Ashley's Encounter/Concert ExperienceCobalt Cafe, 4.28.02
The Liquid Zu show Sunday was so awesome! We got to the Cobalt at about 6:30, and there were about 10 or 15 people standing out in front. Turns out they decided to push the show up about an hour, so we weren't allowed in until about 7:30. So we ("we" being me and Noah -Mr Gari-) went to the Ralphs a few blocks down the street and got a mini carton of Ben&Jerry's ice cream (we hadn't eaten before the show) to split in the car. After we get back to the Cobalt, there are cars all in front, so we can't park. My mom wanted to find out what time to pick us up, so we were going to drive around the back and park, and then walk up to the door and ask the guy there. Guess who we see while we're driving into the alley? Yep! The Alex-man himself, was standing there with Andy, unloading the stuff from their car! Me and Noah almost jumped outta the car, and went up to them to ask (me and my reliable sources, huh?) So Alex was just like, "Well, who are you here for?" We're just like, "You guys!" He looked pretty surprised, and laughed about it. He was really cool. He told us it'd probably be over at about 9. So we thanked him and headed on in. We took seats on the couch in the corner by the stage, until the LZ dudes showed up (and we took our "traditional" places right on the floor). The show was great! It lasted a little bit shorter than before, though. Or maybe that's just because we were so psyched! But it was a great show. Alex especially surprised us at the beginning, when he whipped out a yellow daisy-shaped guitar out of a Barbie-doll pink guitar case! To our dissapointment, though, Alex tried passing it on to Andy and David. ...That didn't fly. Eventually, he just decided to go back to his normal guitar. Aww, poopers. But the thrill of sitting in front of Alex's feet and hearing Rod's drum solo (during "Purple House") made up for that! Towards the end, somebody told Alex they had to hurry up for the next band, Monkeys On Strings, to go on. They played one more song, and got off the stage. And Rod threw his drumstick to Carter...again! (Lucky guy got two! :0P ...J/p!)
The LZ guys seemed to have their hands a little more full than they did last time. Alex was practically swarmed by people (not only fans, but also his band mates, and some friends he had come to the show.) Poor guy barely got to get a drink on his own! But after hanging out there just long enough, I managed to get another pic with him. But I only got to talk to him just long enough to tell him that the show rocked. He was kinda busy. (* But thanks, Alex. That really means a lot! *) We were about to head out, but then we saw Billy, Rod, and Andy all chatting with each other and a few other people. (Score!) When they were done talking, Noah ran up to Andy and asked for a picture. So I got one of them. Then I tried asking Rod and Billy for one, but it was so intensely loud in there, that they didn't hear me, and ended up walking away because they didn't even know anybody was speaking to them. ...Yep, I felt like a dork. So we decided to walk outside and wait for my mom to drive up. And then just when we thought it was all over... Rod walks outside right with us! (I've so got to remember to thank all the little Zu-angels up there watching out for me...) So I go up to Rod, whip out my Sharpie and nervously ask him if he'd be able to sign my sweatshirt. He is... the nicest guy! He says "yeah", and winds up having poor Noah bend over so he can sign it on his back. (Major L.O.L moment here.) We get on talking about the show, and I say that they were absolutely awesum and that the drum solo was amazing. He was really cool, and thanked us for coming to the show. I ask him if, before we left, if I could get a picture with him. He says "sure". So we went in front of the Cobalt logo in the window to take the pic. ...And he put on my sweatshirt (backwards) in the pic, so we could see his autograph! (*singing*: Rod wore my sweatshirt, Rod wore my sweatshirt...!) Yeah, you guessed it. I'm still not washing it yet! So when that was over and my mom hadn't showed up yet, we went back in and listened to one song by MOS, then walked outside *right* as my mom pulled up. We then drove to Wendy's to grab a really late dinner. I was hoping that LZ would *ironically* show up on their way home to grab something after the show, but that didn't happen. (Okay, okay, maybe I'm pushing it!) I'm still anxious about their next show! Wherever you guys play, you're gonna rock. Til then, Peace, Luv, + Zu Pride 4-Ever.
-Ashe