On my way to work today, I went through my iPod and decided to play an old favorite I haven't listened to in a while. I scolled down until I found Sugarcult's Start Static, and from the moment I hit the play button, a wave of nostalgia ran through me. It's hard to believe this album came out ten years ago. I still can't believe it's been that long since I fell in love with Sugarcult.
I was a freshmen in high school when I was first introduced to this band. I was in my drama class and a friend (well, I guess she wasn't much of a friend since she irritated me so much and I never really wanted to hang out with her since everyone called her a 'band slut') told me to check Sugarcult out. I usually just agreed to and never checked out the bands, because she stalked Good Charlotte on a frequent basis. But for some reason that night I went online to their website and liked what I saw.
The first song I heard by Sugarcult was an Elvis Costello cover "No Action" from Wrap Me Up In Plastic. It was catchy, upbeat, and I wanted to pump my fist in the air while chanting the lyrics. Not long after that I begged my mom to buy me Start Static, and she bought the album for me at Virgin Records. I remember listening to Start Static on the way home, and listening to it when I got home. I layed there on my bed staring at the ceiling and fell in love with this band. How did they know that all I ever wanted was to get away? How could they know how much I couldn't wait to get out of high school and leave all of the assholes who made fun of me? How the hell did they know I was Daddy's little defect?! I had no idea, but this album stuck to me like paint on a canvas. I memorized every single song to both albums, wrote lyrics all over my binder, and kept my eyes open for any concert of theirs in Orange County.
In April of 2002 I went to my first Sugarcult show. It was a difficult time around the show because I was sick, and we had just put my Himalayan cat Saasha to sleep. No matter what, I was determined to have fun, meet the band, and take pictures. I was waiting in line at my second home, Chain Reaction. It's an easy bus stop from my house to the venue, and it's not far from Disneyland. My best friend was next to me and she could tell I was nervous. Not long after, band members of Sugarcult were wandering around the parking lot going back and fourth between the venue and their van. The guitarist, Marko 72, came over to talk with fans in line. Marko was and always will be my favorite. He's my brother from another mother. The first day we met, I felt a connection with him, and he's one of the most funniest, nicest guys I've ever met.
As Marko came over to us, there was a gust of wind and one of my eyelashes got caught in my eye. As soon as that happened, Marko boomed "Fear not! I will save you!", took the eyelash out and blew it off of his finger. "See? I just saved your life!" I thanked him, and he gave lots of hugs and took photos with my friend and me.
We went in, and the magic began. A local band called Up Syndrome opened and they were a fun pop-punk band. I bought their CD after the show and got a picutre with the singer, Chris. Nerf Herder were the next opening band. I was stoaked to see them live mainly because I knew they were the band who played the theme song for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They put on a great show, even though they didn't communicate much with the crowd. Sugarcult was next and the crowd started to sway. I was in the front on the right side, in front of Marko of course. From that night, that was officially my spot at every single Sugarcult show. It still is to this day even though I now live in Texas. They started playing and I was singing my heart out to every single song. Marko would always lean down right in my face and sing with me, let me strumb his guitar a few times, and would make faces at me through the show. The drummer, Ben, kept winking at my friend and I. Everyone was so into the band it was like we all bonded at once. They played every song I wanted them to play. During one of their last few songs, they had Jeff from Death On Wednesday come sing on stage with them. Death On Wednesday....another band that brings me back. But that will have to be another blog, for they hold a special place in my heart as well. At the end, we went outside dripped in sweat. My clothes stuck to me like I had just got out of a pool. My eyeliner was smeared across my face, and my cheeks were as red as strawberries.
From years on, every single moment with Sugarcult was great. I'm still to this day never sure if the singer Time will be in a good mood or not. I would always nod my head to the bassist, Airin, but never talk with him. It was uncomfortable to know he had slept with the "friend" who got me into them, and I have no idea if he ever knew she was underage. Every encounter with Marko was fun and full of hugs and pictures. Ben was not long out of Sugarcult, so it took me a while to get used to Kenny, but he's a great guy! I still have Marko's River City Rebels shirt he threw at me during one of their Christmas shows. I have tons of guitar picks, drums sticks, set lists, flyers, autographs, pictures, and ticket stubs from Sugarcult.
It's now 2011 and I still love this band. I haven't seen them live since 2007 when they last toured the US. I miss them so much. It's great to listen to bands that can take you back to great times in your life. Most of the good times in my life involve music. I wonder what I will write about this album in another ten years?
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