Post Queen Extravaganza show

You guys, last night was AMAZING!

My ticket.

I got there at 6pm to ensure a secure spot in line. I was worried that I would be one of the few there, but there was a bit of a line on one side and a couple people on the other. I opted for the latter since it was closer. I had doubts as to whether I was even in the right place, but one of the people was wearing a Breakthru 2010 t-shirt. The three of us hung out talking about Queen and I brought up the Magic Years documentaries for some reason. The person in the Breakthru shirt asked me if I had seen part three, and then mentioned that she was in it. I looked at her for a second and then it dawned on me that she was!

Me and Wendy Wright in the music hall (thank you Audrey for telling me her name!!)

About twenty minutes before the doors opened, someone approached my group and asked if they could get in ahead of us. The person not in the Breakthru shirt was in a power chair and I had my crutches, so we simply said that we weren't going to move. I wasn't paying attention until that someone explained that they didn't want us in their way during the show and I shot them a dirty look. The person in the power chair told them pretty much to piss off, and I was glad that they held their own.

The rest of my time outside was watching other Queen fans wander into line. One person walked by with a sweatshirt that read, "Roger what did you do?" and I commented on it. Apparently I was the first person to notice it. We wound up meeting again in the music hall and they let me take a picture for this blog. Unfortunately, it's pretty blurry, but you get the point.

Her name is Katie, and she's pretty cool!

Finally we made our way into the music hall, and I planted myself firmly at the very front row fairly close to the middle of the stage. There was a giant curtain with the Queen crest covering everything, so I got a few pictures because hell yes! Eventually the show started and it was too fucking awesome for words! It was weird when security started telling people to put their cameras away. I called the House of Blues earlier that day asking if my camera would be okay, and they had said that it would be as long as my flash wasn't on. I personally didn't get yelled at (miraculously), but every time someone near me did, I turned around to see phones and cameras being held up, clearly recording video and such. I kept my camera put away here and there, but then I decided to go ahead and take pictures anyway since I wasn't going to sell them or anything, and I'll be damned if my only memento is supposed to be my ticket!

Brian Gresh (left handed guitarist), Francois-Olivier Doyon (bass), Tristan Avakian (guitarist), Tyler Warren (drums). This is how close I was to the stage! Holy crap!

I appreciated that the vocalists all got their own stage time, and it wasn't the Marc Martel show. Actually, Yvan Pedneault stole it for me as a vocalist. Marc, Jeff Scott Soto, and Jennifer Espinoza did outstanding, but Yvan stood out the most in my opinion.

I tried really hard to get a decent picture of Brandon Ethridge since he didn't get to move around the stage, but my attempts were crap. Sorry, Brandon!

Jennifer Espinoza and Marc Martel.

Queen Extravaganza are: Jennifer Espinoza, Yvan Pedneault, Marc Martel, Jeff Scott Soto, Brian Gresh, Tristan Avakian, Tyler Warren, Francois-Olivier Doyon, Brandon Ethridge, and Spike Edney. Produced by Roger Taylor

Here are the rest of the pictures from that night!

Pre Queen Extravaganza show

Tonight I'm going to see Queen Extravaganza at the House of Blues in Boston. I'm so excited but also terrified for two reasons: this and this.

In the first video, it's highlighted bits from the band's rehearsal in the studio and Jennifer Espinoza is shoved to backing vocals. I like Marc Martel, but I really hope Jennifer gets as much time in the spotlight as him since she's a (damn good) vocalist as well.

I'm rooting for you, Jennifer! Even if I am so RIDICULOUSLY jealous of you in that picture!

The second video is QE's performance on American Idol. Please, if someone knows for sure, confirm that that video shouldn't have me the least bit worried!! I don't know if Brian and Roger emerging on stage was for that particular audience, but if that's going to happen now and again for this tour, I'm really concerned. Roger started his search for the best tribute band because supposedly the rest aren't quite up to snuff. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some that I'm not too fond of, but then there are those who are fucking amazing (see my links). If Queen Extravaganza is carefully hand-selected to be the best, then why the hell are Queen getting on stage with them?

What I like about tribute bands - specifically the idea of them - is that the good ones are good on their own merit and their audiences already know the songs that they're playing. Yes, they're influenced by the bands that they're performing, but they gain popularity and sell tickets and booze (if they perform in a bar) because they're talented. My worry is the possibility that Brian and/or Roger could pop on stage at anytime. On one hand, that would be AWESOME, but on the other - you guys, this is supposed to be the tribute band that puts every other to shame, and the possibility of the original band showing up is a slap in the face. Other tribute bands, even the damn good ones, didn't have the luxury of Brian and Roger holding on to the backs of their bicycles, they had to peddle and hope they didn't fall over and scrape their knees. If Brian and Roger think that their band can't sell tickets on their own, that's a huge problem for me. I hope I'm wrong, and the American Idol thing was just specifically for the show - even if Brian and Roger performing right in front of me in person would be a massive dream come true! I honestly do have high hopes for tonight, I promise!

Anxiety aside, I'm really excited about tonight! The last time I was at a big-deal concert venue was ten years ago (my uncle had an extra ticket to see Korn. I don't actually like them, but it was something teenagers do and I wanted to seem normal)! And this time I'm going to enjoy the music, dammit! And be surrounded (hopefully) by other Queen fans, dammit! I'll report back after the concert and hopefully have decent pictures!

More stuff

The other day I popped into Porter Square Books and found a copy of The Complete Illustrated Lyrics. They don't always have books about Queen, so it's special when they do (my only complaint about the store is they carry Dan Savage's book). It's nice to see samples of written lyrics that I haven't seen before - like A Winter's Tale and The Hitman. Also, the songs are all listed alphabetically rather than by album. I was initially annoyed by that, but I think it's growing on me because I could appreciate how each of Queen's albums are all different from each other.

I also finally watched Under Review: 1980-1991. I can't quite express a reason yet, but I liked 1973-1980 a lot more. Maybe because that one had a guy demonstrating some of Brian's riffs on guitar..? Maybe because it inevitably turned into The Freddie Mercury Show? I'm just saying, if they could take the time to talk about the Mr Bad Guy album - even though this series is supposed to be all about Queen, they could talk about Brian and Roger's solo projects as well. Maybe just mention that they'd done stuff on their own...

In other news, it's Mother's Day here. So here's a picture of some old lady!

For those who've been living under a rock, that's Jer Bulsara - Freddie's mum. So thanks, Jer, for raising my hero and allowing him to be the greatest thing ever in the whole, entire world!

New stuff!

Rebuilding my shrine is slowly making progress. With the last of my Amazon giftcard from Christmas, I was able to get both Under Review DVDs and a used copy of The Early Years by Mark Hodkinson for less than $20. I've decided I have no qualms about used used books or DVDs, so long as they're in decent condition, but CDs need to be brand new... unless it's a solo album and it would be impossible to find it new, then it just needs to be in as-close-to-new-as-possible condition.

I've only watched In Review: 1973-1980 so far, but I'm really pleasantly surprised at how fascinating it is. It's nice to see a critical analysis of Queen's work that isn't totally biased in one way or another (i.e. nobody's said so far, "I don't like [this song/album/whatever], therefore it universally sucks" or, "Queen is the greatest band ever, therefore everything they've ever done is the best"). I'm really looking forward to hearing about 1980-1991 because I'd love to see those critical perspectives aimed at that body of work.

I haven't read The Early Years yet, seeing as how it just arrived this afternoon. I'm honestly not sure if I will. I also am not planning on reading As It Began. Both might very well be excellent reads, but as of now I'm not sure if I'll really get anything out of them. I won't be buying just any Queen-related books (this is me promising my future self) because I still have standards, but if I think there's a chance of learning something new I definitely will. Anyway, I skimmed through the pages and looked at the pictures. From what I can tell, it doesn't look like it'll be a terribly impressive read. Although I guess it only spans from 1969-1976, so it could be pretty quick.

When I first opened the envelope, I was annoyed to see that there was a giant $2.79 sticker covering Brian's face, but thankfully I could remove it without damaging the cover.

Now on Facebook!

Oh snap! Send me a friend request and get links to my latest blog posts, Queen-related Youtube clips I like, and another way I can talk to you guys!

Shrine rebuilding

Today I scored a bookshelf on craigslist for $15. Thankfully, my girlfriend was willing and able to help me pick it up despite having low blood sugar, and that involved more skill than I had anticipated. Not that it weighs a ton or has ridiculous dimensions, but if I had to move anytime soon I would sob at the idea of having to lug that thing again.

Anyway, the point is I can start rebuilding my shrine! I've even moved my posters because I'd rather have most of my Queen stuff all concentrated to one area rather than my entire apartment. Although I'll have to do some more shifting when I get my portraits from my father's house someday...

Everything's really sparse at the moment, but finally having a place to put my things is a massive relief. My bedroom closet was not a suitable place for my mini Red Special, for instance.

I cannot wait to add bits and pieces!!

Things that make That Guy sad

Awesome is getting into a band so good that you kind of hate them for having talent where you don't have it. In my case right now, it's Crooked Fingers.

I'll give you a bit to listen to that. You're welcome.

(side note: I'm always in need of new music, don't hesitate to send me recommendations)

What's not so awesome is an awesome band covering a Queen song and turning it into crap.

I'll give you a bit to listen to that. Depending on your opinion, I'm either happy to have made your life better, or I'm sorry for disappointing you.

It took me a week to figure out my opinion on this. I love the voice and - to a huge extent, the music. But there's something about it that makes me cringe. I think changing the lyrics plays a big role. I mean, why would they do that? And maybe more importantly, why was there no signature bass line?

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I know this is really late, but WHY, Chris Evans??? WHY did you sell your Freddie-inspired Lotus??? Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!

For fuck sake! When you need to make room in the garage for a Lotus based on Freddie Mercury's most famous stage outfit, you sell one of your other cars! Good g-d!

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Queen will be performing on American Idol again - this time with Adam Lambert.

I think it's wonderful that Brian and Roger are trying to appeal to their fans in North America, but American Idol is bullshit, Queen and Adam Lambert have no chemistry, and Steven Tyler is fucking creepy in a should-be-a-registered-sex-offender kind of way (I guess laws of consent have huge loopholes if you're in the rock industry?). And bringing up the rear is my ridiculous hatred for Ryan Seacrest! If it's about the money, I wonder how much is enough to overlook that kind of shit?

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Right... so now that I'm sufficiently upset, I'm going to watch this video of Delilah being narrated by Peter Freestone to cheer myself up.