#jeffreyes

The Prime Suspects Nightmare Before Christmas 2 /// written by Jeff Reyes

A quarter to eight o’clock and my brother and finally show up to a line that forms to the end of the block leading to The Regent Theater. My boy Prime signals me to wait a second as he meets with security. He waves me in, hands me a wristband and we follow him in. He quickly introduces me to Conejo; calm and collective but I can see the excitement eager to come out. “I’ve heard lots about you” I said as I show Conejo’s hand. “We finally meet and we have lots to talk about.” He responds and excuses himself. Prime leads me into the theater. Vendors line up on one side of the venue, as the bar and staff get ready for the crowd.

We enter to the back of the stage, through some double doors leading outside and than back into another door. I can hear music and signing as we walk up a small ramp into the VIP room; some quick introductions to a few familiar faces and a few new ones. Prime wipes the sweat of his forehead, finishes rigging his camera and exits the room. I observe Conejo in the room and listen to Booby Castro as he jams out with the band. The music and their voices kept getting louder as they all sang along and the liquor passed around.

Thirty minutes into the room Prime comes back in. We are given a shot of Henny as we set up our cameras and cheers to the night. “Get ready to experience something crazy” Prime whispers to me as we walk back through the maze of people now gathering outside. I can hear Rabbit on the mic hyping the crowd as the theater starts to fill up. “Nightmare before Christmas Part Two!” 

My brother and I find a corner and watch Conejo as one by one he greets every guest in the back area. Prime follows behind as his bright light illuminates Conejos interactions; gathering drops and shoutouts, maybe for a future documentary? 

I find a pretty good spot between the stage and the entryway but I quickly realize I will be in the way once artist start to hit the stage. I move bumping into a security guard escorting; long time friend; Young Drummer Boy. After a quick hello he’s escorted to his green room along with his entourage. “We’re going to be in the way” I yelled over the music at my brother as he was taking a few shots of the crowd. He nods and we walk back outside were there’s even more people now gathered around Drummer Boy and a few other unknown faces.

I watch Prime take pictures and video of Conejo with Drummer Boy and other guests all there to support. From the homie from the block to record executives all mingling amongst each other. “I heard Shia Labeouf came out to his last show” I overhear a group of people chatting. Conejo greets them with handshakes. Excited they all took pictures and discussed Conejos music. 

“What’s up Jeff! Heard you were coming so I didn’t need to bring MY camera” LA Eyekon jokes as he walks thru the crowd.  “Oh hi Echo, You missed my set!” I hear Wickedbabydoll tell me as she noticed I was standing behind her. I couldn’t win this argument so I quickly apologized and introduce my brother. I think that was my que to get back on stage and not miss any more performances.

After taking another shot my brother and I finally make out way up to the stage where I’m greeted by Rabbit who was chatting with the DJ. The crowd was amped as familiar songs start to play.

The cheers vibrated the stage as Rabbit introduces Drummer Boy to the stage were he quickly rocks out to his track. Girls line up the stage as they reach out to him for a chance to touch him. Five songs later and a half a bottle of Henny Drummer wraps up his set and makes room for Conejo who I can see pacing with Prime behind him with his camera.

The crowd doesn’t miss a beat as Conejo emerges from the corner of the stage. Male or Female everyone knew the words to his lyrics. The bass vibrated the stage as song after song the crowd got louder and louder all keeping up with each one of his songs.

It was my first time going to one of his shows and covering it made me experience it on a whole new level. Watching his fans rap along his lyrics, wait for the opportunity to meet him and even shake his hand; it was a fulfillment evening. His music still empowers, and while some corner the genre of music to a certain category his fans and his way of performing on and off stage is what moves him as an artist. No need for all the amenities, just solid people, loud music to rock out to is all what was needed that night and they accomplished that.