[Read part 1 here]
[Read part 2 here]
[Read part 3 here]
Until about halfway through Once's set, I was one of the few people at the edge of the stage. The singer had called to the crowd to come forward rather than sitting at the edges of the dance floor. By the time the set was over, the floor was pretty full and the spaces next to me filled in with other bassplayer fans. I think Rob was the first becky bandmember to come out on stage and work on setting up. I did notice when Keanu's bass case came out. It had a blue "becky" bumpersticker on it. I think I was turned around and futzing with my phone or my camera when someone called my attention to turn around. There was Keanu, setting up his amp.
Something in my chest twitched and I felt a little bit of a rush. Again, I hoped I wasn't succumbing to the predictions of the 7-11 clerk.
There's just something about him being right there. You don't want to take your eyes off of him, but you don't want to gawk either. So you end up taking him in in glances.
He's wearing the boots. He's scruffy. He's moving his stack forward, grabbing it by one corner and tugging, and then moving to the other. It's the sexiest thing I've ever seen and I may die. Right here. Right now. Watching him shove his amp around onstage.
Keanu put his set list on stage toward the front. As others have reported he did indeed say something to the effect of don't take this, looking at us like the bad little girls that we are. Not that we would...at least not before the show. They're nice to have when writing a report like this though, so I took a picture of it , for journalistic purposes.
Songs played by becky, March 20, 2004
Spaceland GigVanishing
Sally
Higher Ground
Evangeline
Sr. Prom
Disco
Shut it Off
Broken Track
Miles
Stv
Grace
Interloper
Make Some Room
Oblivious
Debaser
There.
Then he continued to set up, tune up.
God, that burgundy Ransom is gorgeous.
I can't remember exactly when Keanu doffed the Panama hat but as peculiar as it is, I have to say I didn't really mind it. Added a little character and also an interesting contrast to Paulie's dapper suit and matching mohawk. Of course, the man can pretty much wear anything and make it work for him.
Finally, the whole band hit the stage and launched into Vanishing.
Rebecca started out the night in a long black jacket, which came off pretty quickly. Then a couple songs into the set (I think, my timeline may be skewed), she suprised everyone by removing the black top she had on and did the rest of the show in a sheer white lacey top over a fancy bra. Not revealing at all, but very cute and sexy. Rob's a lucky man.
I think I spent about half of Evangeline cursing the fates and trying to make my camera take pictures with no power, and then deleting some of the pictures on my phone to make room to try and get some better shots. Eventually I just gave up and decided to pay attention to what was going on in front of me than worrying about it.
As you can tell from the set list, most of the songs are new, or at least ones that can only be heard at the shows as opposed to ones available at the beckyband site. So it was kind of hard for me to follow which song was what once we got to the middle of the set. There were certainly none that were bad, and there were a couple that really stood out as great, including one that Keanu mouthed the words along with.
Of course watching Keanu play that close up is amazing. His hands are so fast. He played both with a pick and without, mostly with. He stomped and jumped around. He has so much energy and so much fun, he's just mesmerizing. He played "at" me once or twice which was as good as a wave or a wink to me.
I should probably apologize to everyone behind me because I am tall, and I know that I'm not the easiest person to see around. I promise I won't plant myself at his feet at every show I make it to. I just really wanted to watch him play closely this time. This show really was like one extended bass solo in my mind in some ways. I hoped I would learn something and I did. It wasn't a song though, he's too fast to follow for that, especially when most of the songs are unfamiliar. But I did learn something about playing what you love, the way you want to do it. And that's something I hope to carry into my own playing as I go along.
I knew the night was nearly over when they started Oblivious (which along with Higher Ground is one of my favorite songs. They both sounded great live).
I half expected for the band to come out for one more song when they left the stage after the last song but that was it. Once that fact was clear, people started thinning out. I talked and said goodbye to some people and listened to my ears ring. Eventually, across the bar the band members could be seen in the crowd. The Panama hat was like a beacon and Keanu was pretty much surrounded for a while. When I saw Rebecca out in the crowd, I decided to go over to her. Roi had asked for an autograph so I dug out the only paper I could find, a dollar bill, and asked her to sign it for him. We talked for a minute and Rebecca is very sweet, and very smart. When we were done, I told her that I'd see them in Vegas and went to walk away and she grabbed me and hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. It was so cute and so now I have a little het-girlcrush on her.
And lastly, once the crowd had thinned out and Keanu no longer had someone draped around his neck having a picture taken I decided to see if I could have a moment of his time. I did, and all I will say is what most of you already know.
He's a really great guy.
And that was it. I said more goodbyes, thanked Lomara for meeting me and planned on doing it again sometime. Then I went outside so my phone would work and I uploaded the buzznet pictures.
I walked on air to the car and wondered if I would find my way back to Santa Monica.
I took the 101 to the 110 to the 10.
I went to sleep with my ears ringing, and my heart solidly thumping and my fingers playing along with the beat.
becky | from inside the mind of krix at March 22, 2004 10:22 PM .Maybe it is because I am really tired, but "I took the 101 to the 110 to the 10" sounds like a song to me.
Rawk on, krix.
Posted by: Melissa on March 22, 2004 10:29 PM*epilogue*
"I spoke to her, B. We had a dialogue. It was really important."
"I know, dude. I thought for sure you'd choke. And don't think I didn't notice you showboating a bit for her. Or that one note you missed because you were staring at her during Sr. Prom instead of reciting your 'G-D-D-E' mantra. Good thing you play bass." She laughs in a good-natured fashion.
"Y-yah. But...I didn't tell her, B. I didn't tell her how I feel."
"Don't worry. I gave her a proxy kiss from you."
"I saw that. That was hot."
"Shut up."
He smiles while she aims a mock punch at his arm.
"You ready to go, man?"
"I guess. Uh, go on ahead, I'll pick up the rest of my stuff here and meet you at the van."
"Right. Great set, Keanu." She smiles again and walks off to join the others.
He sits alone on the amp once again, staring down at his hands in silent contemplation. Another boyish grin appears suddenly on his lips as he opens one of those hands to reveal a little blue plastic cardwallet containing a few cards with "Keanuvision" on them and an autographed dollar bill.
"Well," he says quietly to himself, "Guess we'll have to meet again so I can return this."
He gets up, stuffs the cardwallet into a random pocket, and heads back to join Becky as they celebrate another successful outing...
Ahhhhh!*smoooch* Mikey, you're the sweetest.
Wow that was way cool Mikey love your imagination (or maybe it's all true "wink") is awesome. I am so envious of all of you who get to go to these concerts. Living here on the east coast sucks sometimes. Magnificant article Krix, I love reading the things you write. Thanks for the visual and all the picture's. Maybe someday I'll get to go out there and see them. My mother goes to Vegas about 4 time's a year (she was just out there last month) so maybe if I can ever get some time off from work I can convince her to go when they have a concert scheduled. Thanks again Krix........(still smiling from Mikey's post).
Posted by: Toriane on March 23, 2004 12:20 AMgreat writing Krix! it was great fun, hope to be able to go with you to another gig sometime soon. Plus it's fun showing my photos at work while the girls go "ooo" and "aaah" because we were so close to him! hee
Posted by: lomara on March 23, 2004 12:39 AMHey, Krix, so great of you to take the time to recount your KExpedition!
It's almost like having been there, erm, well, nearly!
As they won't make it to this part of the world anytime soon,
it's nice to be able to imagine what it would have been like to see/hear them.
Thanx to Lomara for the pix -
and to Mikey for the inspired story
which should be shortlisted for the "Theodore Logan - Be excellent unto each other" Literature Award!
*smooches*
*sniff* oh, wonderful...!! *big hugs to krix and mikey* I'm all choked up... krix, thanks for sharing, terrific writing as always and mikey...I can see I'm going to have to put you on my "blogrounds"...despite your Macaversion...
Just so happy for you, krix!
Posted by: bakednudel on March 23, 2004 04:01 AMAmazing review Krix!! I'm so happy that you got to talk to Rebecca & of course KR. :)
Loved your review! It's great how you are able to describe everything that happened and put it down into writing for all of us to re-live and feel like we were there (almost anyway)! You really are a good writer! Thanks for sharing your story! :)
That 7-11 clerk must have been referring to the "solid heart thumping" you would be feeling by nights end! LOL
Speaking of talented writers, Mikey....awwwwww....what a sweet story!:)
Wow, great True Hollywood Story, Krix and Mikey! It's amazing how Keanu can be such an inspiration
motivation and hallucination!!!
I am planning early this time -I am bying the tickets to LA and to Vegas tonight, so I will be able to catch two shows!!! :) $$$
Krix, do you know how far is that Green Valley from the airport? I have just a few questions about Vegas, can you please help me out a little?
Yeah thanx a lot!! I'm so jaleous ;c) Anyway, waht did you say to Keanu?
Posted by: Shanice on March 23, 2004 08:43 AMyou didn't just stuff that little guy in your front pocket and take him home? I thought we had a talk about that.
Posted by: hoopty on March 23, 2004 08:46 AMGreat review krix! Thank you!
Mickey - you rawk! I love your imagination.
:)
Posted by: Keanuette on March 23, 2004 09:22 AMOh, if Mikey is truly an oracle...
Thanks for this great recap of your epic adventure. We vicarious livers out here need this kind of stuff.
Posted by: Chianti on March 23, 2004 10:26 AMOk...I see now...that is such a sweet story Mikey. I wonder if he'll be able to tell her next time. He didn't tell her, so she might wonder if she's just dreaming or someone is pulling her leg. I wonder if that would stop her from going to another Becky gig?
Posted by: shelz on March 23, 2004 10:30 AMMikey2 Rawks. And so does krix. Thanks you guys, this was much fun. :D
Posted by: Zen on March 23, 2004 10:44 AMyou told him to come to new york right? or at least the east coast? ;)
Posted by: laura on March 23, 2004 11:53 AMKRIX & MIKEY2, you two have to get together & right a novel. You both have an awsome way of expressing your words. I JUST LOVE IT! Mikey2, I can totally picture all that you said. Your imagination rawks. Okay enough about Mikey2... Krix, is it sad to say I live vicariously thru you? You didn't mention anywhere what was said between you & Keanu?? Tell us, your people want to know.
Posted by: Reen on March 23, 2004 11:56 AMWow! That was great. So many details! Love it! Have you ever thought of a career in writing?
Do you know much about Green Valley Ranch? Have you ever been there? What's the venue like?
Posted by: sta-cie on March 23, 2004 12:38 PMI've had so many emails and questions about GVR that I did an entry about it.
Posted by: krix on March 23, 2004 01:06 PMaw shux. Ummm....krixy, ladies and gentleman! *slowly steps outta the light*
Posted by: Mikey2 on March 23, 2004 02:16 PMCan I breathe yet?
*suspiration*
I was lost in Spaceland (4 times);-)
Hey sweety!!! *waves*
If you see a different IP with my name, don't worry! It's not some culprit trying to steal my name *spits*, but me, using a 20 year old laptop, a 10 year old modem, and an old dail up connection in order to read your review!!! :-D
Damn my server!!! It went down 'now'!
*utters profound curses*
OK, and now I'm going to go offline and retract your pages from my history to actually READ it, LOL!
Hmmm... I wonder how much placing this comment will cost me... Ack! Just getting here took 10 minutes! I might be spending the money that I could have used for a ticket to Vegas on the 16th here... :-/
*wakes up at 3:05 AM and sits up in bed blinking stupidly*
Hey, what's this? I never wake up in the middle of the night. So now what do I when I'm fully awake? Hmmm.
*imaginary lightbulb flashes*
Ooooh!--Let's see if my silly computer will finally upload those last two Spaceland posts... Cause then I can tell Krix how much I loved reading about her K-experience at work today.
*crawls out of bed and powers up pc*
Ieeeeee! Spaceland 3 & 4 are here at last... *hums happily to herself* Here we go... Here we go...
SWEET KRIX, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DETAILED REPORT!!! That was a mighty good read! So good in fact I risked being caught by my boss and look totally silly when reading it at work today. I love your eye for detail, it really made me feel I was right there, looking over your shoulder. Hee hee, I'm probably one of the few women who could have done that, since I'm also around 5'11''. I know that 'sorry I'm blocking your view' feeling...
But hey, isn't it nice to be tall--and to know you stand out from the crowd and whoever is up on that stage MUST see you... I'm really happy for you that you got to talk to him after the show!
Thanks girlie, you rock! *smooch*
Posted by: Maddi on March 23, 2004 06:33 PMAwwww, Mikey2, I'm sorta crushin on you right now! ;-) krix, thankyou so much for sharing the details with us, so glad you had a great time and thanks for the pics and so glad you had a Keanu moment! Sigh..... So, tell me, did he smell like Helmet Lang?? ;-)
Posted by: Jena on March 23, 2004 07:00 PMSucks Julie!
Posted by: shelz on March 23, 2004 08:12 PMYeah...Helmet Lang.
Posted by: shelz on March 23, 2004 08:15 PMDid anybody mentioned Helmet Lang? To the hell! Last week I drived 2100 km (circa 1300 miles) cross the Europe and I didnīt found any Lang! *sigh*
Itīs cosmic conspiracy donīt let me know how it smells.
Many thanks for pictures and the report, krix!
And I agree with everyone that your report makes all of us feel that we are there with you, glowing in Keanu's light.
Awwwww and Keanu's so sweet.
Posted by: jeanna! on March 24, 2004 02:34 AMHey great review but i wnna know too, did he smell like cologne at all? If so, was it Helmet Lang?? ...hehe
And WHAT DID HE SAY?? you've GOTTA tell us what he said to you
If I had been paying to attention to what I could smell, it would have been smoke. The room was filled with it.
Believe me, what we talked about was nothing special to anyone but me.
Posted by: krix on March 24, 2004 11:18 AMThanks, Krix!!! It sounds like you had a great time!
Thanks Mikey2! Those comments were soooo cool!
No no, you wouldn't believe what I find special when a crush of mine or a man named Keanu (lol) says something...
What was the subject? If u don't wnna tell us tho, that's okay
:-D Again, great article! I'm all the way in the East? (i think it's the east at least) coast and no where near Keanu. I think that your so lucky to have been in the same room as him, let alone talk to him. And even if he wasn't incredibly hot and sexy, it's cool that you talked to someone that's been in like a million movies. He seems like a cool guy- i like how he acts all casual still, even tho he's rich and he's famous. Can't wait till his next movie....
Posted by: Mystery girl on March 25, 2004 07:46 PMI still can't believe u met him.
Well, i do, but i'm so jealous :-)
Posted by: Mystery grl on March 25, 2004 07:57 PMRemember, this is a fan site.
Keanu Reeves is in no way connnected to this website.
Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.