The Charade Is Over

Hey everyone,
This is Chris who is supposed to be in Europe for a winter tour but I'm back in Santa Monica putting a few new songs we wrote on the road on the new album. I'm still not yet used to updating regularly. As you can surely tell. When everything is happening to me all at once, when I sit down to pen my thoughts I find myself staring at the white blank not knowing where to begin. I can't get used to these thoughts. Someone out there waiting for me in the crowds of all these people whose faces I still see from the time on the road. It made the journey feel longer and endless. But here I am now, near the familiar ocean. The sea breeze always guides me closer to home. Last night it guided me to Key Club to surprise somebody by attending his last show for the year. We both have a few months not travelling now. I'm biting my tongue to say more. But I think I won't.

First off, I want to congratulate America for voting for change! I am proud of our new president and everyone who voted should be too.

Rock Band Live was one of the best tours I've been on. Surely the rest of Dashboard will agree. Panic At The Disco is a young but talented band. Their age makes them quite hard to take seriously. But their talent is exceeding. I had the great honour of spending a few weeks seeing them play every night, hang out with them after the shows, getting to know them better. Brendon Urie is so much fun to relax with. Although his energy makes me feel a little old, lol. Touring with these young rising stars forces me to feel like maybe my time to shine is over. Time to move aside, let these guys take over. How many more albums can I produce singing teenage lovesongs? The new generation has a different way of saying what is in their hearts. Clever witty lyrics about walking in on a bride sleeping with a man who is not the groom, lol.

The other band that makes me feel this way is Alkaline Trio. Actually that's not very true. It is Matt Skiba that makes me want to leave this business! However his band gives me hope. They're old timers too and they are only just starting to see the big spotlight. Their time surely hasn't passed. Agony And Irony is filled with the kind of music Alkaline Trio is known for. But different and fresher. Like something classic with a new twist. Like Vanilla Coke. :] It's the only thing I listen to since I got it. Over And Out is my favourite song on the album. <3

Run for cover as fast as you can
When fighters are lovers and enemies are friends
And pens and knives apologize
For leaving you tonight

Hope this finds you all well,
Chris

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. :]

I had help deciding it's time to make the trip to Vegas. Web surfing - still on dry land ;] - met me some new friends and I hope they don't mind me calling them that so soon. I get attached too quickly. But what's the use of a heart on my sleeve if it's not there to be given to anyone who passes and gives it a second look?

The world is too large for coincidences so I believe in fate and destiny. One of my favorite bands, The Killers, are all over Vegas and LJ. Their drummer found me first and said he'll show me around. Then there's the frontman's wife I didn't know I was talking to until she mentioned it. She is awfully sweet and it feels like we have a lot in common. We've been talking through comments and I'm waiting for her to invite me for dinner. :] I haven't spoken to Brandon Flowers yet, but I'm curious about doing so. He seems like a very interesting guy and he hasn't bashed Dashboard yet, so I hope I have a shot to get to know him.

I'll be in Vegas by tomorrow. Since LJ has been such a great place to meet people from there, I'm going to shamelessly call out to anyone else interested in meeting new people, as I am. Different walks of life and different ways of seeing the world - I'm always curious about those things. Any other Vagrant bands in Vegas?

{ooc - Hai everyone~! I'm new but I'm eager to pick up new lines! I love how there are so many English guys in the com 'cause I'm a big anglophile! Comment threads are great and I'm on AIM - ProConFessionals  ^_^}

I have been in Santa Monica for two weeks. It's on the opposite end of home coast but serves me right for signing with Vagrant and not sticking with Drive Thru. That was so many years ago, I should give it a rest. But I'm homesick after coming back from Europe. Spring tours are in the works but my fingers are still frostbitten from Europe's winter.

The year has been filled with great memories and faces. Maroon 5, Say Anything, John Ralston, Augustana, Counting Crows, The Color Fred. I name the bands but my heart is with those guys I know as my friends.

I heard the place to be is Vegas. I should make a trip to see what I've been missing out on. I'm a lover of coastal cities, shorelines and ocean horizons - I'm not sure how the desert will fit with me.