well, first off, i'd like to say that EVERYONE in the band was super nice.  really really really nice.  most of them were exhausted, having had 3 hours sleep then a 6 hour drive to get to zaandam.  they were unloading when i showed up with my little box and got a little in people's way.  sound check went badly - they only got to do 1 1/2 songs, the violin wasn't able to be hooked up with the various effects he likes, i don't even know what else went wrong, just that plenty did go wrong.

but... they were troopers.  seriously.  i heard one person backstage complaining about somebody being a bit snitty, but i wasn't even sure who it was.  i missed the beginning of the story - it could even have been someone from the venue itself.  i have no idea.  the person telling the story even said they thought it was a miscommunication. 

the show itself was wonderful.  the imagery, the performances... i was really impressed.  here's a band i've been listening to for many many years, and it was really great to see them live... and seeing them live, i thought they did a super job.  i actually was so enraptured that i'm afraid i'm lacking a bit for details.  sorry.  the dancers looked fantastic and their costumes were really stunning.  i liked when one kept getting just a tad off and watching the other for cues.  it didn't detract at all, just made it more touchable, in a way.  i thought the violin sounded fantastic, even without the effects, and i was really impressed by how much he managed to make it a performance, too.  i personally think it's a bit difficult to move much while playing.  a little swaying, ok, but he managed some really nice larger moves, which enhanced his overall appearance nicely.  i was impressed with how the little smears of makeup everyone had looked so much more interesting onstage than off.  good thing to remember.  i liked that there were mohawks, dreads and long flowy hair all onstage.  :)  i remember thinking during a couple of songs that i didn't know that they were really interesting and i should remember something about them in order to buy them after, but ... uh... i don't.

after, i was planning on heading out, but ended up going back upstairs with troy and nienke to hang out in the large dressing room.  again, i say:  everyone was really really sweet.  i pulled a total fan-girl on monica.  couldn't help it, i got caught up in the moment.  but really - she's wonderful.  talked a bit with everyone, but they all looked so sleepy i felt bad for being there.  after a while i said i was going and troy and nienke very sweetly came with me so i didn't have to go alone.  i was exhausted too.  long day, but really fun. 

oh, and before i forget:  everyone in schwarzblut was also really nice.  extremely friendly.  i wish i'd seen their show.  i pulled a slight faux pas by not really being familiar with their music.  i was asked how it was going with the remix contrast is doing for one of their songs, and though i know it's happening, i don't even know the song.  i haven't heard it.  i felt really bad for not having made sure i was familiar with it in advance.  i did listen to a bunch of their stuff about a month ago, to find out who they were, etc., but i forgot which song patrick and rene are remixing.  oops.  i'll have to find out later...  bad bad sharon.