After a weekend at a funeral, nothing picks you up like going to see your favorite emo-metal band, Silverstein, at the Hard Rock cafe. After circumventing Ticketmaster's convenience charges and spending a day cruising wireless stores for a new phone, we eventually made the trek down to Universal Studios.

Even in the depressed economic climate, Universal Citywalk buzzes with positive energy. It probably has something to do with the revenue they generate from charging $12 for parking (GM, Ford, are you listening?). There is a pretty cool feeling about seeing one of your favorite bands in a clandestine venue like the Hard Rock Cafe. Amid the signed photos from such successful, enduring artists such as Sevendust, Static-x and Creed... yeah, they let anyone in here.

I learned a few things at this concert.

• Chiodos is kind of a big deal
• Indoor venues are over-rated when the general admission floor consists of smelly, overweight Pete Wentz fans
• I'm just not as into Silverstein- or more accurately- this genre of music, as I used to be

I can attribute that to a lot of things, but being in a happier, busier, and more productive time in my life probably has a lot to do with it. Rap is back on my playlists in a big way, which I think has more to do with the genre being resurrected from the club music shit that has dominated the radio for the last 4 years than my personal leanings.

Not to say I didn't have a blast at the Silverstein Chiodos concert. Except for that Taiwanese couple. They can burn in hell.