Kelly and Matt Skiba... Please read this one!! (I want to show it off)

I just wanted you all to know how happy I am!! I dont even know where to start...

Ive been made fun of this whole tour because of how big of a Alkaline Trio fan I am... Well, they came on the tour yesterday, and I told everyone I would do whatever it took to get them on my stage.... well.... They got put on the OTHER main stage.... So I was pretty bummed...almost to tears, no joke. So they play their first show in Chicago, their home toen, and I get to see about 4 of the songs. Then I had to get back to work. But i was excited i got to see them. Then today, both main stages were side by side... I see Matt Skiba checking his guitar... I wanted to go talk to him so freakin bad but i didnt want to seem like some big uber fan boy....Well, he puts his Guitar down and walks towards my stage, so I just decide to walk up to Him and I say hey Im Kelly, He says hey man, Im Mat.... Oh wait, youre Kelly Kopp?? I was like yeah! He said, Ive heard all about you, i was on my way over to find you!!! HA HA!! My frakin hero, lookin for me!! i was so stoked!! that right there made my day!! i was so stoked, it was way brief but i was happy....

Well, then tonight when i get off work, I go to some local bar with some friends of mine from tour. We have a couple of drinks and Im feelin kinda buzzed so i decide to walk back to the bus. On my way out of the bar, I notice Firpo (a guy on my bus) Sitting at the bar.... (Firpo gives me the most crap about being a trio fan cause hes pretty much Best friends with Matt skiba) Well, I walk up to him to say goodnight, not noticing, hes sitting with Matt and Heather (The Trios Merch girl) Well, all of a sudden i realize who im standing next to... I just play cool like im about to leave and Matts like... Hey Kelly, were going to our bus you wanna come have a glass of absinth with us???? Im like... Dude, I would LOVE to!!! So me, Matt, Firpo, and Heather all walk back to the Trios bus... Matt makes us all glasses of Absinth and we all just sit around and talk for 2 hours!!! I was in freaking heaven!!! Then when we had to leave (15min ago) Matt Invited me to go to the Interpol Show with him tomorrow!! he Said that I could come chill with him anytime while theyre on tour!!!

So anyway... I basicly had the best day of my life!!! im so stoked right now you have no idea!!! Anyway, thought Id share!! Weather you leave love or not.... Im so stoked!!

LATE!
Kelly K

BLOG 8: Jacksonville FL.

Ok well…Its been quite sometime… I think, since Ive written anything new. So I thought I would take a few minuets and update everyone.

Well after New Mexico We did 3 Texas Dates. Which was awesome! But only due to the fact that I got to see my Brother, Toni, Paige, David and Nichole!! They all came to the Dallas show. My brother is a HUGE Red Jumpsuit fan so It felt really good to get to introduce him to the band and let him watch the show from the stage. Ive always wanted to do something for him that he would really appreciate… Toni and Paige even hung out with me after the show. I took them on my bus, showed them around and then just left them at the BBQ for 20 min while I went and took one my coveted showers! Word…. But the best part was after that, I walked them to their car and when they were gonna give me a ride back we decided to stop at McDonalds… We were in the drive through, it took us 20 min to get what wanted across to the lady. We finally pull around, She hands us like a whole extra meal that we didn’t order, but yet I apid for and THEN…..then we asked for some sweet and sour sauce. She gave us 2. Paige said… Can we have some more please?? And she says… in quite a bitchy tone….You know we charge for dose…. So I get pissed because in my mind… 2 more sauces isn’t a big deal… So I ask, how much are they?? She says 27 cents. So I say… well, Ill take $4 worth… And she says, “ you want a who??” h aha! So she sits there for a min counting out an entire bag of sauce for us, hands it to us, says nothing and slams the window…. Ha ha ha! Good times….

Anyway, When we got to Houston, It was raining all morning. But we only cancel shows if there is lightening. Well, it showed up to. I had just unloaded my first truck when they decided to cancel the show. So we load all the gear right back into the truck. And its stops raining. The comes out and it’s a beautiful day. I was pissed. So we had the day off, BUT we were supposed to have 2 days off in a row then start the 12 days in a row… But because we canceled the show, we had to stay the next day and do the show in doors! Which meant, only 1 day off before the 12 days…. Lame. The indoor show was ok, pretty loud, but not bad. I got to see that Matches that day. They played on my stage. That was my first time to go from work mode to Oh my God, im a fan…. I went up to the singer and introduced myself, told him what I did on tour … and then I asked him what songs they were gonna do…. He said, Do you need that from all the bands?? I was like, no, Im just a fan and I was wondering what songs you were gonna play! Ha! So he tells me what theyre gonna play and I start asking why they aren’t playing all my favorite songs…. He just says, Dude, im just glad you know my songs! ….. So I dug that. It made my day worth while.

We did Atlanta yesterday, where I got to meet the fat kid from Accepted and Knocked Up!!! He was out promoting the new movie Super Bad and I got to on his bus and chill with him for a min….Yeah, I mad him say Smasmorshin like a billion times!! Ha!

Today was 1 of 4 days in Florida… Yeah, Florida sucks. I was in Jacksonville today and dude… it was so hot. I think the hottest I have EVER been in my life… you just sweat all day. Its horrible. And all this work and dirt and sweat is making it hard for my tattoo to heal!! Oh yeah, I got a tour tattoo! Ha! On Friday the 13^th, since it is the 13^th Warped tour, and the stage I work is called “13” a bunch of us got “13” tattoos. So, yeah… its not wanting to heal properly and It makes me mad…. Anyway, I think ive written enough for one night. Im quite ready for bed. But, I will write more soon and I hope to talk to you all….. or most of you… hehe, soon!

Late!
Kelly K

Oh, and here are some pictures from along the way....

BLOG 7: Los Cruces NM.

Well, Im in Los Cruces NM right now… Its 10:44am here… I just got my stage set up and My first 3 bands backlined and I thought id take my extra time to write to you! Word!!

Dude, yesterday we were in Arizona…. I kid you not, in my trailer it was 130 degrees!!! Its bad when the highlight of your day is a shower… We had AMAZING showers last night! I’ve come to appreciate the finer things in life…. Such as showers, water, Beds, and fruit…. These are things Ill never take for granted again!

Last night I got no sleep. None at all… and you wanna know why??? Cause I kept dreaming that I had to fit all of Red Jumpsuits gear into my bunk. So I kept rolling over and moving around thinking I had to fit gear in there with me. And its like…. At certain points I KNEW I was dreaming… but I just couldn’t wake myself up and think my way out of it! Lame!! I tell you what… If ANY of you ask me to help you move when I get home, or pack a truck…. Forget it!!! Im already tired of packing trucks! Ha! Ill come over and help you stay put. Ill just sit there and make sure you don’t start loading things into a truck… I like that way better….

Well, sorry I don’t have any crazy story’s yet today…. But ill hit you all with more later… Im gonna go to work now!

Late!

Kelly K

BLOG 6: Albuquerque NM

So…today is a day off in New Mexico and I am really digging not doing anything!!! We had a show in Denver yesterday… yeah…. We got rained on… It was pretty brutal. We had to cover everything with plastic and the shows got pushed back later… The crowd was pretty funny… they just stood there in the rain screaming, “Rain or shine!!” I was like… yeah, ok…. Ill just stand here and not get wet and you keep looking like idiots… and they did.

I do have a funny story though to tell you all about Canada that I forgot to tell you!! Ok, so out of all the people I work with on a day to day basis… The techs for Coheed piss me off the most… Theyre just weird dudes.. I don’t know how else to put it… Well, One of them wasn’t supposed to go to Canada… apparently he didn’t something wrong last time he was there and he wasn’t supposed to go back… Well, I guess he REALLY wanted back in… Heres what he did. Right before the border he climbs ON TOP of their tour bus… he then waits there, 5 HOURS baking in the sun trying to hide from the Border guards… well, they obviously see him….but they let him just sit up there and cook. Well, after the five hours, they let the bus into Canada. So hes probably thinking hes like the smartest guy ever!! Then, half a mile down the road the bus gets pulled over by the border guards and they pull out a ladder and climb on top. Coheeds guy ask them what are they gonna do, and they tell him… Nothing…..If you run all the way back to the US right now…. HA! So the dude, jumps off the bus, and runs all the way back!!! WHAT AN IDIOT!!! Ha ha ha!! I was wondering where he was during those shows…..

Well, tomorrow is one more day off then we do 5 days straight… That sounds rough but after the 5 days, we have ONE day off then do 12 days straight!! That’s gonna be killer!! Anyway, If youre planning to come to the dallas show, please let me know soon. I have a lot of people that are supposed to be coming and I need to know how many to put on the guest list. That show is this Saturday by the way….

Well, I appreciate you all checking these and leaving love. IT makes me feel good to know that I have people at home who care what I do! Thank you! It feels like Ive been out here for about 3 months…. And Im not even close to being done… I cant wait to see whats around the next corner!!

Late!
Kelly K

BLOG 5: Butte Montana

Ok, well, I cant really remember where I left off on my last blog so….. I guess ill just start….. here.

This was my first time to leave the country, and when I first got here all I could think was… wow, Canada sucks!! BUT.. I take that back now after today. When we first got here we had a show in Vancouver, It wasn’t that bad, kinda wet but we didn’t really get rained on, so it wasn’t that bad. I’ve gotten WAY better at my job and I’m actually starting to have a good time with it. Today we had a day off in Jasper… Oh lordt!! Go to Jasper!!! Jasper is the most gorgeous place I have ever been!! Its ridiculous how pretty it is here.!

We pulled in around 11am and I hooked up with these kats, Large, Minh,and Frankie… We get a shuttle into town and find this pub called “Earls”. Were sittin there drinking Stellas and we see these 2 local girls sitting on the patio. So, Large says that Frankie and I should go talk to them… So we do. Frankie just keeps telling them how we work on the warped tour and how cool we are… blah blah… they don’t seem to interested in us, which I don’t blame them AT ALL…. So we go back in and sit down…. Then Our waiter brings me and Frankie 2 shots from those girls! Ha ha! So the 4 of us end up going out and sitting with them and they tell us about where they work and how theres an awesome sushi place there…. So that night we go out and have THE BEST Sushi I have ever eaten in my life!! It was a pretty rad day all in all… Those girls are gonna try to come to one of the shows when we get to Canada in august I guess… I don’t know… talk to Frankie…

Anyway, I wrote those last 2 paragraphs 2 days ago.. Im kinda jumping around and Im sorry for that!! Its way crazier out here than I thougt it would be! You don’t always have time to do things or to finsh things that you start… my bad….

We had a show yesterday in Calgary…. And I hated it… worst show so far… Its just Canadians I think…. But today was a day off in Butte Montana…. Home of Evil Kanevil (Sp?) But yeah…. This place is pretty hook too… Im ready to get into some states and or towns that actually have somthin goin on…. However, it was a great day… I just chilled and pretty much did nothing… And it was amazing!! Its good to have the internet back and to be able to use my phone!!

OH!! Funny story for you all… my favorite from the tour so far…. So everyday, I have about 4 guys who work under me. I tell them what to do, and they do it…. Well, one of my guys was chillin with me while we had a second to do so… and looks at me and says, “So, how long have you been sober?” Me, having no clue as to what hes talking about…. I reply, “All freaking day!!!” HA! He said Oh, well, I saw that it says this too shall pass on your arm so I figured you were in AA!!! WHAT!!!! I had no idea that had anything to do with AA! I was like, oh my bad hommie!!! I bet he thought I was some freakin Crazy alcoholic… (like KYLE WARD who probably isn’t even reading this….)

Anyway… I thought that was pretty funny….So tomorrow is SLC Utah, I hope it’s a good day… Im getting the hang of it now… I don’t dread it every day… I am however not looking forward to the 12 shows in a row we have coming up!!! That’s gonna be Killer… So, until next time…

LATE!
Kelly K

BLOG 4: San Francisco

Ok, so yesterday was amazing….. But really only for one reason…. The Vandals!!! They decided to only do ONE show… Lame, and they moved them to the other main stage!!!! So I didn’t even think I was gonna get to see them at all! But I checked their set time so that when it was coming up, I had my guys that work for me bust their asses hella hard and we finished loading my band pretty quick. So I got to go watch them play like 5 songs. It was awesome!! When they played Oi to the World the whole place turned into one huge circle pit! It was amazing to watch…. Oh, then they had the Drummer from Pennywise come out and play “My Girlfriends Dead” with them…. Freaking amazing!

Other than that though, everything has been getting way better. Im learning the routine of things and Im getting used to the long hours and hard work. Im not, however, getting used to waking up not knowing where I am….Trying to find the main stage…. Then at night walking around for 30mins looking for my damn bus!! Yeah, that’s daily for me….. So, I guess im starting to get into it, but I really wonder how Im gonna feel after a month! I do know home is gonna be lookin pretty sweet come August!!

Also… I want you all to know, If ANY of you wanna come to a show and come chill with me, I would love to have you out! You can come watch the shows from on the stage, which is way better than fighting the crowd…. Anyway, check www.warpedtour.com for dates and let me know 2 days in advance that you wanna come and let me know how many guests youre gonna bring! WORD!!!

Well, today is my day off and were driving to Canada… I just woke up and this was the first thing I did… so I think im gonna watch a movie or somthin…..If any of you wanna call, today would be the day… Ill be on a bus, I can answer….

LATE!

Kelly K

BLOG 3: VENTURA

Are you guys tired of these yet????? Today was by far better than yesterday. Still an extremely hard work day, but I got through it without think Ill probably be dieing soon! ha!

We did however, have someone die today. It was kind of buzz kill for everyone working on the tour. Some guy I guess had a heat attack during the Circle Jerks show. Sad really. I gues he was like 40 and had a pacemaker and stuff though, so at least he went out having a good time.

Oh, on a better note, if you ever get the chance I HIGHLY recommend you all go see Kill Switch Engage live.... Wow, those guys are amazing! Im glad they're on my stage! I have never in my life seen a band put so much energy into their show. Oh and check this, probably one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life! Killswitch is on and we have a bunch of VIPs standing at the back of the stage.... well, on the last song we make everyone clear the stage so that the band can come off uninterrupted.... Ok, so thats what were doing.... were clearing the stage. (let me just say, that the stage is about 7ft off the ground, then 5ft out is security and a barricade) .....so were clearing the stage.... Then all of a sudden some HUGE guy (made me look small) Runs through us, hits the guitar player and TRYS to jump out into the crowd. Clearing the security and barricade floating like a feather through the air as the crowd cheers and catches him!!! But thats not what happened at all. Hommie jumps, but not far, Goes right in-between two security guards that have no idea hes comming and lands belly first on the metal barricade....his face followed promptly! HA HA HA!! I about died!! then the guitar player turns to me (while playing) And says who was that??? I said I have no idea.... and he just said... Eh, LA.....

So, I guess that was the high point of my day.... that or the shower I just took on my bus where you can only use an ounce of water... Im not sure yet what was better...

Anyway, that was my day... sorta.... But tomorrow Ill be in Sanfrancisco then a day off.... If I begin to bore you, stop reading....But ill try to space these out from now on.....

LATE!
Kelly K

I wrote this on June 30th but couldnt post it due to the internet on our bus not working.... sorry for the late post.