The year is 2007, I’m with my big sister and our dear friend in the main hall at the Kumoricon Anime Convention waiting impatiently for the show to begin. It’s the first time The Slants will be performing!
The music performances were always my favorite during the 10+ years I attended these events, but there was something about The Slants that just resonated with us. For the decade that followed we made it a mission to see The Slants every time they came to Kumoricon or Sakuracon, and we were even lucky enough to get to know them on a personal level – they became our friends. Dinner outings, road trips, and even helping us with our cosplays until the early morning hours. They were genuine and kind to us con kids so naturally they created life-long fans (their music is still a favorite on my Spotify playlists).
It came as no surprise that when my big sister heard that The Slants were having a reunion on October 14, 2023, we snatched up tickets as fast as we could!
It had been over 10 years since we’d seen them perform and although our lives had changed drastically since the last time we were all together, the moment we were all in the same room felt like no time had passed.
Aron was exactly the same, Johnny was still soft-spoken and engaging, and Tyler recognized me without hesitation. Simon was his cool and collected self (as always) which only impressed me more given his incredible mission to trademark the band’s name. This journey ultimately ended in a legal battle at the Supreme Court which he wrote about in his amazing book called Slanted – now on my TBR list.
It felt so good to hear them play the same songs I danced to all those years ago. And even after two kids, the moment they started playing I wasn’t afraid to bust a move and sing like I used to – even when it meant being sore for the three days that followed.
Who was your favorite band to see live? And have you had the chance to see them again?
Much love,
The Anna Today 