Rock of Ages

Whoa! It feels like it's been AGES since I've last been to a real gig. I know some might say it's only been a little over a month - but for me, that has been too long. How come all the bands I'd like to see have not been playing? Other than when I really couldn't go that is. I sure don't know. But I have to tell you: I almost jumped through the roof when I was told Santa Cruz has booked a gig to Tampere. I know I don't have that much money just now, but I just couldn't miss this opportunity. I'm an addict, and the abstinence symptoms were high.

So... After work yesterday, I headed home and took my stuff with me. I had planned it all out, and one hour was just enough for me to get ready. I took a bus to Tampere and went to hang with two of my good friends. I was damn excited about the night, and couldn't really tell the time right. Luckily: my friends told me some funny stories, and it was time to go to "Henry's Pub" before I noticed.
It had been too long since I've seen the Santa Cruz guys. I was hyper as we got to Henry's and couldn't sit still on the couch. Really, even though I knew the guys would be there (as they were playing there - duh!), I almost took fright when I saw Archie in the pub. x)

 I was really glad when the gig finally started at quarter to one am. Hell, those guys were on fire! Tazzy was banging his drums like thunder, Johnnys guitar was screaming high, Middys bass pushed the beat to the bones, and Archies vocals were spot on rough. I like! The guys were having fun, and it showed. I mean.. what helluva night it was. 


Ugh, I feel so excited, after all, it's somehow really hard to write this down. It's like I can't write as fast as my thoughts run, and I really want to tell everything.... I just don't think it would be good. That would be way too long story. :D Do you get my problem here? I'm so rapt about the gig still, I can't make my writing sound fluent! That's the issue now. I really can't have a break from rock concerts for that long again. Especially if I'm not ready for a break.
I need to focus on the highlights now.

Johnny in the crowd

The stage Santa Cruz was playing on, was rather small but the guys pulled it off. They made it seem bigger than it was in reality. Johnny stepped down from the stage, to play in the middle of the crowd a couple of times. And Archie was hanging on the stages "edge", playing his guitar and/or making the crowd yell loud. It was a high voltage, loud and kicking show to say the least. I had so freaking much fun hearing and watching them play. It. Was. Awesome!

Holy hair! :D

Archie "on the edge"

Busted! He saw me :D

 This show was something I've been waiting for. What I have lusted. Now that I had it, I'm thirsty (or hungry, what ever) for more. I am over happy knowing I get to see Santa Cruz in the pre-listening of their new album "Screaming For Adrenaline", the 24th of this month. And that I'll see them twice for sure in the beginning of next month. Yey!


When the guys came down from the stage, and were going to get some drinks, I followed them. I asked if I could get some pictures again. They were happy to give me piece of their time, and I got some nice shots of them and myself. It escalated funnily, when Archie said he'd take a picture of me and Johnny. The guys started to make funny faces to each other and took a couple of shot from themselves. I was standing by, laughing. I mean; what the hell? I understand, it's easy to fall in love with a camera, as the camera loves you back that much, but.. Oh never mind, it was just too hilarious. I had a blast with those two. They're all so... Great! :D
 I really can't thank these guys enough for making my Wednesday so superb!

It is so beautiful.
And yes,
I'm talking about the guitar.

I feel like I'm flattering Santa Cruz to the heavens just now. But can you blame me? It just happened that it was them who saved me from drowning into that non-gig sadness. They've been awesome as long as I've known about them, and they're only getting better. Like wine :D
These guys sure are "Aiming High", and if you ask me... They'll make it big ;)

A little something I got from the gig:
Tazzy's Drumstick
Johnnys Pick
a Pick I found from the stage floor
(wild guess: it's Archies)
and the poster from the pubs window.
(I also have Johnnys setlist)

 Until it's time to rock it again,
RW

(ps) If you didn't know the Santa Cruz album comes out 26th of April!

Crazy greetings from Archie and Johnny <3