StreetsTeam Review 3/2/08 - Detroit, MI - By Mark Garske
Sunday morning, I woke up and couldn't think about anything but my countdown until Bang Camaro. I lay on my friend's couch for almost two hours before considering actually waking up, because I knew the longer I lay there, the sooner the concert would come. So, 6:30 rolls by (an hour and a half before the doors open) and I checked my e-mail. I found an e-mail from Jillian (StreetsTeam leader) and to my shocking suprise, I found out that I had won this beautiful contest. So I called my friend and told him to arrive a.s.a.p. because I was about to explode from adrenaline. He arrived, and we were off.
When we arrived at The Magic Stick, we were slightly confused. For once we walked in, we saw a bar, a small restaurant, and a bowling alley. We asked a bouncer and found out that the stage was actually above us, and the first thing to go through my head was the fact that 12 guys would be jumping around, along with many many others on an upper floor, directly above a bowling alley. We waited outside for roughly half an hour (first in line, of course). when we got to the upper level, the first thing I went for was the merch table. I purchased my girlfriend and I shirts. talked to Glen, and had him sign the poster I tape to my amp when I play shows. I then met nick and morgan, and got their autographs. Finally the first band started playing. the first three bands weren't bad at all, yet nothing compared to bang camaro. Then finally, the moment I had been waiting for since I first heard about it back in December had finally come. As soon as the bass drum head was revealed, all my friends set a new background on their cell phones. first person I saw come out was Bryn. He set his SG right on top of the monitor in front of my friends and I. We couldn't resist, so we all touched the headstock the minute he walked away, while being respectable enough not to touch the tuning pegs. Then, Alex and Dave came out to bring out their guitars, shortly followed by Maclaine. Bryn grabbed a few beers for the guys, and accidentally dropped one : P.
When Bryn came back and finished plugging in his pedals and tuning and sound checking and such, when he had a little downtime, I instantly pulled out a sharpie and asked him to sign my shirt. He had no problem with it at all, it was awesome. So as soon as the show started, my friends and I were jumping around the entire time. Singing everything we knew. Nick was constantly bringing the mic. down to us to sing along, which I thought was beyond awesome.
When Morgan said to the crowd "It's getting late, do any of you guys feel like going home?", in the only split second of dead silence, my best friend directly next to me responded simply with "Fuck that.". That was one highlight of the night. Morgan high fived him for saying it. I think the best song played there would honestly have to be Bang Camaro, cause only a fool could get the lyrics wrong. That and Nightlife Commando. About halfway through the show, I saw something fly towards me, and hit the stage right in front of me. I looked down and saw two halves of an obliterated drum stick, without hesitation,
i picked up both ends, gave one to my friend who shouted "fuck that", and tore the other end in half and gave it to my other friend. Bryn and Alex were constantly soloing in my face, which was truly amazing. Near the end, Nick jumped off the stage directly in front of me, so all of my friends and some others gathered around and made a ring with us while we had a battle against the on-stage singers. It was great singing along to push push and if I remember correctly, Rock of Mages.
After the show, my friends and I all met up with Nick Given and talked to him for a few minutes. I found Dave and Pete, and got them to sign my shirt, and Pete even signed his broken stick for me. Unfortunately, we did have to say goodbye, but i promised I would be there next time.
This show had to be one of the greatest experiences of my life, if not the best. Like I said, I will be there next time.