Taking Chances
Beginning of Warped Tour
*Friday, Warped Tour departure*
Nelly POV
I’ve been running around these past two days to make sure all of the guys were ready to go. “Guys you got one hour before the bus is here! Hurry the hell up!” I yelled out loud to the house. Everybody decided to stay here last night so we wouldn’t make any stops, and be to the first Warped date on time.
“Nelly if you don’t calm down! I’m going to tie you up.” Alex told me as he walked out of his room, down the hall from mines. He was in the master bedroom, while mines was beside the hall bathroom. There was a guest room across from me and a guest room besides Alex’s bedroom. The two guest rooms came in handy for the guys, each band had their own guest room, except Jase who shared with me and Jack who shared with Alex.
I stopped to look at Alex, who had his smirk on his face, “I wouldn’t mind that.” I said winking at him before turning and leaving. I looked back and saw his face and it was worth it, I giggled on my way to make sure everybody was awake.
*One hour later*
“It’s time to go guys! It’s 6, time to go bye-bye and get this show on the road!” I yelled in every room, with Martin beside me silently laughing. He knew how I got before tours, nervous and excited as hell at the same time. It was funny to whoever got up first with me. They’d laugh while I triple check everything, wouldn’t want anything to go wrong.
The All Time Low guys didn’t know this so when I was triple checking everything Jack came and tried to talk to me, I almost ripped his balls off. I don’t talk, ever, before the first show of a tour. It’s been this thing I did every tour because my brother always thought if I talked before my first show on tour I would lose my voice, or something like that. I believed him and when I found out it wasn’t true I still did it because I miss and do it in his honor. Only my band knows this, the other bands just think I’m weird.
“Dude she doesn’t talk before a show, ever.” Martin told the All Time Low guys.
“Why?” Ah, the one question I didn’t want to answer. But somebody had to ask and someone had to answer. Rian asked, so who’s going to answer?
“Because of her brother. He died when he was 15 and before he told her if she talks before the first show on tour then she’ll lose her voice or something will go wrong.” Astro said to them, I didn’t think he’d answer it for me, but I’m glad he did. They’re the only ones, besides family, who know what happened to him.
“Oh, sorry Nelly.” Jack said to me and I nodded. Alex came and sat beside me while everyone else loaded up the buses. I usually don’t talk the first 7 hours before the show and I talk as soon as everybody gets on stage, when I’m by my microphone.
Once the buses were ready, everyone got onto there’s and we settled in. I went into the back with Astro and we watched movies until we reached Maine. “Astro, Nelly… it’s time to go to the meeting!” Martin yelled to the back of the bus for us. We both stood up and walked off the bus to the meeting area.
“Ok everyone here? We’re going to do band roll call, all members stand up when your band is called. We ask that the front men tell us the names and where you come from. Thanks!” The founder said to us. “All Time Low!”
“Here, our drummer is Rian Dawson, our lead guitarist is Jack Barakat, our bassist is Zack Merrikat and I’m the singer Alex Gaskarth.” Alex said before sitting down.
“Ok good.” The founder said before calling some more band names. Then he got closer to us. “The Maine?”
“Here, our drummer is Pat Kirch, lead guitarist is Jared Monaco, other guitarist is Kennedy Brock, our bassist is Garrett Nickelsen, and I’m the singer John O’Callaghan.” John says before sitting down.
“My Tears of Pain?” He called for us next.
“Here! I’m the drummer Jason Sims, our lead guitarist is Martin Thomas, our bassist Astro Simon and our singer Nelly Jameson.” Jason said the man looks confused.
“Why didn’t Nelly speak, I asked front men to do it?” He asked Jason.
“Sir, she doesn’t speak before the first show of a tour. It’s kind of her thing for tours.” Astro said, classic Astro, always so polite but strict at the same time. The man looked taken aback his tone but doesn’t say anything just shrugs. Once he’s finished we left to get our tents set up before the gates open.
*Two minute warning before show*
Hot Topic asked if they could come behind us and do a two-minute warning for My Tears of Pain, I was proud. We made it so far and we’re still going, that’s dedication from our fans right there. After I finish my set, I have to head over to All Time Low’s set to sing ‘Remembering Sunday’ with them.
I put my headphones in and move around dancing and mouthing the words to the songs. This is my warm-up since I don’t speak before the first show on tours. The band all did their random antics, not caring we were being recorded, it’s not like we were self conscious of ourselves. After we did our random stuff alone we heard a yell say “30 seconds!”
We all crowded around the side-stage and I take my headphones out and put my iPod on blast. It starts playing Retrace These Steps, which was the song that got our career started as a big band. Jase had his drumsticks drumming on the table in front of us while Astro, Martin and I strum on our instruments and Astro sang the song. We smiled and looked at each other and I’m sure our thoughts matched each other’s ‘This is our crazy dysfunctional family’ and I wouldn’t change this.
“No guys! Get up there and do fucking great!” Our tour manager, Minnie, said before walking away. Jason walked on, first as always and played with the crowd asking if they were ready. Then it was Astro who walked straight to his mic and strummed a random cord on his bass, next was me. I walked out onto the stage with my guitar slung around my shoulder and I acted like I didn’t have a care in the world. I don’t talk until everybody’s onstage. Last was Martin, he walked on stage strummed something and threw a pic out already and we haven’t even played a single song yet. I shook my head before turning to the crowd and smiling.
“Hey guys! We’re My Tears of Pain and we’re going to play a song for you! It’s called Retrace These Steps and it goes something like… this!” I said and before I even finished speaking the crowd was cheering and Jason was playing his drums and the Astro his bass and Martin his guitar. I didn’t start until the middle of the song.
After we finished, we moved onto one of our newest songs, which was, Blanket of tears. I smiled when I saw all of our fans and thought ‘This is the dream.’ I would never change this for anything. Our set list was: Retrace These Steps, Blanket of Tears, Not Here Anymore, Go Home, Where Have You Been, and as a special treat and surprised we covered Blink 182’s The Rock Show. Safe to say those kids had the best time during our set.
We walked off stage and cheered, “Woooohooo! Best show to start off Warped Tour with.” Martin said and we all had to agree because it was. Maine always gave us a good show.
“Alright I got to go, All Time Low’s set and all. Bye!” I said to them before walking across the field. I got stopped a couple of times before making it to All Time Low’s stage. They were main stage this year, and couldn’t be happier. I knew on day that’ll be My Tears of Pain on main stage.
“Alright, I have a surprise for you guys! I see most of you wearing MToP merch so… I got Nelly Jameson to agree to sing Remembering Sunday with us! It wasn’t that hard she’s a sweet heart. I know most of you guys saw her on Sleeping With Sirens, Pierce the Veil, The Ready Set and some more, but she’s a wonderful girl… why not?” Alex said introducing me. I ran up on stage.
“Hey fuckers! Let’s have some fucking fun! Come on Alex!” I yelled when I was beside Alex onstage. “Jack what do you say?” I looked at Jack.
“Hell yeah!” Jack yelled into his mic.
Alex faked pouted and huffed, “Fine! Rian, Zack mind starting so we can sing?” Alex asked and they both started Jack picking up behind them and Alex following.
After the song was over I went to our merch table even though our signing wasn’t until after 2, and right now it was only 12. I hated playing early in the day. “What are you doing here Nelly?” Our merch girl, Trish, asked when I sat beside her.
“Making some lucky fans day by being here two hours early.” I said laughing and pulling out my sharpie. I could tell by this show Warped Tour was going to be fucking awesome and I couldn’t wait.
Nelly POV
I’ve been running around these past two days to make sure all of the guys were ready to go. “Guys you got one hour before the bus is here! Hurry the hell up!” I yelled out loud to the house. Everybody decided to stay here last night so we wouldn’t make any stops, and be to the first Warped date on time.
“Nelly if you don’t calm down! I’m going to tie you up.” Alex told me as he walked out of his room, down the hall from mines. He was in the master bedroom, while mines was beside the hall bathroom. There was a guest room across from me and a guest room besides Alex’s bedroom. The two guest rooms came in handy for the guys, each band had their own guest room, except Jase who shared with me and Jack who shared with Alex.
I stopped to look at Alex, who had his smirk on his face, “I wouldn’t mind that.” I said winking at him before turning and leaving. I looked back and saw his face and it was worth it, I giggled on my way to make sure everybody was awake.
*One hour later*
“It’s time to go guys! It’s 6, time to go bye-bye and get this show on the road!” I yelled in every room, with Martin beside me silently laughing. He knew how I got before tours, nervous and excited as hell at the same time. It was funny to whoever got up first with me. They’d laugh while I triple check everything, wouldn’t want anything to go wrong.
The All Time Low guys didn’t know this so when I was triple checking everything Jack came and tried to talk to me, I almost ripped his balls off. I don’t talk, ever, before the first show of a tour. It’s been this thing I did every tour because my brother always thought if I talked before my first show on tour I would lose my voice, or something like that. I believed him and when I found out it wasn’t true I still did it because I miss and do it in his honor. Only my band knows this, the other bands just think I’m weird.
“Dude she doesn’t talk before a show, ever.” Martin told the All Time Low guys.
“Why?” Ah, the one question I didn’t want to answer. But somebody had to ask and someone had to answer. Rian asked, so who’s going to answer?
“Because of her brother. He died when he was 15 and before he told her if she talks before the first show on tour then she’ll lose her voice or something will go wrong.” Astro said to them, I didn’t think he’d answer it for me, but I’m glad he did. They’re the only ones, besides family, who know what happened to him.
“Oh, sorry Nelly.” Jack said to me and I nodded. Alex came and sat beside me while everyone else loaded up the buses. I usually don’t talk the first 7 hours before the show and I talk as soon as everybody gets on stage, when I’m by my microphone.
Once the buses were ready, everyone got onto there’s and we settled in. I went into the back with Astro and we watched movies until we reached Maine. “Astro, Nelly… it’s time to go to the meeting!” Martin yelled to the back of the bus for us. We both stood up and walked off the bus to the meeting area.
“Ok everyone here? We’re going to do band roll call, all members stand up when your band is called. We ask that the front men tell us the names and where you come from. Thanks!” The founder said to us. “All Time Low!”
“Here, our drummer is Rian Dawson, our lead guitarist is Jack Barakat, our bassist is Zack Merrikat and I’m the singer Alex Gaskarth.” Alex said before sitting down.
“Ok good.” The founder said before calling some more band names. Then he got closer to us. “The Maine?”
“Here, our drummer is Pat Kirch, lead guitarist is Jared Monaco, other guitarist is Kennedy Brock, our bassist is Garrett Nickelsen, and I’m the singer John O’Callaghan.” John says before sitting down.
“My Tears of Pain?” He called for us next.
“Here! I’m the drummer Jason Sims, our lead guitarist is Martin Thomas, our bassist Astro Simon and our singer Nelly Jameson.” Jason said the man looks confused.
“Why didn’t Nelly speak, I asked front men to do it?” He asked Jason.
“Sir, she doesn’t speak before the first show of a tour. It’s kind of her thing for tours.” Astro said, classic Astro, always so polite but strict at the same time. The man looked taken aback his tone but doesn’t say anything just shrugs. Once he’s finished we left to get our tents set up before the gates open.
*Two minute warning before show*
Hot Topic asked if they could come behind us and do a two-minute warning for My Tears of Pain, I was proud. We made it so far and we’re still going, that’s dedication from our fans right there. After I finish my set, I have to head over to All Time Low’s set to sing ‘Remembering Sunday’ with them.
I put my headphones in and move around dancing and mouthing the words to the songs. This is my warm-up since I don’t speak before the first show on tours. The band all did their random antics, not caring we were being recorded, it’s not like we were self conscious of ourselves. After we did our random stuff alone we heard a yell say “30 seconds!”
We all crowded around the side-stage and I take my headphones out and put my iPod on blast. It starts playing Retrace These Steps, which was the song that got our career started as a big band. Jase had his drumsticks drumming on the table in front of us while Astro, Martin and I strum on our instruments and Astro sang the song. We smiled and looked at each other and I’m sure our thoughts matched each other’s ‘This is our crazy dysfunctional family’ and I wouldn’t change this.
“No guys! Get up there and do fucking great!” Our tour manager, Minnie, said before walking away. Jason walked on, first as always and played with the crowd asking if they were ready. Then it was Astro who walked straight to his mic and strummed a random cord on his bass, next was me. I walked out onto the stage with my guitar slung around my shoulder and I acted like I didn’t have a care in the world. I don’t talk until everybody’s onstage. Last was Martin, he walked on stage strummed something and threw a pic out already and we haven’t even played a single song yet. I shook my head before turning to the crowd and smiling.
“Hey guys! We’re My Tears of Pain and we’re going to play a song for you! It’s called Retrace These Steps and it goes something like… this!” I said and before I even finished speaking the crowd was cheering and Jason was playing his drums and the Astro his bass and Martin his guitar. I didn’t start until the middle of the song.
After we finished, we moved onto one of our newest songs, which was, Blanket of tears. I smiled when I saw all of our fans and thought ‘This is the dream.’ I would never change this for anything. Our set list was: Retrace These Steps, Blanket of Tears, Not Here Anymore, Go Home, Where Have You Been, and as a special treat and surprised we covered Blink 182’s The Rock Show. Safe to say those kids had the best time during our set.
We walked off stage and cheered, “Woooohooo! Best show to start off Warped Tour with.” Martin said and we all had to agree because it was. Maine always gave us a good show.
“Alright I got to go, All Time Low’s set and all. Bye!” I said to them before walking across the field. I got stopped a couple of times before making it to All Time Low’s stage. They were main stage this year, and couldn’t be happier. I knew on day that’ll be My Tears of Pain on main stage.
“Alright, I have a surprise for you guys! I see most of you wearing MToP merch so… I got Nelly Jameson to agree to sing Remembering Sunday with us! It wasn’t that hard she’s a sweet heart. I know most of you guys saw her on Sleeping With Sirens, Pierce the Veil, The Ready Set and some more, but she’s a wonderful girl… why not?” Alex said introducing me. I ran up on stage.
“Hey fuckers! Let’s have some fucking fun! Come on Alex!” I yelled when I was beside Alex onstage. “Jack what do you say?” I looked at Jack.
“Hell yeah!” Jack yelled into his mic.
Alex faked pouted and huffed, “Fine! Rian, Zack mind starting so we can sing?” Alex asked and they both started Jack picking up behind them and Alex following.
After the song was over I went to our merch table even though our signing wasn’t until after 2, and right now it was only 12. I hated playing early in the day. “What are you doing here Nelly?” Our merch girl, Trish, asked when I sat beside her.
“Making some lucky fans day by being here two hours early.” I said laughing and pulling out my sharpie. I could tell by this show Warped Tour was going to be fucking awesome and I couldn’t wait.
Notes
Woah! 7 votes still with my perfect 10! You guys are the greatest and I know I'm awesome for updating this but since I have plenty of spare time why not? Nine chapters already, it seemed like just last week I was posting this story.House layout -Alex's bedroom is room 1 and Nelly's bedroom is room 4
Nelly's Warped Tour Outfit
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8/13/13