I left my room around 7:40. I called Stephen cause i was giving him my other ticket, and he said that he'd be downtown at this diner called Clocked, so i could meet him there to give him his ticket (he was going to go to the show later on). So I walked downtown to the diner, and saw Stephen in there with his friends, so i went inside and gave him the ticket. I sat down with them for a bit. There was this lady from out of town sititng at the next table, and she asked Stephen if he was going to the show, and he said, yeah, and she's like "the guy from interpol is sitting over there." I looked over but couldn't see who it was, because someone was blocking my view. I saw Sam walk by outside. I guess he was going to get something to eat. Anyways, i sat with Stephen and his friends for a little while, then decided to leave to get in line. As I got up to leave, i looked over my shoulder to see what Interpol guy was over there, and turns out it was Paul. Thats what i like about shows at the 40 watt. You'll most always see the band members at random places around the club. So i stood in line around 8:20. When 9 rolled around, there were a lot of people behind me. They made an announcement about where the online oders line was and the ticket/guestlst line was. Most people who bought tickets to the show, bought tickets from online, since most of them don't live in Athens, and therefore could not walk to school kids or low yo to get tickets. So just like i thought, the online order line, was SO much longer than the ticket line. The ticket line was on the right side this time, so i just walked over there, and there was only like one other person in front of me. So i got in really fast, while everyone else who didnt have a ticket had to wait in that long ass line for their name to be found on the list. Now you know why i was so intent on getting actual tickets in my hand. And it totally paid off because i got inside and went right up front, on the right side, just where i wanted to be (cause i wanted to be in front of Carlos). A lot of people had cut in line in front of me in the original line, but i still got in before them. That made me laugh. haha.
So there was one opening band. The Mercury Program and they started at 10. They were actually pretty good. They're totally instrumental, but have a really nice sound. They only played about 5 songs, but their songs were a little bit longer than most people's songs I guess. Everyone in the band, except for the bass player, played the xylophone at least once, and at the end of the last song, the guitar player was playing these like bongo drums, and it sounded really cool.
When the Mercury Program left the stage I started getting really excited and ansy and nervous and anxious. I haven't felt that way in a while, not since Deftones really. My heart was racing and i thought it was going to burst if they didn't come out fast enough. That kind of anticipation, i haven't really experienced in awhile. It was really strange. And then finally, they came out. Wow what a sight! To see these guys who i've been listening to religiously for months. Daniel came out first, and then Sam, and then Carlos and Paul and Eric. And they all took their places. They all came out with their beers, and Paul and Carlos lit up their cigarettes. Everyone there was screaming their heads off. And then they started playing Untitled. And it was peferct. It was so damn perfect. Carlos was right in front of me bouncing around, and i just LOVED watching him. He's SUCH an amazing bass player. Paul's voice sounded perfect. I mean it was like I was hearing the cd, but with stronger intensity, but just as good. No. Better! After Untitled came Roland, and then Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down, and then a new song. They also played Say Hello To the Angels, Hands Away, NYC and PDA. They played The Specialist, and wow that song sounded SOOO good. The last song they played was Obstacle 1. And everyone was singing along and it was so incredible. They were just fucking phenomenal. Thank goodness these guys found each other, because they've really got something special together.
So the band left the stage after playing Obstacle 1, but then came back for one encore. They played The New and Obstacle 2. God, those songs were so amazing to hear as well. This band live was everything people said they were and more. I was really just blown away. No one ever sounds THAT good live. But Interpol did.
I kind of like how Paul didn't talk much. He said "thank you" after a song or two, and once said that we were a really good audience. But it's just like, they knew that they were there to play, and that was first and foremost, and that's what they were going to do. And they played their asses off. Just amazing. I'm still in awe.
So yeah, Interpol are one of the best bands in the world. Hands down. I think someone could not really be a fan of their kind of music, go see them, and be completely turned around. If only all bands sounded THAT good. When you see a band like Interpol live, I dont see how much else could top it. I'm going to be on a great high for a while...