Contests: The Anchors Aweigh Tour contest is over!

To read the winning stories, click READ MORE. And don't fret if you didn't win - I'll be running two new contests starting this Monday, so keep your eyes peeled!

ASHLEY
Hey Tsunami Bomb!
You guys kick ass. Haha. Okay, now I have to say why I want to win the
tickets, so here goes. Since the first time I've heard you guys, I've been
in love with Tsunami Bomb. I've liked you guys for a really long time. I
love your sound and your lyrics. I thought I finally had my dream come true
when you guys were coming here with Warped Tour. But with my GREAT luck, I
couldn't get a ride, and my mom said that she couldn't afford to pay for
the tickets. My sister has been planning a wedding for two years now, and
we've put almost all of our money into it. Her wedding is next weekend. And
all of our money is going into this wedding because my sister is a
perfectionist and wan'ts one of those fairytale like weddings. So I haven't
been able to go to any concerts for a while. I was browsing over the
Tsunami Bomb shows and your coming to DC. I asked my mom where Nation was
from our house, and she said not far. I thought I was going to pee my
pants. (Thankfully I didn't. Hahahaha…Funny.) I
don't really know what to say to show how bad I want these tickets. I love
you guys. I love your music. And I know your great live. I think I'd cry
from hapiness at your show. You guys really inspire me with everything I
do. Especially Agent M. I really look up to her. She shows the world that
girls can kick ass, just as much (and alot better) than guys can. I love
bands that have talent. Now day's you turn on the radio and it's all
like….pop punk bands that are put together with a machine. But I love you
guys because you have this…originality to you. You always pick me up when
I'm down. You give me a sense of independence. I don't know. I'm rambiling.
But I do love you guys. Alot. Getting these tickets would mean the world to
me. You don't even know…Hope I didn't bore you.
Keep up the awesome work.
Love,
Ashley Bonorden

JEFF
Hello Tsunami Bomb….I would love to attend your show and if it were for
free you would all be my hero. Let me tell you why…My name is Jeff
Mangalin, I am 23 years old, and I grew up in Lake Tahoe, CA. I now live
almost 3,000 miles away in Florida. I used to love going to shows.Music is
my passion. Punk music especially…It was music that actually had a
message..music that touched me and made me want to make a difference.
Theres more to life than just girls and all the petty bullshit that these
cookie cutter mtv "punk" bands are singing about. There are actual problems
in this world and they need to be dealt with. After 9/11 I was motivated
even more to making a positive influence on the world..but there wasnt much
I could do as a garbageman working mon-fri in my hometown…So I did the
unthinkable…punk rock taboo..I decided to join the Air Force. But I
wanted to do something constructive…preserve life rather than taking it.
I signed up for Explosive Ordnance Disposal..
.the bomb squad. As an EOD tech I will be responsible for helping clear old
mine fields, getting rid of ordnance left over from previous wars that
could potentially hurt an innocent person. Pipe bombs, Improvised Explosive
Devices, Chemical weapons..and even nukes…I will be qualified to render
all of these things safe…In a sense I will get to help save the world
from all the terrorists and power hungry bastards that want to fuck it
up.,..how fucking sweet is that?! But anyway…enough rambling about myself
and let me tell you why you should give me the tickets… Right now I'm
still just a poor student 3,000 miles from home…and I havent been to a
show in I dont know how long….Please help me out…3 of my favorite bands
coming to town..I cant miss this…Thank you for your time
A1C Jeff Mangalin

HALEY
I want the tickets because Tsunami Bomb has made such an impact on my life,
and I have yet to see them live. I tried to see them at Warped, we drove 11
hours to Pontiac, MI but we got lost and got there late and they had
already
played. We also have little money, so we cant afford tickets, and the only
way
I'll be able to go is if I win them.
I defenitly havent had the best life, but I feel like their music gives me
a
reason to be here.I've never really had anybody and their music is a friend
in
a way, its something I can relate to, and just listen to to drown out
everything around me thats going on.
I've never really had a family. The whole time growing up (its still
continues now) I've been called names, and I guess emotionally abused. They
made sure
that I knew that they didnt want me, and that they didnt care. Just the
other
night my mom told me that I was worthless, embarressing, that she was
ashamed
of me, and that she wishes I were gone. I've actually considering the last
one, numerous times, but their music has stopped me.
I found out a couple of weeks ago that my mom had cancer, and although
we've
never gotten along, it still scares me.
and a couple weeks ago Brad (the only one that I would actually consider
family, even though hes not) had a stroke, and now has a bloodclot in the
back of
his head. Nobody knows if he's going to make it or not. Its like the worst
feeling in the world knowing that the one person you can go to when you
feel bad,
you may never be able to talk to again.
Music has always been something I've turned to, being I have basically no
family, and few friends, when I was introduced to Tsunami Bomb, it changed
my
life. Just going to a show, or listening to a record makes me feel like
everythings okay. If it wasnt for their music I dont think I would still be
here. Sure,
I can listen and relate to other bands, but theres just something about TB
that makes me relate to it more then any other.
I posted something like this on their MB, and the fact that they read it,
now
know what kind of impact they've had, and cared enough to respond made
everything I've been through seem worth it. Going to a show and meeting
them and
being able to tell them to their face is something that I can only hope to
do,
and hopefully you can help me do that.
-Haley

DAVID
Why I should win ? Good question. How do I stand out from the multitude of
people trying to get these tickets ? Easy, I don't stand out. I'm actually
writing thsi for my girlfriend. She is in love with Tsunami Bomb. When I
say
in love, I say it lightly, she has every CD, she has like 10 stickers, she
has 3 shirts, she's crazy over your band. I like you quite a bit, but if I
win, this is more for her than me. I'm only a casual fan ,but I have no way
to describe how much she likes your band. She looks up to Agent M as a role
model, and is always "making" me listen to your band when we're in my car.
Anyways, October 18th is 3 days after our 6 month anniversary, and the same
day as the Dropkick Murphys are playing. She wants to go see you and the
Bouncing Souls, and I'm a HUGE DKM fan, so here's where my sacrifice comes
in. Rather than go see my 3rd fravorite band (1st - Lagwagon,2nd -
Millencolin), I'm gonna suprise her, and tell her I'm gonna go to your show
instead. Here's where you come in, if the tickets were free, it'd be
probably the coolest thing EVER, seeing as I've never won anything. And
just
so you know, it's not that any other day I'd miss a Bouncing Souls/Tsunami
Bomb/Strike Anywhere tour, but Dropkick Murphys are one of my favorite
bands. I hope someone who reads this understands just what this will mean
to
me and my girlfriend.
Thanks,
David Voss

OPERATION MATCHES
Ok, why do i want tickets? THIS SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER! So I'll keep it
short and to the point. First off, I'm a ninja, ok that should be good
enough reason RIGHT THERE. but, Strike Anywhere? been a fan of them
forever, but never got to saw them live. Detonation and refusal, god, no
band has ever made me want to jump in a pit, go wild, and then like hug the
closest person next to me. tsunami bomb? you guys are frickin' amazing,
and I didn't get to see you at the Warped Tour in Jersey this year, thus
never getting to see you ever! Let's just say "Love is not forever,
friends are not forever!" lyrics, simply awesome, no it's better than
awesome, it's frickin ACESOME. now, for the bouncing souls? oh wow..
being out of jersey, I have listened to these guys for a LOOONG time, but
only got to see them once, and they are by far, my favorite band. The one
time i saw them, was the best time i have EVER had in my life. I could
actually probably type a 5 page essay about the souls,
but lets just say that their music has helped me get through some of the
toughest times of my life… damn, I am a hopeless romantic… i'm gonna
stop ranting now, because you guys probably got stuff you gotta do, but
dont forget, representin the jersey ninjas right here! (and yeah, the
reason i need to goto d.c is because i'm down here for the time being, and
i can't goto the philly show in the electric factory, which, is BY far my
favorite venue… all well… shit happens)