Being stuck in traffic before a GC Concert is definitley not a pleasant thing, especially when the other bands are Lola Ray, Hazen Street, and Sum 41. I really could not handle anticipation. In fact, I almost cried on the way there. Yes I am dead serious. And we missed all but two of Lola Ray's songs, which ticked me off.

I'll tell you about the GC portion of the show:

After the opening bands, my friend and I tried to push our way into the mosh pit, but, it's much harder then it looks we found. And waiting for the lights to dim after Sum 41 was like waiting for...umm...well I dunno. It was like waiting for the curtain to come up: REALLY REALLY HARD TO DO! The anticipation was killing me, and we weren't close to the stage. We were in the middle.

Then the lights dimmed, and I heard the beginning on "Once Upon A Time: The Battle Of Life and Death" beginning, and I went insane. I had to get to the stage! So I took one big push forward, and everyone went forward. We moved three feet!!

Then I could see the set: it was amazing. Gargoyles (huge) and a big arch over the drums that said "Nevermore" (aah Edgar). It was so awesome. Lights flashed out of the gargoyles eyes and more lights flashed around us. I was sooo excited. Then the guys walked onstage and I jumped forward even more, because Joel was just sooo hot!

The screaming was incredible. And they started their first song. I don't remember what it was because I was so estatic, but I was so psyched. They played songs from each CD, and altered between which CDs it was from, bit mostly they did songs from COLAD. They had really nice moves, and all the musicians did a fabulous job.

Chris, the drummer, wasn't there, because he hurt his arm and had to be in therapy. But the drummer did a great job, considering he wasn't from GC. I really liked it.

The lights had to be the best part. They were really great. Right on the music, and perfect. The colors went with the songs, which I thought was pretty cool.

At one point, my friend and I were getting right there next to the stage practically, near to where Billy was playing. It was so cool! But then these two huge guys came and stood right in front of us, obviously trying to block us. So people around us, and us, started going like "hey move" and all, which was cool of them. I tried to peek around one of them and I caught Billy's eye. He looked at me, then the two guys, then me again, so I waved and he smiled. My friend started pushing the guys, but they were complete jerks. And then, Joel says "Now thats not very nice." I screamed sooooo loud! He was talking to us! Then the guys moved and we moved forward.

And Joel smiled a lot at me! (My method was to jump when everyone was finished jumping. It works. Beleive me). He could really see me where I was.

They finished with Lifestyles, which I screamed along to. At the end, they all threw stuff out, and I almost caught Billy's water bottle!! It bounced right off my fingers! I was sooo angry! Joel's towel came pretty close too. Alas, no. Oh well.

You have no idea how happy I was at the end. But still, it's the weirdest thing: I felt frustrated, and happy, and giddy, and tired all at the same time. Strange isn't it? Mixed feelings...music does that. Atleast to me.

-India Kieser
From the concert at San Jose State on October 27th 2004