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labyrinth2015...Stick that whole damn thing right through me, right? Right?
Because, goddamn, the Midwest Kings play the Flytrap Music Hall in Tulsa was, from all accounts, an epic, fantastic concert, bar none.
I'm gutted I couldn't be there, of course, to gaze at Neal Tiemann strutting his bad stuff first-hand, and watch frontman Andy Skib toss his inky bangs and showcase vocals that have matured like a phenomenal Merlot. The Peekster was in as fine form as ever, and I didn't know how much I missed Joey until I saw that flying blond mop and ridiculous grin and the singing he did on "Til I'm Blue".
And there was that rhythm guitarist, whose backing vocals were pure and clear despite the bass distortion, harmonizing with and emphasizing the melody. Where they had time to rehearse together, with their crazy schedules, I have no idea. Love them, though.
Here they are on "Vera" and "One True Thing":
The heartbreaking "Anodyne":
My favourite, "Til I'm Blue":
There was something about the five of them together on that stage - I gather there were initial naysayers, especially regarding Dave's superstah issues, but I hope everyone were won over by the seamless whole the boys made that night, the focus on the solid MWK back catalogue. They brought it, they parlayed the hugest, shiniest weapon at the swordfight, and ran us through the heart, among other things. Right?
Right. I know I'm dead, anyways.
More vids from the always amazing![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zoe_angel_bear, over at her new place.
Okay, enough archival pseudo-music blather from me.
Because, goddamn, the Midwest Kings play the Flytrap Music Hall in Tulsa was, from all accounts, an epic, fantastic concert, bar none.
I'm gutted I couldn't be there, of course, to gaze at Neal Tiemann strutting his bad stuff first-hand, and watch frontman Andy Skib toss his inky bangs and showcase vocals that have matured like a phenomenal Merlot. The Peekster was in as fine form as ever, and I didn't know how much I missed Joey until I saw that flying blond mop and ridiculous grin and the singing he did on "Til I'm Blue".
And there was that rhythm guitarist, whose backing vocals were pure and clear despite the bass distortion, harmonizing with and emphasizing the melody. Where they had time to rehearse together, with their crazy schedules, I have no idea. Love them, though.
Here they are on "Vera" and "One True Thing":
The heartbreaking "Anodyne":
My favourite, "Til I'm Blue":
There was something about the five of them together on that stage - I gather there were initial naysayers, especially regarding Dave's superstah issues, but I hope everyone were won over by the seamless whole the boys made that night, the focus on the solid MWK back catalogue. They brought it, they parlayed the hugest, shiniest weapon at the swordfight, and ran us through the heart, among other things. Right?
Right. I know I'm dead, anyways.
More vids from the always amazing
zoe_angel_bear, over at her new place.Okay, enough archival pseudo-music blather from me.
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Date: 2010-02-21 02:35 pm (UTC)That said! AFJAHDLFKAALKDJFHA. AND NEW SONG FTW.
And the smoke machine 'malfunction'. I still maintain that Cook was the guilty party.
OMGOSH I HAVE NO BAND ICON. FAIL, PAT.
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Date: 2010-02-21 02:40 pm (UTC)Yeah, the keysmash pretty much covers it, though, in my long-winded way, I attempted some words as well XD BOYS, way to be the death of me.
My Rockstar Powah! band icon courtesy of the talented
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Date: 2010-02-21 02:49 pm (UTC)AHA ICONS. I will attempt to track down some I like. Failing which, I'll just make my own. Ha.
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Date: 2010-02-21 03:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 03:37 pm (UTC)Somehow I can't bring myself to be much disappointed about not being there. After all, there wasn't any chance of me flying out there, plus I have gotten a CD out of it, and you know? I wouldn't have had that amazing date yesterday if I had been to Tulsa and back.
Also, it was like the original Anthemic morphed into MWK. Me loved it.
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Date: 2010-02-21 03:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 03:58 pm (UTC)You know, I think your boy's really shy. And that's gonna sit real well with the Spanish macho-shit ethos, so he's doing his best to play it cool.
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Date: 2010-02-21 04:02 pm (UTC)I do think he's shy. H eactually kinda let me know that last night. Which is fine with me, since I am shy as well, but that means this is going to go so slowly, and at some point I won't know if we're dating or what. But you know? I am at ease with it now. Yesterday was perfect.
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Date: 2010-02-21 04:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 03:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 03:55 pm (UTC)I gather there was some dissatisfaction expressed over Dave's presence at this gig; some felt Dave, in all his American Idol-ness and following, might inevitably, if inadvertently, overshadow what was essentially a MWK outing.
The way I see it, though, Dave was part of the MWK lineup, and he couldn't not be there for his boys - and of course they'd want him to be there, for the same reasons: because they love each other, because they sound amazing together, because they have so much fun playing together. Nobody is worrying about overshadowing anyone, or needs to say GTFO, this is MY SONG, they've worked out a clear space for Dave on the MWK guitar and melodic lines, there's so much togetherness it makes my heart glad.
Okay, so everyone should feel free to laugh at the puppies-and-butterflies Pollyanna view I've expressed, but I really believe this of the boys. <3
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Date: 2010-02-21 04:14 pm (UTC)(I'm having a lot of fun imagining Dave going 'wtf, you're inviting Joey and Kyle but not me??? I wanna play too! Don't you dare think about doing this without me!' He probably threw in a pout as well, before Neal and Andy stopped having him on and admitted they'd wanted him along all the time, they just thought it'd be funny to let him stew for a bit.)
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Date: 2010-02-21 04:35 pm (UTC)It really is that simple, as far as I see it. The most important things in this life - music, friendship, love - often are, bb.
Also, the no hard feelin's, the genuine camaraderie and chemistry, with Joey, that night? Made me most Pollyanna, as well! I love Monty, but my Quintain lineup remains these five, in my head ;)
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Date: 2010-02-21 05:28 pm (UTC)Or as one Mr. Cook once wrote: It's easy when it's done being hard.
It was good seeing Joey and Dave pal around like that. I still wonder why Joey had to leave, but it's pretty obvious there's no bad blood between them now, no matter what happened. Warms me old cockles, it does.
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Date: 2010-02-21 11:58 pm (UTC)I wonder, too, but it looks like they're getting on with each other now, and I'm so glad he's back!
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Date: 2010-02-22 09:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-22 11:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 04:18 pm (UTC)I love how shy he is, but give him his music and he OWNS IT. And its HOT AS HELL GUH.
I....I have no words and nothing to add that anyone hasn't already said.
(I'm having a lot of fun imagining Dave going 'wtf, you're inviting Joey and Kyle but not me??? I wanna play too! Don't you dare think about doing this without me!' He probably threw in a pout as well, before Neal and Andy stopped having him on and admitted they'd wanted him along all the time, they just thought it'd be funny to let him stew for a bit.)
Heee, I love that visual. :)
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Date: 2010-02-21 04:29 pm (UTC)I so agree. For some reason, I had never quite remarked on how lean and lithe the boy is, but he is SO gorgeous, and totally owned that stage. <3
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Date: 2010-02-21 04:55 pm (UTC)OMGJSKL:FJKLDS:FJDKLS: I WAS THERE. FRONT ROW. IN FRONT OF NEAL FING TIEMANN. :JS:FKJDSK:FJS:D
*breathes* okay.
Now about what you were saying. It was absolutely AMAZING how Cook slid right into a secondary role and truly did not draw attention away from Andy as the front man. I think part of it was in the way they publicized the show, and therefore in the crowd that was there, as well. I was thinking about it afterwards and, while the show was not in any way a SECRET, it was only publicized through MWK channels. It was up on MWK's myspace, Andy and Neal tweeted about it, etc. David NEVER tweeted about it, wasn't in the rehearsal videos, no indication that he was going to have any part in this show. I think that really helped to make the crowd almost entirely people who actually care about MWK, their music, Andy as a front man, etc.
I didn't book my (far too expensive) flight to Oklahoma with any expectation that Dave would be there. I honestly was a little sad for him because I figured he would stay away to give his friends their time in the spotlight or, at best, hide in the back and watch. And I'm so glad that's not what happened. I think it was really helpful that they just didn't make a big deal of his presence at all. He came on stage with them, took his place for backing vocals, and rocked it out. AND IT WAS AWESOME. Ever since the "Absolutely Still" video I have been a sucker for Dave on harmony. dsjfkdls;jafk;jfdl;
And he just ... idk, it was really a different vibe from when he's the one running the show. He seemed so relaxed and happy and like, he would go back and jam with Joey and Kyle when he didn't have vocals.
And possibly my favorite part of the night. Andy's introducing the band, and the last thing he says is "Oh, and this is Dave on guitar." NO BIG DEAL. JUST SOME DUDE. :-DDD
UM. AND HIS HAIR WAS REALLY, REALLY GOOD, OKAY?
TL;DR I THINK MWK IS MY FAVORITE FLAVOR OF THIS BAND. FML.
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Date: 2010-02-22 12:08 am (UTC)I never had any superstah concerns from the get-go - I knew Dave wouldn't ride roughshod over the other boys, that they'd have no hangups about him doing so - I understood those concerns, but even knowing the little we do about these guys and the close relationship they share, I had no concerns there. I'm so glad you felt that on that night, and I hope everyone else felt it too, even those who were all "GTFO DAVE COOK" in advance of the show.
idk, it was really a different vibe from when he's the one running the show. He seemed so relaxed and happy and like, he would go back and jam with Joey and Kyle when he didn't have vocals
I got this from the vids, too, and was all happified. And he used to play backup, anyway, so the rhythm section is where he's used to being, for MWK.
ANDY HAS ALWAYS HAD THE BEST HAIR. Dave tends to be stylist!fail occasionally - my own view is that he's never gotten over the loss of the 19E backstage styling crew, and his hat days are OMG BAD HAIR days.
And I am SO glad you girls got to go and watch the epic ;)
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Date: 2010-02-22 12:47 am (UTC)Andy is a pretty pretty princess with shiny mermaid hair! ILH SO MUCH. Dave's hair was kind of epic that night, though. I was all "wow, I thought you couldn't do that without the Idol stylists!"
I did indeed have a WONDERFUL view. My pics are not nearly as good as other people's because I only had my phone (I NEED A NEW CAMERA LIKE BURNING) but here are a few I think came out okay.
And this one has a weird line and stuff, but Andy is looking right at me sjfk;djsaf
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Date: 2010-02-22 01:59 am (UTC)Thanks for sharing, kiddo, even though I am now SO dead XD
No, I get the scene-stealing concerns, but it was great how they kept this low-key and focused on MWK, which was perfectly as it should be. Aw, and Andy's FACE! That makes my heart so, SO happy.
David obviously went to the salon that night XD
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:06 am (UTC)Haha, that's probably what he was doing while they were sound checking and waiting to sneak him in the back. (because they did that. it was kind of hilarious.)
*hands* the only problem is now I want MWK shows ALL THE TIME. Plz to be touring as MWK, boys! Please?
btw
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:22 am (UTC)Oh my heck, ME TOO. Please to be starting the Until Dawn tour, boys!
You all need to sit on Kary til she recaps and spills the photos. C'MON.
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:26 am (UTC)LOL, I'll do my best!
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:35 am (UTC)The new song, LOVE.
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Date: 2010-02-21 05:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-22 12:10 am (UTC)WATCH. They will make you squee.
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Date: 2010-02-22 01:38 am (UTC)And thank you for sharing the videos! Gotta love the MWK. And the BOUH. Oh and Cook, of course. :P
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:01 am (UTC)Awwww. Many, many more over at
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:17 am (UTC)<333 Your icon is lovely, btw.
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:24 am (UTC)Okay, make fun of my stanning ways, why doncha. <3333333333
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:32 am (UTC)And your icon is very UNFworthy. David Archuleta, you should be illegal. XD
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:38 am (UTC)I think this is the most unf one I have of him XD
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:43 am (UTC)ALSO WHAT SEXCLUB FIC! AND NSFW C/A ART. JAAAAAAAAY STOP TEASING ME. D:
That icon is definitely the unfiest. HIS FACE. And don't get me started on the whole...coy thing he's got going on. Just don't. :P
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Date: 2010-02-22 02:56 am (UTC)The highwayman's name is Cook. That's the name he's given himself, anyway - it's more honest than the handles others in his line have adopted, and was a nickname bestowed on him by his childhood sweetheart, before his father had gambled the family estates and their family name into bankruptcy and his mother had died of a broken heart. They'd played at being cook and chambermaid because their families had had a sufficiency of these things, before the fall.
She'd left him to his family's ruin with a swish of lace skirts, and the boy whose name had been disgraced took his pistols and courtly manner onto the King's highways, to fend for himself as best he could.
He became the best at what he did. He found fame at the end of his pistol-sights, and took love and money by force if not by persuasion.
Then there was the night he stopped by the Inn of the Arches, on the road to the King's York. He'd been dressed in civilian attire and hadn't been wearing his domino mask when he set eyes on young David, the innkeeper's son, pale and luminous and not quite seventeen.
He'd gone back a second time, and a third, and blamed one tankard of ale too many for his less than timely proposition of the youngster. It had been going swimmingly till then, the boy had laughed at all his jokes, seemed to be taken by his rakish manner and wild tales of the road, flushed fetchingly when Cook had taken his hand. But then Cook had moved too fast, made incautious by the alcohol and the fact that he hadn't lain with man or woman in a score of days, and David had turned beet red and stammered, "No, my father will kill me, I, I can't -" and had knocked over his chair and fled.
Cook had been tempted to burn the inn to the ground in his search for the lad, but he was fortunately not that drunk; after all, the good people of the tavern had seen his face.
AND THIS:
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Date: 2010-02-22 03:03 am (UTC)Also just so you know I like your teasing tendencies. :P Love, actually.
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Date: 2010-02-22 03:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-22 04:12 am (UTC)BUT YAY YOU'RE POSTING IT SOON!
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Date: 2010-02-22 09:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-23 02:06 am (UTC)It was soooo worth the wait + anticipation though. So worth it.
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Date: 2010-02-22 03:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-23 12:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-23 03:47 am (UTC)