^Actually, what he was TRYING to say, was "I hate the flight from Japan to the USA. But whenever I see you it makes it worth it." Or something along those lines. haha

[quote="Tidusauron12"]^Actually, what he was TRYING to say, was "I hate the flight from Japan to the USA. But whenever I see you it makes it worth it." Or something along those lines. haha[/quote]

TIDUS WHERE WERE YOU?

And thanks for clearing that up :3

I think it was "I hate US and Japan flight" or something lol. Also, our side was WAY tamer than the center area, as usual. You didn't see because we held our ground really well on your left, but it was actually pretty bad there.

Also, again, I talked to Sawao in fluent Japanese. Had I thrown the same things at him in English, I'd be a jackass to expect anything more than some sort of confused noncommittal answer, but yeah. Nihongo. I'm sorta good at that shit. I'm sure his being tired had a ton to do with it all, like I said, but if you watch/read interviews and stuff, you can see him definitely changing a LOT over the past 5 or so years.

The show was lots of fun! It would've been nice to meet you guys, but I got on line late and had to leave immediately after the show to catch my train. Next time!

All Ages weren't terrible, I expected worse from what others have said. Good stage presence, meh songs. Whatever.

Noodles were great, no real complaints about their performance other than the usual Ikuno doesn't do much. I was behind some tall, stout guy with big hair for half of their set, so I didn't get to see much of Yoko and Ayumi. Someone yelled "Do Freebird on expert" during their set.

By the time the pillows came on, I was about six people back from the front, between Sawao and Manabe. Amazing energy, as always. I didn't pay much attention to the bassist, mainly because I couldn't see him through all the jumping fans. Also Sawao and Manabe are too awesome to take your eyes off of . I shouted "Are you feeling swanky, Sawao?" twice, and a request for Strange Chameleon. Just once though, because I knew they wouldn't take requests anyway. There was lots of shoving where I was, especially during Advice, but that was expected. I was closer last year and it wasn't as bad.

Loved Swanky Street, and loved not hearing Doggie Howl.

Team IM NYC 2011:
[img]http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/4615/img6422o.jpg[/img]
Left to right: Alucard, Sheer, Cloudy, me, Exokay, Lmd2131.
lol @ awkward arm, I didn't want to elbow Cloudy.

Standing around in line:
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/321246_689595497942_1112157_35648834_931838354_n.jpg[/img]

[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/321193_689595932072_1112157_35648840_1033932926_n.jpg[/img]

For a sec I thought sheer was Manabe.

Basically what Tidus paraphrased. Sawao said something similar at the SF show too.

And who knows, maybe Sawao was just tired or whatever. Even if he is pimpin' a rock star attitude nowadays, he still cares enough to come to the States... [i]and[/i] play motherfucking Swanky Street for "us" (or at least those of "us" in attendance of the second half of the tour).

[quote="Marekenshin"] Set was fantastic, cried a little during a few songs (most particularly Swanky Street).[/quote]

[img]http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/107/432/original/i_hug_that_feel.png?1300595876[/img]

Sounds like you guys had an awesome time in NYC. I really hope they come back soon

Oh wow. Just watched the Swanky Street upload (thanks Exokay, really great quality too), and 10x as jealous now :(

Damn. Manabe killed that solo on Swanky Street. Awesome performance, so wish I could be at one of these shows.

What a great show. I've got some pictures:

IM Group Pic:
[img]http://i.imgur.com/Y3aCz.jpg[/img]

(Larger version: [url]http://i.imgur.com/EpoRa.jpg[/url])

Me and Manabe:
[img]http://i.imgur.com/h517w.jpg[/img]

Me and my friend with Sawao:
http://i.imgur.com/IsvvQ.jpg

Shin signing my album:
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ses8G.jpg[/img]

Signed PML + Manabe Pick:
[img]http://i.imgur.com/XgDaX.jpg[/img]

I had a great time meeting everyone. I asked Sawao if he'd play Kanojo wa Kyou next time the band comes to NYC. He simply said "Kanojo wa kyou!" and nodded to me.

A man can dream.

I was on the right side of the stage and saw Sawao hanging out on the side with the crowd. He stayed for the end of All Age and all of The Noodles before he jetted into the backstage. Hey Ladybirdgirl, I was was actually the asian dude right in front of you. Were you able to get backstage access with your connections?

[quote="Marekenshin"]Also, again, I talked to Sawao in fluent Japanese. Had I thrown the same things at him in English, I'd be a jackass to expect anything more than some sort of confused noncommittal answer, but yeah. Nihongo. I'm sorta good at that shit. I'm sure his being tired had a ton to do with it all, like I said, but if you watch/read interviews and stuff, you can see him definitely changing a LOT over the past 5 or so years.[/quote]

I haven't kept up on interviews but the first time I had a chance to talk to him like five years ago he didn't say anything at all actually, and I was speaking Japanese (I think I was passable ;p). I figured he just wasn't sure how to react or... I dunno.

Could he have been half-deaf from the show still (I don't know if they wear earplugs or what)?

I figured you were an IMer

Yes, I was finally passed on to the organizer for the NYC show (had to get INSIDE first), who spoke and understood English hahaa. Our Gramercy passes were all access, so my group was taking turns watching the show from backstage and from the back of the floor. Pretty intense stuff, being that close. The first time I went backstage, Sawao was coming down from the stage, and it took a few tries for him to remember who I was, lol. Mare didn't recognize me either, that damned shaved head I kept bumping into Jun's backup, who was practicing his bass lines right behind the curtain, poor guy haha, I wanted to hop on guitar and play along! We chilled with the noodles ladies for a little bit, but it's hard to communicate with anyone in this DELICIOUS camp if you don't speak Japanese. Sorry guys, I know you must feel like I'm a little undeserving for my lack of fluent Japanese, but I'm learning slowly Manabe passed some pics on to us post-show and talked about Shinjuku and the Facebook work we've been doing. Shin and I laughed at his "gay boy" comment he made after I kissed him in '09, LOL. All very cool stuff.

Really fun night, sorry for my group and I going insane crazy in the back right of the venue I thought it was a better performance than the 2008 show. I actually dig the sound of this place, Gramercy. Now... next time... fan voting for songs or don't come back!!

Had to take my sony cybershot back to best buy so I could go to the show... Ah well, if I get video it'll be shitty but the pictures should be good...