug who asked for one. It was my turn next, I was prepared (as always) with 2 markers and a CD booklet. I got up there and told Christopher that they were really great tonight. He said, no, the crowd didn’t like us, they were telling us fuck you. I said that’s not true we loved it and enjoyed every minute. I handed him my CD booklet he had his own marker and he signed it for me. I thanked him and (knowing that they were in Boston 2 weeks ago, but the shows were 18+ so I couldn’t go) I asked “Are you guys gonna be coming back to Boston soon?” He said no, we’re gonna finish our tour release our next single “I Don’t Believe” then head into the studio. I said “great, can’t wait”, thanked him again. The next person in line went up there and he came ou of the bus and said, here let me come out here in the rain with you guys. We left shortly after. Then we walked to the car, (kind of got lost, we went in the wrong direction, it was 11:30, no cars or people were insight in this alley way, we found our way to the garage though.) and we headed home. I hope I never forget that show, it was definitely one of the BEST KICK ASS shows I’ve been to.