It is one thing to see MT-TV live and experience the show. It always is unlike any show that you have seen before. However it is a completely different experience to be a fan and have had attended many shows and to walk into a venue like the House of Blues and see the expressions of awe on the faces of the people experiencing MT-TV for the very first time. No matter how you try and describe it to them, or share your own personal experiences, they have no clue until the ground begins to rumble beneath them and the lights dim down to an eerie darkness. Then as the music begins and the force from the energy of sounds engulf them, their eyes flickering of the reflection from the flames now moving across the stage held by the three hooded figures with torches in hand, you see their faces. You see them change. You see them suddenly understand. “Shit’s going to get extremely fucking weird in here tonight”. Then she appears. It was all over but the crying from there!

The shows this weekend were great. For those of you that couldn’t make it, my sincere apologies as you truly missed a fantastic time. For those of you that could, but didn’t it is your loss you bunch of wankers! The House of Blues was kick ass. It was the first time that I personally got to see them on a proper stage. The sound was perfect and the crowd was into it. The band didn’t miss a beat as expected. I was kept busy weaving in and out between the crowd from one end of the stage to the other snapping photographs. Most pictures came out good, others not so well as they did not allow “Professional photography equipment” into the venue. For those of you that would like to view the complete set hit me up and I will send you a link. There were a few familiar faces in the crowd that night and that was refreshing. The band played one set with and encore and the folks in the balcony were on their feet. From there we enjoyed the next act before heading off.

I would like to personally thank all that endured Ohio’s brand new smoking band and stood out in the frozen tundra with me. A special thanks to the night staff at the Cleveland Hampton Inn, Downtown who had to put up with the antics on Friday night. Really, it wasn’t me!

Saturday we set out for the drive to Erie, Pennsylvania. Naturally it was snowing which made driving a tad bit tricky at first, but we got it under control. We landed in Erie and rang up Sherlock’s, which informed us that the band was not due on until midnight. It was 3 PM. We showered, changed and then headed down for a bite to eat. The Avalon bar served up a mean cheese burger. The beer wasn’t bad either. We knew that the band was to arrive, and once they did a few of them popped their heads out to say hello. We kept ourselves entertained with the 6 men dressed in drag who were at the bar. Apparently there was a convention. Enough said.

We eventually arrived at the gig. After a few cocktails, shots and coffee, a great band hit the stage and I must say that I was extremely impressed. Not only were they all hotties, it was obvious that they knew what they were doing. Their singer Jackie played to the crowd like a veteran.

The crowd grew and the place got packed fast. You could literally feel the anticipation building as the people waited semi patiently to see and hear this “9 girl band”. The crowd kept getting larger and some (you know who you are) more intoxicated. The band took the stage and the sound check was taking longer than usual. I am not sure what it was, but the band did not seemed phased by it. We took our places center stage and I prepared the camera. I soon realized that the batteries were dead and the spares that I brought, along with the charger were back in the room. Hey, cut me some slack. This was the first road trip. MT-TV brought all that is them to the stage and the place started to rock. Being up front I soon began to feel the crowd. It was hard to maintain our position as the crowd began pushing forward. I feared for a moment that we might get smashed. This crowd was different. This crowd was into it like I have not witnessed previously. The band was flawless. I have to say this was the best show for me to date. The crowd, the band and the entire atmosphere. As if all the planets lined up in unison, it was perfect. They did an extended encore that was vocally appreciated by the crowd. It was past last call and the staff was busy trying to wrap it up. We headed out to blizzard like conditions and slipped and sled our way back to the Avalon.

It was a great road trip. I would like to give a special thanks to fan “Fred” who had to put up with me and my bodily functions the entire time. I still say I got you on the belching. I would like to give a shout out to Christina, the kick ass guitarist of “Level C”. She made both shows and is a hell of a sweet person and a friendly face. A big “Hell Yeah” to the folks from Toledo and the Idiot (names withheld to protect the guilty). It was so very nice to see someone else who loves these girls enough to make the trek. To the cute guy with the hot girl friend, it was nice meeting you. You should have called back! To Jackie and the boys, you rock. It was nice meeting you all. Finally, to the band as well as the rest of the family, thank you so very much for having us along. We MUST do this again.

If anyone out there was at either show and would like to tell us about your experience, please do not be shy! Let’s hear it!