Brandon's 17th Birthday & Paleface Swiss Deathcore Concert at the Troxy

I am so far behind on blog updates! Nothing posted since late Dec - worst start to the year ever on the blog. I will have to do a catch up post on January but for today the focus is on Brandon who turned 17 today. So that means having not that long ago finished teaching Josh to drive and getting him through his test - now it all starts over again with Brandon!

One of Brandon's birthday treats this year was a concert he wanted to go to for a deathcore band called Paleface Swiss at the Troxy in London. So me and Brandon went two Saturdays ago and to say I was nervous about going to my first ever deathcore concert and being on the floor was an understatement. However I have to say we had a bloody amazing night and Paleface Swiss were absolutely incredible, definitely sold on them and will be listening to more of this in the gym. Even one of the support bands called Stick to Your Guns were very good and even did a bit of a collaboration with Paleface Swiss later in the show. Troxy was dead easy to get to as we went from Basildon Station straight through to Limehouse and then a 5 min walk - door to door in under an hour.

For Brandon's birthday he really only had one main present this year which was a Valve Steam Deck gaming hand held device that he wanted. It actually made a nice change for him to want one main present as usually he just wants loads of clothes, watches, aftershave, shoes and that sort of stuff. 

We played a little prank on him with the Steam Deck though and wrapped it up in the box for Holly's old Nintendo Switch. He really didn't want a Switch and for weeks I had been telling him I couldn't find any reputable sellers in the UK that sold the Steam Deck with the OLED screen at an affordable price (partially true as I did have to order it from the US!). His face was a picture when he opened it and clearly he just didn't know how to react. He really didn't want a Switch but knew her had to try and be grateful for his present and not look too upset. He made a comment along the lines of "Well at least it will get more use than Holly's one". Then he opened the box and saw the Valve Steam Deck inside and his face lit up and he immediately starting calling me a jerk for playing the prank on him.

Holly bought Brandon a neck chain and a really nice Ice Nine Kills fleece which he absolutely loves. Then as he enjoys the off rum and coke with me and Tina, we also bought him his own personalised rum glass to remember his 17th.

Originally I told Brandon that as we went to the Paleface Swiss concert we would not be going out for a family meal for his birthday as the concert cost quite a bit in total by the time you add up tickets, trains, food, merch etc. However we did tell him he could have a takeaway of his choice as a treat instead. In the end we ended up going out for a Toby Carvery to celebrate his birthday as every Thursday night throughout January they are offering the carvery for £6 per head, so arguably cheaper than what a takeaway would have cost us.

Brandon opening his Ice Nine Kills fleece from Holly.

Brandon was over the moon with this and wore it to dinner later in the evening.

And then there was the chain that Holly got for him.

Then the main present cunningly disguised in a Nintendo Switch box.

The face of pure disappointment as you realise it is not what you wanted or expected.

All's well that ends well though as he opens the box and finds the Valve Steam Deck.

Our little baby boy turns 17.

Tomorrow night we will let him celebrate with a couple of rum and cokes in his own glass.

But for tonight it was a family meal out at the Toby Carvery to celebrate Brandon turning 17.

Early birthday present watching Stick to Your Guns at the Troxy in London.

Then it was the main event with Paleface Swiss, as you can see we were right in the heat (literally).

The performance was amazing, great stage presence, great vocals and a really good vibe at the venue.

I am definitely sold on deathcore and loving spending time sharing Brandon's love of music by going to concerts with him.

My ears were certainly ringing the next day after this one. But it was definitely worth it.