The beginning of June (part I)

Oh-oh, this summer has really stolen me from the world of internet. :D Though I doubt any of you has totally missed me anyhow. So enjoying my summer vacation in my loved countryside of Finland, has not hurt anyone. It’s done good for me, and that’s a fact.
The only regret I have just now, is this: I haven’t been updating my blog, even though I made a promise you’d get this new one in the next Monday after the venues. Didn’t really happen now, did it? Sorry for it. I really can’t explain why it went down like it went. Nothing more to say than …. Well, the Monday, 10^th of June I was exhausted. Too many things had gone down and I had been in too large crowds. I almost slept the whole day through. And then, well, I just haven’t felt like writing. Hah.
But now that I’m here, let’s see what I remember from the beginning of this month.

Friday, the Seventh of June – Trip to Virgin Oil co., Helsinki

This particular trip I did with my sister and two really good friends of ours. I had three gorgeous blonds driving with me from Tampere to Helsinki. ;D

The reason to go to Virgin Oil was clear: Reckless Love was playing. I had good time standing in front of the stage, after a good meal downstairs, and I was laughing really loud with one of my friends at the scene. Though at the end the wait felt too long, and we were all getting a little bored and tired, it was totally worth it. I’m telling you, the show was beyond words. I’ve never seen one so good before. Ever!

As Reckless Love get to the stage they seemed even more energetic than before. They were all having really good time, but I have to admit I think Pepe was enjoying the most. Even though I and my friends were again standing right in front of Jalle, Pepe made it clear he was going to play to us too, and came to greet us many times during the gig. He even noticed when I shook my head to him, to signal that my photo didn’t turn out very good, and came back to pose just for my camera, to ensure I get the pic. He was being totally adorable the whole time.
Jalle was more lively too. He was strutting across the stage to laugh with Pepe or Hessu, whenever he could get pass the high-kicking front man Olli. I got some super cool photos of Jalle, leaning on the speaker in front of him, and showing off his beautiful bass. Also the stage lights made it marvellous to shoot Jalle as he was playing. Some of the shots are just pure rock. And well, I could have not dreamed of anything else. After all, it was the Finnish God of Thunder I was photographing. ;)

Hessu was having a blast behind his drums. There were some moments when I just couldn’t stop smiling at him. He was steaming and loving his drums so though. It was great to see the energy pouring from him like that. Even though I was standing in the kind of spot, that I couldn’t see Hessu that often – because it was easy to the other three to block my view – I got some nice shots of him too. And I noticed him smiling at myself that one time over his drums. That wicked devilish grin he has.

And well, then we have Olli. Olli, Olli, Olli. :D He was loud, he was fabulous, and he was non-stop. It was so great to see him run around the stage, climbing on top of the big speakers, making the crowd scream their lungs out... He was kicking high and did it a lot. I can’t remember when have I last seen him kick and twist so much. He was being such a firecracker the whole time. There were few times he came right in front of me, standing between me and Jalle, being really close to the edge of the stage. A few times I leaned away to back up from him, so that people around me could get better shots. It was kind of funny, being beneath him like that. I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m glad he didn’t lose his balance, because he would have fallen flat on me and one of my friends who was standing next to me.

 

Archie, Middy and
Johnny taking over
Pepes microphone

During the last song they were playing, I noticed Hessu smiling to a funny direction. I looked up, and noticed Archie, Middy, and Johnny from Santa Cruz were climbing on the stage with Lee from Baton Rouge Morgue. I started screaming pretty loud at that point. It was a funny and extremely good treat to mix the pack up a little. All that hair on one stage – it was just so great. I got amazed by Lee, who saw me in the audience, and almost ran to give me a hug. “It’s nice to see you”, he greeted me, before continuing to sing the song with Jalle. I was totally overwhelmed and really impressed. I had met him only once before, but he did remember me. It was super sweet thing, and left a good feeling that hasn’t still worn completely off. It was so unexpected and spontaneous. The crew on stage was grinning big and singing and going all over the place even more for that moment when there were the extra guests too. It was so funny to watch. I think I could have died laughing that night. Way too fine!

Jalle and Lee singing
together

It was pure brilliance to watch the Reckless Love guys bomb the place like that. They blew it up. They were on fire, and they were having so much fun. All that energy couldn’t help but hit the audience in the face and reflect back. I don’t think a sole left that building with a lousy gig experience. How could they have? The show was way too hilarious, groovy, catchy, entertaining, and rocking high!!

Funny I actually wrote “scream their lungs out” at one point of my text. You see, I was singing, screaming, and cheering during this particular gig so loud, I almost puked while one song. It was awful, but it was a sign that I really had been into the gig every second, and gave my all to show it to the guys. I was getting dehydrated and had trouble to stay on my feet when the show was over. I had to wait at least 15 minutes before I could walk across the room to get water.
When I got to the water I saw Archie, Johnny and Middy again. Archie came to greet me and asked how did I like the gig. I answered I think I enjoyed too much, and tried to make him promise Santa Cruz won’t ever make me scream so much I almost puke. He just closed it with “Pretty sick!” and a gorgeous smile, so I think I’ll be in trouble when I get to see that band play live again. Because I know they can bring it. I better get prepared…

When I got back to the stage where “my crew” was still, Pepe came to gather his equipment from the stage. He signalled to my sister, that he’ll be with us when he’s done. And he really came to sit and chat with us, when he was ready. We had a funny and really nice moment with him. That was the thing that really made my evening the best it could be.
We did also have the chance to change some words with Olli and Jalle, as the night was turning into really early morning, and we were hanging at the bar still. I did chat with Johnny, Archie and Lee too. Was really neat to see those guys, and I hope I’ll get to see them soon again. I really, really, really like them, and they’re so great to hang with. My other star of the night (count Pepe as the number one!) was Ollis wife, Noora. I was really happy to see her there, as I had been worried she won’t be there. Gladly she was, and she had the time to talk with me and my sister. I had been missing her pretty much, so it was excellent to finally see face to face again.

I don’t think there was anything so bad in this evening I couldn’t forget it. The show, and all the familiar faces and great, awesome persons I got to hang with…. It was the best night! I was having the time of my life, and I am really pleased I went there. It was most definitely a night I don’t want to forget. Ever.

I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all those crazy rockers, and my entire gang that was there with me that night. It was pure fun and magic from beginning to the very end.

And we even survived back to Tampere!
I love you guys! <3

Sincerely yours,
-RW-