Mel Torres

Turns out Instagram’s character limit cannot contain my thoughts and feelings on . So I’ll say what I can here. And y’all can read the rest in the post.

————-

I’ve spent years of my life at Chain Reaction, and I’m heartbroken to know that this Friday will be the last time I take the stage there. Since 8th grade, everyone from my high school said that if I could make it at this venue, I had “MADE” it in the music industry. I knew back then I was just a little kid with big dreams. I remember getting into fights with my parents, hopping on my skateboard and riding to Chain Reaction to end up just catching a show of bands I’ve never heard of and then fell in love with, Burning Tree Project, Panama, The Messenger, whose members are now This Wild Life, The Sound Archives ( whose members are now House of Protection or Night Verse.), No Bragging Rights, I am Ghost, Halifax, I could name an endless list.

I quickly started regularly playing shows at Chain as far back as 2008 with my band Emerging form Below. The lineup was: Emerging from Below, The Open House Collective, Quiet on the Western Front, The Kolour of Karma, Birds in the City of Hollywood, Nameless, Fighting Invisible Tigers on a Saturday, October 25, 2008. The room was packed for a local show, and to be honest, I’ve been riding that high since.
Thanks to Chain Reaction, I had the pleasure of opening for Emery, Daphney Loves Derby, And The Millionaires as a high schooler. This gave me the skills to dedicate my life to music.

I remember when this venue was pink.
I remember when Off the Chain was still here.
I remember buying my second drumset here.
I remember emotionally breaking down during No Bragging Rights, The Color Morale, and Letlive.
I remember playing this room sold out multiple times.
And I will never forget.

Thank you, Chain Reaction, and everyone who has ever worked here.
Your legacy will never be forgotten.

PS F**k Pretenious Over Priced Half-Vacant Apartment Complexes. This venue saved more lives than you could ever house.