Flashbacks; Slam 2010

04-17-2010 Saturday

I walked this same road, crossed the same street, the ambiance, the people mostly wearing black, the 7-11 store in the corner--everything is just as it is the year before now. Can you imagine the magic of this one particular day that happens once a year? For me, it has always been not only a gig but a sacred ritual that you really have to attend to, but now, it has a lot more meaning to it and it only became closer to my heart than any other event.

For this is the event where, exactly a year before, I met my Alex. Had I not been here before, I would've never found him. I was getting pretty nostalgic as I walk alone, looking at things that has always been there but in this moment, every little thing seem to look meaningful to me.

The overpass for example. I crossed the overpass like I did a dozen times already but as I walk in it alone, I was taken back to the year before when I walked in it with someone else, the person who eventually led me to meet Alex. The old cigarette vendor sitting outside Jolibee, is still there, selling cigarettes to the people in black and in different weird outfits. The 7-11 in the corner, where I met Alex is still there and as I walked towards it, I had endless flashbacks in my head. Flashbacks of Alex in his maroon 'Bug Off!' vintage t-shirt and the way he smiled boyishly at me when we were introduced. I saw the image of him drinking a cheap gin and drowning it with cold Coke.

I knew I was smiling to myself as those memories flood and I let myself be taken away with it. I ignored the stares of the guys sitting on the side of the street as I walked past them, in a dreamlike stride. Some of them might've tried to get my attention but I was deep in a trance to even notice. I wore a slight make up. Smoky black eyeshadow, a red lipstick, a slightly tousled hair that barely touched the comb, and voila, I am a hottie and I can feel some eyes follow me. I barely paid attention, I'm concentrated in my moment of nostalgia.

More memories came as I reached the corner street where a line to the venue used to stretch long. However, today, there's no line or anything, just a scatter of people, comrades if I may call them, because we're all obviously here for one reason--to be part of a battle, to claim our rights to let loose and get wasted. 'Looks like I wouldn't have to wait in a long line this time' I thought to myself and it's a good thing since I don't wanna stand alone in a line.

I walked more slowly this time, looking at the half empty streetside, but I didn't see it as empty. I saw myself standing there, with 3 guys, one of them was Alex and we were talking and laughing and just starting to get to know each other. I looked at the other side of the street, I imagined the vendor of siomai standing there, and I saw myself buying and eating siomai with my new found friends. I remembered Alex talking to me, we were merely strangers at that time, I don't even feel anything special towards him, he's just someone I met, someone whom I thought I'd eventually forget.

When I reached the gate to the venue, I saw policemen and bouncers lined up to stay guard. Familiar faces, they were always there every fucking year to make sure everything is in peace and order. They have this tough look in their faces but I knew better, they have to look tough, part of the job of course. I smiled to them and entered the gates that will lead me to the Apocalypse. It has meant something else in the bible, but in this particular day, it means a ritual of getting overdosed with music and being with the people who enjoyed getting wasted as much as you do.

After the body inspection, I headed to the ticket booth, bought my ticket and seconds later, I was inside. The stadium is as it is every year. There were booths in every side, booths of sponsors; Red Horse, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Smart Buddy and Tribal Gear, all lined up neatly. I texted my Pards who was there since the gates opened and told him I'm already inside, looking for him. It wasn't that hard to look for him, were always finding each other on our usual spot, at the right side of the stage, near the big white screen that serves as a monitor. I also texted Alex, letting him know I'll be lining up for the t-shirt. He has work until 6pm and he'll follow afterwards.

The line to the t-shirt was awfully long and it was a good thing Pards decided to stand in line with me even though he has bought his own shirt already. We talked loudly so we can hear each other amidst the bellowing rhythms of guitar and drums in the background. I was half talking to him and half scanning the crowd. The crowd, the brothers, the comrades all dressed for the event. There are the usual punks, the metal enthusiasts, (believe me you can tell it by the outfits and make-up) the not so appreciated emo (rolling of my eyes when I say that word), the kids in black who seem to know less about music but was there anyway, the people whose shirts scream the name of their favorite bands, the people whose shirts show the very first Slam they've attended (for the record, Summer Slam 2 shirt beat them all, even though Alex told me afterwards that he saw someone wearing Summer Slam 1, wow), the people in different costumes--there's a fireman, a guy in orange overalls (maybe he's trying to imitate Slipknot but apparently failed because he looked like a maintenance guy), a big guy in diapers, a goth, a black metal psycho, and uhh..a clown, complete with clown make up and hair.

Perhaps, the most memorable part of the night was when Testament played live for the first time in the fucking stage of this country. Testament, the legend, one of the pioneers of thrash metal of the early 80's, up there in the goddamn stage. I was in awe, it was surely a night to remember.

Alex arrived shortly after Testament's mind blowing performance. We were inseparable for the rest of the night. I greeted him a happy anniversary and he kept his arms around me the entire night, hoping to stop me from jumping up and down. I always forget that things are different now and I can't just go out there and mosh like what I used to do. Well, it's fine as long as I have Alex beside me.

When Lamb of God came onstage, the crowd was ecstatic and I shout along, singing the words out as they played an all time favorite, 'Laid to Rest'. I can only bang my head to the music 'till I felt dizzy. It was all in the spirit of fun. I avoided beer and cigarettes but the music is definitely more than enough to keep me high.

It's a carnival. It's an event. It's a concert. You can call it whatever you want to but for me, I consider it as an annual ritual and I know that for the people who has been there every year since it started, without fail, will agree with me. It is something that makes our world stop for just one entire night of fun, music and overflowing cups of beer. It is a night when everyone is united by music. People from everywhere all gather to one place to celebrate music.

Forget about the fucking problems, forget about the fact that most of the time we are misunderstood, forget about the odd looks and shaking heads from the grown up people as they see us passing by, because if they don't know it yet, we simply don't give a fuck.

Labels: 2010, alex, Amoranto Stadium, Apocalypse, flashbacks, Memories, pink crimson, PULP Summer Slam

posted by Monica-Lynne @ 6:46 PM