 Tears
For Fears... one of my favorite subjects of
conversation. I have to admit that Tears For
Fears was the first
music
group
that
I
obsessed
with
and
have followed since. When I was in 5th grade
(1985) and saw 'Shout' on MTV, the
world of music finally had a meaning to me.
That same year I remember my dad asking a clerk at a video rental store, if he
could buy the Tears For Fears video that contained 3 songs from 'the hurting'.
Back
in
85'
it was very hard to do such a thing. But he did it and I was able to purchase
it.
I
charished
that
video
like
it was my own kid. Thanks dad!
I was heartbroken when Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal broke up in 1990. However,
Roland continued with the Tears For Fears name and continued to morph with the
times.
Curt
launched a solo career with his band 'Mayfield'. So, in my heart Tears For Fears
was
still
alive, just distant.
Almost 15 years later, just as I started to collect
early Tears For Fears work
on
vinal and celebrating my own life of Tears For Fears, amazing news came out.
Curt and Roland made amends and had agreed on getting back together! My dreams
came true. A year after learning of this, they finally released their new album
on 09.14.2004, Everyone Deserves A Happy Ending... what a title, huh! Furthermore,
they are set to tour and come to Chicago sometime between October and November
2004. I am more thrilled to being able to see them then any other band for the
fact that I was 100% convinced that they were not going to be getting back together
and that I would never see them live. This will change within the next couple
months. I can't wait.
Be sure to check back here for a full report of my experience seeing them and
hopefully meeting them (small chance, I know, but I'll try). Until then enjoy
the links below for more information on Tears For Fears and TV/Radio/tour dates
and appearances!
Kev!
[09.20.2004]
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Click on the link below to download the new album today! How exciting is that!
LINKS ::
Tears
For Fears Official Site
Curt
Smith's web site
Tears
For Fears Fans
Tears For Fears Gigs/Tour
UPDATE :: November 1st, 2004
My post to the Tears For Fears Fans and Mayfield
Yahoo Group the day after the concert ::
By now we all know from everyone's posts that TFF's concert is nothing less then a success and exciting experience/show. So that being said, I just wanted to express my feelings of being complete now. 20 years ago, when I was 9, TFF was my first and favorite band that I ever held on to. I watched MTV religiously for just the possibility of 4 minutes of pure bliss. I ordered their logo stickers and pins from silly newspaper like magazines, waiting weeks for some tangible TFF merchandise. Songs from the Big Chair was the first cassette that I ever owned and Sowing the Seeds of Love was the first CD that I ever owned. It was complete heartbreak when they broke up, yet we were still treated with just as exciting music over the next decade from them individually. Over the years, however, I was 100% convinced that they would never get back together, so with the news of their reunite I could only be ecstatic. I never thought I would have the chance to see them in concert, so when the tour was announced and the specific Chicago date was revealed I knew I would be finally completed with a obsession that I carried with me for over 20 years. Last night that happened and I can't be more grateful to the guys for setting their differences aside to make my dream come true. (Granted they have no clue who I am!)
The best part, is that my story is basically the same for all of you here on these groups! I'm glad that we can chat about our excitement and dreams being fulfilled on here. None of my friends, unfortunately can relate with TFF like you and I can. So I also am grateful for you all too in sharing your stories and experiences!
As for the Chicago concert in specific. It was off to a rough start for me. First it was a horribly miserable day here in Chicago as weather went, down pore rain for the majority of the day. Second, my partner who was to go with me became violently ill. So I ended up having 4 hours to find someone else to go with me. Luckily, I did, though it ran me later then I wanted to, I still made it enough time. Once at the Vic theatre, I was really interested in seeing what the demographics of the people were that would show up. To my delight it was a well mixed age group, mostly around my age (29) of people and older, but there was a good amount of younger people as well. The venue filled up quite nicely, packed from what I could tell (though I couldn't see who was up on the top deck). I only wished two things were different. One, that I made it up to the front row, because where I was standing I was the only one who knew every lyric of every song to sing along too... But I could see the people in the front row did also, so I belonged with them! Second, I spent all my cash on beer, forgetting that they don't take credit cards for the merchandise, so I missed out on getting a shirt and other memorabilia. Nevertheless, I was in the same room with Curt and Roland for a few hours of my life and that in itself is enough to keep me happy for years to come.
Kelly :: Sorry I didn't see you, I did look for the red hair! I actually arrived later (right around 7:00pm) so I ended up on the other block, then the line moved in right away. Where did you stand/sit at? Just curious. Sorry I missed ya, but more importantly glad you got to go and experience the same that I did!!
I know this has been somewhat of a lengthy post, but I really wanted to share my thoughts and feeling with other die hard TFF fans... That makes me feel complete as well!
Take care all,
Kev!
P.S. I want to thank my dad for paying for my tickets. When I told him about this event, he insisted on paying for the tickets, knowing how long I have waited for this moment!
"Kelly" wrote:
OMG I couldn't have been more pleased with last night's show! Even
the warm up band was not bad. They started out with SW and did a
whole lot of stuff from the new CD. I thought it was so cool when
they did the Gary Jules version of MW. They ended with EWTRTW and
encored with LDOE.
I thought it was so sweet when Curt brought his kids up on stage with
him! They are so cute! Especially Diva.
Hey Kevin, I know there were about half a million people waiting in
line and in the venue, but I'm surprised you didn't see me and my
uncle. I was walking around the venue and when we got out of the
cab, my uncle had to find a bathroom so we walked past the whole
line.I was wearing a black leather jacket and at first I was wearing
this goofy rain hat because I spent hours on my hair and didn't want
to ruin it in the pouring rain, but then I realized I didn't really
need it. Oh well, no biggie. I hope you all enjoyed the show as
much as we did!
Kelly
Another well writen, more elaborate testimonial
of the Chicago show, post from a fan
::
Hello all,
I'm not going to do a play-by-play report of the experience but more
of the general feel of the crowd-
Chicagoans, are always a fun and crazy bunch when it comes to any
concert, and this one was probably one of the loudest that I've been
to in a small intimate venue. It was packed all the way to the very
end and up the balcony. THe second "Famous Last Words" finished at
the intro, the crowd was just roaring. And the many women that
occupied the front gate barrier inches away from the stage had a
healthy set of lungs- I should know I was one of them! Roland asked
the audience what medication we were under because the crowd was just
happy. Roland himself was smiling from ear to ear the whole time he
was on stage. One of the women in the front blurted out to
Roland "You're so sexy!", a wide grin formed on his face and he
said, "Well thank you, you should see me naked". Boisterous
laughter, whistles, and screams followed. More people from the
center started yelling "I/We love you Curt!" or I/We love you Roland!"
For 2 guys that are in their early 40's- they look very, very good.
I have to admit that TV sometimes doesn't do justice to what both of
them really look like in person. Remember, I was upclose and both
looked absolutely pleasing to the eyes!
Their live music was splendid- just astounding! Many of the same
descriptions I've read at other great shows in NYC and Boston was
exactly the same last night at Chicago. The crowd went nuts at
almost every song. I sang to almost every syllable of the new
material (Except "The Devil"- I don't really care for), and a few did
as well. "Quiet Ones" and "Who Killed Tangerine" were just pure
delight. Just marvelous when played live! The older material of
course, elicited more energy and enthusiam from the crowd!
At some point in the show, Curt was about to introduce "Mad World"
and screams were going on for him, he was kinda bowing his head and
then jokingly said "For a moment there, I thought I heard Japanese"-
Charlton Pettus playfully did a few notes of the old 80's
hit "Turning Japanese" due to the constant adoration. The crowd was
just laughing. At the latter part of the show, Roland got warm and
removed his jacket, and I have to say that his arms are just packin!
To the ladies out there, the jeans he wore decently displayed his
nice behind!!! Women were screaming!!! The off-white shirt he was
wearing hinted how in shape he was- to which I shamelessly
screamed "Take off your shirt!" about three times. He heard me,
because he smiled and then said "We we're quite a bunch." Eventually
I couldn't scream anymore, so I just listened to the crowd-and it was
LOUD!!!
Curt's 2 lovely daughters came out on stage and said hello at the
latter part to the crowd, and the oldest came out again when they
did "Shout"- like the feel of the classic video. People really
didn't want to leave- but all good things come to an end. Roland
said that they always enjoy being in Chicago. I'm glad because the
crowd was great last night.
I hope everybody gets a chance to see them, and when you do, don't
hold back on appreciating them!! Scream, whistle, or roar- they
feed off of that energy and the live music you'll hear is just
magical. Have fun everyone!!!
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