Blogs | Daily Crasher
Comic Con II - The Wrath of Tori Amos' People
By Josh Board | Posted July 29, 2008, 12:42 p.m.
So I return to this geek fest the following day. I wanted to meet Tori Amos, a singer/pianist that I love.
I couldn't believe people were paying $175 for her leather bound book called "Comic Book Tattoo." I bought the $30 one.
They said the first 200 people to buy books would get to meet her. I was one of them. As we waited in line, they checked to make sure we had our proper verification. It amazed me and the guy behind me, the few people that got kicked out of line after waiting half an hour. Did they think they'd just get to meet her without having gone thru all the hoops?
One of her people was telling us that she wasn't doing photos. The crowd was upset. I was happy. You see, when photos are done, it adds hours to everything. Because, each person in line has to walk around the table, kneel down next to her, smile, and then explain to their friend how their camera or cell phone camera works. The flash doesn't go off. They try again. And, it's a big production. And really, having a photo with someone is kind of lame.
My friends dad used to be the head man for the Harbor Police. He has his photo shaking each Presidents hand. It looks impressive in his office. But he'll laugh and tell you, they have all the officers in a room, and the President walks down, shakes your hand, a photo is quickly snapped, and he moves on.
As we waited in line, some wrestler named Mick Foley came over. His nickname is "Mankind." He didn't look to me like he could be a wrestler. He was only around six feet tall. And, he talked with her for about 10 minutes, while we all stood around waiting for our books to be signed. I finally said, "Okay Mick, let's get a move on." Tori's people looked at me like I was a jerk. But hey...she could sign books while she talks with this neanderthal.
As you got closer to the table, one of her people said "Only one item per person." Most people had CDs for her to sign. One had the beautiful box set she put out years ago, which has real piano keys all over it. She usually signed multiple items for people.
I had her sign my book, and I mentioned something about the CD "Beekeeper". She thanked me, and I moved on.
The whole experience took a lot longer than it should've. And, it wasn't all that satisfying.
I did see one woman crying who had met her. It obviously meant a lot more to her.
I walked around to see if there were any other interesting celebrities in the autograph area. It were a lot that were there the previous days.
In years past, they had Elvira. She wasn't here this time. Last year, I was excited to meet the guy that does Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who I think is really funny. People would ask the dog to insult them, and they didn't realize what they were asking. He would go on and on about how nerdy they were, and he'd make fun of comic con, their glasses, appearance, until the person had a look in their face like they wished they had never asked for that.
I asked the guy...I think his name is Robert Smigel, if his dog puppet was getting smelly. It was about 95 degrees in that area, and he had to keep putting it on his hand for photos. He laughed, smelled it, and said "Yeah, it smells like a real dogs ass probably does."
Robert was here the day before, but I think he was promoting the cartoons he does for Saturday Night Live called "TV Funhouse."
I got a call from a few friends that were having lunch in the Gaslamp. A perfect excuse to head out of the packed convention center.
Tori Amos is about the least "comical" artist I can think of. I bought one of her CDs once. Once. I tried to return it, just because it was the most depressing thing I'd ever heard. So the thought of her, of all people, at Comic Con, is just plain weird.
I never knew that Smigel was also Triumph. I actually 'learned' something reading your blog today, Board. Sign of a coming apocalypse, perhaps?
Tell ya what would give 'me' a giggle at Comic Con -- Triumph really should heckle Tori Amos about her sadass music. He could compare it to all things that constitute dog misery. Fleas, getting your balls snipped, whatever.
Now THAT would be funny.
By antigeekess 4:12 p.m., Jul 29, 2008 > Report it
Hi Josh. I was probably the girl you saw crying after meeting Tori Amos.
I told her "Thank you for inspiring me to file a police report. You are a very courageous woman." She signed my artwork, admired it, and then shook my hand.
She said, "Much respect, Christy. Much respect."
Before my "turn" ended, she asked for the Thank you note that I had written her...(just in case I got too nervous to speak about why I was there to meet her)...and she kept the note.
This was an incredible moment for me. She means a lot to survivors of sexual-assault.
We aren't geeks.
Feel free to contact me with any questions about this encounter....
Sincerely,
Christy
By ccross 7:29 p.m., Jul 29, 2008 > Report it
To anti: give Tori another chance. Some songs are depressing. Some songs are magical. She has so many great pieces of music. What a wonderful talent she is. And, she's probably the only artist around that when she covers someone elses songs (Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Rolling Stones, to name a few), she actually does them better than the originals!
To Christy: I'm so glad you got to talk to her. I'm sorry to hear about your assault. Tori is so wonderful about that. At a concert at Copley, I heard that she talked with people before the show (she does a VIP thing, but she'll meet with fans that don't pay for the VIP thing as well). She talks to each one of them. And, I overheard these two women talking about how she was so sweet, and they just babbled on not making sense. And, since I write a column for Autograph Magazine, I often interview big name musicians, that tell me how they don't care for dealing with fans for so many reasons (they don't have anything to say, they want to talk for hours, they want 20 pictures, or 20 autographs, or to bug them at a restaurant, etc). I've talked to so many people that have met Tori, that tell me she spends the time to listen to them. She holds their hand. She thanks them for buying her music. This is a really special woman, to take the time to do that.
On a side note: Christy, you aren't from Orange County, or somewhere in that area, are you? I was talking to someone in line to buy the book who had red hair and was from that area. She also mentioned crying when she met Tori on a previous occasion.
By JoshBoard 11:27 p.m., Jul 29, 2008 > Report it
Hi Josh,
This is Christy (who met Tori Amos at Comic Con)...No, I'm really, really short and have long brown hair. This was the first time I met Tori Amos.
I only (!) spent $150.00 for Comic Book Tattoo last Wednesday during Pro preview night, not $175.00, like you mentioned in your article. Maybe they increased the price of the book?
Thanks again for responding to my comments.
Sincerely,
Christy
By ccross 11 a.m., Jul 30, 2008 > Report it
Nope, it wasn't you then. I guess a lot of women cry when they meet her ; - )
You know what I can't figure out about you people that bought the expensive book? It already had her signature in it. You should've then had her sign something else. One guy said he'd have her sign it AGAIN, which made no sense to me.
Anyway Christy, it's cool that you got to meet her. For future ref. she meets with all her fans before the concerts in the afternoon. People sometimes bring her gifts, or just want to talk to her for a few minutes, or have her autograph things. Keep that in mind next time she comes to town.
And my best wishes for you in the future.
By JoshBoard 10:19 p.m., Jul 30, 2008 > Report it
You know, I used to argue the majority of people who went to Comic Con weren't geeks. I mean, lots of people claim geek when they go, but it almost seems like they're hopping on the geek band wagon, because for one weekend a year in SD, it's the cool thing to do. I've spoke with a lot of people about Comic Con, and I'm always amazed to hear how many people don't go to panels, and have never even been in one, in the multiple years they've gone. To me, panels are the best part. Although I can see someone arguing seeing the new merchandise coming out in the year (especially the newly hyped vinyl collections). Regardless, geek really isn't an offensive term. Anyone who attends shouldn't take defense to it. All it basically means, is you know the in's and out's of one specific thing (in this case, comics).
Anyhow, I've seen that Comic Book Tattoo...it's FREAKIN INCREDIBLE. The 30$ deal is amazing and well worth it. I've heard Tori Amos is super nice and will stop for anyone. That's the right attitude to have.
It's hard for me to want to get the autographs of people when they're charging 25$ and up. Especially when I just dropped 35$ on a ticket for the day. I wanted Katay Sagal's autograph on a Futurerama Bobblehead, but she charges $25 just for that. I'd be spending $20 for the toy, $25 for the autograph .... I can't justify that price. I figure, if they see you're purchasing their merch, why not sign it for free?
Anti - her music really isn't all that depressing. Creepy at times..maybe. Dark, sure. But, there is an up beat flavor to it also, and she can be quite silly at times. I'd say give her a second chance.
By towelheadedcameljockey 10:01 a.m., Jul 31, 2008 > Report it
Good point, towel. Over the years, a number of artists people like to label as "to depressing". My favorite band The Doors. Okay, sure. Some songs he talks about killing his father. Or taking a journey into the bright midnight, and some dark topics. But, he also sings pop tunes, and happy songs. Not everything needs to be Shiny Happy People (believe me, REM could be dark, too). Same complaint with Morrisey, as well as Morrison.
If that's a persons logic, how to they ever watch a movie that isn't Grease, with everyone singing at a carnival at the end?
Think about all the movies that don't have happy endings. I'm not just talking about The House of Sand and Fog....but even a film like Sin City. Some would say that was a depressing and sad ending. Others would feel it was positive.
By JoshBoard 10:58 a.m., Jul 31, 2008 > Report it
Thanks Josh! Keep up the good work.
- Christy
By ccross 4:33 p.m., Jul 31, 2008 > Report it