#randonesia

FREE RANDY BLYTHE!

Let me share with you a personal experience I had with Randy. Back in February this year, Lamb of God came to Manila, Philippines for a show with The Black Dahlia Murder. I was very excited to see them live because I wasn't able to catch them when they came here for Pulp Summer Slam in 2010. With their new album Resolution being fresh, I couldn't wait for the complete Lamb of God experience. I paid extra for a VIP pass and that meant that I was allowed to watch their soundcheck and then have a meet and greet with the band. Also, since Randy's birthday was two days away, I decided to give him a personally made birthday present. I made a drawing of Randy which I hoped he would like. So I went over to the concert really early. The wait was long due to some technical difficulties, but I'd have to say the wait was all worth it. Lamb of God went up on stage Randy-less for soundcheck and they did Walk With Me In Hell. Since I wasn't with anyone I knew, I decided to make a few friends and then we started to joke around about where Randy was when suddenly, I saw his head poking around from the side of the stage. That lanky man I was hoping to see was right there! He was in his signature black shirt and cargo shorts, even with a pair of Beats headphones over his ears. Slowly he went up the stage and tested the mic, and damn what a soundcheck. It was definitely the real deal and it felt like I was watching the real show already.

After soundcheck, the VIP kids were sent to a room for the meet and greet. I was a little nervous and I tried to keep my cool until Lamb of God entered the room. I didn't want to be first (I was sooooo shy), but Campbell called me over and I started fidgeting with my little drawing book which I planned on getting them to sign and I bet that he couldn't keep himself from laughing that he kind of chuckled. I told him that I was so excited to finally see them live and Campbell replied, "Hope you enjoy the show!" I became speechless as I shook Morton's hand and then I quickly moved over to Randy and gave him my present saying, "Hey Randy! I made you something for your birthday!" He looked at it and smiled, "You made this? Wow! I've always wanted to be cartoonized! Thanks so much for this!" And then he got up to hug me. I felt his rough dreads against my cheek and (wow, right now I'm all smiling smugly as I'm writing this) he actually smelled kinda nice. As he pulled away he thanked me again and I went on to the Adler brothers. When all the VIP kids had their shot at meeting Lamb of God, the band got up to leave and I waited by the door and bid each of them farewell. As Randy passed me, I called out to him and he turned with a smile on his face. "Thanks again for this!" I didn't know what to say so I just jumped up and down, thanking him back. 

The show started with Desolation and then song after song, people kept thrashing around against each other. Everything felt so surreal and then the greatest surprise of my life came. Before they played their fifth song, Randy said, "This one's for my friend, Kara. Thanks for the present!" And they performed Now You've Got Something to Die For. I couldn't believe reality for a moment. I felt like I was possessed by a dream, but it was really happening! Throughout the concert, I couldn't help but feel like it was the greatest night of my life. When the show ended, I spotted that Randy tweeted about my drawing. He even tweeted me, telling me that my present made his day. Thoughts of his song dedication choice hit me again and it made me realize that maybe Randy was trying to tell me something by dedicating that song to me. He definitely doesn't know much about me, but maybe someone greater spoke to me through him. Why was it such a big deal, you ask? Well, most of my life I didn't know what I wanted to do. My interests shift like a hoe, from wanting to do art, to wanting to write, to wanting to do music business. The cycle repeated itself a lot and often times, a new seed of interest would suddenly butt itself into the cycle. Now I have something to die for, and that's everything I mentioned above. My writing, art and working with bands is more focused. I know what I want to do in life now and it's all because of you, Uncle Randy! It's all thanks to you. 

I just updated my online portfolio with photos from the Lamb of God and Four Year Strong concerts! Please check it out! 

My absolute favorite person to follow on twitter has a tumblr now.