Access Atlanta > Arts > Our Reviews > Archives > 2005 > April > 05 > Entry
Ashlee Simpson plays Gwinnett
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Diary,
Ohmigod. We played Atlanta on Monday night, and it was totally the best show ever.
The gig was actually in the Atlanta suburbs — this place called the Gwinnett Arena — but whatevs. A whole bunch of girls about my age (and a few of their boyfriends) made it out to the show, and they reminded me why it’s soooo great to be Ashlee Simpson.
I have the best fans. They’ve stuck with me through what has been, like, the worst year in human history. I told them that during the show, and they knew what I was talking about without me having to spell it all out for them, which was good, because it would’ve taken forever to recap that whole “SNL” lip synching thing, and the time I got booed at the Orange Bowl, and the 372,000 people who’ve signed that awful online petition to get me to stop performing. Jerks!
Anyway, Monday was all good. We rawked! From the moment I stomped on stage and my drummer pushed the butt…er, I mean, from the moment the band kicked into gear, everything just seemed to work.
I thot my voice sounded really good. Lately people have been telling me that I kind of sing like a teen-pop version of Amy Ray from some group called the Indigo Girls. Apparently our voices are both earthy. Don’t know about that. But I do know that I sang really hard. I breathed into the mic, and I ad libbed, and if you looked closely you could see my throat straining. Real singers have lots of throat strain.
We played a whole bunch of songs from my record “Autobiography” (duh), and because that’s the only record I have we did some other things to stretch the show out to a whole hour.
We did a mini acoustic set, which didn’t really work very well — softer songs make me kind of anxious — but I’m glad we at least made the effort to shake things up. We also played songs by the Pretenders, Blondie and Madonna, which I love because they’re from the ’80s, the decade I was born in.
Also, I let my bandmates play little solos while I changed clothes. I was happy to do it. I really couldn’t do this without my band. Really.
For the encore we played “Pieces of Me,” my big hit (double duh). I’m sorry, but that song is, like, perfect. It’s really catchy and it’s got this ginormous chorus that never gets old. It goes: “Oooooooh, it seems like I can finally rest my head on something real/I like the way that feels.”
Pretty simple, right? But audiences LOVE it. The crowd in Gwinnett totally went bonkers and was screaming the lyrics so loud that I could hardly hear myself sing.
At that moment, I forgot about all the bad things that’ve happened to me, and I just totally got lost in the moment. No matter what, I know that I’ve created at least one killer pop song. For the rest of my life, no one can take that away from me. I like the way that feels.
Permalink | Comments (29) | Categories: Pop Music
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By ron ridgeway
April 6, 2005 8:12 AM | Link to this
NOTE TO SELF: breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Signed Ashlee Lipsyncsom
By Wakey
April 6, 2005 8:38 AM | Link to this
That young girl made more in 1 night than the angry “writer” of this article makes in an entire year.
::applauds::
By Chris
April 6, 2005 8:39 AM | Link to this
I only have one thing to say, if Ashlee Simpson is as great,popular, and everybody loves her, then why didnt all of my friends even hear about her coming to concert in atlanta? Is that how you spell thot? I thot it was thought? Maybe I’m the idiot here? But its so great to be ASHLEE!
By Judy
April 6, 2005 9:15 AM | Link to this
Good Grief!!
By Not the Demographic
April 6, 2005 9:36 AM | Link to this
Like, that was, like, totally funny. But like, how did you totally find Ashlee’s diary? Did you have to pick the princess lock? Total bummer!
By Amber
April 6, 2005 9:36 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand why people like to pick on her. I have her CD and I really like her songs, who gives a damn if it is totally electronically enhanced?? Its good music, and their is not 1 artist out there that has never had to use some sort of help with their vocals for live performances. Give her a break! Is talking smack about her really worth your time?
By Philip Herold
April 6, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this
One day, when the kids at that show are older they will laugh that they loved her so much. Kinda like Debbie Gibson (80s), Sean Cassidy (70s), Monkees (60s), and Doris Day (50s). All manufactured, all destined to the punch line of history.
By jennifer91
April 6, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this
Talking ‘smack’ about her is totally worth my time. She is horrible! I do care if vocals are “totally electroncially enhanced” when they still suck.
She probably grew up jealous that her sis could actually hold a note. I wonder if she lip syncs to Jessica’s songs, too? She is a laughing stock who will be a one hit wonder very soon and I can’t wait!
By Yogi
April 6, 2005 10:18 AM | Link to this
Is this a real article? I thought this was made up (according to the ajc). I really hope that this is not her diary.
By Qween
April 6, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this
Sign the petition … www.stopashlee.com … Please!!!!
By Ashley
April 6, 2005 10:35 AM | Link to this
I do believe that this was the worst article ever written. If you don’t like her, don’t listen to or watch her. It’s that simple. Let those of us who do like her enjoy her show and music. Maybe all of you that rag on her are just jealous, she makings millions of dollars doing something she loves. Don’t be bitter because she’s one of the few that gets to follow her dream.
By Amber
April 6, 2005 10:35 AM | Link to this
Sad, Sad that it really matters to you. Why would someone take her singing or even “not” singing personally? Who gives a damn? If it bothers you that much then try getting a life if that doesn’t work just try not to think about things that doesn’t affect you.
By Neal
April 6, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this
If Ashlee is going to lip sync at her shows you would think she would lip synch to someone who CAN sing. Lip syncing to her own voice just doubles the torture.
Stop Ashlee indeed.
By Britney
April 6, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this
The real problem is with those who take themselves, and Ashlee, far too seriously. Some celebrities beg for ridicule. Ashlee is the epitome of this rule.
By John
April 6, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this
Poor girl is only like 17 or 18 and doesn’t know better. The real problem in that family is the father. A former preacher who turned his back on his faith to prostitute his children on MTV and hang out at the Playboy mansion. And I recognize the fact that they’ve become extremely wealthy. But that will mean nothing when the reality boom crashes and she’s back in the shadows with nothing left to hang onto but a shallow, over-produced , crappy record…and most likely a bad cocaine habit. This ridicuous earing wearing pimp Dad Simpson should be taken out and flogged.
By Christina
April 6, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this
this article was hilarious- thanks Nick for the brilliant look into the dopey minds of Ashlee Simpson and her under-educated, over-promoted counterparts. To those of you rushing to defend her from this lighthearted satire- Simpson only has herself to blame for the worlds opinion..performance fiascos and a mind-numbing MTV show are not going to win many fans in the over-16 crowd.
By Liz
April 6, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this
Amber, honey, singers that use “help” for their live performances are a small minority. This untalented kid is being manipulated by her father (John, you are so right. Did you see what he said about Jessica’s breasts?) and the machine of the music industry. And anyone who puts themselves out there better be able to take the heat. Best go brush up on your grammar and spelling before school starts back.
By E. Lewis
April 6, 2005 3:25 PM | Link to this
Talent has been made irrelevant. Some have it and some don’t, but those with press and a radio conglomerate behind them seem to be the ones that succeed.
By ac
April 6, 2005 3:28 PM | Link to this
hilarious!
By Bryan
April 6, 2005 3:53 PM | Link to this
I am with John on this one. Ashlee is nothing more than a (poorly) manufactured act w** out to the world by her completely selfish and materialistic parents. I had the unfortunate luck to witness an episode of The Ashlee Simpson Show where her mom through a fit over her haircut because it may damage ‘the business’. That about sums it up, doesnt it? Her gold digging mom and pimp dad care about one thing - using their kids to line their own pockets. No wonder so many teen stars ‘divorce’ their parents. Who can blame them?
By Patrick Samara
April 6, 2005 4:20 PM | Link to this
My name is Patrick Samara and I love Ashlee Simpson!
By Drew Price
April 6, 2005 4:28 PM | Link to this
Last night I found a new true love and her name is Ashlee! I decided to leave my wife and 2 kids to go on the road and follow this godess around the country…
By Carrie
April 6, 2005 4:41 PM | Link to this
Simply glorious!
I love being able to poke fun at a no-talent hack who would be slinging hamburgers if her sister (who, I might add, is nothing special) hadn’t made it big.
I look forward to the day when I never see either of them….ever, ever again.
By Nathan "I love me some Ash---lee" Clixby
April 6, 2005 4:42 PM | Link to this
I totally agree with Drew, she looked so absolutely smokin’ hot on stage. Man, I went home that night and took an ice cold shower…3 times! I then told my wife to put on a black wig and told her that we had to La-La right then and there….
By Just Me
April 6, 2005 4:53 PM | Link to this
Everyone having their own opinion about Ashlee Simpson………PRICELESS
By Wanda
April 6, 2005 5:05 PM | Link to this
It only goes to show you that all you need in this country to get paid the big bucks is a sister that gets paid the big bucks!
She is totally like “not talented.”!!!
By Brian Budz
April 6, 2005 5:11 PM | Link to this
I can’t stand all you haters. I am a 30 year old from Portland Oregon, and flew all the way to Atlanta to see her show. She is the next Madonna, and I could spend every night in her audience. Ashlee is simply amazing. Her show is the best reality show on TV and the love of her family really comes across. So I hope all of you that are throwing stones realize that while you’re blinded by your bitterness you are missing a shooting star of greatness. Brian
By Triple A
April 7, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this
Wow..so apparently, all of this no-talent lip-syncher’s fans are 12 yr old girls and 30+ yr pedophiliac old men. There’s two groups of people society doesn’t need in the same room for two hours.
By Andrew "I'll pay any Price for some of that.
April 7, 2005 1:01 PM | Link to this
I’ll do anything to get tickets for her next show. Can any one hook a brother up! She is so hot, and I get hot thinking about her! I understand why Nathan needed three cold showers. After seeing her live, I just can’t get her out of my head. I wonder if she could ever like a balding mid 30’s man with an enormous beer gut.