[First posted on my Tumblr July 28, 2016.]
Two days ago me and my brother saw The Psychedelic Furs for the second time at the Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon. It was absolutely amazing, brilliant, and honestly was much better than the first time, when I saw them at the Crystal Ballroom in the same city. Now you’re probably wondering why the second time was better than the first. Well, wonderful things happened to me on that day.
Me and my brother left for Portland at noon, (we wanted to get there earlier) and as we found the way to the Hall and a street to park, we walked over there. As we were walking far away there were two guys walking toward us and I recognized the guy on the right. He was Rich Good, the current guitarist (has been in the band for seven years; the original guitarist was John Ashton), and as we walked by I said hi to him and he said hi back. My brother asked me if he was the guitarist and I said yes. Then he asked why I didn’t ask for a photo with him and I told him I was nervous and hadn’t thought about it. Also I didn’t want to be a bother, but I didn’t tell him that. We went to the building and went around to try to find a way in and as we walked we saw Rich and the other guy again. My brother asked me if I wanted a photo with him and I said yes. We said hi and Rich asked me my name and he introduced himself and got the photos taken. He was really nice and what’s cool was he gave me a guitar pick! I said thank you, hugged him, and we said bye. But that wasn’t the last, cause when me and my brother went into the building we bumped into Rich again! We both said hi and he left I think to rehearse.
We went to the second floor where the auditorium was (the Revolution Hall used to be an old high school) and there were benches lined up so we sat on one. We were first in line and were the only ones in there. Then we heard music coming from the auditorium, and it was The Furs doing soundcheck! They did “The Ghost In You,” “Love My Way,” “Like A Stranger,” “Angels Don’t Cry,” and “Mr. Jones.” It was so amazing hearing them, especially when Richard Butler, the vocalist, sang. He was so brilliant. He’s one of the best vocalists of all time. I remember being in awe when I listened.
Three hours later, more people came in and waited in line and as the doors were opened we went in the auditorium and got in front of the stage! At the Crystal Ballroom we were on the right side of the stage in the front, but there was a barrier and the stage was kind of far apart. But at the Revolution Hall, we were actually in the middle of the stage up front! No barrier at all!
The opening band was The Church again like last time, and after they played we waited for The Furs to come on stage. I got so excited and waited impatiently, and then before they went on stage, David Bowie’s song “Warszawa” (an instrumental) was played. Me and my brother recognized it and cheered loudly. I was actually about to cry, knowing how it was a tribute to Bowie, who passed away six months ago. Then the band members came on stage first, and after the eerie intro of the first song “India” was played, the music kicked in and Richard came on stage. It felt so good seeing The Furs in person again. Rich Good recognized me in the crowd and I waved at him and he smiled at me. I was having the time of my life, singing along, cheering and looked at them fondly.
But the best part of the show was that Richard shook my hand four times. Four times! At the Crystal Ballroom I tried to reach out to him but I was out of reach, plus my arm is short. I had been wanting a handshake from him so much and I finally did. But during “The Ghost In You” as Richard was starting to sing the line “Stars come down in you” he shook my hand, (it was the third handshake) held it, and he was looking at me, singing to me! I was so ecstatic and yelled hi to him. And later while I was taking photos Tim Butler (the bassist and Richard’s brother) looked at me and did a little pose for the camera. It was so awesome!
But sadly the concert had to end and as the band members were leaving the stage Rich Good came where I was to shake a couple of people’s hands and I reached out to him and he saw me, shook my hand, said “Hi again!” and I yelled hi back. After that we left the auditorium and I bought a t-shirt.
When me and my brother got in the car I got really emotional, tried not to cry, but then I broke down (me, not the car). I didn’t want my brother to see me crying so I just looked out the window. I was so happy, so blessed, so grateful, but also sad that it was really over. Seeing The Furs at the Revolution Hall was the best concert I ever went to and like I said earlier, it was much better than the first time. I wish that I can relive it again but thankfully I have the memories and photos that I will cherish. It truly was the best night of my life. Thank you Psychedelic Furs so much…
Two days ago me and my brother saw The Psychedelic Furs for the second time at the Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon. It was absolutely amazing, brilliant, and honestly was much better than the first time, when I saw them at the Crystal Ballroom in the same city. Now you’re probably wondering why the second time was better than the first. Well, wonderful things happened to me on that day.
Me and my brother left for Portland at noon, (we wanted to get there earlier) and as we found the way to the Hall and a street to park, we walked over there. As we were walking far away there were two guys walking toward us and I recognized the guy on the right. He was Rich Good, the current guitarist (has been in the band for seven years; the original guitarist was John Ashton), and as we walked by I said hi to him and he said hi back. My brother asked me if he was the guitarist and I said yes. Then he asked why I didn’t ask for a photo with him and I told him I was nervous and hadn’t thought about it. Also I didn’t want to be a bother, but I didn’t tell him that. We went to the building and went around to try to find a way in and as we walked we saw Rich and the other guy again. My brother asked me if I wanted a photo with him and I said yes. We said hi and Rich asked me my name and he introduced himself and got the photos taken. He was really nice and what’s cool was he gave me a guitar pick! I said thank you, hugged him, and we said bye. But that wasn’t the last, cause when me and my brother went into the building we bumped into Rich again! We both said hi and he left I think to rehearse.
We went to the second floor where the auditorium was (the Revolution Hall used to be an old high school) and there were benches lined up so we sat on one. We were first in line and were the only ones in there. Then we heard music coming from the auditorium, and it was The Furs doing soundcheck! They did “The Ghost In You,” “Love My Way,” “Like A Stranger,” “Angels Don’t Cry,” and “Mr. Jones.” It was so amazing hearing them, especially when Richard Butler, the vocalist, sang. He was so brilliant. He’s one of the best vocalists of all time. I remember being in awe when I listened.
Three hours later, more people came in and waited in line and as the doors were opened we went in the auditorium and got in front of the stage! At the Crystal Ballroom we were on the right side of the stage in the front, but there was a barrier and the stage was kind of far apart. But at the Revolution Hall, we were actually in the middle of the stage up front! No barrier at all!
The opening band was The Church again like last time, and after they played we waited for The Furs to come on stage. I got so excited and waited impatiently, and then before they went on stage, David Bowie’s song “Warszawa” (an instrumental) was played. Me and my brother recognized it and cheered loudly. I was actually about to cry, knowing how it was a tribute to Bowie, who passed away six months ago. Then the band members came on stage first, and after the eerie intro of the first song “India” was played, the music kicked in and Richard came on stage. It felt so good seeing The Furs in person again. Rich Good recognized me in the crowd and I waved at him and he smiled at me. I was having the time of my life, singing along, cheering and looked at them fondly.
But the best part of the show was that Richard shook my hand four times. Four times! At the Crystal Ballroom I tried to reach out to him but I was out of reach, plus my arm is short. I had been wanting a handshake from him so much and I finally did. But during “The Ghost In You” as Richard was starting to sing the line “Stars come down in you” he shook my hand, (it was the third handshake) held it, and he was looking at me, singing to me! I was so ecstatic and yelled hi to him. And later while I was taking photos Tim Butler (the bassist and Richard’s brother) looked at me and did a little pose for the camera. It was so awesome!
But sadly the concert had to end and as the band members were leaving the stage Rich Good came where I was to shake a couple of people’s hands and I reached out to him and he saw me, shook my hand, said “Hi again!” and I yelled hi back. After that we left the auditorium and I bought a t-shirt.
When me and my brother got in the car I got really emotional, tried not to cry, but then I broke down (me, not the car). I didn’t want my brother to see me crying so I just looked out the window. I was so happy, so blessed, so grateful, but also sad that it was really over. Seeing The Furs at the Revolution Hall was the best concert I ever went to and like I said earlier, it was much better than the first time. I wish that I can relive it again but thankfully I have the memories and photos that I will cherish. It truly was the best night of my life. Thank you Psychedelic Furs so much…
