Ghost Note

Find out which My Chemical Romance album you are!

Lyrics Crossword

L.S Dunes

Show Review

Featuring posters of The Used &

SLEEPING WITH SIRENS

LIVE IN INDIANA

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SHOW REVIEW

L.S. DUNES + Pinkshift

July 21, 2023 - This marked a day of a lot of “firsts” for me. It was my first time going to a concert alone, my first time driving out of state on my own, and even my first time staying in an Airbnb. Perhaps the most important “first” of them all was something that’s also the most special to me: my first official photography pass to a concert.

The band that got to make all of these firsts happen for me was L.S. Dunes. Technically a supergroup due to the fact all the members in it are already in famous bands, this band has made it clear that they’re their own separate entity and they’re here to prove it. L.S. Dunes consists of vocalist Anthony Green (SAOSIN, Circa Survive), guitarists Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance) and Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), bassist Tim Payne (Thursday), and drummer Tucker Rule (Thursday).

They made their live debut on day one of Chicago’s annual Riot Fest in 2022, after only releasing their single “Permanent Rebellion” to the public. Soon after, the band announced their first tour and release date of their first album Past Lives in November 2022. In June of 2023, the band released another single, “Benadryl Subreddit,” and has since teased more new music as well as a documentary.

Of course, getting myself to the concert was the first step of the day. Google tells me that this is normally about a two-anda-half-hour drive, but I had never driven on an interstate at this point so I ended up taking a back way. This upped my drive to nearly four hours, which is a very long time to not get bored while in a car by yourself. But all was okay, I made it, and I made it two hours before I could even check into my Airbnb so I had to raid a nearby Kroger’s to get some lunch. The Kroger was also right next to the venue, so I got to observe the line that was already forming for despite doors not being open for another five hours.

After checking into my Airbnb I decided to go ahead and join the queue. There were roughly 100 people waiting around outside at this point, despite the fact it was hot and there was no shade at all offered on the sidewalk. Everyone was in great spirits, though, laughing and making friends. A few people in line were even passing out bracelets to each other, sporting ones that listed off their favorite songs. Personally, I took one that had “Grey Veins” spelled out on it, as that’s what my favorite L.S. Dunes song is.

Ashrita Kumar (Pinkshift)

Since I had VIP tickets for the show, my night with L.S. Dunes started out with the VIP Question & Answer time. It was a sort of surreal experience, getting to be only 8 feet away from where all the men in these famous bands sat. My anxiety had taken hold of me at this point, so I did absolutely no talking this time and just observed everyone else’s questions instead.

There were quite a few good questions about their musicmaking process, something that each of the members was obviously excited to talk about. A few people in the crowd had also brought gifts for the band, with one fan giving them each a customized T-shirt and another fan giving them a very soft stuffed monster lovingly named “Communism” which got quite a few laughs from the band.

Following the VIP time, there was a short break while the general admission tickets were let in just before the opening act, which also meant it was about to be showtime for me as well with my camera. The opening act was a band called Pinkshift, a rock band from Baltimore, Maryland that formed in 2019. The band consists of vocalist Ashrita Kumar, drummer Myron Houngbedji, and guitarist Paul Vallejo.

Ashrita brought an infectious energy to the stage, immediately inviting fans to dance along with them to the music. It didn’t take Pinkshift long to win over all of the people in the crowd, with dancing and mini mosh pits breaking out almost immediately. The band even performed an unreleased song titled “Home,” which was received with cheers of approval. This song has been released since shortly after the concert, and I highly recommmend listening to it when you have a chance.

Travis Stever (L.S. Dunes)

Frank Iero (L.S. Dunes)

Following Pinkshift’s exit from the stage, the crowd’s energy only continued to escalate as they waited for L.S. Dunes. The band opened up the set with “Bombsquad,” with Tim Payne excitedly taking the stage front and center for the majority of the tune giving him the full attention of the crowd. By the second song, Anthony Green’s antics for the night began as he proceeded to toss the microphone into the crowd to let a fan sing the chorus of “Like Forever.” Frank Iero also bounced around his sector of the stage, switching his guitars between each of songs, going between a cream-colored guitar and an intentionally distressed Fender that Iero has dubbed as one of his favorites of his collection.

The antics continued throughout the night as Green encouraged fans to ignore the “no crowd surfing” signs, to which the fans quickly obliged. Green did take time to thank the security for their hard work as a result of his antics. He also made sure to take the time to precariously lean over the gap between stage and barricade (a drop he said would have him working at McDonald’s the rest of his life if he lost balance) to fist-bumping and high-five fans as they made their way over the barricade.

Green’s antics didn’t only involve him, though, as halfway through the show he encouraged Iero to speak up about something he had on his mind. This “thing on his mind turned” out to be Iero’s distaste for Ohio’s chili, saying it was something only locals had the stomachs for. This moment resulted in a playful crowd versus guitarist moment, thanks to a mixed reaction of cheers and boos from the crowd, with Iero defending himself and shifting the blame onto Green for forcing him to speak.

Frank Iero (L.S. Dunes)

Anthony Green (L.S. Dunes)

The energy of the crowd throughout the show was electric. Moshing continued in the center of the floor, with fans on the outskirts dancing right along with the band. The crowd cheered and screamed along to their favorite songs, most notably “Grey Veins” and “Permanent Rebellion.” “Benadryl Subreddit” also resulted in some of the most significant crowd reactions, with Green stopping his singing to let the fans scream out the lyrics “We won’t go back ever again!”

The night ended on a softer note, with the band performing an encore of “Sleep Cult.” This song brought many fans to tears. It’s a deeply emotional song that many people both in the crowd and out of it can relate to, talking about the struggles of depression and the feeling of wishing you were dead despite everyone else around you seeming to be doing okay, and feeling the need to apologize for the way that you are struggling in life. These tears didn’t dull down the overall mood of the show, however, and instead brought an emotional closing to a night full of laughter and excitement.

For me, the night was truly something I would never forget. There are no words to describe the thoughts that went through my head as I realized just how close to how many of these band members I idolized throughout my life. The fact that I got to experience them as something greater than just a fan, I was a working individual there to capture them doing something that they loved and immortalize them through the art of photography is something that I’m not sure I have the right words to describe.

ASHLYN SIPLES

Photos: Ashlyn Siples

Tim Payne (L.S. Dunes)

Anthony Green (L.S. Dunes)

Let’s Take a Quiz: Which My Chemical Romance Album Are You?

Are you out fighting against a totalitarian government with your colorful friends? Or perhaps pulling some vigilante justice on 1000 evil men. Either way, take our quiz and find out where you lie!

What is your favorite season?

A. Summer

B. Autumn

C. Winter

D. Spring

How do you spend your weekends?

A. Cruising around with friends

B. Visiting a local coffee shop

C. Reading in bed

D. Walking in a park

What’s your guilty pleasure?

A. Staying up way too late

B. Reading romance novels

C. Ordering take out

D. Watching conspiracy theory videos

What’s your favorite social media?

A. Twitter

B. Facebook

C. Instagram

D. Tumblr

Mostly A’s...

Danger Days!

You like being with your friend and having fun. You like to find the good even when things get rough and make the most of your time.

Mostly B’s... Bullets!

Cozy evenings in with just a friend or two are more your style than the party scene. You also tend to appreciate the little things in life.

Pick a sweet treat:

A. Bomb Pops

B. Brownies

C. Apple Pie

D. Cherry Slushy

Pick a color palette:

A. Brights colored mixed with neutrals

B. Deep jewel tones

C. Monochromatic neutrals

D. Bold contrasting colors

Pick an object:

A. An interesting magazine

B. A fluffy scarf

C. A vase of roses

D. A pocketwatch Pick a pet:

A. Hedgehog

B. Calico Cat

C. Parakeet

D. Dachshund

Mostly C’s... The Black Parade

Bleary days aren’t something that you shy away from, instead you just keep persisting on. You’re not afraid to take on a new challenge.

Mostly D’s... Revenge

You like living life to fullest, even when it seems to be flying by. You’re always coming up with new ideas and aren’t afraid to try new things.

Search Results: Fans Discuss Bandom

Favorite part of bandom:

Cory

Human connection about the same interest!

Christy

Community, again! Being able to experience and talk with people who love something as much as you.

Lilly

The sense of community

Kal

Bandom makes it easier to make friends, since fans of certain bands will most likely be fans of other bands that you also like.

X Ash

Making new friends around the world.

Stacey

The community. No matter what, I always know there are people to talk to and people that are there for me.

Roxy

X

Bandom changes & trends:

Dars

Cancel culture being too powerful in the fandom spaces, and looking at everything in black and white perspective is just really harmful.

X

X

I really like the community that forms around it. It’s fun that we have so many injokes and a general love for a shared interest that isn’t super popular outside of bandom.

A positive change you’d make:

Ashley

Bandom spaces tend to have ten or so very heavy hitters who have a lot of sway within the space and unless they’re making art they need to realize people aren’t a fan of them, they’re a fan of the same band.

Cory

Less gatekeeping & abolishing unnecessary hate (misogyny, transphobia, racism).

Mav

Learn from your mistakes and move on.

X

Roxy

X

I would love for it to be less toxic. It feels like every other day theres a new drama or discourse dividing the community. I don’t really know how that could be achieved, though.

X

Lilly

Less misogyny.

X Lilly

I’ve noticed the constant cycle of new people joining bandom and them being so shocked that older people are a part of bandom and are able to enjoy the same things, as if these “older” people weren’t in the bandom spaces to experience the prime of most of the bands.

X Lainey

The general public’s acceptance of “fangirls” fluctuates so often. I was bullied so much for being a directioner & belieber when I was younger. Now it’s considered cool to be fans. I wish I embraced it more when I was younger.

X Stacey

I think there is a lot of unnecessary discourse and arguing that goes on when there is a lack of new content.

How has bandom impacted you?

X Renae

I’ve made many friends from all the group chats I’ve been a part of.

Cory

Made many friends, and traveled to new places.

X

X

Pencey

X

X

X Dars

Let cancel culture go, & make sure minors won’t be able to interact with adult content & fics.

X Stacey

It’s introduced me to some of the most beautiful and wonderful people, and just brought me so much joy.

X Mandee

I feel a sense of being part of a community that i really haven’t had before.

I’ve made a lot of really incredible friends through bandom culture that I have a sneaking suspicion are going to be around for quite a while. Bandom has also allowed me an outlet to create art and share it with others that I would hope enjoy it as much as I do.

Christy X

It was my first major fandom when I was a teenager, so it really shaped how I view fandom spaces and interact with them.

Search Results: Fans Discuss Concerts

Favorite experience at a concert:

X Eden

When I saw MCR in Brisbane #2, I was barrier and surrounded by people I had met just hours earlier but during “Mama” one of the people next to me just grabbed me and hugged me so tight while we sang (it also got caught on the big screen)!

X Adie

I got to see Louis Tomlinson last summer third row in the pit and he looked right at me!

X Renae

Exchanging friendship bracelets in the restroom during Taylor’s concert.

Pencey

X

I saw July Talk in December of 2021 and I tossed my pride flag on stage and the singer, Leah Fay, grabbed it and asked me if she could borrow it and she danced around with it and it was just really amazing. I saw them a year later and they actually remembered me as that guy too.

Mandee

X

Hearing my favorite songs played live for the first time (as in my first time witnessing the song played).

Advice for new concert-goers:

X Haley

Don’t be afraid to go to concerts alone! Never ever miss out on a concert you really want to go to just because you don’t have anyone to go with. And have fun, be yourself. Don’t be afraid to let loose and scream and get excited over all the little things. This is your moment so please enjoy it.

X Ashley Relax.

Ronnie

Stay hydrated!

X

X Roxy

Don’t push yourself to wait in line all day or try to get to the front or into a mosh pit if you’re not comfortable. You’ll have more fun if you feel safe and secure and a concert is enjoyable from any place in the crowd.

X Renae

Don’t stress too much about the unimportant things, just enjoy the moment and have fun making lasting memories.

A positive change you’d make:

Christy

It isn’t always about being the closest to the artist - it should be about experiencing something with other people who love the same thing you do just as much.

Mav

Get rid of the camping and the toxic behavior while waiting in line. There’s no need to be nasty, we’re all here to see the same person.

X

X Mandee

The amount of respect given to all involved parties. venues treating artists and fans respectfully, artists treating fans/vice versa, and fans respecting other fans and staff.

X

X Ashley Prices </3

X Roxy

I would want people to look out for each other more...picking up people if they fall, not dropping crowd surfers, not surging towards the front, etc.

How have concerts impacted you?

X Lainey

Concerts are one of the only places I feel connected to people. at a show, we’re all there for the same thing: to see and hear something we love. I’ve made so many friends by going to concerts.

X Lilly

My inspiration to work at getting rid of my agoraphobia was my intense ‘need’ to experience a concert.

Once I was able to do that, I started leaving my house more and more until I can confidently say I’m not agoraphobia anymore after 3 years of dealing with it.

X Mandee

Music has always been one of the most important aspects of my life, especially as I have been hard of hearing since I was a child. Being able to see artists I love play the songs that mean the most to me live in concert while I can still hear allows me to make memories in ways others may not.

X Dars

They made my life a better place, having to look forward to something helps me not to sign out of life forever.

Let’s Play a Game: Song Lyrics Crossword

We’ve given you some song lyrics, fill in the crosssword with the title of each song! Ready for the answers? Turn the magazine upside down.

Across:

5. “trade baby blues for wide-eyed browns”

7. “and another kiss like a fire on pavement”

8. “two more weeks, my foot is in a door”

9. “what’s so good about picking up the pieces”

10. “we used to laugh until we choked”

11. “and they found you on the bathroom floor”

13. “mirrors start to whisper, shadows start to sing”

Down:

1. “we’re dead flies in the summertime”

2. “so you can throw me to the wolves”

3. “wait, how do you spell ‘epiphany’?”

4. “you were my Versailles at night”

6. “so shut your eyes, kiss me goodbye”

12. “why don’t we crash and burn tonight”

ARTIST REFLECTION

FALL OUT BOY

(2002 - PRESENT)

Whether you’re just starting middle school or your mid-life crisis, Fall Out Boy is a band that’s invading everyone’s households - whether you’re aware of it or not. From Warped Tour, to NFL Football, to Disney shows, to collabs with Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy is truly a band that’s been everywhere and done everything. Anyone who’s a fan has a story, and mine starts a decade ago in 2014.

Picture this: It’s the summer before you start sixth grade. Tumblr is the place to be, and it’s overrun by scene queens with bright pink hair and grunge girls with ripped pantyhouse. Now, I was only 11 and despite the fact I was fresh out of Christian elementary school, I was on Tumblr because I’ve always been one to keep up with the trends. Except that’s not completely true, I just was in love with Percy Jackson and conveniently there’s a second movie that just so happens to feature “Light ‘Em Up” by Fall Out Boy, freshly back from hiatus.

My foot in the door with the alternative subculture was thanks to this, and the fact I was really intrigued by all the girls with insane hair colors. All it took was a Percy Jackson movie and my mom saying she liked Fall Out Boy and I was set in my ways. It’s been 10 years now, and much to my mom’s dismay, I’m one of the girls with an insane hair color who’s consistently having to tell people it really was not just a phase.

My sister’s got her own story with Fall Out Boy, and thanks to the fact she’s 10 years older than me, hers was back during Fall Out Boy’s first prime. Want to imagine it with me? You’re like, 13, on AIM video chat, because what else are you doing in 2005? Of course, that also means you have your internet boy best friend who you’re totally not in love with and suddenly he’s singing “Where is Your Boy Tonight/Grand Theft Autumn” to you. Obviously from that point on, that’s going to be your favorite Fall Out Boy song.

Left to Right: Joe Trohman, Patrick Stump, Andy Hurley, Pete Wentz

Despite our journeys with Fall Out Boy starting at wildly different times, my sister and I got the chance to see Fall Out Boy together for the first time this past summer. Now, I abandoned my sister the moment I realized I had the money for pit tickets because I wanted a chance to see Pete Wentz in the crowd and another one of my favorite bands was opening. My sister got lawn seats, but conveniently one of her friends had lower level seats and left early so she stole their spot. It all worked out in the end, I got mildly bruised ribs from a mosh pit during Bring Me the Horizon, and my sister got to panic the whole time thinking I was going to freak out.

The show itself was amazing, especially considering I had tried and failed to go to a show back in high school, so I had truly been waiting years for this moment. I’m personally glad I had to wait, if we want the truth I’ll never tell my mom. My favorite album, Folie Au Deux, is one that they’ve always gotten critical reception on despite fans loving it nowadays, and it wasn’t until their So Much (For) Tourdust tour that they started giving it the attention it deserved. Which was great for me, because I got to hear songs I never thought I would hear live. Plus they happened to have a mystery song every night for this leg of tour, and that was an extremely fun part of the night at every show because they were pulling out songs that were never even released on streaming platforms.

I’m seeing Fall Out Boy again at the end of March, thanks to my complete lack of impulse control, but I know it’ll be worth it. I may have to face my fear of driving on the interstate - and of dealing with toll roads - but hey, when else will I another chance to be personally victimized by a giant 8 Ball prop on stage? And this time I’m not doing it alone, I’m bringing a couple of friends who have been given strict instructions to go ahead and plan my funeral if they start playing “Fourth of July.” And who know what comes after that, at least with my story and Fall Out Boy. Maybe I’ll be photographing them one day, maybe sooner than I expect to be, or maybe I’ll finally save up enough money to go to Vegas and see them at When We Were Young with all my internet friends I’ve met over the past year.

For me, Fall Out Boy is a band that’s always been there when I really needed them to be. From being a lost little sixth grader, to both Fall Out Boy and me taking a break from the scene for about 6 years, to them coming back to making more music at the same time I was coming back into my emo phase (round two), the band truly means a lot to me. Some songs just hit harder the older you get, and some you unfortunately realize you can relate to a lot more than you used to be able to.

The older fans can complain all they want (and they will!) about the fact that “Fall Out Boy doesn’t sound like how they used to” but if you want my true opinion as a fan, none of their albums have ever sounded the same and I think they’re way too biased to realize that Fall Out Boy never does the same thing twice. Not sounding like your old sound isn’t a bad thing either, by the way, it just means that there’s a chance for everyone to love Fall Out Boy, no matter what preferred sound they have. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what really matters? We’re all here to be fans of a band we love, even if it means risking Pete Wentz setting us on fire with his flamethrower bass at every concert.

ASHLYN SIPLES

Fan-Captured Photos: Ashlyn Siples

Patrick Stump sings to a large inflatable doberman.

Pete Wentz Shows off his flamethrower bass guitar.

SHOW REVIEW THE USED +

Sleeping With Sirens

Dead American

September 16, 2023 - Saturday marked the day that The Used came to town, bringing Sleeping With Sirens and Dead American with them. The venue, especially the pit, was packed full of fans who’d been sitting out in a bit of drizzling rain for several hours. Some other excited faces in the crowd had even gotten the chance to meet the band(s) before the show.

The night started off with Dead American, a post-hardcore band “with a modern twist” from southern California. The band currently consists of vocalist Cove Reber, bassist Marshall Gutierrez, guitarist Chad Rexton, guitarist Steven Pollock, and drummer Connor Allen. They pride themselves on being “students of the Warped Tour” taking influence from many bands of the era.

Their setlist was mainly songs off of their 2022 EP “New Nostalgia”. The band all had a blast on stage, jumping around and overall just having a great time filling up the amphitheater with their presence. To my surprise, they said this was the second time they’ve played a venue like this - something you definitely wouldn’t be able to tell by the way they acted.

Second in line for the night was a band I’ve loved since middle school: Sleeping With Sirens. Sleeping with Sirens is a rock band from Orlando, Florida - one you may well have heard of from their Warped Tour days, though they’ve certainly only grown more popular since. The current touring members consist of lead vocalist Kellin Quinn, bassist Justin Hills, lead guitarist Tony Pizzuti, rhythm guitarist Nick Martin, and drummer Matty Best.

Sleeping With Sirens played a good mix of songs new and old, a great choice to make fans who’d followed them through the years and those who’d only heard the top hits happy. They started out the night with “Break Me Down,” before throwing us all the way back to 2015 with their song “Kick Me.” Kellin Quinn made sure to get the crowd amped up, leading everyone in the venue to wave their arms and pump their fists in time to the music. My favorite moment of their set was finally getting the chance to hear “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn” which has been my favorite song since I discovered them.

Cove Reber (Dead American)

Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens)

In case you’re out of the loop, The Used is a rock band from Utah. The band is comprised of vocalist Bert McCracken, guitarist Joey Bradford, bassist Jeph Howard, and drummer Dan Whiteside. They self-proclaimed themselves as an emo band that’s never broken up in their 23 years since formation, something McCracken was sure to announce at our show.

The Used took the stage with spirits and antics high, appearing from behind a dropped stagecloth and jumping straight into “Pretty Handsome Awkward.” The stage set itself was gorgeous, with artwork draped in the background and pink florals adorning everything from a backdrop to the amps to the front stage risers. McCracken proudly paraded around the state with his floral microphone stand and middle finger held high for most of the show. McCracken also got the crowd to all erupt in a chant of “F*ck you!” along with him, obviously leading into the song with that same title.

McCracken also made sure to spend a good chunk of time talking to the crowd as well. Once asked how many fans in the crowd had been there since the beginning, around threequarters of the venue revealed themselves to be long-standing fans. He also asked what everyone’s favorite tootsie roll flavors were, talking bad about anyone who preferred chocolate or vanilla and defending those who liked the lime ones. At another point, McCracken discovered it was a girl in the pit’s sweet sixteenth birthday, promptly asked for her phone and brought it on stage, took a few selfies on it, and then led the venue along in singing “Happy Birthday” to Kayla.

ASHLYN SIPLES

Photos: Ashlyn Siples

Bert McCracken (The Used)

Jepha Howard (The Used)

Behind the Scenes: What’s In My Bag?

Ever wondered what a concert photographer brings to a gig? Getting started and not sure what you need? Here’s a handy guide by our own photographer!

The Bag: Tenba Skyline 13 (Shoulder Bag)

This bag wasn’t the cheapest thing on the market, but it’s been worth the money. It has side mesh pockets to hold random stuff, which is usually my keys or a water bottle. It’s water resistant, which is great for if concerts get a bit wild. It has two outside pockets, relatively slim but can still hold plenty, plus an inner mesh pocket as well. The inside is heavily padded, which gives me some peace of mind. It currently only holds two lenses and my camera body, but it can defnitely hold more than what I’ve currently got in it.

The Camera Body: Canon EOS Rebel T6

This is the camera I’ve had for a solid 8 years now, thanks to a Christmas gift from my mom. Is it necessarily the best option on the market now? Definitely not. But it’s still like brand new and produces photo quality that I’m happy with, so why would I pay for something newer and ‘better’ when I like what I’ve got? The equipment is important to get good end results, sure, but you can do a lot even with just the basics.

Lens #1: EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

This lens, nicknamed the “nifty fifty,” it a basic staple for any concert photographer starting out, and for good reason. Kit lenses are great when you’re working with sunlight, but in a dark bar? You need something that’s F-Stop drops low, and even a f/2.8 lens can’t quite do the trick. While you do have to learn to work with the fixed focal length, this lens is a great start to any photography goals.

Lens #2: EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

Most photography would consider this the holy grail for almost all concert settings, as long as you’re able to afford the price. Personally, I got mine as a resale on EBay for extra cheap thanks to it’s small cosmetic defects. There’s definitely good reason for it to be “the best” lens if you ask any concert photographer, it’s got great low light sensoring as well as a good focal range meaning you don’t have to worry about missing a shot.

SD Card: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO

Now, I will say that this is not the fastest SD Card in the world, but if you’re on a tight budget and need something that can still mostly keep up with you shooting RAW then this is a great starting point. I’ve currently got about 900 RAW files on mine, and still have room for about that many more, if I don’t feel like backing mine up before the next concert that I shoot.

For Photo Passes: Passport/ID Lanyard

To put it simply, you need a safe place to keep your photo pass and it’s gotta be visible to all of the security. You could stick it on you, but your risk it falling off, and personally I like to keep mine after.

For Safety: High Fidelity Earplugs

If you’re at a concert in general, you should have earplugs, but even moreso if you’re a photographer. You will be directly in front of all of the floor speakers, so please, protect your hearing.

For After: Ibuprofen

You’ve been standing and working for several hours, probably more than that if you have a day job. You’re gonna want some pain relief.

A photo of me working, taken by my friend Bonnie.