Laughing City
Author Message
The5thavocado
Vintage Newbie


The kids you swung in the trees with

When you first stumble into Deep Ellum, it sort of feels like it's a fresh, budding, hippy community. The misunderstood, the trendy, and the artistic, all gathering in this little splash of color on the other side of the freeway that separates it from the big sterile city. But Deep Ellum has been holding it's own since the 20's, making a name for itself slowly and surely. Making a name for all of the nameless, the trendy, the misunderstood…and the artistic. If Fort Worth were Kansas, and Deep Ellum were Oz, then Eisley surely would be the Wizard. I felt at home when I was a good hour away. And that’s just Eisley for you.

I met with Jamie at the ticket line. The man up front wouldn’t let us in because of Jamie’s camera bag. We waited outside for an hour, waving at friends who’s faces pressed against the glass sent their sorry’s. We called Boyd, endured the front door man mocking at us, and waited patiently. And waited…
You see, for me, Eisley had always been so unfathomable. They weren’t just the soft spoken band on the other side of Dallas county. They were the beautiful people in the posters on my wall with voices that I desired to have. They were the band that opened for Coldplay. Eisley was everything I wished I could accomplish as an artist, But never quite could. This band, This tiny beautiful band, to me, was so huge. And as we waited at the front door, they began to stumble out of a little dark van. Tired yet undefeated, unwavering, and strong. Their faces warm and inviting. They looked like they had been calling that van “home” for the last 5 months. You could see it in them. And they weren’t rock stars. They were like me. Simple people. Chauntelle hauled a beat up guitar case inside the door, while Sherri and Stacy stood talking to a cluster of Dupree ancestry. Laughing and hugging everyone. Sherri wore a hooded sweater, and sneakers, like every person standing in line waiting to see the very band that, like me, they adored.
Jamie walked right up to Boyd and with a strong arm we would defeat. He was so very nice. Gentle and calm, stoic. He was going a million miles a minute simply standing next to me. We talked for a short while, and shook hands. He reminded me of my very own father, except, cooler. I was so grateful he had gotten us inside that I nearly hugged him. I was [thisclose]. -So Boyd, if you see this, Thank you so much for everything. You are an incredible human being (and not just for conquering the front door man) But for everything you do to keep the Eisley ship moving the straight and narrow. How we appreciate you. Ten fold.-

Anyway, The show! You all really wanted to know about the show. I stood in the very back by the merch table next to Kim. She was also very nice to speak to.
“[touring] is so much work. Hard work. Fun when you get to go to a vintage store though…I just don‘t know how they do it…”
I bought a t-shirt and a very cool Eisley silkscreen poster. (Which I’m sorry, I don’t have a picture of…) And then Lovedrug came on. (we had missed most of Pilotdrift because of the ‘incident’). I was really excited to see Lovedrug. I’ve had their album, and have loved every song. They sounded great. The sound was amazing in the back.
And then Eisley. Half of whom (Weston, Stacy, Jon) had been standing next to me during Lovedrug’s set like all the other kids. They walked out and began playing. A flood of sounds so sweet I didn’t even move. Didn’t even sing along. The mixing was done so well. I could hear everything so clear. Stacy and Sherri were like the sirens of the sea drawing me out of the ballroom and into Humming meadows and galaxies, shiny motorcars and all the way home to the trolley wood. They sounded so amazing. I can’t really describe the sound. I sort of zoned out until the guy standing next to me asked if they had done the encore yet. He later told me he was a brother of a Pilotdrifter and that he hoped they played blackened crown (which, they did). He was a sweet kid. Anyway, it was beautiful. I closed my eyes and drank the sound in with my aching ears that slowly began to ease around the time Stacy played Just like we Do. If I could have changed one thing about the whole show, it would have been the annoying front door guy who cussed someone out during JLWD right next to me. The same guy who wouldn’t let us in. The same guy who sent more than a few people out the door, a couple tearing up, just because they didn’t have their ID despite the fact that they were clearly over 17. (Boyd again, was able to salvage a few weary kids who weren’t allowed inside.) He was very rude… I wasn’t fond of my Eisley night being soiled on by someone with a bad attitude…But that’s all over now. The sound was wondrous. I swear, You’ve never heard music until you hear Eisley.

And it’s so strange because they are so simple. Simple lovely people. I wanted to hug all of them. I couldn’t tell you why, But I feel like I have known them forever. Grown up with them, swinging in trees together, and writing poems in the backyard together, my whole life. The most incredible thing about Eisley is that they really are, really, just simple folk pouring their heart out on that stage. Telling these beautiful stories to everyone they meet, and they are so oblivious and humble (or, if they aren’t, they mask it well) to the people at their shows, like myself, who would give anything to swing in Eisley trees, and sing Eisley songs to the dragon by the stream.

Jamie[s], Chad, “Tyler Durden”, and whomever else I met that I forgot (forgive me!) It was so nice to meet you all. I had a wonderful time.

Boyd, Kim, and Eisley- I can only say it the one way to truly mean it- Thank you all. So much, from the bottom of my heart. You are very special people. Good luck and God bless each and every one of you.

-Ashley

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Ryan5 wrote:

I still love Eisley a gamahucheing million time better than farting
Joined: 28 Feb 2005 | Posts: 2060 | Location: Dallas, Texas
Last edited by The5thavocado on Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:36 pm; edited 1 time in total
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TheAntrider
Protocol Droid


That jerk security guard should be fired. Or assigned to clean all the bathrooms with his tongue, thought that would just make them dirtier.

But that was a great review. Makes me feel better about the experience. Thanks for being a fellow revolutionary, too. Laughing

Good times were had overall, and it was great to meet you. Smile

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You can't spell awesome without emo...backwards! -Julie
definingawesome (11:44:11 PM): Eisley shivers our timbers
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Kermitguy
Sea Post King


Great review, everything you said about the band is right on. I was in front of the merch table nearly all night too and the sound back there was definitely great. I think the Gypsy Ball Room is the best venue in Deep Ellum and am glad Eisley continue to play there. No fear about small crowds anymore!
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This part was caught in a landslide...
Joined: 08 Jul 2005 | Posts: 9 | Location: Fort Worth, TX
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The5thavocado
Vintage Newbie


Thanks guys. Smile It was nice to meet both of you.
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Ryan5 wrote:

I still love Eisley a gamahucheing million time better than farting
Joined: 28 Feb 2005 | Posts: 2060 | Location: Dallas, Texas
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oc325
Sea Post King


Sounded awesome. Nice review. They are great live.

That dude at the door...sucks. Reminds me of my sad day I went to see Muse in a tiny club in SF, no tickets sold so it was first come first serve. I waited literally 8 hours (from 2pm till the doors opened at 10pm) in line only to get denied at the front, since I didn't have proper ID. I know, it was pretty much my fault, but the two people didn't care that I was waiting for so long, and that I looked at least 18 (I was 20 that time, around last year).
Joined: 11 Jun 2005 | Posts: 88 | Location: San Francisco
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musicislove
Golly, Poster


that was so well written.. wow. I (like others here probably) have wanted to express that same feeling for a while but quite havent figured out how to say it. you just did. I love that band with all of my heart, I've never related to a band like I have with Eisley. They are friends and very beautiful people... and Eisley hugs are the best Smile I even got one from boyd once!
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hi www.myspace.com/musicislove
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Tyler Durden
Golly, Poster


Hahaha, I'm so cool I got quotation marks.
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ZooeyGlass
Lost at Forum


That's a well-written review...
I'm sorry that the security at that door was rude.
There weren't any problems at the other door - to wit, anyhow.
The show was very enjoyable overall.

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Kyle
Joined: 21 Aug 2004 | Posts: 1124 | Location: Henderson, Texas
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FadedNumber
Sea Post King


I first heard Eisley on my LaunchCast station. Brightly Wound was the first song I heard. I really liked it, so I rated it highly. The next song I heard was Marvelous Things. Didn't that one blow everyone away when they heard it? Well, I tried to listen to everything Eisley that I could. I told my friend about them, and he got into them just as quickly as I did. I mean, how can you not? So then he told me they were playing on Thursday and that we should go. Just like that, I found a band, fell in love with the band, saw the band live. All within a week. It was great.

I can't get enough of these guys... or... gals...

It's funny - I didn't listen to the radio for years, only the cd's I had and the ones my friends listened to. I just recently started expanding my musical intake again, so I don't know what's popular or what gets radio play or anything. I just hear what I like and keep listening... So when I showed up at the Eisley concert, it was an interesting realization that I didn't really fit in at all. You crazy kids with your long hair and 70's digs... Meh. Not my style, but we were all there for the music, yeah? Yeah. I really enjoyed myself. That is all.

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Just plain nirmongle, no frills...
Joined: 07 Jul 2005 | Posts: 2 | Location: Moody, Texas
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The5thavocado
Vintage Newbie


great first post. Very Happy

I fell in love with Eisley in about a week also. Hear em on Myspace, bought the CD, saw there was a show in 2 weeks, went = love forever.

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Ryan5 wrote:

I still love Eisley a gamahucheing million time better than farting
Joined: 28 Feb 2005 | Posts: 2060 | Location: Dallas, Texas
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TheAntrider
Protocol Droid


FadedNumber wrote:
It's funny - I didn't listen to the radio for years, only the cd's I had and the ones my friends listened to. I just recently started expanding my musical intake again, so I don't know what's popular or what gets radio play or anything. I just hear what I like and keep listening... So when I showed up at the Eisley concert, it was an interesting realization that I didn't really fit in at all. You crazy kids with your long hair and 70's digs... Meh. Not my style, but we were all there for the music, yeah? Yeah. I really enjoyed myself. That is all.


Welcome. Smile '70s digs? Long hair? I disdain the retro look. You're not alone. I did a similar thing with radio. I shut off to the musical world for a couple of years (for the most part), and had just started opening up again when I discovered Eisley. What a nice reawakening that was.

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You can't spell awesome without emo...backwards! -Julie
definingawesome (11:44:11 PM): Eisley shivers our timbers
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lloydobler
Lost at Forum


that was really amazing
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Stewart
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boyd
Eisleyoid


why do i tear up every time I read something like this. sometimes we get to moving so fast, i forget how it might be... for someone new. I know their music isn't for everyone; but, this post made me remember in the early days - hearing a new song for the first time while standing in the audience like everyone else - wiping away tears, not because "oh, that's my kids up there..." but because something in the song moved me. Thank you for the wonderful account of yesterday.
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EisleyWebGuy

"The industrialists never saw the fruit of their own labor - Post Moderism,
which I now proclaim as dead. Their forefathers digital revolutionists,
have accelerated the final resolve by punctuating an end to our chaotic
journey with a new manifesto and a new era: The Age of Meaning."

(manifesto's sold separate)
Welcome: Illuminists
Joined: 04 Nov 2002 | Posts: 5180 | Location: Tyler, Texas
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cgar7
Vintage Newbie


wow that was nice to read ....how come when i wirte about eisley it doesn't come out as good as this? both of mine came off like yeah i saw Eisley and
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Here's the game of grand mistakes while floating with a fan above a nothing.The crowd is ready sides are steady you are clutching my hand, it is hurting
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deja entendu
Sea Post King


that was an awesome review. i didn't get to go to the show, but i was at the virgin megastore!
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 | Posts: 9 | Location: arlington, texas
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