After Yellowcard, Pre-'New Site Announcement!'

3 shows down! Yesterday Yellowcard was in town, and, after spending an awesome day hanging out with my friend Ryan (including introducing him to the wonders of China Pan for lunch), I set up my stand as I had my first two nights at the Webster Theatre. The show had to be nearly sold out - it was packed! I was glad, for Ryan, and for the chance to present my wares to so many people :) I had almost no inventory, because of the Gym Class Heroes and TREOS shows, but did seem to have just barely what I needed as people chose what they wanted. Response is great generally. No one really bothers talking to me unless they like it, so of course I enjoy myself every night i show up! I took a pic with some cool people who I got to spend a little time with, and who made themselves customers. Check us out in the pic here...


As far as showing up at shows and vending, I'm hoping to be able to do Sugarcult and Jack's Mannequin next Tue and Wed (also at the Webster), but know for sure that I will be bringing my stuff to three Manic Productions shows next weekend: Elf Power on Friday, Sean Na Na on Saturday, and Ambitions on Sunday. Check the Manic site for location/price/time details. Ambitions is a band I may create some sort of endorsement relationship with. Their sound and energy generally remind me of some of my absolute favorite bands growing up - the kind largely responsible for my view of the 'scene' as a place that offers pride and support to the kids in it. Sunday is their record release.. you should check it out if you're from the CT area! If you are from the area and planning on coming to any of these Manic shows (the ones i'll definitely be at), and you know you'd like something from the Antidote catalogue (check the myspace for something of a catalogue), drop me a line and let me know to bring it for ya! If you are not from the area, and even if you are, my next bit of news is gonna be big! It will relate to the new website, complete with new webstore, and a HUGELY increased selection :)

Stay tuned...

First night out

For awhile, I've been hoping to get my stuff together and find a way to present and sell it at shows, where people can touch and see the shirts in person. Since I became a more permanent resident of CT, recently, I made it a mission. After much effort getting my stuff together, tonight was my first night out...

I went to the Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship concert at the Webster in Hartford. Located in the separated front room, I didn't get to see much of the actual performances, but did make sure to pop in and catch a song or two of each band. I thought Cobra Starship was super fun and retro. Gabe is an old friend, and this was the first time I'd seen him as a standalone singer. He's really tall and dances around a lot, which is awesomely entertaining, and his banter was hilarious. So, as always, was Travis from GCH, on and off stage. I talked for a little while to Disashi from GCH as well, who told me about his side project The Midnight Society, who I just checked out and enjoyed.

Mostly, I spent the night manning the merch out front, but had a ton of fun. This was something of a test run for me - for my little self-made display, and also generally, for whether hitting shows with Antidote would be rewarding. Turns out, it is! Look for Antidote at more CT shows soon.. I'm thinking TREOS Sunday, and Yellowcard (whoa, check me out in Ryan Mendez' music choices on their myspace!) Wednesday if possible. I look forward to associating the Antidote brand to the local scene this way, because underground CT shows were such a huge positive thing in my own life. As I've stated before, much of the intent of the company is to give that back. Now that I see its possible at shows, I see much more of events like tonight in Antidote's future :)

On a sidenote, tonight was also the first night Punchline (the band from which i recently resigned) played with their new guy, my replacement and friend John. I hear their show went great as well, so I'm really happy that all around, it was a night of successful new beginnings :)