Just in case the band sprays the crowd with blood, incites ariot or if torrent rain pours --here is Stephanie Norton's concertchecklist: steel toed boots, ear plugs and plain clothes.
"You will get beer, spit, sweat, blood and everything else onyou," the 22 year old journalism major said. "I always laugh at thegirls who go to (concerts) trying to look cute and look like hellwhen they leave. Come prepared people."
Usually, Norton's brother Randy, 25, is there to shield her fromover-enthused audience members who tend to get violent and want topush and shove.
"Since I'm so tiny I can get trampled," Norton said. "If thingsget crazy (Randy) puts his arms on the fence on either side of memaking a human box and uses his weight to keep people off of me.It's a good system. I've only been hurt once and that was at theFooFighters concert. I left with a bruise straight across my chestfrom where I was smashed against a fence for 5 minutes."
Norton, a professed "concert junkie," began her addiction toconcerts in 1998 after attending a Matchbox 20 concert. She stoodin the front row section.
Since that day, Norton said she has spent $1,800 or more onbuying tickets.
She currently works at Schlotzsky's Deli and is a full timestudent at the University of Memphis.
"I would say (I spend) about $300 to $400 a year depending onhow much tickets go," Norton said.
If it weren't for plastic money, Norton said she could notsupport her beloved pastime.
"It's hard to afford, but thankfully I have a credit card,"Norton said.
"(Buying concert tickets) is really all I use it for. This is myfavorite thing to do. I don't drink, smoke and I don't like toshop. So I don't sacrifice anything."
If Norton's card is maxed-out Randy will buy tickets forher.
She and Randy often go to concerts together -- sibling revelryat its best.
"I always go with my brother -- always," Norton said. "He is myconcert buddy.
He has been to every concert with me except Ozzfest, but he sawMetallica without me, so we're even on that."
Norton has another strange concert list -- her "three bands Ihave to see before I die" list.
"I have to see the Henry Rollins Band, Butch Walker and ThirtySeconds to Mars," Norton said. "I think I'm going to end up beingone of those forty year old women you see at concerts thinking,'Isn't she too old to be here?'"
