Radgirl's Portland Playground

Just over ten years ago, there was this band at the Warped Tour.  They weren't even playing, but they were walking around introducing themselves to everyone and selling their CD.  They were the happiest, sweetest, most positive guys, and you couldn't help but fall in love with them and hand over your money. When their debut album 'A Lesson in Romantics' hit the airwaves, it was literally like magic.  Every person who heard them couldn't stop listening.  Their gut-wrenching lyrics and intensely beautiful sound worked its way right into you, took hold, and ten years later still won't let go. Last night, Mayday Parade hit the Portland stop of the ten year anniversary tour along with Knuckle Puck, a pop punk band from Chicago, and Milestones, a pop-punk band who joined the tour all the way from England, and not one of them disappointed. Lead singer of Milestones. Photo by Sunshine O'Connor Milestones walked out on that stage and warmed up the crowd ...

Yesterday I got the notification that one of my favorite bands is coming to Portland, and they have been pouring from my speakers today every chance I got. I fell in love with Mayday Parade about a billion years ago (or somewhere in 2006-7 ish) at a Warped Tour concert.  They weren't well known yet, and they walked up to me with a very simple sign that I'm pretty sure was made from a sheet and some sharpies, and one of them said, "We're Mayday Parade.  We love you and we would love it if you would come see us and bring your friends." They told me what time and which stage, and I made a point to be there.   It was trance-like.  Every single song echoed deep in my soul and I was an instant addict.  Every time they came to town, I made it a point to see them.  My daughter, who was in middle school at the time, made Mayday Parade mixed CD's and they have remained in heavy rotation in my life since then.   Mayday Parade has just the right ...