I know its been a good show when, afterwards, I can't talk because there are no words. I know its been a good show when I want to let the music circle in my head, over and over again, and not listen to anything else.

As much as I love the music, I love the people that I see at the shows. Strange as it seems, there's a magic in leaving yourself behind, surrendering to the brutal push of the crowd and lunging forward to get a better view. Packed together shoulder to shoulder, you can't help but get to know the people around you a bit better.

Pre-show, standing in the bathroom line at the Wendy's across the street: a pretty woman with short red hair, neatly applied makeup, wearing black. Later during the show, she ends up in front of me in the pit, wedged between a four foot tall goth and a several tall teenage boys.

Before the show, we stand around listening to the music and watching the set change. The girls next to us talk and blow their smoke into the air, where it swirls and disappears into the cloud that has long been hovering above the crowd. The red haired woman from earlier talks with the male next to her, as he chain smokes. Occasionally she turns to talk to my friend and me.

The girls behind us are midly amusing. A tall black-haired goth with pale white skin stands behind her short black friend who complains jokingly, "stop getting your white makeup on me."

A man and a teenage boy push their way through the crowd, moving parallel to the stage, "looking for my wife!". The red haired woman lets out a "pffft" and "that's what they all say!". From another irritated person, "man this is what we got here early for". The large man wedges himself into a spot and introduces himself as "Mike" and his 14 year old son "David".

"You didn't meet him on the internet, did you?" the redhead laughs. A definitive answer is not given, but the man laughs with her. Everyone chit-chats, anticipating the main act.

When the show starts, I manage to get in front of Mike and his "son". Several songs into the set, he lays his arm into my back and pushes, apparently attempting whatever he feels necessary to get a good view.

Afterwards, the crowd mills around outside the club. So many people, most of them talking and yet, its so quiet outside.

"Look up into the stars, and you're gone."