Rebel Fans Rally to Send Love & Light to Leah

"Pull me up on either side, don't leave me standing alone in the light."

A couple of weeks ago, I was just about packed and ready to head to Los Angeles for Moon Block Party to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Black Angels and of course, my rebel family, when I got word the night before my departure that drummer Leah Shapiro was sick and the show was most likely going to get cancelled.  I made the tough decision to cancel my trip, thinking that the illness was probably just a bad case of the flu and that all was fine and that I'd just save my trip for another time.  The next day, as I was feeling regretful for canceling and wishing I had boarded that plane, the news finally came from Leah herself regarding her illness. 

 

She shared with us her personal story of what the last few months have been like for her as she started showing symptoms of what would later be diagnosed as Chiari Malformation, a condition that affects the fluid from the brain stem.  Because this was affecting her playing, the band regretfully announced that they would have to cancel this and any other upcoming shows in the near future so that Leah could have surgery and recover to get back to being the beautiful badass behind the kit she is.  Immediately, love and support from fellow fans and friends came pouring in and we were all left wondering how we could help.  My friends still attended the music festival BRMC was supposed to play and I just felt so sad being away from them during this time.  It really hit us all so hard that one of the brightest souls on the planet could be having to fight this battle and I can't imagine the fear and worry that she must also be going through as her livelihood is put on hold while she waits for relief. 

 

Leah has a smile that radiates whenever you see it.  You just want to be near her light.  I was late in joining this family and wasn't around during the Nick Jago days, but it is clear that since she has joined BRMC, she has brought something completely different to the band that has bonded them closer together.  They truly are like brothers and sister.  I had the amazing opportunity to say "hi" and meet Leah after their show in New Orleans last year.  She was rushing to meet friends as they were heading out on the road in just under an hour, but she took the time to let me tell her how much their music meant to me and that I loved watching her play.  She even took a picture with me, which sometimes getting her after a show can be a little difficult.  The fact that she did that when she could have just blown me off cemented why these three are so special in my heart.  I've grown up around music all my life, but it wasn't until I first saw Leah play that I was drawn towards her thriving beat of the drums.  Even when I listen to their albums, I just listen in awe at how fierce yet delicate she really is.  Her fierceness and drive will be what carries her through this along with all of the love and support from the rebel family across the world.

 

Leah and I after the Civic Theater show in New Orleans last year. 

 

And family is what we indeed are.  In less than a week after a Go Fund Me account, entitled Pass the Helmet for Leah, was set up by my good friend and brother iAN Ottaway, we are already halfway to our goal of $33,300.00 which will go towards her surgery taking place at the end of November along with her subsequent recovery.  The band has also released a special edition "I Want to Beleah" t-shirt which will also go towards this very special cause.  I believe the first day those shirts were on sale, they had already sold out of almost every size, another testament to how special this band is to its fans.  We still have a ways to go, but every little bit helps and it just keeps that spirit alive that there are still a lot of really good people out there.  I can't wait to be back with my rebel family watching Leah, Robert and Peter take the stage that first time after her recovery.  Until then, her light will continue to shine brightly as she blazes through this journey with a world of love by her side. 

 

 

A Little Texas Heart + Soul Heads to the Rebel West

It's been months since my last hit and the withdrawals have been brutal. There's nothing like that almost out of body experience that takes you out of your head and into a happier place. That rush from the energy around you when nothing else matters but that moment. It's the dope in my black tar veins that keeps me feeling alive. I try to quit but this addiction will hold me for the rest of my life for it is in that moment when I finally feel at home. And in just a few weeks, heaven will surround me once again. 

I am of course talking about a concert, but not just any concert.  In just a few short weeks, I will be heading west to Los Angeles to see my third Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show.  A show that I honestly did not think would happen this soon.  Partly because of logistics of getting there and partly because after their European tour earlier this year, Rob told a good friend of mine that they were done for the year and taking a much needed and much deserved break.  Luckily for us, that break did not last very long as summer dates started trickling in and the dream was lit alive once again.  

 

Peter Hayes and brother iAN after the last L.A. show in October.


When I caught up with BRMC in New Orleans last October, I was fortunate to also finally get to meet and spend a lot of time with the famous iAN Ottaway from "Ask iAN" on the band's website.  It was like meeting someone you had known your entire life, which is pretty much how it goes in this family, and we shared a lot of great things that night; stories, Cheez-its, a bed.  Hey, keep it clean here, I was helping out a friend.  Anyways, I had a good heart to heart with iAN about something and three words that he told me that night have stuck with me ever since, almost becoming my new mantra or motto.  "Make it Happen." That was what he told me and I took it straight to heart.  So a few days later when he posted this picture of himself and Peter after the last show in Los Angeles, I said right then and there that I will be at the next L.A. show no matter what.  While I had *hoped* that my chance would come soon, I hesitated to get my hopes up too high because I knew they were going to want a break soon, yet something kept telling me I would be seeing them sooner than I thought.  Slowly but surely, dates started trickling in for summer festivals and one off shows in Spain and Italy.  They announced they were opening for Pearl Jam in the UK and for the Arctic Monkeys in Los Angeles.  I almost pulled the trigger on that show, but that same voice from earlier told me to wait since seeing them for their own show is the way to go.  Then, that magical day in May happened and BRMC announced they would be doing a show in August before their Arctic Monkeys date.  I, of course, freaked out like a little girl and immediately started making plans to get out there.  And quickly it all fell into place.  Like magic.    

  

This trip is going to mean a lot to me.  Not only will I get to see a band that I adore who has brought so much good into my life since falling in love with them, but I get to see my brother iAN again and finally meet so many members of my rebel family.  Of course, not everyone will be able to be there, but that just keeps the dream alive that one day we will all be at that mega show.  Until then, I hope California is ready for this Texas girl because I'm ready for you, all ready for you!