Resisting Vegas – SXSW 2014
“The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character.”~ Arnold Schwarzenegger
I fought through impatience.
I fought through adversity.
I fought through counting the days and hours.
I fought through a high temperature of 101.7°.
I fought through a bladder infection.
I fought through bad weather of rain and drizzle.
Why?
Two words: RESISTING VEGAS.
The 15th of March, yes the actual Ides of March or Idus Martii or Idus Martiae whichever you prefer.
The ending times of SXSW 2014 and it was bad news/good news.
The bad news was that the band that I keep following was out of my reach that I couldn’t travel to where they were to hear them play one final time. The good news was that RESISTING VEGAS was playing at the same HoT Fest stage that I have been to the last few consecutive days.
But I’ve been wanting to see them again live since I saw them for the first time on the 3rd of March with Tantric and BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE.
I was a man on a mission:
#1- Merchandise. Get some.
#2- Get photographs/autographs with the band.
#3- Ask for/receive a hug from lead singer, Maranda.
#4- Get to another RESISTING VEGAS show to enjoy.
When I left my home the weather just plain sucked. The night before my fever was still a bit high. I told myself that when I woke up that if I had a temperature that I would just stay home.. write a note to the band explaining my absences and wish them all well for a good show.
Thankfully the worst thing that I had to deal with was a few drops of rain that quickly passed on.
Well, that and the other thing was that things were so delayed that RESISTING VEGAS almost played a full hour later than what they were scheduled for.
But it was all good. And I’m starting to get into this vibe of getting to these shows super early so I can listen to some other bands and see what I can see. Had I not done that, I wouldn’t have been able to get score me about a half a dozen FREE t-shirts and a handful of free CD’s.
One of which was thrown at me from the stage that was blocked off, leaving about three feet to separate the stage from the crowd and the stage was maybe six feet tall? The guy just threw it at me like a frisbee and miraculously it came right at me and I caught it. Now that’s how you score free stuff!
I also had some more opportunities to take photographs with some lovely ladies as well. As I have been doing throughout the week because everyone’s having a good time and what not and … sure, what the hell?
I saw lead singer Maranda walking by a few times but I didn’t bug her. Then I saw lead guitarist Cameron Stewart and then he saw me, so he came up to me and greeted me and confirmed that things were lagging a little behind but they were soon to be on stage.
I found out which stage they were going to be on… rolled on over there. PUT THE BRAKES ON… and stood ground at the top of the mountain daring anyone to move me.
Maranda Vegas
Finally got Maranda’s attention as she was getting ready. And that smile of hers just lit up like a Christmas tree. I love it.
Up close and personal? Maranda is very very pretty. She’s going to make some rock and roll fan very happy one day!!
They got it started and their faithful followers were all standing behind me.
I could hear them screaming and whistling and making noise.
Maranda’s voice just took me back to the 3rd where I found her the first time.
I honestly at this point in time could not describe it other than one of the best female vocals that I have heard in a very very very long time. It just makes me melt like butter. Goosebumps and all!!!
Then one of their songs, “Monsters” and it was just full of bad ass. I didn’t think there was much room left in the tank. How wrong I was!!
Then they blended it with a little “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor, before going back to talk about Monsters again. I thought that was really cool. And it shows to musicians worldwide that you can do anything you want. Music has no rules.
Towards the end of their set they did play the one song of theirs that I am totally addicted to called “Limbo.”
Maranda looked down at me from the stage, saw me singing, and smiled yet again at me. Who knows what she was thinking?
So after that, I scrambled and ran over everybody and anybody to get to that merchandise table. I signed up on a mailing list. And also had some photographs taken with Cameron. But where the heck was Maranda? Finally after getting her to stop in one place to get a photograph with her. The photography side of my mission was over. Getting anything and everything from their merchandise table was also accomplished. Out of the four details of my mission the only thing that eluded was the availability to ask Maranda for a hug. But she might not be the hugging type.
But as long as this band exists, I will do my best to check them out wherever they are in town.
I love how their bass player has a HELLO KITTY sticker on his guitar strap. He knows its there and he just don’t care.
That’s definite testicular fortitude.
Fighting through all that I did, the sacrifice had some rewarding pay-offs.
This would be my last and final show to watch for SXSW 2014. Tomorrow will be CASKET OF CASSANDRA back at the Dirty Dog Bar. As well as another band that I was introduced to this week FEAR CONTROL…. both bands on the same date. Ohhhhh yesssss!!!
Dambreaker 