A Long Deserved Ketchup

The past four weeks I have been on the road.

I saw and went through so many things on this tour. I attended literally half of this tour, which in just half of those dates, that's still longer than any other tour that they or I have ever done before... so I can't imagine them working each day in and day out double what I have done.

I am so very proud of them. My heart is completely full.

So much has happened... so much changed (for the better and the worse) on this tour... but I wouldn't have changed any of it. It panned out perfectly in the end.

I caught the first two shows of the tour back in June up in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. My photos from the Indianapolis shows are now present as the 100 Monkeys photo on their official Wikipedia page and on Jackson's official Wikipedia page. *pause for insanity* ...that's insane, right?

From there I went back to Houston and enjoyed my final time with Liz, whom I had been staying with since the beginning of the year. When I picked up the tour again, I wouldn't be coming back.

Mid-July I went down to Florida to pick up the tour again... Tampa, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale with a friend - then I met Jennifer up again in Birmingham, New Orleans (where I got Bourbon faced on Shit street... never again... ugh.), Houston, Dallas (where I left the Roaddog with my step mom, who still has her...), Austin (where it was 1000 degrees in the shade...), Tulsa, St. Louis, Kansas City...

I paused in Kansas City and missed the next three shows (from what I heard I didn't miss a whole lot...) so I could spend some time with my Mama... from KC I caught the next ones in Seattle, Spokane, Portland (best run yet), San Francisco (which I attended entirely alone), LA (I had a day off here that I spent alone, as well. It was interesting... this is also where Jennifer re-joined the tour), Las Vegas (another 1000 degree day in the shade...), Anaheim and then we all ended the tour in San Diego.

Of course there were snags here and there - that happens with life and of course that's going to happen when you're traveling and when you're working... but for the most part it was a very positive experience. I don't hold any bad memories with anything. (Except for perhaps NOLA... which was my own damn fault...)

I met some amazing people out this time! So many wonderful people brought me little tokens and things, which was completely amazing and so appreciated! I got several memory cards from people, Golden Flake chips, balloon animals and a DVD, a Best Buy gift card, some people bought me drinks and I got an obscene amount of HUGS!!!! <3 I am so grateful for each of you that took the time to come and say hello, talk to me and give me hugs and smiles. Y'all made it so amazing.

Unfortunately I don't have photos ready to offer up to y'all. I have a few... but I managed to fill up each of my memory cards AND my computer while on the road... so I can't do much until I can afford an external hard drive here in a couple weeks or so. (I'm putting that Best Buy gift card towards it!)

The Florida shows were pretty awesome... I have some great memories from Orlando and I finally got to see that ocean in person. I never had before...

Birmingham is always a good time - that's where a fan brought me an obscene amount of Golden Flake chips and a tour survival kit! <3 ...I have been to the past two shows that 100 Monkeys played at the Workplay theatre and so there was no way that I was going to miss them there this time around. It was so much fun...

I was so happy to get back to Kansas City. I know that I said I was so anxious to leave that town - but after being gone from it for a YEAR I was so happy to see my mother and those streets again. I introduced my mama to the band and she shot the show from the front row with me...

Check out my Mama's photos of 100 Monkeys here! She really enjoyed the show and the guys!

The Pacific Northwest was amazing. I caught up with my friend Kenzie there who lives in Portland and she was so hospitable!! <3 We had a blast in Seattle... it was the first time that I actually explored a city on my day off. We went to the first Starbucks, Pike's Market, the Space Needle and Viretta (Kurt Cobain) park.

For anyone who knows me a tad, knows that I love Nirvana and Kurt Cobain... it was completely emotional and wonderful. I was so moved by it and I felt entirely blessed that I was able to experience it.

The end of the tour was insane... I didn't cry as much as I had imagined, so many laughs were had and a multitude of memories were made. I'll never forget this...

Something that I have taken away from each show/most memorable about the city:

Cincinnati: "You shut up."
Indianapolis: Telling so many people about Spencer Bell.
Tampa: Seeing Bleeding Horse Express for the first time.
Orlando: The tallest stage I have ever encountered.
Ft. Lauderdale: Partying with Cassandra.
Birmingham: "You dance!"
NOLA: "It's so hot..."
Houston: Handcuffs. :)
Dallas: Getting the best email of my life.
Austin: Chain smoking in 110 degree weather.
Tulsa: You see... what had happened was...
St. Louis: Homeless people with records; 40 oz beers; spinning
Kansas City: Introducing my mama to the band!
Seattle: Seeing Kurt Cobain park. <3
Spokane: Being the only one in the photo pit. (That also happened in NOLA & Texas.)
Portland: Dancing harder than I ever have before at a 100 Monkeys show!!
San Francisco: Conversations about death and pants.
LA: BALLOONS!
Las Vegas: Watching the boys zipline across Fremont.
Anaheim: Some people have your back and some want to stab it.
San Diego: Thoroughly getting to say goodbye. <3

Where did I leave that Delorean? I'm ready to do it all over again.

Review of @100MonkeysMusic #liquidzoo Album

I just finished listening to the album start to finish... while, I got it the other day, I skipped around listening to tracks and parts of tracks here and there...

I know that my opinion means absolutely nothing, but I did want to share my thoughts with those who care to hear them.

The album was well worth the wait. I first heard from Jackson back at SBL August last year that they were recording new stuff... I did not know that it would take this long for them to get the album out, but believe me... it was worth it. :)

I am so entirely proud of them for this album. I know that they (and everyone involved) worked their asses off to get it out and to make it the best possible record they could. It definitely shows.

Now, I'm not just a blind follower - I did have a couple complaints about certain things... which, you can read about if you care to in the dissection of each track below. (Not so much "complaints" as "opinions"... remember that... these are my OPINIONS!!)

Or... you can just take my word for it that it's amazing and well worth the wait and your money. Check out where 100 Monkeys are going on their tour! Starts Tuesday! Album officially drops same day! <3

www.100MonkeysMusic.com

Album: 4/5 stars
Favorite *NEW* song: Time
Favorite *finally recorded* song: Prayer
Surprise favorite song: Devil Man


The Fair
My history with the song: Has never been my favorite, but it's definitely grown on me. I always enjoy the bass line and shouting "I'm a winner, I'm a winner, I'm a winnahhhh!"
Favorite lyric: *see above*
Standout instrument: Jerad's guitar solo.

As the first track on the album, I believe that it's a great way to kick off the record. As I mentioned, it hasn't always been one of my favorite songs... in fact, the two times they have played Birmingham, I have used this song as my bathroom break, if that's any indication... always making it back before Jerad's guitar solo...

On the album, I really appreciate the fact that it's very true to how you'll hear it live. I've grown accustomed to hearing the song this way and I am not a fan of change...


The Sound
My history with the song: None - brand new song.
Favorite lyric: "To my guitar of which I sing; I will give my diamond ring, if only this old piece of wood, would love me like a woman..."
Standout instrument: Saxaphone

Probably the most anticipated song on the new album... because of that, I listened to this song first before any others. I do not see the point of the rap in the middle of it, but I must admit, it's pretty freaking amazing. Who can argue with a reggae style song with a white boy rap in the middle of it?!! I surely can't.

I definitely love the chill of this song and am instantly in love with the tone of Jackson's voice on this track. Absolutely perfect. I have no complaints about this song...

And... ThWilla FTW. :)

Shy Water
My history with the song: Another one that was never my favorite, but I never avoided it. It's always a nice place to catch your breath in the show.
Favorite lyric: "If there's a moral here that's to be learned, it's not to let a good thing pass you by..."
Standout instrument: Bass/mandolin.

I know there are some very avid Shy Water fans out there who were desperate in getting this track on the album... I hope they are all sufficiently happy with this result! I am very happy with the recorded version of Shy Water... seeing as how I am pretty ambivalent on the song live, I feel like that in itself should be a huge compliment.

I'm really more anxious to hear what the diehard lovers of this song feel about it... YOUR thoughts?

Time
My history with the song: None, but it was talked up to me by a couple people.
Favorite lyric: "Get a knife; cut it out, I wanna hear them sing!"
Standout instrument: Check out the flute solo!!

This was the song I was most looking forward to hearing and as the album approached I was scared that it would not live up to the months and months of anticipation that I had placed on it... Fortunately... it was everything and more that I had hoped for!

This is the kind of song that I dreamed of hearing from 100 Monkeys on this album... something new, something with the amazing drums behind it... pressing guitar and then the flute solo... Jackson's voice on the track is textured; I can FEEL his voice.

My only complaint about the song is that it's not long enough. I could listen to 8 minutes of that. ;)

Wandering Mind
My history with the song: One of my absolute favorite songs live.
Favorite lyric: "You were so damn perfect; it was hard to understand..."
Standout instrument: Keyboard

I'm not fond of this song on the album. Something about the filter over Johnson's voice that blows my speakers out a little bit... This is a song that I love to just let go with and when I see it live I SCREAM every word like I mean it... thus, I really wish that I could blast it in my car or at my stereo at home without feeling like my speakers are going to rip. :-/

Just don't take it out of the set lizt and we'll be golden.

Prayer
My history with the song: It's not played live that much, though it's always a really big treat to hear!
Favorite lyric: "Suaviter et Fortiter my family prayer; I hope to see you there on the other side..."
Standout instrument: The drums...

Out of my nearly fifty 100 Monkeys shows that I've attended I've probably only seen Prayer performed six times or so... One of those times left a lasting impression on me as they performed it in Nashville at the NewCon event in 2009... it was the first time that I saw Jackson perform with 100 Monkeys and I remember feeling like there was too much talent, too much passion, too much energy in that body of his. I listened to the rip of Prayer from NewCon for months and months after that.

I had actually forgotten that Prayer was supposed to be on Liquid Zoo, in all honestly... but I am pleased to say that it exceeds what I expected of it. I actually don't have the words in my vocabulary to explain how much I love this track... It's wow, for me... it rivals that first performance that I saw of it... which, is amazing.

Black Diamond
My history with the song: I was at the first performance of this song... a good one to hear live; love the energy it embodies.
Favorite lyric: "Just don't talk..."
Standout instrument: The guitar intro and solo... Ben's messy keyboard skills. <3

The first time that I listened to this song on the album I was unsure on if I would like it or not... I wasn't sure about how deep Jackson's voice is in the beginning or the backup singers... and while I'm still not so sure on those things, I will say that listening to it the whole way through again, I got very into it about half way through.

I definitely don't hate it... of course, I prefer everything live and in person, though. ;)

I think that this song was executed very well on the album...

Modern Times
My history with the song: None - brand new song
Favorite lyric: "Don't mind about the forethought cause no one really cares and you'll see as it comes to light as it does in life..."
Standout instrument: Keyboard.

Love this song... reminds me so much of each week that I spent in Baton Rouge. I really have no complaints about this song. I love the breakdown towards the end of the song. Very awesome. I really can't wait to see it live!

Made Of Gold
My history with the song: I've seen it performed live many times... I try to avoid it.
Favorite lyric: "He was one of the Lost, the first to be found..."
Standout instrument: Keyboard, of course.

Before you can take my opinion on this song... you have to know my history with it. Most people love and adore it - which, I think I understand and "get"... but at the same time... I don't. Please don't get me wrong... Jackson is an incredible poet... he's an incredible singer/songwriter... and yes, I love Spencer... but this song is just too close to his person.

I suppose I should love the fact that he's comfortable performing a part of his bare soul like that. For me, it's too much.

Anyhow... swiftly moving on... I did listen to the track in it's entirety and I can tell you that it's done very well... I really like it. I won't be listening to it much (if ever, at all...) but, I think it's actually so much better than hearing it live.

I hope that all of those who listen to the track and like it try and find the origin of it's birth by looking for and learning about Spencer Bell.

Invisible Monsters
My history with the song: First saw it performed in Tulsa in March 2010 (back then Jackson sang the vocals...) ... one of my favorites to see live.
Favorite lyric: "Call the number on the TV to see if I can be saved..."
Standout instrument: Drums.

While a lot of people were pulling for Shy Water to get put on an album, I was voting for this one. Invisible Monsters was a rare sight to see at a 100 Monkeys show for the longest, longest time... slowly it made it's way into the shows more frequently and I believe that's how it's popularity grew.

It was actually Scott who suggested that Uncle sing the song instead of Jackson... to which, works absolutely perfectly. I love that Jackson still sings the bridge though... that's one of my favorite parts of the song.

I think that I love this song so much because it reminds me so much of my own personal experiences.

It's a real treat to see it performed live and there's absolutely nothing that I want to complain about with the track. <3 I love it and I'm so happy that it made it to the album!!

Devil Man
My history with the song: Saw it almost every week that I was in Baton Rouge... love it.
Favorite lyric: "Give you all the money and the girls that you please: you'll spend eternity on your knees..."
Standout instrument: Ben's voice sounds like red velvet cupcakes.

I also didn't remember that this track was going to be on the album...

There's something about this recording and I can't put my finger on it... I love it entirely. It's definitely in my top three favorite tracks... it sounds perfect. I love it.

Viva

...I must remember to transfer some icons over to my computer... it feels naked without.

So... I just returned from Las Vegas this past weekend where I caught up on three 100 Monkeys shows which has to suffice until I see them at the CD release party in late June.

I hadn't told anyone (aside from Lani) that I was heading into Las Vegas for the shows in hopes of surprising the boys a bit. Whether or not I actually pulled that off, I was happy to see them and they appeared to be the same... I caught up with them, exchanged hugs, my new hot pink hair got noticed, I had to remind the Bens that I didn't live in Tuscaloosa anymore since they said they were worried about me... It's a good thing to hear, though. Definitely good to hear.

...I think I snuggle attacked Jerad the hardest. It had been the longest since I had seen him. Hardcore. :)

Meet and greet hello time was good. Usually when Lani asks me if I have anything for the boys to sign I just say no because I literally have a box of autographs on random things... but this day I said, "actually..." and Jay replied, "your camera?" And I said with surprise... "Well, *actually*..."

I wanted them to sign my Flip video camera... while. it. was. on.

The boys loved the idea and agreed and I decided I would share the video with everyone. :)

http://youtu.be/DQlh_KeAzfQ

At the end of the video you can hear Lani ask if I would like a photo with the boys. I wonder how many people have said "No, thanks, Lani." :)

I feel like this should be a "caption this" photo.

The shows were excellent. I was put in the photo pit for both of them... quite a change from the usual of being pressed up against the stage... but! It was my very first photo pit! (Be proud of me.)

After I posted the photos the Las Vegas radio station snagged them up to post them on their website and 100 Monkeys re-posted the link on their Twitter and their Facebook to thousands and thousands of people... that's the biggest mention that my photos have ever received.

Follow 100 Monkeys on Twitter: @100MonkeysMusic
Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/100MonkeysMusic

You can see the photos posted here on the Las Vegas radio station's website: http://mix941fm.radio.com/2011/05/03/100-monkeys-live-at-the-cosmopolitan/

15 of my photos posted there. :)

Here's some of my favorites from that evening.

The next day the band had an instore at Tommy Bahama's... here's a few of my favorite photos from that.

You can see the rest of the photos over at www.facebook.com/jodieplatzphotography

One more little thing that's actually quite huge before I move on from 100 Monkeys... my friend Summer brought this to my attention today -- 100 Monkeys mentioned The Oh Noz! again.

http://youtu.be/MHH_znqPkCc

At the 6:12 mark there's some serious gushing that may or may not have been one of my favorite things on the planet.

If anyone questions why I go to every show I can, if anyone questions why I love these boys with every inch of my heart and soul; THIS is why. Because of all the love and support that I give them, I get this kind of love and respect back.

Swiftly moving on...

Twas good times... I had a great time in Vegas. My friend Julie let me stay with her at her hotel and the day after the 100 Monkeys shows we went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Incredible!! I was so happy to get to go with her.

That shark is smiling for the camera. :)

Until next time... so long and thanks for all the fish.

On The Mend

I got back from my week with 100 Monkeys a few days ago and it occurred to me that I still never blogged about Birmingham, Memphis or Dallas... well... those are now lost...

I retract that.

Here.

Birmingham: Best 100 Monkeys show I ever saw. It's not a surprise to me that so many of the songs off their new live album were from the Birmingham show. AL was good to me. :)

Memphis: Baaaad. Boys were off. Played a short set. I was drunk. I got called a "Drunk Ass" by my BFF; I retaliated with "Fucker." That was the last 100 Monkeys show I will ever drink at... well, I've been known to break promises like that before, but I definitely will stick to ONE or TWO beers... not drinking all day and then buying PBR on special. Bad idea.

Dallas: I can't even go there. It was awesome. I barely took any photos because I just ENJOYED myself.

Alright... so I went out for a week with the boys again for their West Coast summer tour. I was on the road for 2 weeks, but only with them for one...

Hermosa Beach: Streamed live again... I didn't drink half a bottle of Jack Daniel's before attending this show like I did the last time I saw them at St. Rocke in February. Pretty badass show. Was the first show I shot with my new camera so I was frustrated with the new learning curve and I noticed that I sing less now that I take my DSLR out... so, I think I am taking less photos... but they're better quality... so the ones I do take are pretty awesome... Ben & Jay used my mini tambourine on stage, which rocked. :) I love tambourines. Jay chucked it across the back wall during Wandering Mind, though and I could not stop laughing. Jenn said, "why are you laughing?" She did NOT find it amusing that he threw it... she was pretty pissed at him. Luckily Scott went and fetched it for me. He's a good man.

Arizona: It was fucking HOT. The show was incredible and definitely the LOUDEST and most fangirly that I have ever been to. The boys did a good job though. Loved the photos that I got from this show. Probably my favorite of the week. They did my improv suggestion for, "There's A Camera In My Face". Loved it. My second favorite improv after the one I suggested in Birmingham: "I Hacked Into Your Email".

Vegas: I was with the boys last time they were in Vegas in January... as you probably remember... or you can go look in my archives & read all about that catastrophe. This show was a little awkward, I think. The improv & Wandering Mind sounded INSANE. Scott is seriously a genius. I love that man.

San Diego: This was my 25th 100 Monkeys show... and I did all that in less than a year. This month I will celebrate my 1 year 100 Monkeys anniversary while out at Callahan's. Back to where I started. :) I stayed in the back to talk/meet my friend Ali for the first half of their set. It was amazing to just hang out and enjoy their music & not worry about getting "The Shot" ++ seeing Ali was the highlight of this entire adventure. I love her so much it was great to finally talk to her IN PERSON! For the boys' encore we managed to get up to the 3rd row and I got some pretty great shots, actually. It's insane what you can acquire when you don't try whatsoever.

San Francisco: San Diego was supposed to be the last show... but how can you say no to Monkeys? I dare you to try. We got talked into coming to San Francisco and I am so happy. It was my favorite show of the week and I got some amazing photos. It was great to finally see a show at the Great American Music Hall; their lighting was INTENSE! I loved it. Great shots. Already said that...

The time I spend with the boys gets more and more guarded. I am definitely guarding myself more and becoming more and more protective of the boys. (Had to be a tad overprotective in San Diego... INSANE fan tried to rape their car. I handled it.)

The goodbyes were difficult. They get harder and harder to let go of and I miss them more and more over less time now. This can't be good. :-/

A few pics from the week that I will share.

Hermosa Beach:

 My tambourine. :) 

Video... Orson Brawl... me soaking up high fives from my BFF in the beginning of the intro. :) And here you can see Wandering Mind and Jay chuck my tambourine across the room. AWESOME. 

Arizona: 

During my improv suggestion, "There's A Camera In My Face". 

I am most proud of this bow photo.

BFF & I take awesome photos. :) 

Las Vegas: 

San Diego: 

San Francisco: 

BFF and I had matching glow bracelets. :) 

You can check out all my other photos from shows on my Facebook page here. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this... comments = hugs. 

xx

Jodie Platz 

Happy Birthday, Jerad! @100MonkeysMusic

Here on your very own day I have a few things that I would like for you to hear/see.

First of all...

Happy Birthday, Jerad!!!!

Ahh, j.radness… We have shared so many memories that I hold close to me over the last 6 months, specifically.  Hopefully upon reviewing some of these memories in your mind, you smile.

Your smile is one of my favorite things about you; When people comment on my photos of you and say “He has an amazing smile!” I always say, “It’s the reason the polar ice caps are melting.”

You know, mister… you make my “job” pretty freaking easy (and really freaking fun…) – you are exceptionally photogenic and in the photos that I take of you I see so much happy.

You know that I love your kick-ass guitar solos, you know that I love your jokes & your high fives – but it’s not the high fives or the kick-ass guitar solos that drew me to you and made me name you my BFF. Sure, you exude awesome & have been nice to me since day one – but nice can only get you so far. (And the same goes for your charm and good looks.)

Your heart.

Along with the happy I see in my photos – I see your heart. Your giant love for playing and performing. Your immense love for the men who share the stage with you – there are some times when I have taken photos of you looking at the other boys with such love that I had to keep that photo just for myself. It felt like I had taken a private conversation between you and them and that’s something I could never share with others.

So, speaking of photos – here are my 5 favorite photos of you – of course, taken by me.

Before I wrap this up there is one more thing that I wanted to say – it has bugged me immensely for the last 41 days that in Dallas I didn’t get to say goodbye to you. I’ve felt terrible about it and upon reflection I realized that I didn’t even get to speak with you the entire time I was in Texas!

(41. Now THIS is what we should call TOO LONG. 26 is looking like gold compared to 41.)

Happy birthday, Jerad… I’m sure most people are going to offer you birthday hugs today – you know what I’ll offer you: HIGH FIVE!

Jodie

PS – my dog misses you.

...




...




...you knew I couldn't make it through this post without saying it -- I miss you. 

:)