SPEAK for a year: August

Ah Friday the 13th. I'm a horror movie freak so usually when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, I host a horror movie marathon at my house. Projector, five DVD changer, popcorn, room full of couches. I go all out. However, SPEAK's August show was also on the same night. So I had to choose. Horror movie marathon or SPEAK? I chose SPEAK.

Guys, if that doesn't show the level of dedication I have for this project, I don't know what does. I went to Dallas for them. I sat through an episode of the Real World for them. Now I broke my Friday the 13th tradition for them. That, my friends, is what you call love.

And I wasn't let down. The guys were awesome as always. It amazes me how they've been playing the same songs month after month (every now and then they throw in a new cover or introduce a new song) and it's always good and entertaining but different enough so they don't seem like polished drones produced by their manager Whitaker. And they are always having a good time. I noticed this month that the guys just couldn't keep the smiles off their faces (as evident in the photos). Aww. That's adorable.

I think they were feeding off the crowd who were more than happy to see them. Maybe it was the $3 Shiners and free pizza or the dancing mood that was set by the three opening bands but everyone was just having a great time. Sadly, I didn't stay for the whole set because I was just too exhausted (long week at work). Sorry guys. What can I say? My love only goes so far. ;)

I have noticed as months pass by that while there are the same handful of familiar faces attending the shows, but the amount of faces I've never seen before enjoying SPEAK just grows and grows. And with the upcoming shows coming up for them which include ACL and the just-announced gig at the Voodoo Experience in New Orleans (both in October), I won't be surprised if I'm gonna have to actually start fighting my way to the front at a show or have to request press credentials to even get a decent photo of the guys, let alone my monthly hello/goodbye hugs.

I always joke with the guys that once December is done, it's gonna feel weird not having to attend a SPEAK show for this project. Troupe jokes that I should keep it going for as long as we can and Joey hopes that I don't drop off the face of Earth once January hits. A friend calls me the SPEAK stalker and wonders why I would even consider doing this. Most of my journalism friends thinks this is an awesome idea and totally get why I'm doing this but mostly they want to know what I plan to do with all this stuff I've been collecting (photos and videos) after the 12 months are done. Ideas have been thrown around with the guys so everything is just talk at this point nor would I reveal that this early in the game. I still have four months to go. But I will say this, if the ideal finale comes together, it's gonna be a great way to end this series.