Aaron Gillespie REALLY pisses me off.

Quoted from the September 2007 issue of Alternative Press regarding The Almost:

"Not surprisingly, he isn't waiting until the cultural fires of screamo burn down to a smoldering ember before preparing for his future in music. Looking far down the road, the compulsive multi-tasker has launched the Almost, his new solo-project-turned-band, whose debut release, Southern Weather, was issued this past spring. Ever the workaholic, Gillespie did it while Underoath are as popular as ever, playing sold-out shows all over the world in support of last year's Define The Great Line, which debuted at No.2 on the Billboard chart. Saying the two groups' activities overlap may be the understatement of the summer: Both bands are doing stints on this year's Van's Warped Tour, with Gillespie playing two sets a day, one as Underoath's singing skinsman, the other as the Almost's crowd-embracing frontman. It's a rough gig, rocking out double-duty in the extreme heat and humidity, but those who know him wouldn't be surprised if he defied time and space to play with both bands on different stages at the same time. Gillespie's a man of faith, but not a miracle worker--he's just that driven."

Driven? DRIVEN? Are you KIDDING ME?

Now, my facts can't be completely accurate, because I don't have my *paperwork* in front of me, but with a little Youtube research, we can make some deductions.

I went to Warped Tour 11 times this summer. I have a pretty good idea of who played where.
The Almost did indeed play Warped Tour out in California. There are a ton of Youtube videos of their performances. Underoath was NOT playing this leg of the tour. Thus, no double-duty for Aaron.
*I seem to think there was a day in California that they bailed on, Ventura maybe?*

If I remember correctly, the first day Underoath played was in Charlotte, North Carolina. I remember this because I was on the front row for Underoath that day. Did the Almost play that day? Are there any Youtube videos of The Almost in Charlotte, where they were supposed to play? NEGATIVE. Thus, no double-duty for Aaron.
The same goes for Virginia Beach. Underoath played, but is there any record of The Almost playing that day? NEGATIVE. Thus, no double-duty for Aaron.
The same goes for Columbia, Maryland. Thus, no double-duty for Aaron.

The Almost was supposed to play up in NY/NJ too.
I remember a HUGE crowd for Underoath closing the night in Camden. I remember hearing Underoath across the venue in NY. Do I remember seeing The Almost at all on those days? Are there any Youtube videos of The Almost playing in those cities? NEGATIVE. Thus, no double-duty for Aaron.

I think you're beginning to see my point. Honestly, if you're reading this, and you went to Warped Tour expecting to see Underoath and The Almost on the same day, and they failed you, PLEASE, do let me know. Further proof of asshole-ery would be appreciated.

If you went to Warped Tour on a day when The Almost and Underoath actually did play on the same day, PLEASE, let me know. That'll be proof that Hell has frozen over and pigs are taking flight.
Cause to be honest, I don't believe it ever fucking happened.
I have four words for Aaron Gillespie regarding Warped Tour: DOUBLE-DUTY MY ASS.


"Crowd-embracing frontman"????? Are you JOKING?!?!

I went to Bamboozle this year. When it was time for The Almost to play, I was there, front row.
During the first or second song, the barricade collapsed.
There was no crowd surge or anything. It just...collapsed.
I however, happened to be leaning against the barricade, so when it went down, I went down with it. I carry a scar on my knee from that stupid barricade. I am living proof that during this incident, people got injured. Did Aaron Gillespie "embrace" the crowd when the barricade collapsed? NEGATIVE. Not a hesitation, not a glance, not a pause, not a moment afterward of "hey, let's back up a few steps", he just went on about his way.
I have four words for Aaron Gillespie regarding Bamboozle: CROWD-EMBRACING MY ASS.

I have heard numerous stories of people who have met Aaron Gillespie, who have said he is pretty much one of the most unlikeable band members they have ever encountered.
If I saw Aaron Gillespie, and he was on fire, in the grand words of Fall Out Boy, I wouldn't piss to put him out.


This is where I do a shameless plug for a band/person/people who DO actually pull double-duty on Warped Tour, and DO indeed embrace their crowd....

Chiodos. Craig Owens. Bradley Bell. And the rest of those guys.
I don't watch a band 22 times if they piss me off. That's for damn sure.
These guys have the honor of being the ONLY band, other than RJA, that I watched ALL 11 TIMES I went to Warped Tour this summer.
Not to mention, being front row most of those times. Almost getting killed. It was grand.

Craig and Bradley are in Chiodos. Craig and Bradley are in Cinematic Sunrise. Chiodos played ALL of Warped Tour this summer (something niether The Almost nor Underoath did). Cinematic Sunrise played a few select dates of Warped Tour. These days being simultaneous to the ones Chiodos was playing. Meaning: Craig and Bradley played two sets on some days. Which makes them a whole-helluva-lot more respectable than Gillespie, who didn't play any double-duty shows to my knowledge.

It doesn't matter if you run into them walking around early in the day, late at night, as soon as they've gotten off stage, etc., these boys are some of the nicest people ever and will stop to take pictures with you without making it seem like it's their fucking job *ahemGILLESPIEahem*
If you're lucky, Craig might even sing with you *ahemNIKKIahem* *lols*
Did I mention they're polite too?
They are.

They embrace their crowd. At virtually every Chiodos show I've ever been to, I've seen Craig get down in the audience. Not only will he get down on the barricade, he will stand on the audience, and trust them enough to hold him up.

They also look out for their crowd. At Warped Tour in Virginia Beach LAST year, a girl got hurt during one of the songs, and the band stopped playing immediately. They waited a good 10 minutes until they got the all clear from the crew, and then they started playing again. That's what we like to call "compassion". They actually care about their fans, unlike Gillespie, who seems to have the emotional range of a fruit fly.

Chiodos is a band you can like, and feel good for liking.
The Almost makes me feel ashamed that I like even one of their songs. I won't even listen to their other songs, because Gillespie disgusts me THAT much.
Gillespie can best be described in the words of Craig Owens..."Filthy.....Traitor...."
So where does your loyalty lie?
I think I made my preference pretty obvious.

If you want to dispute/agree/disagree with anything I've said, please, feel free to drop me a comment.
XMeganX