Summer Playlist

It's time to get your iPod ready for your pool-time, driving to the beach, patio summer playlist!  Here is what is on mine so far:

Concert Review: The Fray

Last night, Jason and I saw The Fray at the House of Blues.  This was the third time I've seen them and the second for Jason.   The first time I saw them I didn't know who they were because they were just the openers for Ben Folds. The last time we saw them we were in the pit and caught a guitar pic.  We also danced to a Fray song for our "First Dance" at our wedding.  We sort of like this band. 

They did not disappoint last night!  Words can not express...

Favorite song performed:  Happiness
Best surprise moment:  Performing a Cover of Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, accordion style
Favorite moment: Look After You (our wedding song) during encore...major surprise since this song has not been performed during most of their tour, it was fate!

Weekend Recap

Friday
Jason and I decided to celebrate the end of the week by eating out at our new favorite neighborhood restaurant, Frank's Chophouse.  For all of you Houstonians, this place is a must try near Highland Village off of Westheimer.  We just discovered it a few weeks ago with The Farmers.  We can't wait to go on a Sunday night when they offer a special on their famous fried chicken (heaven on earth) and half off all bottles of wine!  If you aren't in the mood for fried chicken, my favorite dish is the Shrimp and Grits...and I don't even like grits!

Saturday
Jason was busy all day so I took myself to the movies to see One Day.  I just finished the book so I was dying to see the movie even though it got crappy reviews.  I enjoyed it, although they cut out so much from the book.  I recommend it if you enjoyed the book, but keep your expectations low.  If you haven't read it, you may not appreciate it as much.  Bring tissues!

After the movie I did a few things for a baby shower that my mom and I are planning.  Saturday night, Jason and I met The Bouwers for dinner at Chuy's to celebrate both of their birthdays and their upcoming move to Tyler...sad day for me, but happy for them!  All four of us stuffed ourselves with yummy burritos then the boys went home while Ashley and I were just kicking off the evening. 

We went to House of Blues to see Foster the People!  We paid triple face value for the sold out tickets, but had a great time...so worth it!  There were two openers: Reptar was AWESOME!  If you like Vampire Weekend, you will love them.  Second was Cults.  I wanted to like them so badly because the lead singer was a chick, but they were a little sleepy.  Foster the People did not disappoint.  Great band, with tons of energy.  Not that you go to a concert for the visuals, but their light show mixed with pounding drum beats was amazing!



Reptar




Cults


Sunday
After my typical Sunday chores, I headed to my mom's for a family cookout which included wonderful homemade ice cream.  Then home for Golden Globes!  So far, these six are my faves. 

Any other favorites?



Gwyneth Paltrow




Minka Kelly




Jon Hamm & Jennifer Westfeldt



Maria Menounos



Lea Michele




Claire Danes



Tuesday

This is what I feel like today.  My brain is too crazy to even think of a blog post title. 

Work is crazy - taxes suck - my car is dead - blah, blah, blah

On a positive note, the new Foo Fighters album, Wasting Light, is out today and I could not be more excited.  I hope they make a stop in Houston soon.  And so you don't feel too sorry for me, here is my happy list:

Avett Brothers concert Thursday night - Matagorda weekend - Sun tans - Awesome new step class @ gym - Foo Fighters album - new Ashley Judd book

Stone Temple Pilots - Houston Show

I love Scott Weiland and I love Stone Temple Pilots.  I have all of their CD's and even wake up to one of their songs every morning (for the past 2 years-that's love) thanks to a setting on my alarm clock.  I saw one of their shows when I was in college and was floored by how brilliant they were.  It was a show.  Weiland came out dressed as a Priest at one point, followed by him performing the encore naked, except for bring wrapped in an American flag. 

Weiland has been in and out of rehab.  The band has split up numerous times to do their own thing, including Weiland's other band with Guns n Roses members, Velvet Revolver.  I even am a huge fan of Weiland's ex-wife (Sidenote: check out her book Fall to Pieces.)

Anyway, I was beyond stocked when STP reunited and announced a tour stop in Houston.  I paid more than I normally would for good seats and dragged by husband to a Sunday night show (I have to REALLY want to see a band that is on a work night...yes, I'm way lame). 

Doors at 7pm.  We arrived at 8pm.  opening band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club started about 8:15.  Never heard of them, but they were great...downloading some of their stuff as we speak.  BRMC finished their set about 9pm.  Bathroom break and hurry back for the big STP opening.  My heart was beating with anticipation...

and we waited...
and we waited...
another bathroom break...
lots of people watching...
excitement is dying...
booing...
booing...
hundreds are now booing...
the crowd is speculating if the show will be cancelled...
flashback to high school when Creed cancelled after seeing only one song...
back to reality...
It's 9:50pm and the venue must close at 11pm.  So happy I paid for a measley 1 hour set...

Finally at about 10pm, the band comes out.  Instead of the WOW opening I was expecting, we got Weiland holding a cigarette, staggering onstage and giving a drunken rant about quitting drugs, getting divorced, but still drinking.  Needless to say, I was disappointed.  They played all of the great songs, but they were just off.  I told Jason I felt like I was watching a car crash.

Well, we were.  After the Houston show, news came out that the rest of their shows on the tour were postponed.  Read more below.

I love you Scott Weiland and STP!  I forgive you for going on super late and being off.  I hope everything is okay. 

Houston Press Review

Scott Weiland's Drunk Rant in Houston

Photo from Houston Press





Shot from our seats




Screen shot from out seats



Love this shot of Weiland



Weiland's trademark bullhorn.  When I think of him, this is exactly what I think of. 



Happy Weekend!

I'm so excited for this weekend!  My brother, Carter and I are going to The Weenie Roast  hosted by 94.5 the Buzz on today...a concert with 5 bands!

On the bill is...(in case you are going, I put the times for ya - doors are at 4pm)

10 Years, 5:00 p.m.

Sevendust, 5:50 p.m.

Puddle of Mudd, 6:50 p.m.

Shinedown, 9:05 p.m.

And drumroll please....

Chevelle, 7:55 p.m.

I have been DYING to see Chevelle for a long time and it's just never worked out...just read this post from last September (scroll to the bottom of it). 

We certainly will be roasting because it's an outdoor concert in Houston and the high is 95.

Yikes!  Have a great weekend.

Countdown to Vampire Weekend

And I'm not talking about Twilight or any other "vampire" shows.  I'm talking about one of my favorite bands right now - Vampire Weekend!  They are coming to Houston in October and my bestie Ashley and I just scored tickets!

If you haven't checked them out yet, you need to!

BuzzFest Recap

Last Sunday Jason and I got our geezer butts up for BuzzFest...an all day long music festival.  I hoped that we would make it through the entire day & night because I was so excited about every band.  It was a gorgeous day and we had the BEST time...we even lasted until the bitter end...we didn't get home until after midnight on a worknight!!!

Before the show...we were ready to go!

In our seats...we paid extra to have a covered seat because I wasn't sure how long we would last on the hill.  We did one set on the hill to get some sun...look how gorgeous the weather was!

30 Seconds To Mars...yes, that is Jared Leto with a pink mohak!

Very end of the day...exhausted, but ready for some more!

Seether rocked it!

And then time for the head liner...Limp Bizkit.  The guitar player is notorius for wearing the craziest costumes...

And he did not disappoint!

Happy Friday!

- Chels

In Exactly One Week...

I will be at BuzzFest!

For those of you not from Houston, BuzzFest is an annual all-day rock concert hosted by a local radio station, 94.5 The Buzz.  I used to go every year when I was in high school.  My mom would drop me and my friends off and pick us up since we were too young to drive.  We would crowd surf, lay out in our bikini tops on the lawn, and hear some really cool bands.  At past Buzz Fest events, I've seen: Spacehog, Foo Fighters, Owsley, The Flys, Lit, Papa Roach, Our Lady Peace and other great bands.

This year, the bill includes:

Limp Bizkit

Seether

Deftones

30 Seconds to Mars (yes, Jared Leto's band)

Switchfoot

Three Days Grace

I'm so excited!  Hopefully 2 geezers like Jason and I will be able to hang all day...and make it to work the very next day.