”I’ve Got My Hair Fixed, Makeup Done, I’m Ready To Go. I Walk In the Club, and You Know I’m The Show-“
The Marquee was packed. Chelsea and I arrived a comfortable (and fashionable) 45 minutes late. No need to show up when the doors open. The last thing I need is to shit in an empty auditorium downtown, looking like I have nothing better to do. When we arrived, we walked up to the will call booth to pick up our tickets. Moments later, we were passing by security guards, and walking up to my very fabulous friend Rock Star Aaron, (very popular and noted Denver DJ) who happened to be one of the hosts of the event. After someone (that neither one of us knew) snapped a photograph or two, I bid him farewell, and scoped the place out with my new favorite person, Chelsea. Not moments later did we run into a crowd of my adult (21+) friends, drinking brightly colored drinks in wide rimmed glasses. I was thrilled to have people over the age of 16 recognize me, and bombard me with hugs, for once.
Chelsea and I met at the salon that I work for, Fix. She not only is my direct supervisor, but is also the owner’s daughter. She’s tall, thin, fierce, and has the most beautiful wavy platinum and blonde extensions. In many ways, she is the “Skipper” to my “Ken”. She is a huge fan of the band “the Chain Gang on 1974”, who happened to be playing with my favorite band Jeffree Star. Naturally we were stoked, and HAD to go together. We even planned matching outfits.
Every band that played that night was even better live. The crowd was screaming, the music was blaring, it was easily the best live performance I have ever seen. And in the Marquee, no less! Right before Jeffree came onto the stage, a very familiar song started to blare from the speakers. “Spice Up Your Life” by the Spice Girls blasted all around you, as he came out onto the stage. I turned to look at my posse of friends, and you could see the thrill and excitement in their expression. By the time Jeffree had finished his first song, the entire crowd was in complete and udder awe. His hair was bright pink, his clothes were tight. The band that was playing for him, and doing back up vocals Electric Valentine were dressed in tight black straight leg pants, and rocked glitter accessories that matched their make up. It was a beautiful sight to see.
After Jeffree Star and Electric Valentine finished their set, I made my way over to the merchandise tables, to meet and greet with him. A few minutes later I was standing with the lead singer of Chain Gang, Kam, and was talking to him and his girlfriend Chelsea, about live music and upcoming shows that they were going to have. Suddenly, I get a small tap on my shoulder. As I turned around, it was a small group of 14-16 year old kids wearing plastic beaded bracelet’s, with big smiles and sweaty faces.
The tallest (and I assume oldest) of the group sheepishly stepped forward, and said very quietly,” Are you Matty B.eautiful?”
I smiled and said,” I am! And who might you be, little one?”
She turned to her friends, blushed and giggled; then said “I’m Daisy. This is Eric, Jem, Kiki- (the list continues, but I regrettably couldn’t, for the life of me, remember all of their names.) Could we get a picture with you?”
I laughed and said “Of course you can.”
They all huddled around me, and one of the girls fumbled with their digital camera. Soon, I was posing for photos with each one individually. 5 minutes and what seemed like 100 kids later, I was thanked with a hug (that left a makeup stain on my shirt), and they were gone. I turned back to the merchandise booth and looked at Chelsea, who was smiling and laughing.
When i was 16, i would frequent parties and raves, which soon led me to become a dancer for two major production companies. In a matter of months, I was dancing on stage for some of the world's bigget DJ's. Trajjik, Heavygrinder, Icey, Miss Lisa, I started spending the weekends with fabulous people who loved music as much as i did. I was working at a bakery, wearing flour stained aprons by day, and dancing my heart out on stage, wearing hot pink booty shorts by night. I suppose that was the very beginning of a B.eautiful revolution.
I spent every waking moment studying pop culture. From listening to Millionaires and Jeffree Star, to studying his and Raquel Reed's photographs, so that i could further develop my make up artistry skills. I wanted to live and be that life: a living easel that could be explored, colored, cut, coped and experienced. I spend my life living and breathing art, whether it is through dance, writing, photography, or being photographed… I live and breathe art.
Naturally, spending so much time submerged in the hipster culture scene, I’ve learned and picked up a few things. I may not necessarily live in California, New York, or Miami, but I think it’s important to be knowledgeable of popular hot spots, and trendy places to be, if I happen to find myself in a situation where I have to opportunity to network.
ChrisCashe: omg, did u go to tracks last night?
MattyB.: i didn't, i rarely go to tracks these days
ChrisCashe: i went with 2 friends, and met up with a few others. and got kicked out after being there for 2 hours. it sucked. almost got arrested for underage drinking. lol I was buzzzin hard and talked my way out of it.
MattyB.: Well the Denver PD are push overs. (plus they love some drunken twink ass)
ChrisCashe: yeah it sucked . and i saw my ex there flaunting sthit around
MattyB.: That's what tracks is about. Seeing exes and flaunting shit. Well, that and being groped by their employees.
ChrisCashe: i'm so not from colorado
MattyB.: where are you from?
ChrisCashe: I'm from Oklahoma
MattyB.: did you used to go to the Wreck Room?
ChrisCashe: I had plans to go with a bunch of friends, but left before I could. You know about Oklahoma?
MattyB.: i know everything.
ChrisCashe: lol whatever! have u been to OKC or something/?
MattyB.: no i've never been
ChrisCashe: omg how did u know about it!!!!!!!!!!!!! hhahaha!
MattyB.: i've been told that i'm "just one of those people who just know everything about everyone." ;)
ChrisCashe: that's what i hear.
After all the bands played, Chelsea and I invited Kam and his girlfriend Chelsea to go to Denver Diner with us. They were stoked, and insisted on coming… right after they loaded their truck. We had a few drinks at the bar next door, while we waited for them to finish. About 45 minutes later, Chelsea called me, and told us that they were about done. When we went out front to meet them, Jeffree was just leaving his tour bus with a gaggle of tattooed gays. Behind him, was his manager MissE, who was desperately looking for a light for her cigarette. A thanks, a wink, and a pearly white smile later, we stood there and talked about live music for almost an hour. MissE was not only a super cool chick (it was her birthday that night!), but she was also down to earth, telling me about some of her and Jeffree’s secret inside stories about their tour that they had. I laughed out loud when she told me that he’s been arrested for assault SEVEN times, and that she budgeted bail money into their tour expenses.
Around 2am, I bid her farewell, after promising her that I would myspace her the next day, and get information about them playing on the Hurley Stage during Warped Tour. Apparently, we “had to get with her, so that we can party together!” She even told me a few trade secrets about how to get back stage, which I plan to utilize.
To top off the night, as we were walking away, we ran into the two members of Electric Valentine, and gushed about how amazing they were on stage. They were more than happy to give us their 3 Song EP Demo Disc and a hug, before we trotted off to Denver Diner to meet Kam and Chelsea.
On the drive back home, Chels and I blasted Electric Valentine’s “All I Wanted” from the litte speakers in her Scion. She was sitting in the passenger seat looking at the T-Shirts we got, and chatting about how we have to continue to see these small venue shows. In all honesty I have to agree. When an artist is performing at a smaller venue, it’s almost like they are trying harder. And it definitely shows.
Having that close intimate connection with someone, while they’re sharing their music with you… is the beauty of live performance. I know that I’m always giving it my all when I’m dancing on stage, always trying to give more and more of myself, even when there is nothing left. That’s what makes a great performer, in my opinion. Always looking for more, and always giving more.
Maybe I just have a soft spot for people in the lime light. Maybe I have a soft spot for artists. Either way, it was one of the best nights of my life… and I think I’ve finally found my niche. Not at the gay bars, not at the gay clubs, not even at the coffee shops… I think my new love affair is the underground music scene.
I haven’t felt that alive in a long time. You should experience it for yourself.
Next Concert I’m THRILLED to see: Millionaires with Breathe Carolina at Cervantes.
Matty B.