These past couple of weeks have been totally bonkers for me, mostly work related stuff though.
I work for a corporate skateboarding company and help manage one of the stores. End of July to mid September is the busiest time of the year for us (next to Christmas) so I've been hustling like crazy trying to have the store perfect for when all of the bigwigs from our head office come....with no help from the store manager. I'm the assistant manager but seem to be doing his job and then some! I've been pulling doubles while he's been fucking around on his phone in the office or leaving/arriving late anywhere from 1-4 hours, and it's been driving me absolutely mental. Our team busts their asses to make the store look great yet he takes the credit. I'm usually a pretty relaxed, easy-going person but when it comes to this kind of bullshit I loooooooose it completely. So frustrating! Anyways, END RANT!
One AMAZING thing that did happen this past week was the kick off party and show for the FAT Wrecked 25th Anniversary. The tour started in Toronto so I was fortunate enough to go to the kick off party at the Bovine and hang out and converse with some of the people that make the music that gives me warm fuzzies in my tummy, hhaha. Hanging out with the dudes from Masked Intruder (sans masks) and Officer Bradford was probably one of the most pleasant experiences I have ever had. I obviously fangirled MEGA hard but totally tried to keep my cool.....I think I did an okay job? haha. Getting to meet Luke Ray from Cobra Skulls and now Swingin' Utters was also a crazy fan girl moment for me. Music is such a huge part of my life and the people who make the music I cherish and love have a special place in my heart. It was truly a surreal night for me.
One of my favourite humans: Officer Jackson Bradford (note the stokedness in my face)
The next day was the actual start of the tour. I got to the venue stupidly early like a total nerd cause I didn't want to miss the first band, ToyGuitar. I was literally the first one there, haha. Before the show had even started though, some dude was already fucked up and it took 8 cops to pick him up and get him out of there (party on, Wayne). The first band was ToyGuitar and if you don't know who they are or listened to them, then you're doing something wrong and you should really change your life. Two parts Swingin' Utters with one part One Man Army along with a whole lotta jangly guitar and "oooohs" and "aaaahs". Kind of remind me of old New Bomb Turks but a little bit catchier.
Masked Intruder followed second. Blew my voice out from singing too hard. I seriously could write and bajillion page blog post about why I love these guys and the music they make, but I'll save it for another time. For real though, go listen to Masked Intruder. I get so wet for them.
The Flatliners were up next (hometown heroes). I remember seeing these dudes play when we were all suuuch youngins and they had their parents drive them and their gear to their shows. Now, they guestlist their parents whenever they can and I think that's fucking awesome. Their energy is also mighty rad and you can tell by their huge fucking grins while they play that they still get stoked on what they do. Also, Dead Language is a banger from front to back I highly recommend it!
Before my phone died, I was so fucking thankful to have snapped a few pictures and took a video of Swingin' Utters and Johnny "Peebucks". Thanks to my dad, Swingin' Utters were actually one of the first Fat-signed bands I ever listened to so I was BEYOND stoked to see them here. Johnny's stage presence is unparalleled and the force behind their music gives me fucking goosebumps! They played Pills & Smoke and I'm pretty sure I had a huge smile plastered all over my stupid face.
(sorry for the sideways photo)
Anyways, that pretty much sums up my last two weeks really.
Hope you're all having a mega rad summer!
<3
