Successful Crash #24: The night I was Neiliyo

Posted by teibs On October - 29 - 2009

neiliyo2 225x300 Successful Crash #24: The night I was Neiliyo @ZackTeibloom I wasn’t even planning on crashing this one. I wanted to support Neiliyo. I try to pay for artists I know personally* and I desperately want Neiliyo to be successful. That said, natural instincts kicked in. First, I went for the move I made up on my first Austin crash, the backdoor slider.

The backdoor to Mohawk opens up when someone exits for a cig or to make a phone call and it’s rarely guarded. I waited around for a couple minutes, seeing if anyone would exit, but I sensed the guy by the door worked there and decided to just pay the $10. I wanted to support Neiliyo. I really did. But you know me…

I walked to the door guy and, before I could pay, he said “What are you? Something 80s?” Now, I’m admittedly terrible at guessing Halloween costumes (as much as I love them) but this was insulting. “I’m Neiliyo. Performing here tonight…” I retorted with some sass. “Oh, wait. So are you Neiliyo or are you a guy dressed as Neiliyo?” I sensed my opening. “I’m Neiliyo.”

Wristband on, no charge. I’m only surprised he didn’t strap the VIP wristband on me. I didn’t know there was one until I was inside. Either way. I was Neiliyo. I walked around blindly because the $2 faux Ray Bans I bought seemed to be 3D glasses, took some pics with Neiliyo and Annie Ray who seemed pretty thrilled that I dressed up as him and shot this video you can see me in:

I fully understand now why a towel draped over his shoulders is an essential part of a Neiliyo costume. It was a sweaty mess on stage. I pulled off the trademark Neiliyo move of laying on your back and kicking your heels in the air like a little kid having a temper tantrum in a Toys R Us. Even though there were a couple dozen of us jammed on stage, it was comfortable.

I’ve successfully crashed a show being a roadie before, but being the artist themselves wasn’t something I even meant to do. Glad it worked out. Love to Neiliyo.

*If I’m not on the guest list and have $5 in my pocket. OK, that rarely happens.