† Esstra special thanks to Noize.tv for posting the new wideo for the above named song. I dig it, sucka. Enjoy. I also dig this new top image Shane loaded the other day, don't you? Keep them coming, you awful jackass. I mean that with love. And yes, I know you all probably hate the TicTacToe thing by now, but it's still sort of amusing to me.

† Also, I have finally come to the conclusion that the downloading script I was using completely sucked. I have replaced it with a much more stable script, which has grown on me. So, in case you guys missed them the first time, here are some live tracks.

Killing Loneliness (Sheperds Bush) † Poison Heart (Sheperds Bush)
Vampire Heart (Donnington) † Wings of a Butterfly (Sheperds Bush)

Again, don't right click or anything like that. Just click and it'll work, I promise.

† Note to self: Next time we throw a party, lock your bedroom door earlier. Somebody stole my fucking HIM Dark Light flask, which isn't the most expensive piece of warez they got from me, but it's the most dear. In addition to the flask, they stole my silver iPod mini, which gives me an excuse to buy a Nano now...they stole my GTA: San Andreas PS2 game (which I haven't beaten yet, I was on the last level, you FUCK!) The memory card to said PS2. Also stolen was...and this is weird even for me...my razor. Not the phone, I mean my personal razor.

Who would steal that? I had just used it to shave my...well, nevermind. I'm sanitary, but I wouldn't steal my own razor. I really need to shave, though. If anybody has an extra flask they could part with, I'd gladly pay you for it. My e-mail's at the top.

† And although this is 2 days late, The Sacrament would like to wish Ville a very happy birthday. As he would say..."keep on rockin' and...blah, blah, blah. "

† I know that the Sac has been neglected as of late. My ISP still hasn't finished the lines for Internet connection at my new place. They claim that we shall have it on December 5th, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

‡ Anyway, if you're reading this...stop and go enjoy the day off. I'm over this pointless bloggy post. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

† So many things to do, so little time. I guess we'll start with a review of the show in Cincinnati by my buddy Brian from YourPaintAintLove.net, who helps out with the Unofficial section that I never update. Anyway, click here to read the review.

While we're talking about the tour; where are the bootlegs? The US has got to start producing some shows. If you have some shows taped, don't hold out on us. The newest one I have is the Sheperds Bush show from September, but I plan on getting at least two US shows very soon.

But, because I like your face, here's some live shit just for you.

Killing Loneliness (Sheperds Bush) † Poison Heart (Sheperds Bush)
Vampire Heart (Donnington) † Wings of a Butterfly (Sheperds Bush)

Again, don't right-click and save as, just click it and you'll be fine. Also, turn off any downloding programs, as they'll be mistaken for a leech site and disable the download.

† The boys are still on the road and are planning to hit Europe early next year. Here are the current dates. I believe the February dates are with Negative and The Rasmus.

November
†
11th † The Agora Theatre - Cleveland, OH
12th † State Theatre - Detroit, MI
13th † Kool Haus - Toronto, Ontario
14th † Metropolis - Montreal, Quebec
17th † Avalon - Boston, MA
18th † Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY
21st † Norva - Norfolk, VA
22nd † Washington, DC
23rd † Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
24th † Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
25th † Salon 21 - Mexico City, Mexico
26th † Salon 21 - Mexico City, Mexico

2006
January
†
16th † Ambassador - Dublin, Ireland
17th † Ambassador - Dublin, Ireland
19th † Carling Academy - Glasgow, Scotland
20th † Newcastle Carling Academy - Newcastle
21st † Apollo - Manchester, England
22nd † Apollo - Manchester, England
24th † Carling Academy - Birmingham, England
26th † Brixton Academy - London, England

February
†
9th † Grughalle - Essen, Germany
10th † Sporthalle - Boeblingen, Germany
11th † Mozart's - Mannheim, Germany
12th † Palladium - Cologne, Germany
14th † AWD Hall - Hannover, Germany
15th † Arena - Berlin, Germany
17th † Hause Auensee - Liepzig, Germany
18th † Gasometer - Vienna, Australia
19th † Maag Music Halle - Zurich, Switzerland

March
†
3rd † - The Rivera - Madrid, Spain
4th † - Razzmatazz 1 - Barcelona, Spain
6th † - Athens, Greece
7th † - Alcatraz - Milano
8th † - Palasport - Mestre

†

I drove the long 7 hours to Minneapolis from Norther Michigan and got to the club at about 11am. The doors didn't open until 6:30, so I had lots of time to kill. The highlights of that wait in the cold were Burton & Mige leaving their bus and walking down the street towards a cafe. I believe I saw them before anybody else did... and I couldn't believe it. Other fans waiting in line caught on, and they all dashed across the road and mobbed them and annoyed them. I stayed put, I didn't want to be "that guy." Maybe two hours later, Linde walked from their bus into the club which meant walking right down the big line of fans. Same kind of reaction; everybody running after him and mobbing him.

When the doors finally opened, I was probably the 10th person into the building. I got held up at the metal detector though because of my digital camera. The guy said I couldn't take it in, should bring it to my car, and as I was explaining "Ive been in line for 7 hours, I'm not losing my spot" another worker ran over and said just screw the metal detector and let everyone in. So, I ran in and had my camera. I thought I was home free.

Skindred came on and though their first two songs had absolutely no crowd reaction. The singer then said "Is this Minneapolis? I've heard that Minneapolis rocks. That's bullshit." He kept trying to fire us up and get us to bounce, and to say "Pressuh!" Whatever. At the end he played some weird outro on a casio keyboard that I used to play with as a tot and thanked us a hundred times. The best part of their set was the intro, which had the Imperial March from Star Wars.

Next was Finch, who I think is having a miserable time on this tour. They got a little bit better reaction than Skindred, but still poor. After 2 or 3 songs, the fans started chanting "WE WANT HIM! WE WANT HIM!'' and Finch's frontman, pissed off, said "You think we don't get that every night? We still have 3 more songs for you to sit through, we know you don't care. We'll be out of here soon." They did their set, and afterwards the singer said "Thanks" and walked off stage. Poor baby. During their set, I snapped a picture of the band (what a mistake) and a bouncer ran over to me and told me I couldn't use my digital camera. I gave it to him to hold on to, then. Thus -- not one picture of HIM. FUCKERS. At CKY 2 months ago, I used that same camera and took over a hundred pictures. Big deal. (Picture credit above goes to Jack Skellington of The Sac forums. Other picture credit to aligrrrl.)

Finally, it was time for the boys. There was a really long wait, but things got set up and out they came. No backdrop, again. They didn't have it last year either. The back area of the stage at The Quest must be too small. They played all of the same songs they've played at every other show, starting with Vampire Heart and then Right Here in my Arms. We got Wings of a Butterfly, Under the Rose, Play Dead, It's All Tears, Killing Loneliness, Razorblade Kiss, and all the rest you've read. For the encore, in which Ville came back out onstage shirtless, they played Funeral of Hearts and then Poison Heart. Poison Heart ended with Ville on his knees screaming and screaming and rolling around screaming. I ate it up.

I think the story of the night had to be Ville's drunkeness. It was shades of last year's New York, to be honest. Early on, he chugged some beer and let it run down his face, all over his clothes, and spit some out. That kind of let me know how much he had to drink before the show. Later, he had a paper cup on stage and said it was a Jager shot and slammed it. Behind him, on a box, were like 6 beers that he kept drinking from. At one point, he picked one up, tasted, threw it. Picked up the next, tasted, threw it. Next, tasted, threw it. Then, in the mic, said "Somebody get me a cold beer... these are all fucking lukewarm." It was entertaining.

Also early on, some girl threw up a pair of black panties. Ville picked them up and pressed them to his face and sniffed them and everyone got a good laugh. They were then wrapped around his hand for awhile and eventually given to Mige. Tons of bras came up after that, so Ville hung them on his mic stand. Someone threw up an ugly brown DC hat, and Ville picked it up, looked at it, made a disgusted face and threw it back. He's an Adio fan I guess.

Much like New York last year, Ville forgot a lot of his words. The worst was Soul on Fire, where he didn't remember either of the verses so he gave the microphone to the front row and told them to sing it since he couldn't. Also, in Poison Heart, he forgot one of the verses and stopped the song and started it up again. During Wicked Game, he tried getting the whole club to be silent, but idiots kept yelling. This took up a good 5 or so minutes, and he said something like "I know it's impossible for Americans to shut up for a minute but..." and everyone laughed. Over the course of the night, he probably stopped 2 or 3 songs due to forgetting words, and then stopped another song to just talk about something. That was funny as well. He just seemed so excited and happy all night. He looked like he was really enjoying himself.

I really feel like drunk Ville gave us his all that night. 110% drunk effort. After the show, I went to the merch stand and bought a tour shirt and keychain and lanyard and called it a night. I enjoyed this show more than last years, due to Ville being more drunk and animated and entertaining. Like I said, I feel he really gave it his all.

If you were at the show and have any pictures or anything, I demand you get ahold of me. Kiitos.

10.27.05 - Houston, TX.

† Man, talk about security! These guys were all over the place tossing people out for using their Sidekicks to take pictures. They really adhered to the "NO CAMERAS" policy. I was set to meet the band tonight, but some wires got crossed and I didn't know where to get my passes. So I journey to the loading dock, where I think I'm supposed to be.

The HIM crew was great, they tried to do what they could to find the right people. Then they disappear and a Verizon Theatre security guy comes out. This guy enjoys his job entirely too much. He nearly kicked my ass for standing there. Really.

So I'm banished behind the barricade. Out of the bus come Mige and Burton. I guess when I called out to them, I stepped over the line and the security guy had had enough of me. I'm now banished across the street, like common street trash!

But I digress. On to the show.

Skindred
† I was busy dropping some hard earned cash at the merchandise booth. I walked away with 2 shirts, a flask, a lanyard and the lovely photo book. The flask is pimp. Well worth the cash. I spent so much time at the booth that I missed Skindred. I just heard music playing from the floor. Then I heard the singer say "When I say 'fuck' you say 'shit'!" or something similar to that.

Did the guy notice the ages of the audience members? Ah well, I totally missed them. Finch was set to play next.

Finch
† Fucking ew. They sound like every other half-ass emo band out there. Their first CD was so much better.

HIM
† I'm unsure of the order, but I know the first two and last two are correct.

Vampire Heart
Right Here In My Arms
Soul on Fire
Under the Rose
It's All Tears
Your Sweet Six Six Six
Wicked Game
Join Me
Poison Girl
Razorblade Kiss
Behind the Crimson Door
Play Dead
Killing Loneliness
Buried Alive By Love
The Sacrament
Wings of a Butterfly (Dedicated to vegetarians)
Poison Heart (Encore)

That was the setlist for tonight. The place wasn't sold out, but HIM rocked the entire house. The band pretty much tore through their set with very little banter. They just kept the show rolling. Ville let the audience do the intro to "Poison Girl" and bowed to us because we knew the words. I have to say that the song with the most energy had to be "Wings of a Butterfly;" which Ville said was dedicated to vegetarians. My favorite song of the night had to be "Under the Rose." It just sounds so fucking good live.

I can't remember when, but at one point Ville picked up a pair of boxers and hung them around Mige's mic. Being that Mige was doing backing vocals, Mige made a motion indicating that they smelled. It was amusing. After the encore of "Poison Heart" Ville had walked off stage. The rest of the band kept jamming right along. Linde eventually walked off, followed by Mige, then Burton and finally Gas. Not bad for my first HIM show. Not to shabby by any means. The house lights came on and "Plasma Mullet" played over the PA.

10.28.05 - Ft. Worth, TX.

† I arrived about 6, a little late. The line was incredible. It wrapped around one end of the venue and curled around the other. Unreal. I figured it didn't matter now, so I went to piss at the gas station instead of getting in line.

I'm almost immediately assaulted by two teenage girls. One tells me I have on "the sexiest shirt" she's ever seen. I was wearing my Konterfei shirt (The one with a white Ville face with eyes that glow in the dark...) and she begins to rub it...kinda strange.

She says she'll be back with a camera to take a picture. That's fine, I'm in line to piss, I'm not going anywhere. She comes back with a friend. Now I have two underage girls rubbing on me. If I was in high school again, it'd be great, I'd have a field day. Unfortunately I'm 24 and we're causing a scene.

Now I'm going to get in line. This crowd was a bit stranger than Houston's crowd. I call up Jenne, from HIMUS.com and meet with her and her crew. They're maybe 4th or 5th in line, I'll probably be 436th. I don't want people to think I'm gonna pull a stunt and cut, so I go take my place in line.

Finally the doors open. I check in with the red-haired woman in the front and receive the precious gift of the backstage pass! So far, so good. I end up with a great position on the floor.

Skindred
† I skipped the merch booth this time and waited for Skindred to come out and rock the house. They were decent and grew on the crowd towards the end. Kinda reminded me of a Rastafarian Korn. They ended their set with a Casio Keyboard outro. Really.

Finch
† Fucking ew. Same story as last night's show. I opted to drink a few beers at the bar instead of being blasted with "RARRFFTHEGOVERNMENTRAAWAFFFTAKESRARYOURFAAMONEYWAFF" again.

HIM
† Again, not sure of the order, but I know the first two and last two are right.

Vampire Heart
Right Here In My Arms
Soul on Fire
Under the Rose
It's All Tears
Your Sweet Six Six Six
Wicked Game
Join Me
Poison Girl
Razorblade Kiss
Behind the Crimson Door
Play Dead
Killing Loneliness
Buried Alive By Love
The Sacrament
Wings of a Butterfly
Funeral of Hearts (Encore)
Solitary Man (Encore)

The venue is much smaller, and so it is crazy packed. Not to mention there was NO airflow whatsoever. HIM come out and the house goes insane. Again, HIM tore through their set with little banter. A guy in front of me was taping the show on his video camera, he got "Vampire Heart" before security caught him. During "Wicked Game" Ville stopped singing twice to let the overheated Goth kids get carried off the floor. Ville was such a gentleman. He began to pass out water to the fans. He even grabbed a crowd surfer once and helped pull him down. Ville told everyone that they need to calm down and enjoy the show.

It was amazing once again. My favorite song remained "Under the Rose" and this time I got to hear two new tracks for the encore. "Poison Girl" seemed to get everyone rocking the most. After the encore, the show is over.

But now for the good stuff!

The Aftershow

† We were invited to the upstairs bar in the Ridglea. Again I meet up with Jenne from HIMUS.com and we sit around and chat about a few things. If you ever meet up with her, she's a true sweetheart and it was a pleasure meeting her. She was kind enough to take pictures for me because my batteries were dead. Now if that isn't interagency cooperation, I don't know what is.

We were talking when Mige and Burton arrive in the bar. We introduce ourselves and whatnot, they were very gracious. When Ville arrives, I introduce myself and he introduces himself to me with a hand shake. That's the kind of class we're talking about.

I can't say enough about all the guys in the band. I chatted with Burton and Mige the most. I asked Mige about strip clubs in Finland. He said "Well, the clubs in Finland are all sort of raunchy....if you like that sort of thing." I jokingly asked "You don't?" And he just smiled and laughed. He said his favorite Americanized beer so far is Lone Star. We talked about Coronas, but I can't remember what was said about them.

Burton and I chatted about the site a bit. Linde really doesn't talk much, but he's not unapproachable by any means. I did hear him say a few words, though. He and Mige were laughing at some of the pictures in the Daniel Lioneye CD booklet. Gas said he had been to Dallas 2 other times before and that he loves Texas.

The band were in the bar for about 30 minutes or so, and it was really pleasant. Nobody there was a groupie type, so nobody was screaming their heads off when the band came in. Everyone was respectful, and the band was outstandingly gracious with requests for autographs and photos.

I hope I can do it all again next year. I have to thank Tom, Taina and the band for all that they did for us. My respect for the band has risen that much more.

And yes, I of course have pictures of it all. Note that I rock the same pose for every picture. Why? Because I lack creativity, I guess.

Autographs: Gas and Burton † Linde and Mige † Ville

HIM and I: Burton† Gas † Ville † Linde & Mige

There is another photo of me with Jenne and Tom, but I don't have it at the moment. There is also another with me, Mige an Ville, but it came out awkward due to my friend's poor timing. Ville said "Oh, that's absolutely terrible...it's all Mige's fault."

† I'll be making my way to Houston tomorrow night to see HIM, and then to Ft. Worth the next night. I hope all goes well and I come back alive. Verizon Theatre doesn't allow cameras in...which sucks your ass, but we may be able to get around that little issue. I hope to have a special update on Monday. Stay tuned, bitches.

† The headline has nothing to do with anything. This update has nothing to do with HIM. Well, maybe it does. We know the US tour is going on as we speak, so where are your reviews? Since moving, I'm having trouble getting Internet set up at my new place, so that may explain where I've been. Shane has no excuse. NONE I say!

Er, yeah. Just so we do have something HIM related, check out the new wallpapers, they're neat and stuff.

I will finally have my chance to see HIM in Houston. UH HUHHH! We'll see what transpires. This is going to end my bloggy post.

† So, we've been on hiatus for awhile... and probably will be for the next few days. Why? I think I have good reason. I'll be driving a good 7 hours to Minneapolis early Friday morning to catch the HIM gig @ The Quest Club. I'll certainly have a slew of pictures and stories for you when I get back. Until then, check out this article from a Finnish newspaper about the "HIM Fever in the US." In it, you'll find out that the boys will be shooting the video for Killing Loneliness in the next week.

Also, for those of you following, Dark Light fell to #51 last week on Billboard from their hot debut at 18. Wings of a Butterfly also dropped to 36 from 33 on the Active Rock charts... but did show up at 50 on the Alternative Singles Chart. That's all for now... expect my next update to be super duper phenominal!

† They've arrived on the charts, that is. UH HUHH! It'll take some getting used to seeing HIM being mentioned alongside other great acts like Lil' Kim and Sean Paul. [Credit: giampaolo88]

I hope to never see Lil' Kim or Sean Paul's name on this website again.

By the way, I'm in the middle of moving places, so if you've e-mailed me and are awaiting a response, I'll do the best I can. For emergencies, dial 911.

Shane Says: For those of you keeping your eyeballs fixated on the Active Rock Singles chart, "Wings of a Butterfly" has moved up 3 spots this week from 36 to 33! Ooooh the excitement... the invasion is upon us! #18 album and #33 single! ALL HAIL HIM!