Trash
I'm a big fan of Scottish/American band Garbage. They were the first band I got into under my own steam, and Shirley Manson's probably the reason I have a thing for redheads.

I got into them around the time of the second album, their biggest release. I didn't manage to see them live until 2001 for their third album and even then, the two gigs I saw them at were my first and second ever gigs. At that time I didn't think I'd ever get to meet Shirley and settled for enjoying the gigs. In the four years between tours, while the band went on a break, briefly split and reformed, I was off seeing other bands live and realising that if you hang around long enough outside gigs, you can generally meet them.

When Garbage came back over in 2005 they played a small, fan-club only show at La Scala in London. I got there at midday and was halfway down the queue to get in. After the gig I left sharpish to hang about around the back of the venue; as the crowd was made up of even bigger fans than I I was not alone and only got a scribbled autograph on an album cover. I wanted to actually get some time to talk to Shirley and tell her the effect she'd had on my life.

As soon as the proper European tour was announced I booked tickets to the gig in Amsterdam. Despite never have flown, or been to Holland, or knowing any Dutch, I decided that would be my best chance to talk to her. Unfortunately perusing the message boards I found out that a large contingent of the same hardcore lot would be there as well. How could I guarantee an audience?

A few weeks prior to the gig I was mulling over this question when I remembered the only person to get more than a few words with her was a chap who had a tattoo of her face on his arm. Obviously a similar thing would be a bit weird and stalkerish (yes, I realise at this point it's a bit pot-kettle-black) so I plumped for a symbol from the cover of the single that got me into the band. Surely that would do the trick, a permanent reminder of my love of the band?

£20 and a sore arm later, I was sporting my second tattoo, and hoping it would heal in time for the gig. Luckily it did, and the trip to Amsterdam went well. The gig was as good as the previous ones and after the show I waited outside with a handful of others. Given the scarcity of the crowd and my new ink, she was as good as mine. I even held back and let others harass Shirley as soon as she came out the dressing room, safe in the knowledge that I had a great talking point.

Finally she noticed me lingering on the edge of the crowd. We made eye contact and I sauntered over, casually dropping my jacket and rolling up my right sleeve.

"Hey, Shirley, look at this!" I cooly said.

She looked at my tattoo.

She looked at me.

"Yes, and?"

She left. I felt like a huge prat.
(jamesthegill opens new tabs with his scroll wheel, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 21:18, 15 replies)

Looks like a Mac computer "on" switch.
Maybe Steve Jobs would be more impressed?
(TheManWhoWas SlightlyKnackered, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 21:32, closed)

Arf, tattoos.
Could make a QOTW.
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 21:48, closed)

To be fair
I didn't know about that part of the story.

Look up the page! Lovely Jenny Lewis photo!
( Maladicta, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 22:01, closed)

I know
You got a click when I scrolled down to see if anyone else had replied :) respond to my tweet, woman!
(jamesthegill opens new tabs with his scroll wheel, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 22:03, closed)

I just did :D
... prepare for an anticlimax!
( Maladicta, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 22:06, closed)

That's because
She's a liquid metal robot from the future, and as such has no emotions
(SarcasticBarSteward wants to be good at Photoshop when he grows up, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 22:22, closed)

Well, I realise that now
But at the time it was a bit of a downer. Nowadays I can listen to Metal Heart and think "hey, maybe she was hinting at something..."
(jamesthegill opens new tabs with his scroll wheel, Thu 16 Apr 2009, 22:41, closed)

Shirley Manson's uncle once opened a conversation with me that started:
"You know, I always thought the problem with your mother was your grandmother."

Tact obviously runs in the family.
(Generator cannot be named for legal reasons, Fri 17 Apr 2009, 1:08, closed)

I once sold Garbage
a roll of 10 E's a few wraps of speed and a bag of weed, I completely ripped them off too!
(knackerz is skinning up, Fri 17 Apr 2009, 1:49, closed)

I saw them in camden
a few years back. I love the first couple of albums before they went a bit shit. Surprisingly had a shit time, the audience seemed entirely made up of hardcore fans, who obviously went to every single gig. It felt like a big private joke really. Put me off them since then really. She makes a perfect terminator though I have to say. She cant act, and therefore it works perfectly for the role!.

"Vow" still sends shivers down my spine though
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Fri 17 Apr 2009, 12:13, closed)

*ANGLO*-American?
La Manson is Scottish, no?
(MartinB9999, Fri 17 Apr 2009, 13:50, closed)

Indeed
From the fair city of Edinburgh, no less.
(rockdoctor, Fri 17 Apr 2009, 16:07, closed)

Deliberate mistake. Honest.
*ahem* Corrected, should've known Anglo doesn't mean more than English!
(jamesthegill opens new tabs with his scroll wheel, Fri 17 Apr 2009, 20:26, closed)

I should of read
these before posting mine, but ive met her in Camden.
Ouch at your pain of the ink and her response! :(
(circle, Sat 18 Apr 2009, 9:00, closed)

Clickety click click
For obvious reasons.
( GarbageFan didn't know what to have as a board sig on, Sun 19 Apr 2009, 18:58, closed)