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Post by ecrajoe on Feb 19, 2008 6:17:54 GMT -5
i was curious when travis won everybody over. for me it was the second i saw him wearing a bill hicks tshirt. that and the video for their myspace. the one that started with i think 2x4. i liked him before bc of the harmful belly video, but those two things are when i realized everything was going to be ok for sure. bill hicks and blind melon are what i grew up on.
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Post by Meredith on Feb 19, 2008 6:48:18 GMT -5
It was almost instant as far as the appreciation of his vocals and songwriting....he was talented for sure. What sealed the deal was meeting him for the first time in Pittsburgh.....he has this certain "something" about him. His personality and humbleness, his stage presence, his smile, and the way he takes the time with all the fans to say hello and bs around. He is a great guy just like the rest of the band members and he fits in perfectly. He completely won me over.
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Post by Karen on Feb 19, 2008 8:26:59 GMT -5
I think for me it was the minute that I saw him onstage at the Canal Room show. I could already tell that he was talented from both his old stuff and the new BM stuff, but there's something about him when he hits the stage. Then I met him after the show and you can tell he is just a sweetie. Just really genuine and happy to be part of this band. I just love how he (and all the guys) take the time to talk to all of our crazy asses. Gotta love him for that.
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Post by sirendemented on Feb 19, 2008 12:11:56 GMT -5
I liked him at the Canal Room show, but he won me over as a person when I messaged him on myspace after the show, explaining some personal issues (nothing negative to do with the band, some other things). And he replied to me within in the hour, and we've had some banter since.
He's a good guy.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2008 13:34:01 GMT -5
I was definitely skeptical at first, as most of us were. However, I was able to hear clips of acoustic versions of Skinned and Soup with Travis on vocals, back in late 2006. I think hearing those clips ALMOST sealed the deal. The Harmful Belly video, and then the sort "In the Studio" video sent chills up and down my body.. Then, hearing and seeing the response they received for their first show in 12 years (thanks to members here, and youtube) amazed the hell out of me.. That's when I knew I would not turn my back on a band for replacing my favorite singer of all time... Now, for me, Hoon and Warren go hand and hand.
Also, Travis taking an hour out of the night before his very first show with the band, to talk to me about Shannon and Blind Melon, truly showed me his compassion for Hoon, the band, and the fans. Meeting Travis right before their last show of the first tour was amazing (as well as meeting Brad and Rogers, of course). They all showed how greatly appreciative they are, and always will be.
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Post by Karen on Feb 19, 2008 14:35:55 GMT -5
I think that's the thing with Travis...he REALLY is a fan of Blind Melon and Shannon. It's easy to get any random off the street to sing for a band. Travis has so much passion for the songs and the band that it lights up the whole stage.
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Post by Brandy on Feb 19, 2008 14:43:05 GMT -5
I knew he sounded great but all I could think about was Shannon.I guess it happend for me at the Double Door show just watching him interact with Nico.and when Nel gave her blessing I was good to go
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Post by *Sonya* on Feb 19, 2008 15:43:22 GMT -5
I think that's the thing with Travis...he REALLY is a fan of Blind Melon and Shannon. It's easy to get any random off the street to sing for a band. Travis has so much passion for the songs and the band that it lights up the whole stage. I absolutely agree with you Karen. Anyone who is familiar with Blind Melon bootlegs is familiar with all of the little things that Shannon did or said when he performed live. When you watch Travis perform, it's obvious that he's INCREDIBLY familiar with the bootlegs and the way that Shannon used to perform songs...to me this proves what a huge fan he is. We know from Matt's interview with him that he's really into collecting and trading live shows from his favorite bands, and anyone who is familiar with old Blind Melon shows can tell that Travis knows his shit when it comes to honoring Shannon's live persona. I'm one of the lucky ones who has seen both Shannon and Travis perform, and I can attest firsthand that Travis brings a lot of "Shannonisms" to the stage when he performs. You don't have to have seen Shannon live to recognize it, if you are familiar with old live video footage you will definitely recognize it. It does not come off as Travis copying Shannon, it comes across as him honoring Shannon. If you close your eyes sometimes when Travis performs you could swear you were hearing Shannon. Again, I know some people might just say that he's "copying", and all I can say about that is that you have to experience it for yourself to really understand it. Don't be mistaken, Travis is definitely his own person and has his own distinct stage presence.
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CC
The Pusher
To the Cup!
Posts: 105
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Post by CC on Feb 19, 2008 15:56:55 GMT -5
Back in 06 when they put up 'For My Friends' and 'Harmful Belly'. Although he'll never be Shannon, nor should he try to be, he's got a voice that can handle the old songs and make great new songs.
Sadly BM hasn't come near enough for me to see them (COME TO BUFFALO, NY!) , but I truly anticipate the day that I get to watch these guys in person.
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Post by smjy2k on Feb 19, 2008 16:20:35 GMT -5
Travis hasn't won me over yet!
I'm a long time Melonhead but haven't really wanted to listen to the new songs as demos and versions. I'm waiting to get my hands on the album (63 days!!). Saying that, I did download the Chicago show and, for me, the new songs don't stand out as much as the old stuff. There doesn't seem to be that elusive "something" with the new stuff. I do like Travis' voice though.
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Post by *Sonya* on Feb 19, 2008 16:34:23 GMT -5
I guess I never did say when he officially "won me over". When I first heard about the reformation of Blind Melon I made the conscious decision that I would keep an open mind to "the new guy". I was thrilled at the news that Blind Melon would be making music again, but of course that "unknown" was lurking because nobody knew what to expect. I didn't go into it with any preconceived notions about what it would sound like, I didn't want to speculate on anything. Fortunately, I really got into the songs that they dropped on us prior to the tour beginning. At first I just listened with open ears and absorbed Travis' style of songwriting because it's a lot different than Shannon's style. Now that I've gotten familiar with his other projects outside of Blind Melon, I sincerely appreciate his style of songwriting and guitar playing. There was definitely a build-up that happened over the course of a year with all of the little teasers they would bestow upon us including songs, vids, pics, updates on their progress, etc., but I think when Travis really won me over as "the singer of Blind Melon" was when all of the live footage started coming in from the first few dates of the tour back in October. That's the proof I had been waiting for, I wanted to see if he was going to be able to pull it off in a live situation. I honestly got chills watching all of the videos that people were uploading, especially the intense footage from Chicago which choked me up. The deal was sealed when I saw him perform for the first time in Lancaster. I've seen 4 shows with him as the front man so far and was blown away by his performance at every show. I would not say I was ever "skeptical" of him, I had faith that Blind Melon wouldn't be doing this if there wasn't something really special about this guy. With that in mind, my feeling and approach was always to try and stay unbiased and keep an open mind until I saw what he was capable of. When the time came, he definitely pulled it off and impressed me. At this point in time I can honestly say that if the shit hit the fan with Blind Melon and he was no longer their singer, I would still be a fan of Travis' music and follow his career. Hopefully that will never ever happen...I'm just trying to say that now that I've had a chance to familiarize myself with the music he's made outside of Blind Melon I have a true appreciation for his talent and would consider myself a Travis T. Warren fan (to include Blind Melon and all of his other projects).
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Post by melonhead1784 on Feb 19, 2008 17:40:54 GMT -5
It was not until about May of 2007 that I finished a report on Blind Melon and I came across the reformation. The Harmful Belly video was amazing and that is where it started for me. My gf and I were 100 percent convinced after seeing Blind Melon live at the Canopy Club. Travis' voice is amazing and he is a first class person. We talked to him after the show for about five minutes and told him we drove 5 and a half hours to see them. He was amazed and wondered why we didn't make the Chicago show. I was so bummed that we missed that one, but I had an exam. Anyway after meeting him and seeing how down to earth he is, we couldn't help but love him!!! Travis is definitely the best choice that we could have ever hoped for.
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carolyn
Porcupine
I think it's time...
Posts: 982
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Post by carolyn on Feb 19, 2008 20:06:09 GMT -5
I remember checking online every few minutes, around the time when they said they would be releasing the first three songs. I still remember when the songs were FINALLY out. Travis's voice found a place within the music. Then when the Harmful Belly video came out - WOW. This first minute or so, when Travis is singing live, was AMAZING. That is when I knew he had talent, and the SOUL. And the end of that video, when he's asked "What's that like Travis?" - he seems to genuine. I trusted that the if they guys came back together, it would be for a good reason, and with with the right person. They were right. I can't wait to take it to the next level when I see them live next month.
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Post by Karen on Feb 19, 2008 20:51:40 GMT -5
At this point in time I can honestly say that if the shit hit the fan with Blind Melon and he was no longer their singer, I would still be a fan of Travis' music and follow his career. Hopefully that will never ever happen...I'm just trying to say that now that I've had a chance to familiarize myself with the music he's made outside of Blind Melon I have a true appreciation for his talent and would consider myself a Travis T. Warren fan (to include Blind Melon and all of his other projects). Amen!
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Post by knagel00 on Feb 19, 2008 20:52:32 GMT -5
I got my hands on some of Travis' music very shortly after the announcement was made. The first track I heard nearly knocked me off my chair. As each track played and I heard it for the first time, it was like discovering some major hidden loot. I was instantly a huge fan. I flew out to L.A. in May of 2007 to see him play The Derby. I just had to witness it for myself - in person. I got to talk to him a bit before and after the show - much easier to do than at one of the recent BM shows - there wasn't a whole gaggle of other fans trying to meet him. Totally kind-hearted, genuine guy. I am still amazed by his talent everytime I hear another new song on his myspace player. This guy's a genious.
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