Thursday, January 27, 2011
A nod towards Historical Fiction
"We still repeat to ourselves that America is a "New World," a "young continent" whose "virgin territory" is replete with "possibility." And yet the social reality of the Americas remains closer to the anti-utopia that its postmodern writers often re-create in their fictions. The American Dream frequently becomes the American Nightmare." - Santiago Juan-Navarro
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Happy Happy, Joy Joy
Cupcakes are the new rage when it comes to house parties and having little finger foods that people can munch on guilt free. I'm not sure why you feel like it's guilt free, since you are eating sugar and bread, but none the less, you still feel helpless to the calling of the sweet that has brought so much joy into your life and in just the perfect amount.
No one can resist the calling of the mini cupcake.
And here in South Florida, these cupcakes are provided by Yummy cakes and more based in Miami. The owner Sophie Mendoza, makes custom made cakes of all sizes at her shop that are filled with more than just sugar and flour; they're made with love.
Because only love can bring out the joy in person.
That and cupcakes.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dania Beach at night
Not every picture taken at the beach needs the sun. This particular picture was taken at 4:30am on Dania Beach. The picture was of a mango and with it being so dark out I had to raise my ISO to 6400 and drop my aperture to 3.5. After adding a slight effect to the picture, this was the outcome.
The title obviously has nothing to do with either Big Birds imaginary friend or what Miami was popular for back in the 80's. This was just the first thought for a title that popped into my head.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Black Sun Alchemy
It's hard to take these guys seriously. One look at the drummer James "Chewie" Olsen and you think of gumby. Or when Jason "Jay" Stranger gets on stage with a yellow sweater that reads" Sparkle Club" on the back, it's hard to keep the beer in your mouth. BSA plays relentlessly throughout Florida in hopes of reviving the glory days of the Ft. Lauderdale music scene. And that is no small feat with the "now" generation taking marketing by the horns and providing a path that not all of us wish to follow.
I don't know about you, but I certainly do not give a flying fuck about Lady gaga. So she's a he/she that dances around in space suits. Big woop. I can pay Gwar to do that as well. Oh wait. They do. And they're metal about it.
And that's what BSA is about. Bringing metal back to the masses but on their own terms.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Brennende Liebe
Every new year, people make the typical resolutions, to eat less, exercise more, be able to fit into your high school jeans, and find your true love, because, what better time to rely on cupid for that potent arrow, then then new year. You figure that if cupid would just get off his ass, and shoot the guy/girl that you been lusting over, he/she will fall in love you with you and you'll run off together to buy a house, get a dog and start a family.
Simple right?
But what if the person you love, is shot by cupid and they do fall in love..... with someone else.
all this romantic mumbo jumbo seems to be washed away by a self hate because you know the reason this person is in love; everything you see is "store bought" as my friends like to say.
and it's not even so much a self hate as it is loathing, because you know that you'll never look like that.
Nor do I want to.
I have been working on loosing weight, the right way. No diet pills, watching what I eat, and exercising M-F, so that way when the weekend comes around, i can enjoy a 6-pack and not feel the slightest bit bad.
It's the little things that make me smile.
But, when you prance yourself in front of everyone with a hinted vanity screaming "Look at me! Look at me!" I don't want to look at you and I'm saddened by the realization that the reason cupid shot his arrow into the other person, is because they belong together.
Vanity meet shallow.
Shallow meet vanity.
Here's a rowboat, I'm sure you can paddle your way into the depths of love's ocean.
I'm not biter though. Just sad and disappointed because the person i thought existed was really wearing a mask in front of me the whole time. If you can't be yourself in front of your friends, you never will be. You simply float your way through life as memory of a time that once was.
So my resolution this year, is to continue focusing on my own self improvement. There is nothing wrong with having life goals and making sure that you achieve them. I just wish cupid wasn't so damn clever.
Quebec Summer Festival
Some close friends and I decided last year to embark on an epic journey to Chicago to see TOOL play at the 2009 Lollapalooza. The memories from the trip, i will never forget. And, i remember telling them, how can you top TOOL headlining lollapalooza?
Easy.
You introduce Rammstein as a headlining act to the 2010 Quebec Summer Festival. So, in honor of our epic journey last year, a group of use are once again planning a summer trip to catch, watch might be the most metal and epic concert ever.
Quebec hosts an 11 day festival every year, where the bring acts from around the world to come and perform from all different genres. So far, Rammstein, KMFDM, and VNV nation are going to be there. I was going just so i could drool over Till, but i'll take as many germans as you want to throw in my face, fate.
So, this summer, expect mayhem, many drunken nights that we won't remember, and the search for BC bud. I just wish we could get paid to go to these concerts.
Which reminds me, we haven't been to a concert in an while. We should work on that.
Hopefully, the U.S. government won't fuck me over.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The satanic offering.....
I love metal.
Anyone who knows me can testify to the unhealthy obsession I have with music, let alone metal. I think my choice of music surprises some who meet me.
I use to dress goth all the time. I don't anymore, because I like to save it for special occasions (Shows,Fetish parties, my favorite holiday of the year halloween, etc). There are still plenty of times you can find me and a few friends at goth/industrial clubs around the south florida area dancing to Combichrist, Dawn of Ashes, Wolfsheim, Wumpscut, etc.
I just don't feel the need to dress the part all the time.
I live in south Florida and if you have visited or lived/live here yourself, you can testify to the heat and even worse, the humidity.
Ever try leaving your house with black eyeliner, powder on your face that is way to white for your complexion, in all black with a long sleeve black trench coat for good measure? I have. Then i went to soccer practice.
Now, about 10 years later, you can still catch me in ripped jeans, dr. martens, and a t-shirt with some kind of offensive/quirky saying. But nothing that advertises that I worship the devil.
I was bored earlier this evening and decided to watch some videos I haven't seen in a while, one being Dimmu Borgir- The Serpentine Offering. As i'm waiting for the video to load, i look to the right of the screen and there in a HUGE ad space is a link to: imosh.com. The Satanic superstore.
Really?
I can't help but laugh at the cheesiness of the suggestion by the abyss of the internet.
How thoughtful???
Have you ever watched Metalocalypse? If you haven't, i suggest you do. Dethklok is nothing to sneeze at (but that is another story). There is an episode where Toki Wartooth (the second guitarist in the band) just wants to be recognized by an adult audience, not children. So, when a dying little girl makes a final wish to meet anyone she wants, she chooses Toki. Well, Toki turns down the offer and decides to become a "demon of their {children} dreams". So he pours blood over himself, grabs a flame thrower and walks around mordhouse torching things.
That is what satanic advertisements make me want to do.
That's how cheesy the suggestion is.
But thank you.
I'll be sure to dance with the devil later, under the pale moon light.
Anyone who knows me can testify to the unhealthy obsession I have with music, let alone metal. I think my choice of music surprises some who meet me.
I use to dress goth all the time. I don't anymore, because I like to save it for special occasions (Shows,Fetish parties, my favorite holiday of the year halloween, etc). There are still plenty of times you can find me and a few friends at goth/industrial clubs around the south florida area dancing to Combichrist, Dawn of Ashes, Wolfsheim, Wumpscut, etc.
I just don't feel the need to dress the part all the time.
I live in south Florida and if you have visited or lived/live here yourself, you can testify to the heat and even worse, the humidity.
Ever try leaving your house with black eyeliner, powder on your face that is way to white for your complexion, in all black with a long sleeve black trench coat for good measure? I have. Then i went to soccer practice.
Now, about 10 years later, you can still catch me in ripped jeans, dr. martens, and a t-shirt with some kind of offensive/quirky saying. But nothing that advertises that I worship the devil.
I was bored earlier this evening and decided to watch some videos I haven't seen in a while, one being Dimmu Borgir- The Serpentine Offering. As i'm waiting for the video to load, i look to the right of the screen and there in a HUGE ad space is a link to: imosh.com. The Satanic superstore.
Really?
I can't help but laugh at the cheesiness of the suggestion by the abyss of the internet.
How thoughtful???
Have you ever watched Metalocalypse? If you haven't, i suggest you do. Dethklok is nothing to sneeze at (but that is another story). There is an episode where Toki Wartooth (the second guitarist in the band) just wants to be recognized by an adult audience, not children. So, when a dying little girl makes a final wish to meet anyone she wants, she chooses Toki. Well, Toki turns down the offer and decides to become a "demon of their {children} dreams". So he pours blood over himself, grabs a flame thrower and walks around mordhouse torching things.
That is what satanic advertisements make me want to do.
That's how cheesy the suggestion is.
But thank you.
I'll be sure to dance with the devil later, under the pale moon light.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Losing my religion for equality, by Jimmy Carter
*please click on the the title for the link to the actual posting.*
Losing my religion for equality
Jimmy Carter
July 15, 2009
Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be "subservient" to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple.
This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within their own communities.The impact of these religious beliefs touches every aspect of our lives. They help explain why in many countries boys are educated before girls; why girls are told when and whom they must marry; and why many face enormous and unacceptable risks in pregnancy and childbirth because their basic health needs are not met.In some Islamic nations, women are restricted in their movements, punished for permitting the exposure of an arm or ankle, deprived of education, prohibited from driving a car or competing with men for a job. If a woman is raped, she is often most severely punished as the guilty party in the crime.The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why there are still so few women in office in the West. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us. The evidence shows that investing in women and girls delivers major benefits for society. An educated woman has healthier children. She is more likely to send them to school. She earns more and invests what she earns in her family.It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population.
We need to challenge these self-serving and outdated attitudes and practices - as we are seeing in Iran where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom.I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy - and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. We have decided to draw particular attention to the responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring equality and human rights and have recently published a statement that declares: "The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable."We are calling on all leaders to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices, no matter how ingrained, which justify discrimination against women. We ask, in particular, that leaders of all religions have the courage to acknowledge and emphasise the positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world's major faiths share.The carefully selected verses found in the Holy Scriptures to justify the superiority of men owe more to time and place - and the determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence - than eternal truths.
Similar biblical excerpts could be found to support the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence to oppressive rulers.I am also familiar with vivid descriptions in the same Scriptures in which women are revered as pre-eminent leaders. During the years of the early Christian church women served as deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets. It wasn't until the fourth century that dominant Christian leaders, all men, twisted and distorted Holy Scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant positions within the religious hierarchy.The truth is that male religious leaders have had - and still have - an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions - all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.
OBSERVER Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981
Losing my religion for equality
Jimmy Carter
July 15, 2009
Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be "subservient" to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple.
This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within their own communities.The impact of these religious beliefs touches every aspect of our lives. They help explain why in many countries boys are educated before girls; why girls are told when and whom they must marry; and why many face enormous and unacceptable risks in pregnancy and childbirth because their basic health needs are not met.In some Islamic nations, women are restricted in their movements, punished for permitting the exposure of an arm or ankle, deprived of education, prohibited from driving a car or competing with men for a job. If a woman is raped, she is often most severely punished as the guilty party in the crime.The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why there are still so few women in office in the West. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us. The evidence shows that investing in women and girls delivers major benefits for society. An educated woman has healthier children. She is more likely to send them to school. She earns more and invests what she earns in her family.It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population.
We need to challenge these self-serving and outdated attitudes and practices - as we are seeing in Iran where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom.I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy - and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. We have decided to draw particular attention to the responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring equality and human rights and have recently published a statement that declares: "The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable."We are calling on all leaders to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices, no matter how ingrained, which justify discrimination against women. We ask, in particular, that leaders of all religions have the courage to acknowledge and emphasise the positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world's major faiths share.The carefully selected verses found in the Holy Scriptures to justify the superiority of men owe more to time and place - and the determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence - than eternal truths.
Similar biblical excerpts could be found to support the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence to oppressive rulers.I am also familiar with vivid descriptions in the same Scriptures in which women are revered as pre-eminent leaders. During the years of the early Christian church women served as deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets. It wasn't until the fourth century that dominant Christian leaders, all men, twisted and distorted Holy Scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant positions within the religious hierarchy.The truth is that male religious leaders have had - and still have - an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions - all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.
OBSERVER Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Support your local scene!!
This guy can wail on the guitar like you wouldn't believe. I wanted to share that with all of you. Which is weird to me. There was a time in high school when I thought it was weird that people would go around saying "Support local music man." Older, and (not much) wiser, i have come to understand how people get upset when their favorite local band goes big. You want to keep them to yourself. Their music is so much better than anything commercial. YOU WANT them and everything they create, to yourself. Well, my friends, I just want to say that is a load of sh*t and I hope that you every single on of you goes out and supports the local scene in every aspect. Local dining establishments, music, shops, etc. With that being said, i just wanted to share some photos of people (hopefully) you will soon be hearing about. 
Black sun Alchemy
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Madonna
Madonna
Written by: Carla Wright
Photos by: Carla Wright
Dolphin Stadium November 26, 2008
"Everyone knows at least one Madonna song", I told my dad the day before the concert. He agreed. Even if you don't listen to pop music or anything mainstream, no one person can deny that they don't know of at least one Madonna song.
Madonna is the biggest selling female artist in the world, and for good reason.
Madonna's concert November 26th was the first time I had ever seen Madonna perform. Since I was a little girl, Madonna has dominated mainstream radio with her quirky (and sometimes risque') songs. She is the queen of reinvention. She doesn't fit into just one genre (or any genre for that matter). It's Madonna. Enough Said.
Madonna built a climatic opening for her fans by having a two-minute introductory video entertain the crowd. Fans watched as a candy-coated ball made it's way through a pin-ball type maze. The word "Candy" was spelled out on the center screen just before the screen started to turn to reveal Madonna sitting on her throne.
Madonna opened her "Sticky and Sweet tour" with candy shop, which features Pharrell Williams. She proceeded to go into "the beat goes on" and "human nature". It was during human nature that Madonna was playing guitar with a rather unique video going on in the background. While singing human nature fans watched as a hooded girl in sunglasses went a rather weird journey. The hooded girl found herself in an elevator, only to expose herself as Britney Spears. Madonna pointed behind her to acknowledge Britney as she said "It's Britney bitch".
Opening for Madonna was the legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold and among those attending was Yankees baseball star, Alex Rodriguez (a.k.a. A-Rod)
Opening for Madonna was the legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold
Written by: Carla Wright
Photos by: Carla Wright
Dolphin Stadium November 26, 2008
"Everyone knows at least one Madonna song", I told my dad the day before the concert. He agreed. Even if you don't listen to pop music or anything mainstream, no one person can deny that they don't know of at least one Madonna song.
Madonna is the biggest selling female artist in the world, and for good reason.
Madonna's concert November 26th was the first time I had ever seen Madonna perform. Since I was a little girl, Madonna has dominated mainstream radio with her quirky (and sometimes risque') songs. She is the queen of reinvention. She doesn't fit into just one genre (or any genre for that matter). It's Madonna. Enough Said.
Madonna built a climatic opening for her fans by having a two-minute introductory video entertain the crowd. Fans watched as a candy-coated ball made it's way through a pin-ball type maze. The word "Candy" was spelled out on the center screen just before the screen started to turn to reveal Madonna sitting on her throne.
Madonna opened her "Sticky and Sweet tour" with candy shop, which features Pharrell Williams. She proceeded to go into "the beat goes on" and "human nature". It was during human nature that Madonna was playing guitar with a rather unique video going on in the background. While singing human nature fans watched as a hooded girl in sunglasses went a rather weird journey. The hooded girl found herself in an elevator, only to expose herself as Britney Spears. Madonna pointed behind her to acknowledge Britney as she said "It's Britney bitch".
Opening for Madonna was the legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold and among those attending was Yankees baseball star, Alex Rodriguez (a.k.a. A-Rod)
Opening for Madonna was the legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold
Buzz Bake Sale 2008
Written by: Carla Wright
Photos by: Carla Wright
Avenged Seven Fold headlined the annual Buzz Bake sale in West Palm Beach this year.
Fan reaction to the announcement was positive, that was, until the band dissed their south florida hard-core fan base at the show. Meet and Greets are common place at a concert; Avenged Seven Fold was no exception.
However, when Avenged Seven Fold decided to not meet and greet with fans (for unexplained reasons) one fan in particular, Michelle Myott, sat down with me at the Livenation booth and gave her recollection of the event.
Michelle : Buzz Bake sale made meet and greet passes available to meet the bands at a tent with the purchase of the bands CD. So I bought the CD and got the wrist band and their singing was at 6:45 and I got there before 6:00 and there was already a huge line. So we are waiting there and then at 6:55 some guy comes on the microphone and announces that the band will not be signing anything because they didn't feel like it.
Carla: Did he give any other explanation besides "they didn't feel like it?"
Michelle: He said that it was up to the band if they wanted to do or not and the band right before the signing (not even early in the day) when everyone was waiting, decided that they didn't want to it anymore because they didn't feel like it. So they didn't have too. So the announcer said he didn't know why but they just didn't feel like doing it anymore.
Carla: How many people would you say were waiting in line for the signing?
Michelle: I would say 200 people because that's how many wrist bands they sold. So I'm sure they sold out. Even after they announced it there was still people in waiting in line because when we left there was still a huge line of about 100 people still waiting in line.
Carla: So, what was the fans reaction?
Michelle: Completely chaos. A7X (Avenged Sevenfold) went on stage to do an interview where they should have been doing the signing so the crowd was chanting and rioting for the band to sign their stuff and that they were sell outs and what not. The band was pretending that they didn't notice but it obvious because everyone was cursing them out.
Carla: Who was conducting the interview?
Michelle: 103.1 the buzz.
Carla: Do you know who exactly?
Michelle: Ross I think.
Carla: Do you think this affected their fan base a little or do you think it had no impact what so ever.
Michelle: I really hope so. Because it obvious that a lot of people who were at the concert were there for avenged seven fold or were wearing A7X t-shirts and the line of people was hard-core dedicated and for them to call their favorite band a sell out and to curse them out definitely. changed their fans impression of them, especially mine. I have no more respect for them. I hope now people in southern fl. Think of them differently.
Carla: Did any other bands do meet and greets at buzz bake sale?
Michelle: All of them.
Carla: All of them came out for the meet and greet?
Michelle: Correct.
Carla: Except for Avenged Seven Fold, the headliner?
Michelle: Yeah.
Carla: Where were you sitting for the concert?
Michelle: I was on the lawn.
Carla: Did it look like people left during avenged seven fold?
Michelle: I think a lot of people (from the line) went over to the lawn because I heard a lot of people booing the band from there but I do think a lot of people did leave but mainly I think they moved over to the lawn because they didn't care anymore.
Carla: Would you buy another ticket to see A7X?
Michelle: No! Hell no! Because it was 12 dollars for the wrist band to meet them, so no.
Carla: Oh, they charged for the wrist band?
Michelle: Yeah! You had to buy the CD there and then they gave you the wrist band with the purchase of the CD.
Carla: Oh ok. So they made you buy a product and then you got the wrist band.
Michelle: Yeah and if you went to an FYE store they will give you a refund, but it's not like they are going to contact every single FYE in Miami and let them know (since the show was in West Palm) and it's a pain because I don't know where one is around here. So, pretty much everyone got their money robbed by them (the band).
Carla: So you had to pay 12 dollars to get their CD and then because you got their CD you got the wrist band to meet and greet them?
Michelle: Yeah and also a lot of people paid 20 or 22 for a live DVD instead. You could either get the CD for 12 or the live DVD for 22 but I think I lot of people got that.
Carla: So there was 2 options, a live DVD or a CD? Was there a notice anywhere on their product that said, "buy this product and you will meet avenged seven fold?"?
Michelle: There was a external notice given when you buy a CD they give you a wrist band and they say these wrists bands are for the signing of the band and at the tent they had posted the times of each band signing. So, when you get the wrist band they tell you that this wrists band is for the signing of the band and you get it when you buy the CD.
Carla: So, essentially people are buying the products now to get that wrist band for the meet and greet so they can meet the band so they can get signed what they just bought.
Michelle: Yeah it has nothing to do with the CD it's about meeting them. I don't think anyone bought the CD just to have it.
Carla: So, basically you are purchasing goods and in return are suppose to get a service. But instead you purchased the goods and never got the service! You could have bought that CD or DVD at anytime! Probably for cheaper!
Michelle: Yeah and you want to know the funny thing that they said? That they would do? The announcer said the band didn't want to leave us empty handed so the buzz said if you called into the radio station (which is a waste of time because it's always busy) you call in and they will send a autographed poster of avenged seven fold if you don't get your refund back. Which is stupid because they don't get the wrist band for the autograph they get it to meet the band.
Carla: So the Buzz was like, oh sorry about A7X, we will try and compensate you in some way.
Michelle: Yeah. I think it was A7X idea too though because they didn't want to leave you empty handed, so they gave the Buzz 200 autographed posters to give away to people that call in for them; assuming you take the time to get through the lines to the radio stations.
Carla: Anything else you want to add?
Michelle: Flogging Molly!!! They were the only good thing about the show.
Photos by: Carla Wright
Avenged Seven Fold headlined the annual Buzz Bake sale in West Palm Beach this year.
Fan reaction to the announcement was positive, that was, until the band dissed their south florida hard-core fan base at the show. Meet and Greets are common place at a concert; Avenged Seven Fold was no exception.
However, when Avenged Seven Fold decided to not meet and greet with fans (for unexplained reasons) one fan in particular, Michelle Myott, sat down with me at the Livenation booth and gave her recollection of the event.
Michelle : Buzz Bake sale made meet and greet passes available to meet the bands at a tent with the purchase of the bands CD. So I bought the CD and got the wrist band and their singing was at 6:45 and I got there before 6:00 and there was already a huge line. So we are waiting there and then at 6:55 some guy comes on the microphone and announces that the band will not be signing anything because they didn't feel like it.
Carla: Did he give any other explanation besides "they didn't feel like it?"
Michelle: He said that it was up to the band if they wanted to do or not and the band right before the signing (not even early in the day) when everyone was waiting, decided that they didn't want to it anymore because they didn't feel like it. So they didn't have too. So the announcer said he didn't know why but they just didn't feel like doing it anymore.
Carla: How many people would you say were waiting in line for the signing?
Michelle: I would say 200 people because that's how many wrist bands they sold. So I'm sure they sold out. Even after they announced it there was still people in waiting in line because when we left there was still a huge line of about 100 people still waiting in line.
Carla: So, what was the fans reaction?
Michelle: Completely chaos. A7X (Avenged Sevenfold) went on stage to do an interview where they should have been doing the signing so the crowd was chanting and rioting for the band to sign their stuff and that they were sell outs and what not. The band was pretending that they didn't notice but it obvious because everyone was cursing them out.
Carla: Who was conducting the interview?
Michelle: 103.1 the buzz.
Carla: Do you know who exactly?
Michelle: Ross I think.
Carla: Do you think this affected their fan base a little or do you think it had no impact what so ever.
Michelle: I really hope so. Because it obvious that a lot of people who were at the concert were there for avenged seven fold or were wearing A7X t-shirts and the line of people was hard-core dedicated and for them to call their favorite band a sell out and to curse them out definitely. changed their fans impression of them, especially mine. I have no more respect for them. I hope now people in southern fl. Think of them differently.
Carla: Did any other bands do meet and greets at buzz bake sale?
Michelle: All of them.
Carla: All of them came out for the meet and greet?
Michelle: Correct.
Carla: Except for Avenged Seven Fold, the headliner?
Michelle: Yeah.
Carla: Where were you sitting for the concert?
Michelle: I was on the lawn.
Carla: Did it look like people left during avenged seven fold?
Michelle: I think a lot of people (from the line) went over to the lawn because I heard a lot of people booing the band from there but I do think a lot of people did leave but mainly I think they moved over to the lawn because they didn't care anymore.
Carla: Would you buy another ticket to see A7X?
Michelle: No! Hell no! Because it was 12 dollars for the wrist band to meet them, so no.
Carla: Oh, they charged for the wrist band?
Michelle: Yeah! You had to buy the CD there and then they gave you the wrist band with the purchase of the CD.
Carla: Oh ok. So they made you buy a product and then you got the wrist band.
Michelle: Yeah and if you went to an FYE store they will give you a refund, but it's not like they are going to contact every single FYE in Miami and let them know (since the show was in West Palm) and it's a pain because I don't know where one is around here. So, pretty much everyone got their money robbed by them (the band).
Carla: So you had to pay 12 dollars to get their CD and then because you got their CD you got the wrist band to meet and greet them?
Michelle: Yeah and also a lot of people paid 20 or 22 for a live DVD instead. You could either get the CD for 12 or the live DVD for 22 but I think I lot of people got that.
Carla: So there was 2 options, a live DVD or a CD? Was there a notice anywhere on their product that said, "buy this product and you will meet avenged seven fold?"?
Michelle: There was a external notice given when you buy a CD they give you a wrist band and they say these wrists bands are for the signing of the band and at the tent they had posted the times of each band signing. So, when you get the wrist band they tell you that this wrists band is for the signing of the band and you get it when you buy the CD.
Carla: So, essentially people are buying the products now to get that wrist band for the meet and greet so they can meet the band so they can get signed what they just bought.
Michelle: Yeah it has nothing to do with the CD it's about meeting them. I don't think anyone bought the CD just to have it.
Carla: So, basically you are purchasing goods and in return are suppose to get a service. But instead you purchased the goods and never got the service! You could have bought that CD or DVD at anytime! Probably for cheaper!
Michelle: Yeah and you want to know the funny thing that they said? That they would do? The announcer said the band didn't want to leave us empty handed so the buzz said if you called into the radio station (which is a waste of time because it's always busy) you call in and they will send a autographed poster of avenged seven fold if you don't get your refund back. Which is stupid because they don't get the wrist band for the autograph they get it to meet the band.
Carla: So the Buzz was like, oh sorry about A7X, we will try and compensate you in some way.
Michelle: Yeah. I think it was A7X idea too though because they didn't want to leave you empty handed, so they gave the Buzz 200 autographed posters to give away to people that call in for them; assuming you take the time to get through the lines to the radio stations.
Carla: Anything else you want to add?
Michelle: Flogging Molly!!! They were the only good thing about the show.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)