Me? A Fan? How Did Ya Know?
Hi.. I'm Leslie.. I live in Toronto.. I'll be 20 in May (of 2000). If you want to know more about ME me (why? I dunno.. maybe yer bored) you can go to my personal page (the link is at the bottom of the menu on the left). If you are curious about my long CW tale, and why I'm here.. read on
First lemme say.. I'm not writing this, cos I assume everyone just SO cares who does the page..lol. I've just been asked a few times, what the deal is.. So I thought I'd babble for a bit, and "look back" to the good ol days of my CW fandom ;-) (If anyone actually reads all of this.. They just might understand, why I feel CW will never be the same again *sigh*)
Ok.. I've been a fan since I was 15 (so for 5 years now). It all happened, one sunny May afternoon. I was watching MuchMusic (for the uninformed.. its Canada's version of MTV), when I saw that the "Choice Cut" (kinda like a "video of the week") was a song called "Waydown" by some band named "Catherine Wheel". I was curious, cos I had never heard of them before (and I was lot more in tune to the music scene then, than I am now.. so I was wondering why I had never heard of this band who was MuchMusic's "choice cut").. So, I proceeded to watch the video, and 4 mins later, a new CW fan was born ;-) By the end of that summer, I had bought all their albums, a few bsides, had a chance to ask Rob & Brian a question on the radio (I have that on tape SOMEwhere.. I lost a lot of tapes when we moved 2 yrs ago.. hmph), got MuchMusic to play the vid for Crank, seen them in concert for the first time(Aug.95 at the Warehouse for anyone who was there), and met the band at the Edge's old location by Bathurst. Ya.. I'm nuts.. and that was a very CW summer in my memories of high school..lol
In July of 1996, they were back in town for EdenFest, which I didnt have the money to go to. But, as luck would have it.. They played a special show at Lee's Palace the night before (I'll get to that in a bit). The day before that, Rob did an interview at the Edge (CW's biggest supporting radio station in Toronto).. so, I went down there. I did the whole autograph thing, and he left.. and I realizd I never asked for a pic. So, being the nerd that I was, I followed Rob to Tower Records (which is just a block away).. and oh-so-casually went in, and asked him if I could get a pic. So, after he bought his CD's and whatnot, we went outside, and the hurly burly man who was with him (No, not Merck..lol) got a pic of us. I then babbled to him for a bit, and told him I couldnt see the show at Lee's Palace, cos I was too young (it was a 19+ show, and I was 16). He took my name (on a list with a few other names) and said he'd put me on the guest list anyway.
A few days prior to this, I had sent Gerry Moylan (who now does CW's official site.. this was before the site existed) a long rambling email, telling him my woes of not being able to get into the 19+ show, but that I REALLY wanted to go. He was going to be there, so he said he'd see what he could do.
The night of the show, I went down to the venue.. To find a few other distressed under aged CW fans, who were also on the guest list. They couldn't get in either. Dave even came out and caused a ruckus with the bouncers to let us in.. and the Lee's guys just wouldn't budge. So, being the crazy fans we were.. We went to the backstage doors, sat there, and listened for the entire show (they played Pain! *sigh* I forget the rest of the set list.. but it was damn good). When the show was over, the backstage doors opened, and THEN we were allowed in. I found Gerry, who pulled me past everyone, and took me into the little backstage area (It turns out Gerry had gotten me on the guest list too). He introduced me to Dave, and Dave greeted me with "Leslie! Aw.. You couldn't get in cos you're too young right?" (turns out Gerry told Dave ALL about me and my rambling email I sent..lol). I was so overwhelmed that Dave had already known about me, that I don't even want to know what kind of nerdy excited expression was on my face. Anyways.. This was the whole beginning of the infamous "Leslie luvs Dave" saga, that I've become infamous for amongst Toronto Texturites, and even Merck (their manager). We chatted for a while, about the whole all ages issue (another thing I became infamous for), Edenfest, and the typical fan swooning comments that go on when you first meet someone from your favorite band ;-) I got a pic with Brian, and then went back and chatted with Dave some more.. Then one of the girls I hung out with outside, took a pic of me and Dave. The band had to go, so I said my goodbyes, and went home, a very happy 16 yr old...lol (sometimes being young does pay off... If I had been of age, I never would have sent the original email, and who knows if I woulda met anyone)
A couple months later, I got an email from someone visiting my CW page... It was Dave's mother in law. She left his email address in her email, so I did what any person would do... and emailed Dave of course ;-) He remembered me from Lee's Palace, and we emailed each other a few times back and forth over the next year.
They were back in Toronto in Sept. 1997. It was like "CW day" in Toronto. A free outdoor concert at noon, autograph session at HMV right after, on the radio that night.. and then the show. I write in great detail all of the events of that day on my "CW Journal" page.. so go check it out :-)
In Dec 1997.. CW were back, for 3 more shows in Ontario- Kitchener, London, and Toronto. Yep.. I was at all of them. *lol* (No, I dont give up, and now I'm glad I didn't).. I was front row for their show in Kitchener, and when they came out, Dave smiled and waved at me.. Which just made the show for me right there *lol* After the show, we got to go backstage and hang out with the band. It turns out there was an "after after" party going on upstairs.. so we were all leaving, when Dave goes "Leslie, arent you coming?" yee-haw.. Leslie gets into the after after party. It was very low key.. Just about 15 or so of us hangin out.. couches and everything..lol. After a while, we all left, and Dave let me go on their tour bus to take some pics w/the band. When that was over, I said my goodbyes and thank you's.. and that I'd be seein them tomorrow night (in London) lol.. I'm sure they were thrilled ;-)
The next night in London, was probably my most favorite CW experience to date. I got there VERY early.. No one was lined up yet or anything. So, I went back to the car, and got out again (I think I was gonna go to the store or something) and I saw Dave and Pete (the keyboard dude) walking by the car... So, I walked over and said hi and all that.. and Dave asked if I wanted to come sit on the tour bus with everyone so I wouldnt have to stand in the cold. What was I gonna do.. say no? *g* So, naturally I said yes.. and went on the bus. Brian was there, as were some of the crew guys. So, I sat down, Dave sat next to me.. and everyone just chatted for a bit. Later, Rob and Neil got on.. and had brought back a couple local London newspapers with some CW interviews in it. In one of the pics.. Dave was doing something goofy, so Brian joked to him about it.. and then they all read what was said about them.. and Brian made some joke about how it made it seem like Rob did all the songwriting and Brian did nothing...lol. Anywho.. Rob and Neil went off to the back of the bus.. and then Steve (their tour manager) came and asked what they wanted for dinner (they ended up getting Swiss Chalet). I just sat there most of the time.. listening.. soaking it all in...lol. Brian made fun of me for never talking, and always having my hair in my face.. and then Dave and this other guy were like "Look whos talking! You always have your hair in your face." and Brian laughed. An hour or so later (I was there for a few hours).. they decided to watch TV.. Dave wanted to watch Seinfeld, but they had just missed it.. So, they found Planet of the Apes on. LOL. For the next half hour or so, Brian, Dave, and a couple of the crew guys, all cut up the movie.. and dubbed lines and stuff into the scenes.. wish I had a tape recorder. They were hilarious (yes, Brian and Dave are ten times funnier than I ever thought they would be.. totally different side to both of them). I was trying so hard not to burst out laughing.. but it wasnt workin. Those 2 are so damn funny (really sarcastic kind of funny..loved it). Anyways, at this point.. I didn't want to leave. But, alas.. They had to go on stage. So, I went into the venue and waited.. It was kinda weird seeing them onstage, after I had just seen them beforehand.. but it was kinda cool. After the show, I spotted a couple ppl I knew, so we all went to upstairs to the lil after party thing. I took some pics there of Neil, Brian, and Dave.. at one point, this bouncer guy tried to kick me out, and Neil was like "its ok.. she's with the band." and I thought "holy shite.. that is TOO much." The party lasted an hour or so... and everyone left out of some back door. Just before they left, Dave told me to wait.. and he went on the bus, and came back out a few mins later.. with an 8x10 photo of the band, that he got the rest of them to sign :-) I gave him a hug goodbye, and said a million thank you's.. and they rode off into the snowy moonlight.
The week later they were in Toronto. They were on MuchMusic that morning.. but I guess no one knew about it. As when I showed up to the MuchMusic studios.. NO one (fans) was there. I thought maybe CW weren't going to be on afterall, but I looked in the window and saw them all sitting there. So I kept peering in, when Merck came out (or did I go into the lobby) either way.. Merck said I didn't have to stand in the cold.. and let me come in for the interview. wow! It was amazing.. CW played 2 songs.. just a few ft away from me.. and there I was watchin, standing with Merck, Steve, and a couple other peeps from the "entourage". After the interview and everything was over, the band were all packing up.. I said hi to them all, and did my usual chit-chat with Dave ;-) They left shortly after that, and I didn't see them again until the show that night. The show was great (they played Wish You Were Here.. woo).. I was front row again.. and totally lovin it. After the show.. me and my friend went to the backstage entrance. Steve was telling everyone that he wasn't letting anyone else in, and he looked over at me and my friend and said "oh! you can go in" lol! ya!! When I got in, Dave was right by the door talkin to a buncha ppl, and he turned around and said "Leslie!!" and I was like "Dave!!" lol... I talked to Dave for a while.. then Neil.. then found Brian, and we talked about the week before in London.. and I was telling him how prior to that, I found him so intimidating, but that now I see what a nerd I was for thinkin that.. I kept going "ya! I always thought you were so scary" and he kept laughing and was like "what? I'm not scary" and I go "ya! I know that NOW!" and we joked a bit about that, and how non talkative I was on the bus.. that I was too in awe or something..lol.. he found that funny too. After the after party was over.. my friend and I went outside, and knocked on their tour bus door (we never got to say our goodbyes! lol.. ya like the band cared..lol) So, I got hugs from everyone in the band.. and said one last goodbye to Dave (little did I know it really would be the last one).. and CW drove off into yet another frosty moonlight.
***
I saw them a few times in Toronto recently. The listening party was a weird experience.. It just isn't the same CW without Dave there. It was cool that Brian remembered me after almost 3 yrs and a new hair color.. but he was the only one I talked to. Sometime in Dec of 97, the initial novelty wore off.. and the need to get autographs and pics faded, and I just had fun hanging out with the band, and other fans (many who I met up with again recently at Cw's latest show here.. They made the night too much fun. Such a great bunch!! I missed you guys!). I'd like to think I've grown up a lot in the past 5 years (well, geez I hope so!). It occured to me after their show here recently.. We were all at the after party, and I had no urge to get anything signed, or take any pics.. I was just hangin out. I think if I were still as giddy as I was back in the day.. I'd have me some serious probs. I see these guys as real ppl now.. and asking for an autograph is just awkward ;-) Having Dave not there tho, left an empty feeling with many of us there who've met him several times in the past. It was all a bittersweet experience. As you can see, CW provided me some of the happiest memories of my horrid teenhood, and I'll thank them forever for that... and the fact that the new album, the "new" CW, is coming out just a week after my 20th birthday.. Its made me all a little pensive.. and missing the days of Dave, Brian, Neil, and Rob.. with no sad bitter feelings attatched.
But anywho... That's where I'm coming from. I'm liking what I've heard of the new album... But its just not the same CW I "grew up" with.. and while I'll continue to listen, and go to shows, and do all my usual fan stuff.. I don't know if I'll ever love this CW in the same way as the original one (ya, I'll prolly think of them now as 2 different groups forever now. sorry. can't explain it)...... and if this is all sounding too mushy.. sorry again ;-) They just REALLY got me through some tough years.. and I was looking forward to seeing them (especially Dave) with me being "all grown up" now, and in a happier place in my life.. and I guess I won't.. and I guess sometimes I just miss being the starry eyed 17 yr old ;-)