SHUFFLE, DEAL, THEN PLAY YOUR YELLOWCARDS

 by Videa

What do you get when you mix together 50 excited avatars (including some pretty jazzed-up press members) into one great big new building, then add 10 locations… and finally you throw in 5 outrageously popular and talented rock and roll stars for flavor? 

 … You get a Yellowcard fan-fest! 

That’s what I was looking forward to when I was summoned to The Tower Friday night.  Remembering what the crowd level was like (not to mention the *sound* level*) at the MIMS appearance last week, you can imagine my adrenaline level tonight!  Having just enough time to grab my photographer (thanks for your help, Geea!), my tape recorder and my pad, I teleported over to the venue in the blink of an eye!  

When I arrived at the first Tower event, everyone was still setting up, doing sound checks, doing video checks, doing ‘nightfever checks, in preparation for the band to arrive.  Great new posters hung on the walls to reflect Yellowcard’s new album cover and pictures of the band members.  Digital screens showed the video from their latest hit single.  I hadn’t seen their video before and stood mesmerized, probably from the result of watching singer Ryan Key, standing 2 stories high right in front of me!  YUM! 

All at once, the 5 rockers arrived!  As soon as the first member teleported into the building, everyone everywhere started jumping up and down, dancing, yelling, “They’re here! It’s Sean! Look! It’s Peter! Hey, Ryan, can I have your jeans?  Hi Longineu, give me your hair, ok?”  I wondered if they would get out of the building with their clothes on their backs! 

It has to be said that, considering they are “Noobs,” these young men kept a grueling pace very well.  What with the technical difficulties that were looming over a couple av-man servers all night long, they handled themselves professionally, and with a sense of humor.   I swear, even while still loading the surroundings, Sean was able to dazzle the ladies without missing a beat.  The only two tiny things I might have done a little differently is to have someone log in on the computers that they were using so that the Tower terrain would already be loaded, making that download time half what it was.  And then I would cut out half the venues and spend even more time with the fans in the other half.  Because that’s what the people really wanted. 

Honestly, so many people braved the lag, sound problems (except that none of the band members used voice, even to talk, except for at the end) and rubberbanding to spend just a little under 5 minutes with their heroes.  

At the end of the 2 hour event, having visited 9 Towers and just as many VIP suites that were filled to capacity, the band members came up to the Tyr Tower suite and relaxed.  They joked around with staff from There, members of the press and a few very lucky contest winners and invited guests.  Pictures were taken with each of the guys, along with special (to be treasured) group pictures.  Finally it was my turn to step up and ask what our readers sent me to find out… 

Videa…          Welcome to our little community, There.com.  I’ve brought some questions with me that members have asked me to ask you.  For instance, Rose_Blossom wants to know (*giggle*) what do you guys think of our world?  What was your first impression? 

Ryan_Key… Its an interesting experience.  It’s too much.. everytime we get into a room, we have to move.  It takes 20 minutes to load it and then we have to go to another room…. L.P. and Sean are in a hot tub together, now that’s weird!?  Hey, there’s Mendez.  Waddup Mendez?  How come ya don’t have a drink? 

Ryan_Mendez... I know, I gave it to some girl. 

Ryan_Key…Well mine’s good! 

Videa…There-Member, Innie wants to know…  how did you think of the name “Yellowcard”?  

Ryan_Key… When we were all in high school, we were just 15 and 16, I had like an inside circle of friends, we would throw the word Yellowcard around.  Its used for like a “party fowl”.   Suddenly it was like 3 days before the first show and somebody decided that should be the band name.. not that exciting a story.  But that’s it.  You spill a beer on the floor, you get a Yellowcard. 

Videa… When you’re not performing, rehearsing, or appearing in virtual worlds, what do you guys like to do for fun? 

Ryan_Key…When I’m home, I live with my kid sister and a couple of my best friends from back home in Florida, who live in LA on the same street as I do.  So I usually kinda take it easy and just hang out with my friends.  Hang out with my bulldog. 

Ryan_Mendez... I like to play poker for fun, to relax.  We kill a lot of time on the bus watching DVDs 

Videa…  Your first big album, Ocean Ave did very very well.  What was that like for you being suddenly thrown in the spotlight? 

Ryan_Key… It’s pretty insane you know?  Like your whole life is upside down.  It was like, all of a sudden there was so much goin on, and you kinda look back now and wish you had a minute to take more of it in, because it’s going by so fast and so much is happening.  

L.P. (Longineu)…It was crazy!  It was like an overnight thing.  We woke up the next morning and it was like..  It went from (being unknown) to Ocean Avenue.  We really didn’t notice it, to be honest with you, because we were playing so many shows at the time, to where all we would see is like the crowd getting bigger and bigger. 

Ryan_Key…We didn’t really notice it until it was actually all said and done, we were like, Wow!  That was one heck of a ride! 

Videa… There-Member lon_flexx is curious about your second album, Lights and Sounds, which had a bit of a slower start and didn’t quite sell as many copies as your first album.  What do YOU personally think was the reason for that? 

Sean_Mackin… We don’t write every song, and every record to be the same.  We like to do different things.   It keeps things fresh, and it also, you know, keeps things interesting for the ear.  Because you don’t want to hear the same things over and over again.  Plus, you write what you feel, so each song has a different vibe, and a different feel so whatever the moment is, when we’re writing, you know that’s what it is.  If we’re sad, we write a sad song.  If we’re happy, we write a happy song.  For mad, the song might come out to be more like on the heavy metal side of things.  

At that time, Ryan Key had to leave, but the rest of the guys stayed and talked to me for a little bit. 

Videa… There-member Chagall wants to know what's your favorite song on the new album? 

L.P. (Longineu)… I like them all.  Its hard to say.  I’m equal on all of them. When we write all the songs and recorded them,  they were all definitely on the favorites list.  I definitely think this is, for me at least, I think its some of my best work .. I’m happy. 

A very special thank you to Ryan, Peter, Sean, Longineu and Ryan for your amazing, and entertaining appearance in The Towers in There.  We hope you will come back soon and often, and do not hesitate for a second to contact me, Videa, that’s V-i-d-e-a at ThereVoice-dot-com, if you should need the slightest little thing…  or big thing… or ANY thing!

 

Disclaimer:  The views in this article do not necessarily represent The Voice of There or its staff. These articles are provided solely for entertainment purposes only.