I get a lot of flack for having liked The Juliana Theory so I cannot believe I agreed to share this with the 24tix.com audience. Looking back, however, I may not be where I am today if it hadn't been for them.
Here goes:
The Juliana Theory (TJT) was the key that unlocked the door to underground music scene for me and my spiritual awakening. Before them it was N'SYNC, and the Backstreet Boys and anything else that was "POP." I liked what was fed to me by the mainstream music industry. I'd known nothing else. I didn't know music could be so real, so pure, and so intense. How could anyone make me feel these emotions I was having from a show I saw, more like, was dragged to, in the 4-car garage that is Kilby Court 7 years ago?
I first heard The Juliana Theory in my friend's car. As we drove around I'd become vaguely familiar with songs like “Duane Joseph” and “Music Box Superhero” from their 'Understand This is a Dream' album. A couple weeks later my friend said TJT was going to be performing in Salt Lake. She wanted me to come with her. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to go but I eventually caved in at her pleading.
We pulled up to the venue that is Kilby Court and I was a little shocked and thought she was joking. “There playing here?” I said, “This place looks kind of sketchy.” I'm sure there was an opener but I can't recall who it was. Then we watched as TJT set up their equipment on stage. We stared at them, gawking, as teenage girls tend to do when they think someone's cute. There were quite a few people there in that little garage. Probably 30 to 50 at least. (Nowadays that's nothing, but back then it seemed like a lot.) The music started and I didn't really know all the lyrics to the first couple of songs, but I observed the crowd and eagerly awaited a song I was more familiar with. Then “Duane Joesph” played . . . . . . .
That song was a real crowd pleaser. Everyone sang/screamed along . . . . “Tell your mom you need and day off, so we can play out in the rain” . . . . . I was jumping up and down and smiling and as I looked around I realized that I was among people who shared in my same feelings towards this band, this music, this energy.
Religion and spirituality, when you're a teenager, is a confusing place. At this show, I felt like I belonged. I felt that no one was judging me. No one was telling me what to believe. I could sing and scream just as loud as the rest of them. I was amazed that I could find this kind of love and camaraderie in this shack-of-a-place (Kilby) and among people I didn't even know. We were all there for the same reason; the music.
When they played “Music Box Superhero” and the lead singer ,Brett Detar, held on to the rafters with one hand and held out the microphone with the other to let the crowd in the back know they were part of this song too . . . . “and I can never be the apple of your eye, the story of your life is what's inside” . . . . I was hooked.
When the show was over, the band asked if anyone had a place for 6 guys to crash before heading off to their next town. Being the naïve girl I was at the time, my jaw dropped. My mind was racing, I thought to myself - “You mean to tell me that these guys just played their hearts out and made me feel like I might be figuring out who I am and what is important to me and they don't even have a place to stay???!!!!!” I couldn't believe it. I begged my friend to let them stay at her house. But she was living with her aunt at the time and we both knew that wasn't going to go over well. We were too young to have boys that we didn't even know staying at our house anyway. I mean, come on, this is Utah, I was 16, and I lived in Bountiful.
We nervously thanked them for a wonderful show and played their CD in the car as we drove home.
Music has been a part of my life ever since.
For what this band and Kilby unknowingly did for me I am forever grateful. From the people I've met to the opportunities in jobs, social and love life, I'm indebted.
Sara Monroe,
Manager - 24tix.com
Remember to submit your experiences for a chance to win free tickets! Visit 24tix.com/experience for more information.
Hey Sara
You are so welcome for being that awesome friend that dragged you to see The Juliana Theory at Kilby seven years ago…I can’t believe it was that long ago. Thanks for reminding me once again how old I am getting. Those really were such the good old days.
I also can’t believe I almost considered asking my aunt if they could stay over at her house. I wonder if she would have said ”yes”??
Anyway…thanks for being such a great friend over the years. Talk to you soon.
Love, Aunica
Posted by: Aunica Smith | August 13, 2007 at 02:24 PM