My first theSTART experience. As the doors opened, we rushed inside planting ourselves right at the front of the pit. I looked up at the drum set that was on stage, a piece of paper taped to the drumset that read "TheSTART". What an odd band name, I thought. Waited for the band to start (yet again, no pun intended). The lights dimmed and the band came out on stage. They burst into their first song, and I was blown away. I was ecstatic to see a female singer, because I seem to have a fetish for female fronted bands. They put on an amazing show (forgive me, this was over 2 years ago and I don't recall the exact set list). I came very close to nearly punching the kid in front of me in the head because he was mocking the band throughout their whole set. Some people just don't appreciate great music, I guess. For whatever reason, I remember every detail of when they played "Shakedown". All of Aimee's dance moves, everything. As they walked off stage I recall Aimee saying "Turn off your TV. Think for yourself, don't let them think for you." That sentence (besides the wonderful music, of course) is what hooked me. Finally, I thought, a band that stand for everything I believe in. Little did I know then what this band had in store for me. If you would have told me then that I'd be driving to Denver, Detroit, and other cities to see their shows, I probably would have called you crazy. I picked up "Shakedown!" shortly after that show, and the rest is history...