It's tough to learn that your favorite artist or actor has really problematic views or worse, has an abusive past. Even if they don't fall into those categories, sometimes you just find out that they're kind of a mean person. My favorite podcast used to have a reoccuring segment called "Dave Cruel-ier" because so many listeners had stories about Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey on Full House) being excessively mean or cruel to fans.
That's why I wanted to spread some love and share positive encounters we've had with people that went way better than expected. I want to avoid stories that my friends have but I might cave because there are a couple of gems.
Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park, Fort Minor)
Over 10 years, possibly 2008, I went to a Projekt Revolution tour. Those were Linkin Park summer tours wherein they invited other bands, rappers, et all for full-day shows. I remember wandering the vendor section and leaning over to my gf and saying "that's Mike Shinoda, holy shit". "No it's not". "Yes it is, he's looking at the fan-made sneaker designs!" "Why would he be wandering by himself, looking at fanart on shoes?". I was determined so I walked over anyway and tried to play it cool. I looked up at the shoes and tried to force a conversation. "That one is cool", I pointed up at a particularly wacky sneaker design at the display. It was definitely Mike. "Yeah man, I've been eyeing that one too- isn't the green shape in the corner cool?". I caved in and turned him. "Sorry I'm bad at this, I just wanted to let you know I'm a fan, I love your music and I am still obsessed with your Fort Minor project". He turned to me and had a huge smile "dude, thank you so much. That actually fucking means a lot to hear, can I hug you?". Super sweet guy, gave me a huge hug. ...then I noticed Brad (?) the guitar player had been standing right next to him. A guy in a suit with an ear piece quickly jogged up to Mike and tapped his shoulder "hey, we need you" so as they left I clumsily called out to the guitarist "your'e cool too man!".
Ghostface Killah (Wu-tang Clan)
Same show, he set up a table and did autographs. Totally free, no merch, just hanging out and talking to fans. He signed my leaflet, complimented a shirt I was wearing (I can't remember wtf I was wearing) and gave me a bro-hug.
Reel Big Fish (90's ska band)
Unfairly labeled as a 3-hit wonder ska band (Beer, Sell-out, Take on Me), these guys didn't blow up past the United States...or the 90's. My gf and her best friend remained loyal however, and I started exploring their other albums (Cheer Up! and We're Not Happy have some gems on them). I've seen them live about 12 times, they toured frequently and the shows were always dirt cheap even when they were playing with their other ska friends like Streetlight Manifesto and Less than Jake. My gf and her bestie had been going to shows long since before we were dating and her friend always wore cute lgbt pride shirts with a cute slogan on it (it was their nickname, I don't want to give it away). The lead-singer Aaron would notice them at shows and smile, even get on the mic "it's you! I fucking love your shirt". My gf's bestie transitioned during this time and it was understandably a really emotional and often painful transition for him- but I still remember going to a show my gf and him and Aaron after the show approaching us. "Dude it's you! I remember you! You're not wearing the shirt but I know it's you!". I can't tell you how meaningful it was for our friend to hear this from his hero, and they exchanged the cutest, longest hug. Afterwards we grabbed a quick beer at the bar. Really fun guys.
Mick Foley (WWE - Mankind/Cactus Jack/Dude Love)
I ran into him at a Boston book convention. He was promoting a children's book that he wrote and I asked if I could interrupt him to say hi and thank you for entertaining me as a child. He had a big smile and asked if I wanted a picture (my buddy is tasked with looking for the camera, I will find it some day!). It was a brief exchange but it left me with a really warm impression of him.
Smaller encounters I've had that were really wonderful were with members of 311, The Ataris, Limp Bizkit (yup), Devil Makes Three.
My friends have awesome stories about Kevin Bacon, Nic Cage, Bruno Mars, The Black Keys, Chris Evans, Dave Matthews but I'm not sure what I can repeat because they are not my stories to tell- I'll come back on a couple of them. Friend also interned for Conan O'Brien and she had really wonderful things to say about him. Finally, met someone at a party who saw Jerry Seinfeld going an escalator in the opposite direction and yelled to him "HELLOOOOO" and Jerry smirked and returned a "LUH-LUH-LUHHH". Also heard a cool story about Chris Pratt (I know) sticking up for a bunch of underpaid assistants and interns on a set that were being bullied by the director(?), argued for better hours and brought them all coffee and breakfast. Finally another friend of mine bumped into Joe Mangeniello hanging out in Boston last fall and struck up a quick friendly chat with him. Nice dude.
That's why I wanted to spread some love and share positive encounters we've had with people that went way better than expected. I want to avoid stories that my friends have but I might cave because there are a couple of gems.
Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park, Fort Minor)
Over 10 years, possibly 2008, I went to a Projekt Revolution tour. Those were Linkin Park summer tours wherein they invited other bands, rappers, et all for full-day shows. I remember wandering the vendor section and leaning over to my gf and saying "that's Mike Shinoda, holy shit". "No it's not". "Yes it is, he's looking at the fan-made sneaker designs!" "Why would he be wandering by himself, looking at fanart on shoes?". I was determined so I walked over anyway and tried to play it cool. I looked up at the shoes and tried to force a conversation. "That one is cool", I pointed up at a particularly wacky sneaker design at the display. It was definitely Mike. "Yeah man, I've been eyeing that one too- isn't the green shape in the corner cool?". I caved in and turned him. "Sorry I'm bad at this, I just wanted to let you know I'm a fan, I love your music and I am still obsessed with your Fort Minor project". He turned to me and had a huge smile "dude, thank you so much. That actually fucking means a lot to hear, can I hug you?". Super sweet guy, gave me a huge hug. ...then I noticed Brad (?) the guitar player had been standing right next to him. A guy in a suit with an ear piece quickly jogged up to Mike and tapped his shoulder "hey, we need you" so as they left I clumsily called out to the guitarist "your'e cool too man!".
Ghostface Killah (Wu-tang Clan)
Same show, he set up a table and did autographs. Totally free, no merch, just hanging out and talking to fans. He signed my leaflet, complimented a shirt I was wearing (I can't remember wtf I was wearing) and gave me a bro-hug.
Reel Big Fish (90's ska band)
Unfairly labeled as a 3-hit wonder ska band (Beer, Sell-out, Take on Me), these guys didn't blow up past the United States...or the 90's. My gf and her best friend remained loyal however, and I started exploring their other albums (Cheer Up! and We're Not Happy have some gems on them). I've seen them live about 12 times, they toured frequently and the shows were always dirt cheap even when they were playing with their other ska friends like Streetlight Manifesto and Less than Jake. My gf and her bestie had been going to shows long since before we were dating and her friend always wore cute lgbt pride shirts with a cute slogan on it (it was their nickname, I don't want to give it away). The lead-singer Aaron would notice them at shows and smile, even get on the mic "it's you! I fucking love your shirt". My gf's bestie transitioned during this time and it was understandably a really emotional and often painful transition for him- but I still remember going to a show my gf and him and Aaron after the show approaching us. "Dude it's you! I remember you! You're not wearing the shirt but I know it's you!". I can't tell you how meaningful it was for our friend to hear this from his hero, and they exchanged the cutest, longest hug. Afterwards we grabbed a quick beer at the bar. Really fun guys.
Mick Foley (WWE - Mankind/Cactus Jack/Dude Love)
I ran into him at a Boston book convention. He was promoting a children's book that he wrote and I asked if I could interrupt him to say hi and thank you for entertaining me as a child. He had a big smile and asked if I wanted a picture (my buddy is tasked with looking for the camera, I will find it some day!). It was a brief exchange but it left me with a really warm impression of him.
Smaller encounters I've had that were really wonderful were with members of 311, The Ataris, Limp Bizkit (yup), Devil Makes Three.
My friends have awesome stories about Kevin Bacon, Nic Cage, Bruno Mars, The Black Keys, Chris Evans, Dave Matthews but I'm not sure what I can repeat because they are not my stories to tell- I'll come back on a couple of them. Friend also interned for Conan O'Brien and she had really wonderful things to say about him. Finally, met someone at a party who saw Jerry Seinfeld going an escalator in the opposite direction and yelled to him "HELLOOOOO" and Jerry smirked and returned a "LUH-LUH-LUHHH". Also heard a cool story about Chris Pratt (I know) sticking up for a bunch of underpaid assistants and interns on a set that were being bullied by the director(?), argued for better hours and brought them all coffee and breakfast. Finally another friend of mine bumped into Joe Mangeniello hanging out in Boston last fall and struck up a quick friendly chat with him. Nice dude.
