Okay, the moment I'd been waiting for (nearly 8 months) finally came yesterday and theSTART returned here to Chicago. theSTART were third so we totally like knocked everyone down and got into the second row, right behind all these pretty small people anyway so it was a great spot, just like being in the front. I totally started twitching in excitement and then Jamie came onstage and was totally playing with "Come as You Are" the techno version which was cool. So they just kinda jam for a bit... then Aimee comes on with her fabulous new haircut. OH LORD, SET WAS:

the 1234
Los Angelos
Death Via Satellite
Hi FLYER
Peacocks
Gorgeous
Nemesis
Shakedown!

Okay, song by song because I think it needs to be done.

"the 1234" I was hoping they'd open with something else since they opened with this last time I saw them but now I'm glad they opened with it again. Billy & Erick totally bring a lot to the sound, I'm really glad they got a new drummer and Jeff was great but Erick was a really good replacement. OH MY GOD, ECHO TOTALLY PUT THE MIC OUT FOR ME AND NATALIE TO SING THE BRIDGE OF THE SONG. AMAAAAAZING.

"Los Angelos" Sooo happy they played this, my favorite song off the EP... probably my favorite by them ever. It sounded really different from last time, in a good way. I love how she goes "It's just a little fuckin' mess" at the end. ahh man, I could have died right there.

"Death Via Satellite" was good as always. It's one of those that I can do with or do without. Doesn't really matter but still a rockin' good time.

"Hi Flyer" was my favorite last time and was just as good this time around. At the end when Aimee does the final screaming "look at me" she laid right in front of us but I had no film. Aw. Good thing, she probably would have been blind.

"Peacocks" he new song!! While I was trying to jam the new roll of film in the camera (I probably did more harm than good with that one) they played the new tune which was really awesome, like I expected any less. Couldn't really understand any of the words besides "we will rise!" which they scream a couple times during the chorus and I think Aimee sings peacocks in the verse. Wooo! Said the album will be out April 2004.

"Gorgeous" Dedicated to the heretics! Another one of those that I could do with or without. We were hoping for "Glimmer Man" but hey, who are we to complain!!

"Nemesis" was wonderful this time around... really fast paced. Erick & Billy bring a lot to this one... it seemed a lot slower when they'd play it with Jeff & Brian. It's totally mid-tempo and then when they kick into the chorus, they go totally nuts. woooo.

"Shakedown!" excellent... the chorus was fucking awesome. The Crowd was fucking awesome the whole show, I should add. It's totally how I would imagine a LA show. Everyone seemed to be there for theSTART which was excellent. I don't know how many people.. I dunno if I'd be lying if I said 50-60 but hey, that totally beats the 15 last time around! we rose up, we shook down.

After, we ran downstairs to catch the band. Natalie took a pic with sweaty Erick and he commented on my Siouxsie shirt and said he bought the same one in Philly. We ran then ran over to the merch booth to talk to Aimee and take pics with her. Jenny was all "This is Phil" and Aimee's like "Oh, this is Phil?!" so she knew me from emailing her about shows through this year, hah. Totally made my night, I tell you. Took pics with her that hopefully come out better than last year.

We bought some merch (hoodie, adam&eve, skeleton, Lennon's Career Suicide which is fucking excellent and everyone should order it) and Aimee signed my EP and stole my marker. Everytime I'd turn around she'd slyly slip it into her pocket or her bra, haha. I talked to her a bit more about the tour, Siouxsie, etc. Told her we'd be heading up to Milwaukee and she seemed pretty excited about that. Said our goodbyes, persuaded Stefanie to come to the show and then headed out. Needless to say I'm itching for tomorrow.

To be continued!