Well, my first contact with AIC was back in 2001 when a friend borrowed me Facelift and Mtv Unplugged. When I put the album on my cd player somehow it didn't started from the beginning and jumped right into "It Ain't Like that" and that riff blasted me. At that time I was a little disappointed cause I was trying to learn how to play guitar and I really sucked, but, when I heard that riff I thought "I have to learn that no matter what", so I hit the repeat button and that's how it all started. I kept listening that album for days, over and over again. 13 years ago the internet wasn't like now a days and I lived on a small town and the only cd store on the city didn't have anything but Facelift. At the time Layne passed away I was living on a big city so I finally was able to get more stuff and meet other fans as well. Then I started to play on a band and 50% of our set list was AIC tunes, then finally we turn into a cover band. At that point I was already a "chainer".

 

Well, let's talk about my experience with the band.

 

In 2011 when I heard that they were coming to Brazil I went crazy. I needed to see them in person, so I went to the airport. Finally the plane landed and there I was, waiting for them. Faith no More was the first band to get off and I started to talk to Mike Bordin (I worked with FNM back in 2009 so he remembered me) and he told me that Jerry was sick because of the flight so he was in a bad mood.

 

Sean was the first to get off and truth to be told, I froze, but as usual he was very cool and broke the ice, made some jokes. At the moment I was asking him to take a picture I saw Jerry trying to sneak out the people so I ran after him. He was very polite, I asked him to sign my Degradation Trip and he did and then I finally ask for the photo. Right away he told "no pictures" and the security guy started to push me away. I just said "Ok man, thanks anyway". I don't know if he saw my disappointed face or what made him turn back and say "c'mon, one picture and just you". The people around were pissed off (include my girlfriend) but somehow I got the photo. After that he went to the van and I couldn't see him anymore. After that we talked to all the guys and took pictures. William was with Susan Silver and both were very nice and polite. I think I don't even need to talk about Inez, he's the best. To complete the night I was talking to Sean, when we heard from across the street "Hey Sean" and when we look there was Duff McKagan showing his white pale ass.

 

About the concert, there's nothing much to talk about. That was the dream coming true. After 13 hours stand, under the rain without go to the bathroom when I first listen Jerry's guitar everything went away and I enjoyed every second.

 

Talking about the 2013 concert I can say properly, that was the concert of my life. I got there early in the morning. I parked my car in front of the back door of the venue, my girlfriend went to the line with some friends and I stand right there, hoping to see the guys. I talked to Sean's and Mike's techs first, real nice guys but as usual they gave no information about the schedule. Then I start to talk with Baldy and Jerry's guitar tech. Baldy was really sweet, gave me some guitar picks and a drum stick, he told us that he was loving that trip to Brazil, because they didn't enjoy the last one. Jerry's tech is a pain in the ass. Then I met a real cool dude that was responsible for the sound and lights of the venue, he told me to wait after the concert so he could get me some stuff.

 

The guys arrived but they were late so they ran into the venue for the sound check.

 

I heard some sound check stuff then I went to the line. We were at the front row, right in front Jerry spot. The show started and that was unbelievable, the distance between the crowd and the stage was insane, I've never thought that I would see AIC playing so close.

 

They played 2 songs and when "Hollow" started Jerry went to the front and gave me a smile. At first I thought with myself "Nah, that was not for me". After a couple of tunes there was Jerry again, over the PA, smiling at me. That time my girlfriend and a friend of mine saw it and told me that was for me for sure. I wasn't believing then I decided to ask for a guitar pick the next time. And then it happened. I made a sign asking for the pick and he nodded his head saying yes. At that point I thought I would have a heart attack. They finished the song and Jerry stop in front of me, looked me in the eyes, smiled and tossed the pick for the other side. Not happy, he did it twice more (but happily I got one of those). When they started to play "Rooster" I was a little frustrated and kind of hating Jerry, but then he surprised me. When the song ended he stopped in front of me, gave a smile, and tossed me the pick. He kept looking to make sure I got it and when I show him he smiled and nodded. After that he went all over the stage and came back there, tossed more picks (I got another one) and looked at me again and I thanked him again and he says "No, thank you".

 

That was something unique and meant a lot for me as all the band (and co-related) work does. The band is present on my life in every moment, the good ones and especially the bad ones.

 

Anyway, I'm happy that I can share my history with people that understand how I feel about our "twisted little passion". I would like to congratulate the guys from the website and thank for the space.