Before you jump to conclusions about all the friends I have, just remember they were born that way.
I guess today started like any other. I woke up, had a bowl of cereal, turned on the Cardinals game, and just sat and waited with anticipation. Although this day would start like any other, I knew it would not finish like a regular day, but I didn’t really understand how truly special it would be. 9 years ago, I was a 15 year old emotional wreck that hadn’t quite figured out his niche. I had a group of friends, but at that point I wasn’t really close to any of them. I kind of found away to be part of the group and on the outside simultaneously. Slowly, my bond with my two friends, Pat and Dan began to improve and I got invited to go see New Found Glory, Fenix TX, Lefty, and Good Charlotte at the now defunct Firehouse in St. Louis.
As excited as I could be, I finally convinced my dad to let me go to the show, unsupervised, as Pat was a year older and had his license. I even got permission to stay out late even though it was a school night. Jackpot, I thought to myself. It was just Pat, Dan, and I that went to the show and what a show it was. This was before NFG or Good Charlotte had a single on mainstream radio. Fenix TX were the headliners as their hit single “All My Fault” was currently heating up MTV and other music outlets. As this was my first “show” instead of concert I really didn’t know what to expect. We got to the show just in time to see Lefty start. The next 3 and a half hours were some of my most memorable from high school. We found a booth next to the stage and enjoyed the company of members of Lefty and Good Charlotte over the course of the night. As NFG took the stage you could just tell there was something different about this band compared to the others. They just seemed to have a way of pulling people together and it worked on us as well. Following the show we rolled the windows down in Pat’s 84 Ford Tempo and started the 45 minute journey home in complete awe of what we just witnessed. I can’t even describe how perfect that night was, I felt as though I went into the Firehouse with two of my friends and got home that night with two best friends that I’ll most likely hold on to for the remainder of my life.
Over the years I’ve followed NFG wherever they’ve gone. I’ve purchased each of their records and have attempted to see them every time they’ve come to St. Louis. I’ve been to countless parties and consumed even more beers accompanied by the music of NFG. I’ve been through jobs, girlfriends, cars, and even friends I thought I would never lose, and still have not lost the love for NFG. The music, although not the most technical or difficult, has a way of just bringing people together through the spirit of having a good time with your friends. I’ve now seen NFG 4 or 5 times live and sans the first concert, none was more nostalgic than the show tonight. Again with Pat at my side, this time accompanied by Jason and Adam, we marched on the Pageant with an aura of excitement. (It should be noted that even though Dan was not there tonight, he still is a great friend and I’m in nearly constant contact with him)
I’ve always felt bad for bands that have to open for NFG because they will never capture the audience’s attention and energy like New Found Glory will. Set Your Goals and Bayside did what they could to get the crowd into their own sets respectively, but unfortunately both failed. Just as a side note, Bayside really is a great band and was spectacular tonight.
As soon as NFG took the stage, you could feel the energy rise in the Pageant. The show was as expected; a session of high fives, arm pumps, and screaming the lyrics at the top of one’s lungs. It never ceases to amaze me how great and energetic this band continues to be. During the band’s last song however the show took a little more of surreal turn for me. The Pageant is set up to where there is a lower section “the pit” and then small sections slightly more elevated than the rest, so as to give a decent view of the stage for all present. As Adam, Pat, Jason, and I sat arms over shoulders belting the songs lyrics out, I noticed three 15 or 16 year old kids in the lower section doing the same thing. It took me a second to let this thought sink in and I felt a little awkward staring at these kids, but I couldn’t help to think about how New Found Glory brought me my two best friends, and help change my life. I began to identify with those kids more and more as they had no idea what was ahead of them just as I didn’t 9 years ago, but they have their friends and the bond with that show that hopefully they will never forget.
Much Love
CoTy.