Music Monday: My Autographed CDs

Hello, Music Monday. It’s been a minute.

As I might have mentioned before, I used to collect CDs, however, I haven’t actively bought CDs in a few years. At my peak, I owned about 150+ CDs. Now, I have about 75, which is the bare minimum I could handle when I most recently weeded out my collection. Although, I could probably do with even less now.

However, I would have a very difficult time parting with my autographed CDs, even if they’re form bands I don’t listen to anymore.

Here are my signed CDs and the stories behind them (for your enjoyment, I’ve also included pictures of my awkward, younger self I took with band members when I got my CDs signed):

Rise Against: If you’ve been following me any amount of time, you’ll probably know that Rise Against is my all-time favorite band. I’ve seen the live more than any other band and have been a massive fan for about eight years. I got my first CD signed when I met them for the first time in September 2012 before seeing them live for the second time. Here’s an excerpt from the post:

“… the store limited the items that band could sign to one. Although I brought several CDs, I chose to get their second album, Revolutions Per Minute signed. When it was my turn, I shakily handed my CD to them, gave them each a gift of a painting of themselves, shook their hand and was hurried along. Although our encounter was brief, I was on cloud nine!”

I got the rest of their discography (as then) signed when I saw them in April 2015:

“I was also hoping the painting [I made for them] would be leverage for them to sign all my CDs rather than just the one allowed by the same record store that hosted the first signing. As expected, they were really receptive to the painting and were thrilled to sign all my CDs! Also, Zach (the guitarist) complimented my Anti-Flag shirt and I’ve been wearing it to their concerts ever since. I was even more thrilled I now had all their music to date autographed.”

Now, I’m only missing an autograph on their most recent album, Wolves, but it’s only a matter of time before I’m all caught up again, I’m sure!

Senses Fail: I often site Senses Fail as my second favorite band. I’ve liked them just as long as Rise Against and their music is so different, but almost as equally powerful (Rise Against will always rein supreme). If you caught my tattoos and piercings post, you might recall I have a Senses Fail inspired tattoo about a year ago.

Unlike Rise Against and other bands I closely follow, for some reason, I never bothered to make myself familiar with the band members of Senses Fail beyond the frontman, Buddy Nielsen. They seem to have so much turnover, it didn’t really matter to me.

I got all the albums they released at the time autographed by Buddy and the other anonymous band members in 2014 at the Let It Enfold You ten year anniversary tour. I was thrilled to have all the CDs signed!

That was an amazing show, but the shows I went to in the years to follow let me down. However, I went to their most amazing show to date early last year and that got me back into them again!

Enter Shikari: Enter Shikari are another band I love a lot and I have their entire discography to date autographed! After accumulating their three most recent studio albums throughout the year, in November 2015, they were kind enough to sign all the CDs I had at the time at a signing at Banquet Records in Kingston, London.

I bought two of their albums already signed and got the final CD signed when I saw them in Pomona in 2017 on the tenth anniversary tour of said album (Take to the Skies).

Conditions: Never heard of them? I’m not surprised. They’re a small band my friend T.J. got me into (he practically worships them). They opened for You Me at Six, a massive British band, in late 2013 and I was literally the only one who knew them. Such a shame, their first album, Fluorescent Youth, is immaculate.

Between bands, I met them at the merchandise booth and bought their most recent album at the time, Full of War, so they could sign both CDs. I was also lucky enough to get some CDs signed by You Me at Six, but I could see myself parting with them at some point in time, but I will take Fluorescent Youth with me to the grave.

Breathe Carolina: Oh, boy. This one is a bit embarrassing for me. I used to be obsessed with this band. Seriously, I’m so sorry to everyone who knew me back then. After meticulous planning and months of waiting, I saw them live for the first time at Warped Tour 2012 and got their discography up to that point (three albums) signed.

Nowadays, I don’t appreciate their music like I used to, but I appreciate how much I liked them back then and can still bang to a few of their tracks. They used to mean so much to me and I have so many memories at gigs with friends, there’s no way I’m parting with these albums any time soon.

This is the last time I saw them on tour (2013) at the Tucson date

Kyle, myself and David with an American Psycho painting I made them

Throughout the years, I’ve had few more autographed but either sold them or don’t care much about them. I also have other miscellaneous autographed items: pictures, magazine covers, tickets, posters and more!

I love CDs (even though I don’t have a proper stereo at the moment) and autographed CDs are a great souvenir from meeting the band and seeing them live!