From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V11 #104 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Friday, April 21 2006 Volume 11 : Number 104 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Alloy: C'mon Bay Area! Merci!! :^) ["Kara R. Laidlaw" ] Alloy: Some things just have to be said: ["Jon" ] RE: Alloy: C'mon Bay Area! Merci!! :^) ["Keith Stansell" ] Re: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: [Crackers ] Re: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: [l u ] RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: ["Keith Stansell" ] RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: ["Thurlow, Robin" ] Alloy: Congrats, Denver & Minneapolis [Melissa Jordan ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 19:23:57 -0500 From: "Kara R. Laidlaw" Subject: Re: Alloy: C'mon Bay Area! Merci!! :^) {Oh, my brain really IS like a sieve! I suddenly realized that I saved this potential post as a draft, then forgot to post it! Better late than never? ;^)} Keith informed us interestingly, :^) > From: "Keith Stansell" > Hey - sorry for the delay, was too tired and busy with travel to post a > proper review. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, No worries, mate--any review is a good review, in my book!! :^) [by an Alloyite, at any rate...press-types still tend to believe that Thomas-born-in-Cairo myth] ;^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Not sure that I could anyway. I don't even totally remember the set list. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But you've really captured the atmosphere and all those cool little details, which, to me, and probably many others, is more important!! :^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > I flew in Friday afternoon and due to longer than expected times to get my > car and get driving north, I wasn't going to be able to meet up with Mary > to get a tour of her workplace. > She did give me some homework to study later though - 4 bottles of it. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Four bottles of what, Keith? Wine? Reverse-osmosis filtered water?? Pepto-Bismol??? Only kidding--I'm sure it's wine. Isn't it?!? Yes, the silly newbie {me}is wondering... ;^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > The Independent was cozy. It was perhaps around the size and shape of > the Anaheim HOB with a lower ceiling and lower stage that sort of jutted > into the room. Due to the lower ceiling, the video screen actually reached > the floor of the stage. Thomas' gear was on the left of the stage, so as to > not block the screen. He was close to the front of the stage though, not > off in the back. The setup appeared to be similar to what he had in the > January shows. The MAC monitor was again behind him pointing to the audience. > Some of the modified vintage equipment was still there - although the scope > with the eerie green glow was not there. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Keith, this is an EXCELLENT, wonderfully detailed review!!! People like me who couldn't be there do have to live vicariously through those who could! I love it!! Throw dem details at us, baby!!! :^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > The Independent had tables and chairs on the main floor in front of the > stage and standing room on the sides and back. There was an upstairs > VIP area overlooking the room. We managed to get a couple of table front > and center because the 15 that made it in before us all took the tables on > the left near Thomas' gear. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Dangit all to heck, who *were* those people??!? Vultures?! ;^) Early birds who had worms for dinner??!? Sometimes it does come down to whoever gets there first. Life sure isn't fair sometimes... ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > Everyone was seated except for this woman wearing a vintage Flat Earth > Tour T-Shirt. She stood at the edge of the stage directly in front of > Thomas' equipment. She was there from the moment the doors opened to the > end of the show in sort of a strange trance. Because of the way she situated > herself as close as possible to Thomas and stood there without really talking > to anyone, Mary and I dubbed her the "Creepy Stalker Girl". You can see > her in the top right of the video screen in this picture: > http://www.flickr.com/photos/sole_i/130224824/ I'm sure she was really > nice, and Stephen even talked to her a bit (or perhaps Flirted as Mary put > it). He didn't know we were calling her the "Creepy Stalker Girl". ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Wonder what Thomas thought?! He *must* have noticed. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > The first act was introduced as being the only player of a style known > as "scratch guitar". His name was Genie and it was just him, his guitar, a > handheld microphone and two white boxes of some sort at his feet (no > shoes, just socks). http://www.thegeniemusic.com/ ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, That's so cool, that all of these cutting-edge, envelope-pushing musicians {Thomas, Genie and LOOP!STATION} appeared on the same stage on the same night. Thomas was preceded by some very appropriate musical appetizers, I think! :^) And then, there's the Main Course, our consistently brilliant Mr. Robertson, for whom it is so often true to say, the original, and still the best. :^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > Ok - finally the moment we waited for. Thomas came out in his usual > coat and goggles. I'm not sure if these were different goggles than the > earlier show, or just had lighter lenses, but the didn't look quite as > sinister as before. > ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Yeah, the goggles are kinda sinister *and* maybe a little insectile too, aren't they? 8^* Tee hee!! ;^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > The show was great - and he seems more confident with each performance. > There were some glitches - and his new policy is "free t-shirts with > every glitch". ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Hmm, I'm thinking that the audience probably isn't bothered by these glitches as much as Thomas is...gawd, perfectionism can be a pain in the butt--I should know--I have a bad case of that myself! One can twist oneself into knots of nervous-wreckness in pursuit of impossible perfection. I know now that there *is* such a thing as "good enough". Guess Thomas hasn't learned that yet. ;^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > Some strange little woman found her way in front of me and asked if she > could stand there. That was fine by me - she was shorter than me and not in > the way. She said the people to my right were annoyed by her (they remained seated), and asked if I was annoying her. She wasn't at first, but then kept asking if she was annoying me, which I did find a bit annoying. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, HA! The irony!!! ;^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > I went back and talked to the Johnny Dekam, who did the video production > instead. Back in March I helped Thomas get new DVD copies of his > videos, so I went and introduced myself to the Johnny and explained my part in his production. It's very possible that those my captures of my Golden Age > Of Video Laserdisc on the screen during SBMWS and Europa. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, How neat!!! It's cool to contribute like that. :^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > Someone else came up and asked Johnny if he could get a copy of the > video that ran behind Thomas during the show. Well, of coarse not, but he > did say that they hope to produce a commercial DVD release of the show at > some point. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, AWESOME!!! :^D So then ALL of us can see Thomas and co. in action. :^) Provided it comes in the various region formats, of course...let's hope it does!!!! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > Just before leaving, I went to the bathroom and when I came out Stephen > handed me a wrist band for the meet and greet. I'm really appreciative > of Stephen for getting that and quite honest, surprised Mary didn't get it > instead. > > So I went up to the little side area where the meters and greeters were > gathered. There seemed to be less than 10 people there, so I guess some > folks didn't use their wrist bands. The "Creepy Stalker Girl" was there > and looked like she was about to meet god or something. Thomas comes out to > meet us - typical meet and greet. When Thomas got to me, I re-introduced > myself as Keith in Denver and reminded him that it was my server that he > tried to download his videos from one Saturday in March. I got my > poster signed and wished him well on the remainder of the tour. > > We talked a little about Denver - hey Colorado, it looks like they are > trying to get a show here, nothing official yet, so don't get your hopes > up too high - but don't be down either. The "Creepy Stalker Girl" managed > to hold it together enough to say that her favorite song was Jungle Line, > or > was it Puppet Theater perhaps - one of the obscure songs not on CD. She > then left fairly promptly, which was surprising. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Sounds like she has a big crush on Thomas, and was tongue-tied! Creepy, but sorta cute and high-schoolish, too. :^P Again, thanks for the great review, Keith! I appreciate any and all interviews. :^) Love and one-of-a-kind designer trenchcoats, Kooky, cheerful Kara!! :^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - --Arthur C. Clarke, 1961 :^) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 10:19:10 -0400 From: "Thurlow, Robin" Subject: RE: Alloy: DOUBLE oops!! Hi Kara, I've just forwarded your message through (sorry for the delay.. my schedule is CRAZY these days! So crazy, in fact, that I won't even be able to see Thomas when he comes through NYC...) Robin Hazen (no longer Thurlow :) (must make updates one of these days...!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 23:37:25 +0300 From: "Jon" Subject: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Hi all, Now I know that I have not surfaced here for a veeery long time but I just happened to read the web digest today and felt that I have to make a comment: Wow Crackers! Opening for AFOS eh? If you turned the clock back twenty years that would be equally as amazing as it is today but in a totally different way. That is gonna be an absolute blast. I wish I could see that one. Good luck to you and please post some pictures. I wonder if their mega-hair is grey now like mine! Did I mention that I bought my tickets for Scala on June 23 tonight. I also booked my flight and loaned a good friends London bachelor pad on the Thames. I am set up! After 20 years I am finally going to see him perform an entire set! Whoohoo! Who's going to Scala then? Cheers all! Jon in Helsinki P.S. there was actually another comment but in hindsight I decided to delete it. I guess the same thought will have gone through a few minds when reading Keiths post. Greetings everyone! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 08:41:46 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: C'mon Bay Area! Merci!! :^) Just some scattered reply points, Yep - it was wine. Stephen and Mary are in the heart of wine country. Hopefully I'm not giving away any secrets, but Mary works for this fine establishment: http://www.lacrema.com/wines/ In a lab of coarse -Science! - -- Actually, I think we may have had a better seat than those 15 who came before us and loaded up the seats in front of Thomas. Their view of the video screen would have been blocked, and we had a good view of Thomas as well - as you can see from my photos. - -- On the T-Shirts for glitches policy. I gave it more thought, and besides being a good way to make light of the glitch, I think it allows Thomas a way to kill time while his stage hands get the computer set up again and ready for the song. I can see where this would be really important if they have to reboot the Mac. During one song - the trooper that Thomas is, he kept singing and performing while working the mouse on the Mac, trying to figure out why one part of the song was not working as expected. When my computer acts up, I quietly fix the issue here in my office without much pressure. I can't imagine having to fix my computer with several hundred people looking over my shoulder - while singing as well. - -- DVD - hope for region free! If it does happen, hope they use HD cameras to record it - for future media compatibility. - -Keith ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 08:56:31 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Perhaps we could just put at the top of our emails like for when we get excited about going to the show. Then people can decide if they want to keep reading with risk of getting envious. I saw Flock of Seagulls on Hit Me Baby One More Time. I think the mega-hair is mega-gone like mine based on the way the lead singer kept a cap firmly in place the whole time. Sort of like someone else we know who was never caught without his beret. (:-) They should just shave it or cut it really short - it's the best way for a follicaly challenged musician making a comeback. Crackers - that is great news. We'll all be gloating about getting to see SNBT at some point. - -Keith - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Jon Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 2:37 PM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Hi all, Now I know that I have not surfaced here for a veeery long time but I just happened to read the web digest today and felt that I have to make a comment: Wow Crackers! Opening for AFOS eh? If you turned the clock back twenty years that would be equally as amazing as it is today but in a totally different way. That is gonna be an absolute blast. I wish I could see that one. Good luck to you and please post some pictures. I wonder if their mega-hair is grey now like mine! Did I mention that I bought my tickets for Scala on June 23 tonight. I also booked my flight and loaned a good friends London bachelor pad on the Thames. I am set up! After 20 years I am finally going to see him perform an entire set! Whoohoo! Who's going to Scala then? Cheers all! Jon in Helsinki P.S. there was actually another comment but in hindsight I decided to delete it. I guess the same thought will have gone through a few minds when reading Keiths post. Greetings everyone! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 11:13:25 -0400 From: Crackers Subject: Re: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Keith Stansell wrote: > I saw Flock of Seagulls on Hit Me Baby One More Time. I think the mega-hair > is mega-gone like mine based on the way the lead singer kept a cap firmly in > place the whole time. Sort of like someone else we know who was never > caught without his beret. (:-) They should just shave it or cut it really > short - it's the best way for a follicaly challenged musician making a > comeback. > Yeah, I'm so glad Thomas finally gave up on the caps and berets. He's kind of the living embodiment of that old saying "god only made so many perfect heads and the rest he covered up with hair". Thomas has a perfect head for bald going shaved all the way was a great idea as he looks awesome. It's like our drummer, the guy has a great head for bald. I have increadably thick hair on my head but very little body hair until you get to the belly button when it suddenly looks like I'm wearing fuzzy pants. Seriously, I've got one fuzzy ass but a completely bare chest. Go fig. I've shaved my head bald a couple of times but I don't really have a good shaped head for bald. My brow ridge is too pronounced and my forehead too sloped (I look way too neadertal). Thomas looks freaking awesome bald, I say in a manly hetero "arrr, lets go drink some beer and look at women's breasts while shooting guns" kind of way. Crackers ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 10:02:19 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: - -----Original Message----- Crackers wrote: >... I have incredibly thick hair on my head but very little body hair >until you get to the belly button when it suddenly looks like I'm wearing >fuzzy pants Perhaps you are a Satyr : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyr I sometimes shave my head, sometimes let the fringe grow. Depends on my mood I guess. This week I've started going with the not shaved, but trimmed down really close look. I noticed it seemed to be the style in San Francisco among the bald set. - -Keith ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:44:26 +0100 From: "Tim Dunn" Subject: RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: OK - I'm all ticketed up (thanks Jon!) We need to get some Alloy shirts or something, and plan an Alloy meet - how many have we got coming? Cheers, Tim ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:24:43 -0400 From: Crackers Subject: Re: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Keith Stansell wrote: > -----Original Message----- > Crackers wrote: > > Perhaps you are a Satyr : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyr > > Unfortunately I can't grow a beard to save my life. > I sometimes shave my head, sometimes let the fringe grow. Depends on my > mood I guess. > > This week I've started going with the not shaved, but trimmed down really > close look. I noticed it seemed to be the style in San Francisco among the > bald set. > I hear they have a bald district with bald bars in San Fransisco. Crackers ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:06:29 +0100 (BST) From: l u Subject: RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Hey Jon & Tim et al, Still figuring out whether I can get free for the 23rd, but as Easyjet have a sale on, am gonna try my best - just need to find some digs for the stay over now! Keep me posted on any UKAlloy meets :-) Lissu :) - --- Tim Dunn wrote: > > OK - I'm all ticketed up (thanks Jon!) We need to > get some Alloy shirts > or something, and plan an Alloy meet - how many have > we got coming? > > Cheers, > Tim ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:07:01 +0100 (BST) From: l u Subject: Re: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Hey Jon & Tim et al, Still figuring out whether I can get free for the 23rd, but as Easyjet have a sale on, am gonna try my best - just need to find some digs for the stay over now! Keep me posted on any UKAlloy meets :-) Lissu :) - --- Jon wrote: > > > > Hi all, > > Now I know that I have not surfaced here for a > veeery long time but I > just > happened to read the web digest today and felt that > I have to make a > comment: > > > Ten" will be opening > > for "A Flock Of Seagulls" at The Corktown Tavern > here in Hamilton. Now > that'll be a fun show.> > > Wow Crackers! Opening for AFOS eh? If you turned the > clock back twenty > years > that would be equally as amazing as it is today but > in a totally > different > way. That is gonna be an absolute blast. I wish I > could see that one. > Good > luck to you and please post some pictures. I wonder > if their mega-hair > is > grey now like mine! > > Did I mention that I bought my tickets for Scala on > June 23 tonight. I > also > booked my flight and loaned a good friends London > bachelor pad on the > Thames. I am set up! > After 20 years I am finally going to see him perform > an entire set! > Whoohoo! > > Who's going to Scala then? > Cheers all! > > Jon in Helsinki > > P.S. there was actually another comment but in > hindsight I decided to > delete > it. I guess the same thought will have gone through > a few minds when > reading > Keiths post. Greetings everyone! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 12:35:00 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Crackers Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 11:25 AM >I hear they have a bald district with bald bars in San Fransisco. >Crackers Oh - that would explain a lot. They even have a monument - lots of bald pride there. http://www.sftravel.com/images/Presidio/exploratorium-san-francisco.jpg ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 12:02:15 -0700 From: "Monya De" Subject: Alloy: random thoughts Well, I'm STILL recovering from the four shows in four days (three TD, one Better Than Ezra) and have to say that it was one of the best weekends ever! Favorite moments: - -Finally catching a TFE shirt on night #3 (Thanks Thomas for tossing it my direction, I love it!) :) - -I for one, thought that if there had to be technical glitches with the computer, there was a silver lining because Thomas had an excuse to chat with the audience. I know we all appreciate how hard he worked to put this on stage, and what a difficult endeavor it is.I liked that Thomas was able to relax and laugh at himself during "Science" at the Key Club--"I can hear the chemicals!"Think of how many kids in the audience (the teenage Folio fans for instance) will go home and google "Synthesizer"--I believe there will be many Mini-Mes to come! - -the performance of Windpower Friday night--it went *perfectly* and I think Thomas was enjoying it too--this, too, was the song that was really galvanizing the crowd each night, mid-set.He also told the story about Harper performing "Europa" with him and looking "more like me than me". Was glad I got to see that rare performance! Rick had never seen the old videos, and when he saw the old Europa video onscreen he leaned over to me and said " Now I understand--his daughter does look like him!" - -Loved hearing Thomas singing very softly, just beneath the vocoded-Thomas, on I Live In A Suitcase. And that my boyfriend now sings "Suitcase" to me when he's packing to come and visit! - -hearing that some people were buying five-plus t-shirts to try to meet thomas-wow! Hanging out with Warren and Mark and making jokes about the Worldwide Spies! Abducting Robert Leslie and having a midnight meal/celebrating Warren's birthday at the Rainbow Grill--Classic American rock 'n' roll experience ! (well okay, Axl Rose wasn't there, but...) The excitement with Elaine when Thomas started playing OOOS at the HOB Anaheim, then repeat of the same when Windpower started, with the girl on the other side of me. Finding out Agoura Hills is a happening place! (judging by the hopping rock-n-sushi next door to the Canyon Club...mmmm) Getting up and dancing to "Science" at the Canyon Club, and disco dancing after Colin Hay played Colin Hay saying he's spent a good two years of his life pretending to be done with his set while he waited backstage for the clapping to go on prior to an encore, and his "this is the last song, darn it" attitude Realizing I was in the same room as PAUL MCCARTNEY Taking Highway 1 to the canyon club---gorgeous... Trying to identify Dolby fans by their geekiness as they approached the HOB. And trying to convince eight Irish guys that they should go to the show. The hint about new music! Hearing TD say warmly that he stayed in LA because of Kathleen. Warm and fuzzy feelings...And how gracious a performer he is, always thanking his promoters and the audience. Following along on the wonderful TD blog...And reading over that geek setup..in the words of Paris Hilton, "That's HOT!" Being tipsy in Anaheim (thanks mark... :) - -Monya - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:11:59 -0400 From: "Thurlow, Robin" Subject: RE: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Dearest Keith There's no need to put on the emails :) Though it's very considerate of you to think of it! Though I can't go this time around, I'm having great fun reading everyone else's experiences. So, keep those stories coming ! Robin Hazen ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 12:29:30 -0700 From: "Mary Brown" Subject: Re: Alloy: Some things just have to be said: Oh, God, Crackers, Waaaaay too much information!! Do you realize how this completely blows my fantasies about you?! Maybe I'll just have to imagine a waxing beforehand... I think TMDR looks really youthful as a bald guy and I agree, I'm glad he decided to forgo the berets. Although he might look good in a La Crema cap - - what do you think, Keith? And thanks for the non-solicited plug for my place of employment. Mary On 4/21/06, Crackers wrote: > > > > Yeah, I'm so glad Thomas finally gave up on the caps and berets. He's > kind of the living embodiment of that old saying "god only made so many > perfect heads and the rest he covered up with hair". Thomas has a > perfect head for bald going shaved all the way was a great idea as he > looks awesome. > > It's like our drummer, the guy has a great head for bald. I have > increadably thick hair on my head but very little body hair until you > get to the belly button when it suddenly looks like I'm wearing fuzzy > pants. Seriously, I've got one fuzzy ass but a completely bare chest. Go > fig. I've shaved my head bald a couple of times but I don't really have > a good shaped head for bald. My brow ridge is too pronounced and my > forehead too sloped (I look way too neadertal). Thomas looks freaking > awesome bald, I say in a manly hetero "arrr, lets go drink some beer and > look at women's breasts while shooting guns" kind of way. > > Crackers ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:34:12 EDT From: CJMark@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: random thoughts Hey Monya.. Wow.. your list of moments again reminded me of some of the same and many other moments of last week. What a great week it was! Thanks for your notes.. and it was my pleasure to help enhance your mood at the HOB. It was really fun for me to meet you and Elaine, Chris and Warren. Seeing the shows with all of you made the week even that much more fun. And of course.. a major highlight of the three days.. being able to sit and talk with Thomas for a few minutes after his show at the Canyon Club is a cherished moment to remember. Alloy has gotten to be such a personal group.. so when I have had the rare opportunity to meet some of you it just makes it all the more enjoyable. And then to be able to stand at the edge of the stage with Alloy folks.. it's a communal feel of awe but since we're there together.. somehow it makes it even better! There is something about hearing a song that you've been listening to for years.. so you know every vocal line.. every nuance.. every hiccup that Thomas has recorded.. and then to stand and hear him present those songs live.. is obviously amazing. But then to be at those concerts standing next to friends that you have been talking with for years.. and knowing that they are feeling similar feelings of ecstatic pleasure as the waves of music wash over us.. it just increases the pleasure tenfold. All it takes is a glance among us.. and we all share the thoughts of relief and extreme enjoyment at finally hearing the songs played live.. I'm sorry I didn't get to hang out a bit more with you and Rick at the Canyon Club.. those tables were just too big! But it looked like you were having a wonderful time and your Blinded Me With Science inspired dancing near the end of the show was great to see! One of the friends that was with me there had never seen Thomas and doesn't really know his music too much. But he's a musician and uses mostly keyboards and computer software when he composes.. so it was great to be able to introduce him to Thomas' music, too. In fact, last night I visited his place and he said he'd been online checking out Thomas' gear list.. and I brought him copies of all of Thomas' CDs so he and his girlfriend can hear the songs as they were originally recorded. Newbies to the fold. Meanwhile.. I had another friend visiting from Seattle this week so yesterday afternoon I took him to see Jay Leno tape the Tonight Show. It was not all that exciting of a show.. but at the end of the taping we were all herded outside to the concert area in the parking lot. The musical guest was David Gilmour from Pink Floyd.. and as he prepared to play a song off his new album.. out walked Graham Nash and David Crosby to sing backups for him! It was pretty cool.. even if it made me feel a bit old! Crosby still hasn't cut his hair.. and it flows like a freak flag.. albeit a very white freak flag. Nash's harmonies were sweet and high as ever.. and Gilmour's voice and guitar playing evoked memories of distant days spent listening to Pink Floyd. Ahh... music. It brings friends together and connects us all in ways we can only attempt to understand. Mark In a message dated 4/21/06 12:05:06 PM, mde@stanfordalumni.org writes: > > Well, I'm STILL recovering from the four shows in four days (three TD, > one Better Than Ezra) and have to say that it was one of the best weekends > ever! Favorite moments: > > -Finally catching a TFE shirt on night #3 (Thanks Thomas for tossing it > my direction, I love it!) :) > > -I for one, thought that if there had to be technical glitches with the > computer, there was a silver lining because Thomas had an excuse to chat > with the audience. I know we all appreciate how hard he worked to put > this on stage, and what a difficult endeavor it is.I liked that Thomas > was able to relax and laugh at himself during "Science" at the Key > Club--"I can hear the chemicals!"Think of how many kids in the audience > (the teenage Folio fans for instance) will go home and google > "Synthesizer"--I believe there will be many Mini-Mes to come! > > -the performance of Windpower Friday night--it went *perfectly* and I > think Thomas was enjoying it too--this, too, was the song that was really > galvanizing the crowd each night, mid-set.He also told the story about > Harper performing "Europa" with him and looking "more like me than me". > Was glad I got to see that rare performance! Rick had never seen the old > videos, and when he saw the old Europa video onscreen he leaned over to > me and said " Now I understand--his daughter does look like him!" > > -Loved hearing Thomas singing very softly, just beneath the > vocoded-Thomas, on I Live In A Suitcase. And that my boyfriend now sings > "Suitcase" to me when he's packing to come and visit! > > -hearing that some people were buying five-plus t-shirts to try to meet > thomas-wow! > > Hanging out with Warren and Mark and making jokes about the Worldwide > Spies! > > Abducting Robert Leslie and having a midnight meal/celebrating Warren's > birthday at the Rainbow Grill--Classic American rock 'n' roll experience > ! (well okay, Axl Rose wasn't there, but...) > > The excitement with Elaine when Thomas started playing OOOS at the HOB > Anaheim, then repeat of the same when Windpower started, with the girl on > the other side of me. > > Finding out Agoura Hills is a happening place! (judging by the hopping > rock-n-sushi next door to the Canyon Club...mmmm) > > Getting up and dancing to "Science" at the Canyon Club, and disco dancing > after Colin Hay played > > Colin Hay saying he's spent a good two years of his life pretending to be > done with his set while he waited backstage for the clapping to go on > prior to an encore, and his "this is the last song, darn it" attitude > > Realizing I was in the same room as PAUL MCCARTNEY > > Taking Highway 1 to the canyon club---gorgeous... > > Trying to identify Dolby fans by their geekiness as they approached the > HOB. And trying to convince eight Irish guys that they should go to the > show. > > The hint about new music! > > Hearing TD say warmly that he stayed in LA because of Kathleen. Warm and > fuzzy feelings...And how gracious a performer he is, always thanking his > promoters and the audience. > > Following along on the wonderful TD blog...And reading over that geek > setup..in the words of Paris Hilton, "That's HOT!" > > Being tipsy in Anaheim (thanks mark... :) > > -Monya > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:38:56 -0400 From: Crackers Subject: Re: Alloy: random thoughts Monya De wrote: > > Hearing TD say warmly that he stayed in LA because of Kathleen. Warm and > fuzzy feelings...And how gracious a performer he is, always thanking his > promoters and the audience. Yeah, I'll admit I kind of got all "awww" too on that part on "Forty" where he says "as for the woman, I think I got the best one". Thomas, you ol' honeydripper, you. Crackers ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:41:26 -0700 (PDT) From: Melissa Jordan Subject: Alloy: Congrats, Denver & Minneapolis I see that TMDR has added both of your cities to the tour. Beth - you get your chance now! (Keith: Ding! Round 3!) MJ - --------------------------------- New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:24:31 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Congrats, Denver & Minneapolis Correction - Round four: Sunset HOB, Anaheim HOB, Independent SF, BlueBird Denver Ok - so the Grateful Dead had "Deadheads" and I think Todd Rundgren's fans are "toddies". So, what am I? I've never seen a single artist four times within 5 months - so what am I? A "Dolbite", "Thomaser" ? I guess an Alloyer is good enough. Sounds like there will soon be another official meeting of the Colorado Alloy Contingent May 23rd - Bluebird Theater >>>> Clip here for a free night's stay for the first Alloy members who can make it to Colorado. (cat dander warning)<<<< /\/\iles and Mary have first dibs. Little trivia for you film fans. The Bluebird Theater is where Christopher Lloyd's character works in the film "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead". In the film it is a porno theater - but in reality, a great live music venue. - -Keith in Denver - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Jordan Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 7:41 PM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Alloy: Congrats, Denver & Minneapolis I see that TMDR has added both of your cities to the tour. Beth - you get your chance now! (Keith: Ding! Round 3!) MJ - --------------------------------- New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:53:43 -0700 From: Robyn Moore Subject: Alloy: Portland Leg (spoilers) After having recovered from yesterday's -very- long day, I have a few minutes to talk about last night's show. I had Kevin drop me off at the venue at about 6:30, figuring I'd be fairly back in line since doors opened at 7, but there were only about 6-8 people in front of me. However, the queue started picking up a few minutes after that, so it turned out I had good timing. The Aladdin is an old theatre, with a balcony, rows of seats, and about 10' between the front row and the stage. I got a seat in the front row and settled in to rest my feet for a few. After a bit, I left my jacket as a seat marker and went to check out the merchandise stand. That's where I got a chance to meet Lunesse, who's a total sweetie. We chatted for a bit while I bought a couple t-shirts, only to discover I won the meet-n-greet lottery. After I grabbed a drink from the concession stand, I settled back in to wait for the opening band, Basic Pleasure Model. They had a setup on the same sort of tech level as Thomas's - a couple Apple laptops, synthesizers, keyboards and a couple guitars. They turned out to be a duet with a technoish kind of sound, which I liked a lot. Thomas later mentioned in his set that they were old friends of his from Beatnik, who hadn't played live for 9 years, so they were just getting back on their musical legs after a long hiatus as well. (For anyone who wants to hear them, their webpage is http://www.myspace.com/basicpleasuremodel) They played for about 35-40 minutes, and then there was a 20 minute intermission between their set and Thomas's, so I took the opportunity to go pick up the CDs they had for sale and stretch my legs again. I was gratified to see that someone who was on their third trip through the line finally won a meet-n-greet stamp, particularly since they'd been behind me when I won, so I'd felt the teeniest bit guilty for buying my shirts on multiple receipts. ;) Finally, Thomas came on. Long trenchcoat, goggles, headphone, ThomasCam, the works. The set list was the same as the one Elaine posted, so there's no need to post it again. ;) Everyone stayed in their seats while Leipzig played, so after that, Thomas pointed in mock annoyance to the space between the front row and the stage and exhorted people to come fill it up. Needless to say, there was a significant rush toward the stage. Those of us in the front row had been warned by the theatre staff that our view might be obstructed if people got up to dance, and sure enough I couldn't see a thing, so I wound up standing throughout the rest of the show just to get a good view. The inevitable glitch occurred during Submarines, at which point he quipped that by the time he was done sorting it out, we'd know it by heart, finished the song, and made the "free shirts if it happens again" promise. He went on to talk about the picture of his Uncle Stephen, and how he'd never met him. At that point, he talked about how much he likes Portland, and that his brother and niece live here. From there, he talked about how after having travelled to all sorts of fabulous places, he wound up living in Hollywood, and segue'd into the story about Griffith Observatory, which led into Suitcase. He talked about his odd childhood fear of flying before Flying North, and he told the bible stand story before Budapest, which was the only song he played sitting down. He then moved on to talking about how he'd developed an interest in sunspots, and when he synthesized some of the collected data from that, it came out in the same key as Windpower. He moved on to Europa without much comment that I remember, and then talked about how he'd built songs onstage as a timekiller earlier in the tour, but people liked it so he kept it in, which led to him constructing Hyperactive on the fly. He moved on to Science, asking people to clap and sing along with a cute little comment about "I know you're all geeks, but you can still dance". At that point he left, only to come back after the obligatory hooting and stomping. He then asked what people wanted to hear for an encore, only to be greeted with an unintelligible roar as everyone shouted out their faves. Of course, he settled on Airhead. That's when the inevitable second glitch occurred, so out came the t-shirts. I almost caught one, but the persons in front of me were taller with longer arms. ;) After that, the show was over, and all that was left was the meet-n-greet. There was a little trouble before Thomas came out with a couple "I don't have to leave, I'm a person too" sorts, but it was quickly taken care of. We watched the backstage crew take down lights and cameras and such while we waited - there's no way I'd get up there. A little bit later, Thomas came out, but I needed to give my feet another break, so I was about the last person in the queue before the theatre staff. He was very gracious to everyone, chatting and taking pictures and such, so it took a while to get to me. I was so full of butterflies I thought they'd fly out my mouth when I opened it. But Thomas was a complete gentleman about it. When I mentioned I was the other Robyn from Alloy, his face lit up like "Oh yeah, I know you", and we had a lovely chat about a surprising range of stuff, considering how short a time we had. While we talked, he autographed one of my shirts and the back of my ticket stub. We then said goodbye, and I left to ring Kevin to have him pick me up. Important points from convo - They're still working on getting his old material out on DVD, they're filming in hopes of putting out a tour disc, and most importantly.....He's hoping to do another tour this fall with new material. :) Needless to say, I had a fabulous time, and it was totally worth having sore feet all day today. Hope I didn't ramble on too long, RobynM @ Robyn Moore @ http://www.wiccans.net/robyn.html @ You knew the job was dangerous when you took it. - S.C. - -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.5/321 - Release Date: 4/21/2006 ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V11 #104 ****************************