Some of you know I obsess over Rise Against. It's safe to say that next to 311 they are the best band. For my friends that don't like RA, deal with it. They played a show here 11/11 and it was amazing. Here is why:
I thought I was going for work, stoked for a free show. Day of I found out I can't go for work but they will still get me on the guest list so I can GO, and not work. Yes!
I get there, yep not on the list. My link in the chain was broken and I was left in the cold. My friend saves the day by getting Tim McIlrath to take care of it. Who's Tim? The lead singer of RA.
Wow, Tim has seen my name, I'm honored! I look up to the man so much. I'm still stuck out in the cold though, I guess the tour manager didn't get the memo that we were outside waiting to get in. Missed the first act when I see my friend's head pop around the corner with the rest of the band. So we head over to the buses as we start chatting with Tim. I think the most shocking part of the night was when TIM apologized to us over and over again about us getting stuck outside. What? Why is he apologizing. I would grovel at his feet. He kindly introduced himself to all of us and asked about the tobacco program I work in and how his tour manager is interested in quitting! I'm shocked, I've waited for this day to talk about work with Tim. We continue talking for a bit until we decide to go inside. We get our wrist bands and go in.
So since we are just playing this thing by ear we try to get into VIP with our wriste bands. I was most surprised by this statement by security, "No these can't get you upstairs, only backstage." Okay then, where is back stage? I got to check out all the stuff backstaged then enjoyed the entire show front row with out the crowd....backstage! It was awesome. The show was amazing! All that access and chatting with my idol and what, all with out a camera. Why!!!!!!!
The guitar case! I was backstage! captured by phone camera!
As my text message bragging went out, everyone congratulated me on making my dream. But it didn't feel like a dream meeting him, he is so normal and down to earth I felt like I it was someone I met on the train. I told Regan that there was so much more I wanted to tell him. She said like what. Well here it is:
RA has changed my life and my way of thinking. His lyrics are strong and their music is grabbing. When I wanted to learn more about RA I learned Tim was influenced by George Orwell so I read Animal Farm and 1984. These books highly inluenced me as well. Advocacy is my line of work, all I do is influence youth about taking actions and standing up for your voice. after reading Animal Farm I was shocked. Anytime I find adversity or naysayers get in my way I remember the pigs. I also think of the thought police and the coveralls from 1984. I am currently reading a Brave New World and I can't wait to finish.
This is one regret, I would love for Tim to sign my copy of Animal Farm it has made that big of a difference in my life.
Advocacy is my job, and Tim is my activist crush.
Lyrics I live by:
"We run on the fumes of injustice, We'll never die with the fuel that you give us. Keep it coming 'cause I'm prepared to burn, Keep running find me at every turn. We're setting the fires to light way, we're burning it all to begin again, with hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands, WE SING FOR CHANGE!" -Bricks
"Don't hold me up now, I can stand my own ground, I don't need your help now You will let me down." -Prayer of the Refugee
"I don't love you anymore, is all I remember you telling me, Never have I felt so cold. But I've no more blood to bleed 'cause my heart has been draining into the sea." Blood to Bleed
"I give it all, now there's a reason why I sing, So give it all, and it's these reasons that belong to me." -Give it All
"They'll remember, only our smiles 'cause that's all they've seen." -The Approaching Curve
"is this the point where we give up? now is this where we give in, now is this the point where we turn ourselves in? When enough is enough that's when you know that you're halfway there."-Halfway There
"Set me off like dynamite strapped tight around my waist, we are the ones in competition but claim this ain't no race"- Worth Dying For
And yes i have thought about becoming a vegaterian because of this band.
So RA means a lot to me, and it was so crazy to meet Tim and even crazier is how down to earth the guy was. No parade, no diamonds just a guy. Makes me love the guy even more.
