by Christina Wootton

I went to see Extreme with a penpal whom I had never met before, and two of her closest friends. We made the trip from Toronto (where I live) through Niagara Falls (where my penpal Carol lives) to Buffalo. We were all very excited. Quinn (our driver for the evening) and Kristina (Carol's best friend) had just given Carol her birthday present - a Boston Bruins hockey jersey with 'Nuno #1' on the back.

When we got to the club, I was the first to spot Gary out on the deck behind the building. As soon as we got in, we went straight through to the patio and deck area. Gary was back on the bus, which was parked parallel to the deck.

After much encouragement from my friends, I got up the nerve to actually speak to Gary, as he sat in the doorway of the bus. I told him how important this show was to me because I had been quite sick and had to leave early the last time Extreme were in Toronto. And I told him I'm a singer, and when we found out Pat was on the bus too, I asked Gary to tell him that I went and bought a bass guitar and was learning how to play all because of Pat's killer riff in 'Get The Funk Out'! When Gary told him all this, they asked me if I wanted to join them onstage for 'Get The Funk Out'!! But I told him no, because I'm really not that good.  But Gary was really nice to me. We talked for maybe 10 or 15 minutes before the show. When we left Gary and Pat, Flesh was just about to come on.

Carol and the others waited at the dressing room door for Nuno, and I got myself a good spot near the stage. Flesh were great! This was my first time ever hearing Flesh, and I was so impressed! I would recommend that everyone who likes Extreme should definitely give Flesh a try!

When Extreme came on, Carol rejoined me, and we were second from the stage on Nuno's side. I had my hands up in the air whenever Gary came over, and he grabbed my hand a couple of times. Carol and I sang along with every word, through 'Get The Funk Out', 'Unconditionally' and 'Play With Me'!

Halfway through the show, Gary called out "How's it going, Buffalo?", and we all cheered. Then he came over to where I was and said "What's up, Toronto?". I screamed! It felt so good to be the only girl from Toronto, and to be singled out by the man of my dreams! (Sappy, but true)!

By the time they came back on for an encore, Carol and I were right up at the stage, and Nuno looked at her and said "Nice shirt!". So Carol was just as happy as me!

We went out to the bus after the show to see if we could get their autographs. The road manager had heard me talking to Gary before, and let Carol, Quinn, Kristina and me all go up on the deck, which was to be the 'passes only' area for the night. Up there, we had the chance to take pictures and get autographs. Roadies passed out 8x10 promo glossies of the band, and I got everyone's autograph except for Nuno, who was totally swarmed the minute he got off the bus!

Mike told funny stories, and I talked a bit more with Gary and Pat. I didn't get his autograph, but I talked for a while with Markus, the guitarist from Flesh.  What impresses me (still) about these guys is that they are not only fantastic musicians, energetic (and thoroughly entertaining) performers, but they are really really wonderful people as well. They are kind, considerate and attentive. They are everything you would like them to be, and more!

When it was time to go, I went over to Gary to say goodbye. I waited while he finished his conversation with some other fans and then I said, "Gary I just wanted to say goodbye and thank you for a really great show". I was trying to be really cool and not act as giddy as I felt, so I put out my hand for Gary to shake it. But instead, he hugged me and kissed me! I was in heaven!