Everclear 20 Years – Still Sparkling Never Fading

This post might not be directly about a piece of my art work but it’s something I want to share because like art, music has gotten me through life’s hurdles. I might not create music but I appreciate the ones that do.  And as you know part of my experience as an artist has also been being a promotional and merch band guru…. so for me music and art go hand in hand. So with that… lets talk about the incredible night we had on Friday!

I can go on and on here and tell you how Everclear’s music has affected me since I was in junior high. How seeing them for the first time in 1995 was one of the best shows I had seen when I was younger. How I use to have stacks of Spin and other rock magazines that either had Art Alexakis on the cover or just had a little interview article inside . How even at the age of 36 I still rock out to their albums like I am in my high school bedroom. But being able to tell the band that myself was the ultimate for me!

We went to the Sparkle and Fade 20th Anniversary Show at H.O.M.E Bar and it was incredible. They played the ENTIRE album and then some. I am surprise I had a voice the next day as I was screaming along word for word. When I told my friend Trisha (who has known me since high school) about the show she told me she could imagine it cause every time she hears Everclear she still always thinks of me.

This is a photo Frank took of me from our booth. I am literally standing on the platform over the crowd ha ha. Not about to miss a second of it.

Needless to say I was in my glory like I was the first time I saw them back in 1995 and it was even cooler to be able to tell them that. They decided to hang out at their merch table after the show to say hi to fans. I had already gotten a shirt earlier before the show started (made sure to get the one with all the tour dates on the back so it was nostalgic 90’s “I rock this shirt proudly because I was at the show” ha ha. Remember those days?) but was not going to miss the chance to at least say hi to them. And on a splurge I totally bought the Sparkle and Fade record despite already owning the CD. I really wanted to have something for them to sign and since this was so unexpected I was not my normal prepared self. They also don’t do ticket stubs the way they use to back in the day and I wanted to be able to wear my shirt so no go for signatures there. So I thought this is something I have dreamt of since I was younger and despite the mark up on the album I told myself “buy it or you will regret it”. So I did. I also knew it would be a great way to remember the unforgettable time I got to hear this entire album live.

As cool as the signatures are to have as memorabilia nothing will compare to the photo my friend Ellie captured or me with Art!!!!!!!!

If only I could go back in time to tell my younger self “be patient” that this would happen to me in my 30’s. Even so I don’t think I would’ve believed myself. I know sometimes we get star struck but this actually meant so much to me to be able to tell the band how much their music has gotten me through some of the toughest and greatest times of my youth. They also really loved my Jane Lane shirt ha ha.

Me and my handsome husband at the show

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole

Spitting Image: Best Birthday Ever with Henry Rollins

I can not express the overwhelming amazingness that was experienced with my husband Frank and brother Mike on Friday for my birthday. Henry Rollins was EVERYTHING awesome you could imagine him to be. I could not be more grateful to Frank for doing this for my brother and I. Best gift ever!

The night started off with us getting VIP treatment. Anyone with VIP (only 50 people) were allowed in first for first pick of the best seats in the house. Honestly Thalia Hall is an amazing venue and there really isn’t a bad seat in the place. Although being on the floor only a few feet away from him was definitely the preferred. We were enjoying every minute of it. We got some cool VIP laminates that had Henry holding 55 birthday candles on top of a skull. We also received matching autographed posters of the same image.

 

Thalia Hall Sign

Me = VIP Birthday Girl

My brother Mike, Me and my husband Frank EXCITED!

The Spoken Word portion of the show kicked off and as always Henry was filled with incredible stories of his adventures. travel and experiences. It took me back to 15 years ago when the 3 of us and my sister in law Melissa saw his Spoken Word tour on Rollins 40th birthday. Also an unforgettable show. The best part about the show though was his ability to really show us how down to earth he really is. He shared with us his memories of the times he had his own “in awe fan moments” including when he met Bowie and Lemmy for the first time. Which I was so hoping he would do. Listening to those stories brought us not only into Rollins world but also into Bowie and Lemmy’s as well.

He also shared about his contributions and getting Lemmy to be a part of the West Memphis Three benefit CD he put together. A cause you all know I have felt strongly about and have even donated my own work to help raise money for. One thing Rollins said was that the people who knew it was wrong stood up and did something about it. Said NO this is not right and NO we will not stand for it. That people pulled together to do something about it. It made me feel good knowing I was a part of that.

 

Rollins Spoken Word Live

Rollins Spoken Word Live Zoom

He told us how if we want to go out and do something DO IT! When others tell you that you can’t go at it with twice the force! That is what I love so much about him. Here is a man who stood on stage for hours just talking and left the entire audience in awe, inspired and entertained! A dream of mine would be to have the honor of just sitting down with him for like dinner or something and just picking his brain.

After the show was over everyone that was VIP stayed and the rest of the crowd left. We all sat there anticipating with excitement when Rollins would come out and talk to us to do a intimate Q & A. The best part is he came out on the floor and not on stage to talk to us.

Rollins talking to us after the show

He started off by saying he didn’t want to do the VIP thing at first because to some “it isn’t punk rock of you to pay to meet someone” but he knew if he didn’t give this a shot he might not be able to stick around and talk to all of his fans like he is use to doing. He was not comfortable with the fact that we were paying to meet him but he was honored at the same time.  That’s how cool Rollins is. We were the guneia pigs. We were actually history in the making as the very first group of fans/1st show to experience this with Rollins so that was wicked cool as well.

They OMG VIP crew started off with pictures which was very quick but still gave me the opportunity to hand him my Genesis 4:7 portrait and tell him I drew it for him. Show him the “Bloody Bingo” bag I made and even get it in the photo. He was like “wow this is for me” which made my heart sing. I think this photo is worth more then any words I could type here (I have been starring at it all day in awe ha ha)……

Just little ole’ me on my birthday. Henry Rollins with one arm around me and the other holding the Genesis 4:7 (He Never Died) art piece I drew for him in the other. Yeah I call this one “BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!”

My Brother Mike with his idol Henry Rollins

My Husband Frank (who made all of this happen for us) with Henry Rollins

Questions were already asked of the VIPs when entering the venue but he opened the floor to more questions once he finished them. This was my brother Mike’s shining moment (as he is the biggest Rollins fan on the planet). They were just about to wrap things up and he raised his hand. Rollins called on him and my brother was able to reminisce with Rollins about the time Rollins Band was here in Chicago at the Metro and we went to see them live. That Melissa was even 6 months pregnant at the time. That it was the most intense show he had ever seen. Rollins immediately shot the shit with him about the show and in detail talked about what they opened up with and they talked about it being a live taping etc. He thanked my brother for the feedback and for reliving the moment with him.

Needless to say, I can’t stop thinking about Friday so yesterday I contacted Rollins through his site to thank him for everything. To my surprise (yet I am not surprised because he is such a cool guy) I woke up to an email from him and part of it was thanking me for the art piece and telling me he hopes we cross paths again. Best birthday weekend EVER!

Stay Spooky!
Living Dead Girl Nicole