The Dangerous Summer show in October was short and sweet - I really only watched their set and it only lasted about five songs if I remember correctly. I did get a chance, finally, to talk to some of the guys, which was awesome. AJ and Brian were super personable and friendly and I was very proud of myself for finally working up the courage to just say hi and that I'd enjoyed the set and seen them just about every time they'd been in Orange County.
I missed out on the ATAL show, which is a bust, but I'm not heartbroken. I haven't gotten into anything of theirs since the self-titled, but it would've been nice to catch their last show anyway. Oh well.
Most recently, I went to see the Wonder Years at Chain. They played with We Are the Arsenal and a few other bands, but again, I only caught their set. Just like the other two times I've seen them, the energy was spectacular and the set was more fun than I can express. It was very high on the list of the hottest shows I've ever been to - even Soupy mentioned feeling like he was going to throw up. In fact, he tweeted the next morning about how sick he was still feeling and how it had been fun, but we should never do it again. Cute. It was so great to see them headlining and that album means so much to me. Hearing it live and yelling out the words with a hundred other people is a feeling that can not be reproduced any other way for me. Live music is better than anything.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Oy vey.
I've not been keeping up with this blog at all. :( If nothing, I'll have to look through my journal and calendar and show tickets to see what I've missed out on writing and just compile a list. I haven't been to as many shows lately as I used to attend, but I have been to a few.
The last one I went to, I wrote a review for and just posted. Four Year Strong, The Wonder Years and Comeback Kid played at the Glasshouse in Pomona and it was awesome.
I've got a few coming up that should be wonderful as well:
The Dangerous Summer with VersaEmerge at Chain on 10/29
As Tall As Lions (farewell show) at the Troubadour on 12/17
The Wonder Years (headline show) at Chain on 1/7/2011
The last one I went to, I wrote a review for and just posted. Four Year Strong, The Wonder Years and Comeback Kid played at the Glasshouse in Pomona and it was awesome.
I've got a few coming up that should be wonderful as well:
The Dangerous Summer with VersaEmerge at Chain on 10/29
As Tall As Lions (farewell show) at the Troubadour on 12/17
The Wonder Years (headline show) at Chain on 1/7/2011
Tonight We Feel Alive tour - 10/21/10
Pop punk is not dead. Thursday night in Pomona, the “Tonight We Feel Alive” tour was showcased at the Glasshouse, featuring American Fangs, The Wonder Years, Comeback Kid, and Four Year Strong. An even split between pop punk and hardcore, the lineup brought a good sized crowd and a whole lot of energy to the downtown venue.
Hailing from Houston, TX and generally unknown to the audience, American Fangs opened up the show with a rough and heavy sound, full of the kind of vocals that make you wonder how the singer has any voice left at all. Somewhere between hardcore and rap rock, the music was melodic enough to sit through, but the set wasn’t outstanding by any means.
Next up were The Wonder Years, bringing uplifting pop punk from Landsdale, PA. Their second full-length album, The Upsides, came out in January of this year and was just rereleased on Hopeless Records a few weeks ago with four new songs. On the meaning of the album, singer “Soupy” said, “The Upsides isn’t just twelve songs to me. It’s about hope. It’s about fighting back. You don’t like your life? Nobody’s going to change that for you.”
The Pennsylvania band brought so much energy that the crowd had dance before the music even started. Despite a few feedback issues early in, they played a nice combination of recent and older songs to the audience’s approval. The band also announced a headlining tour to start up in January, on which they’ll be playing this year’s release in full.
Comeback Kid brought out the Winnipeg hardcore with a much more refined sound than the opening act had; it was obvious that the Canadian band had been practicing their craft a lot longer. Just a few short months ago, their fourth full-length album, Symptoms + Cures, was released on Victory Records in America and Distort Entertainment in Canada. Their set included songs ranging from the first they had ever written to some from the new record.
Anyone who has seen this tour’s headliner before knows to expect good things. Four Year Strong, hailing from Massachusetts, is always sure to put on a high-energy, fun-filled set. Their music brings together deep throaty vocals, pop synthesizer beats and heavy handed breakdowns to the joy of pop punk fans everywhere. During the track “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus,” from their ’07 release Rise or Die Trying, just before the breakdown was expected to hit, the band stopped playing and the room went black, but mosh-pits broke out in the silence anyway.
After a lengthy set and an almost-convincing farewell, the band came back for a two-song encore, including a touching acoustic performance of “One Step at a Time,” dedicated to “anyone who knows what it’s like to lose someone they care about. “ The song, from this year’s release Enemy of the World, led audience members to put up lighters and cell phones all around the room.
Overall, despite a mediocre opening act, the “Tonight We Feel Alive” tour was a success, pleasing a venue full of Southern California pop punk fans.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Recap Post
I've been terrible about keeping up with my show reviews, so instead of going back and writing a handful of terrible mini summaries, I'm just gonna make one post about the last few I've been to and then try to start up again with the more recent ones.
Apparently the oldest one I never wrote about was Limbeck with fun. and Hellogoodbye, which saddens me because that was a spectacular show. I showed up as Limbeck was setting up, and I'd never seen them before despite living in the same damn town, so I was pretty excited. They played a ton of great songs and I loved their set. I'd really like to see them again. I was most excited to see fun. though, and my excitement was more than rewarded. Their name suits them so well and anyone who hasn't yet heard Aim and Ignite really needs to do so, hopefully in time to fall in love and catch their upcoming tour. I've already got my ticket for their next show at Chain and I can't wait. I wasn't even planning to stick around for Hellogoodbye, but their set was very enjoyable as well. I'm a sucker for cutesy pop music, so it worked out nicely. Chain pretty much turned into a dance party for the last half hour of the show and I loved it. Great show.
Next up was Polar Bear Club with Four Year Strong and Set Your Goals at the Glass House. That show was pretty insane. I forget what the name of the tour was but it was sold out and we spent the whole show upstairs watching the pits get crazy. The entire floor of the venue was packed with little circle pits and ridiculous fights kept starting. The show itself was a lot of fun though. Fireworks and some other opening anarchy band played, but the three I mentioned stood out by far. I'd definitely recommend seeing any of them.
I also went to see Cruel Hand with Ceremony and Have Heart at Chain, although I don't normally listen to any of those bands. Cruel Hand was alright, but Ceremony was definitely not my kind of music. I don't go to many of those kinds of shows, but I don't think I've ever seen Chain get that crazy for anyone. Have Heart's set was pretty intense too. People were jumping over the side partition onto the stage and then into the crowd. Blah blah you get the idea.
The next show I went to was to see The Ataris play at Chain with I Am Ghost and The Sequence. There was one other band whose name I've forgotten, but they were more in the vein of I Am Ghost than any of the others. The Sequence did well, though it was weird to see Craig on stage with anyone other than Nick and Jonny, and especially to see him performing anywhere other than center stage. I don't really listen to I Am Ghost but they were decent. The Ataris were sweet. I had already seen Kris Roe play acoustic, but it was nice to get the full band experience.
Apparently the oldest one I never wrote about was Limbeck with fun. and Hellogoodbye, which saddens me because that was a spectacular show. I showed up as Limbeck was setting up, and I'd never seen them before despite living in the same damn town, so I was pretty excited. They played a ton of great songs and I loved their set. I'd really like to see them again. I was most excited to see fun. though, and my excitement was more than rewarded. Their name suits them so well and anyone who hasn't yet heard Aim and Ignite really needs to do so, hopefully in time to fall in love and catch their upcoming tour. I've already got my ticket for their next show at Chain and I can't wait. I wasn't even planning to stick around for Hellogoodbye, but their set was very enjoyable as well. I'm a sucker for cutesy pop music, so it worked out nicely. Chain pretty much turned into a dance party for the last half hour of the show and I loved it. Great show.
Next up was Polar Bear Club with Four Year Strong and Set Your Goals at the Glass House. That show was pretty insane. I forget what the name of the tour was but it was sold out and we spent the whole show upstairs watching the pits get crazy. The entire floor of the venue was packed with little circle pits and ridiculous fights kept starting. The show itself was a lot of fun though. Fireworks and some other opening anarchy band played, but the three I mentioned stood out by far. I'd definitely recommend seeing any of them.
I also went to see Cruel Hand with Ceremony and Have Heart at Chain, although I don't normally listen to any of those bands. Cruel Hand was alright, but Ceremony was definitely not my kind of music. I don't go to many of those kinds of shows, but I don't think I've ever seen Chain get that crazy for anyone. Have Heart's set was pretty intense too. People were jumping over the side partition onto the stage and then into the crowd. Blah blah you get the idea.
The next show I went to was to see The Ataris play at Chain with I Am Ghost and The Sequence. There was one other band whose name I've forgotten, but they were more in the vein of I Am Ghost than any of the others. The Sequence did well, though it was weird to see Craig on stage with anyone other than Nick and Jonny, and especially to see him performing anywhere other than center stage. I don't really listen to I Am Ghost but they were decent. The Ataris were sweet. I had already seen Kris Roe play acoustic, but it was nice to get the full band experience.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
one hundred and twenty seven
August 15th at Chain Reaction - Close But Not Quite, A Cursive Memory and Eye Alaska.
Being the fashionably late people that we are, Ashley and I showed up as CBNQ was starting (no idea who opened before them) but caught their whole set. Despite hearing some unpleasant things about certain members, their music is quite enjoyable. They have a sort of eclectic rap-rock sound, not in the vein of mainstream rap-rock though, because most of that is terrible. Im no good at describing genres, but for a bunch of kids in high school, they're not bad.
As it was extremely hot inside the venue and neither of us really knew anything about A Cursive Memory, Ashley and I stood outside for their set. We went back in while Eye Alaska was setting up. It always awes me to see local bands gain notoriety. I've been watching Brandon and Cameron play shows with Ashley for a few years now, since they were still Dead Letter Diaries, and it really is such a cool thing to see a local band succeed like they have. It seemed to happen so fast after they became Eye Alaska that they got signed and started touring, and now they're huge. I'm being slightly redundant, but it's just a really neat thing to see happen.
Their set was great, as usual. They're so energetic and everyone (especially at the home shows) gets so into it. It's practically impossible not to enjoy their sets. I was particularly excited to hear "Miles Don't Mean Anything" again, but slightly disappointed that they didn't play "Divorce." It was still a sweet show either way.
Being the fashionably late people that we are, Ashley and I showed up as CBNQ was starting (no idea who opened before them) but caught their whole set. Despite hearing some unpleasant things about certain members, their music is quite enjoyable. They have a sort of eclectic rap-rock sound, not in the vein of mainstream rap-rock though, because most of that is terrible. Im no good at describing genres, but for a bunch of kids in high school, they're not bad.
As it was extremely hot inside the venue and neither of us really knew anything about A Cursive Memory, Ashley and I stood outside for their set. We went back in while Eye Alaska was setting up. It always awes me to see local bands gain notoriety. I've been watching Brandon and Cameron play shows with Ashley for a few years now, since they were still Dead Letter Diaries, and it really is such a cool thing to see a local band succeed like they have. It seemed to happen so fast after they became Eye Alaska that they got signed and started touring, and now they're huge. I'm being slightly redundant, but it's just a really neat thing to see happen.
Their set was great, as usual. They're so energetic and everyone (especially at the home shows) gets so into it. It's practically impossible not to enjoy their sets. I was particularly excited to hear "Miles Don't Mean Anything" again, but slightly disappointed that they didn't play "Divorce." It was still a sweet show either way.
Friday, August 21, 2009
one hundred and twenty six
August 6th at Chain Reaction
Ashley and I went to see Scarlet Grey. We made them cookies and got all dressed up and she even curled my hair. :) We showed up in time to catch the last few songs of the band before SG but I've gone and forgotten their name. I remember thinking the music was decent but the vocals and the band's image was entirely cheesy.
Scarlet Grey was quite wonderful though. Our "new friend" and most of their other fans were annoying as usual, but some bands make it easy to ignore all that. After their set we hung out outside the venue with Pete for a nice long while and laughed non-stop because he's hilarious. I saw them in December but it had been over a year for Ashley so it was really nice catching up and just being around them. For local shows with bands I've seen before, I almost enjoy the hanging out and talking more than the show itself. At the same time, I feel bad for the bands because of all the crazy they have to deal with. It always amazes and impresses me how patient they can be.
Anyway, there's another short review because we only really watched one whole set. The end!
Ashley and I went to see Scarlet Grey. We made them cookies and got all dressed up and she even curled my hair. :) We showed up in time to catch the last few songs of the band before SG but I've gone and forgotten their name. I remember thinking the music was decent but the vocals and the band's image was entirely cheesy.
Scarlet Grey was quite wonderful though. Our "new friend" and most of their other fans were annoying as usual, but some bands make it easy to ignore all that. After their set we hung out outside the venue with Pete for a nice long while and laughed non-stop because he's hilarious. I saw them in December but it had been over a year for Ashley so it was really nice catching up and just being around them. For local shows with bands I've seen before, I almost enjoy the hanging out and talking more than the show itself. At the same time, I feel bad for the bands because of all the crazy they have to deal with. It always amazes and impresses me how patient they can be.
Anyway, there's another short review because we only really watched one whole set. The end!
one hundred and twenty five
On July 18th I drove to West Hollywood to see Brand New play a small, sold out show at the Troubadour. I met up with some girls who had waited six hours total by the time we went inside the venue so I got to be super close to the stage for most of the show. The band that opened (I think they were called Dios but my memory isn't very reliable so don't take my word on that) wasn't terrible but they didn't wow me either. The anticipation of waiting for Brand New probably wasn't a helpful factor, but they actually bored me.
By the time Brand New took the stage it was extremely hot and the crowd was packed in pretty tight. I only lasted through a few songs before I had to move back for fear of passing out. That was only the third show I've had that happen at but I was furious that it happened for Brand New, especially in such a small venue when I'd been so close to the stage. I couldn't even remember most of the set because I couldn't concentrate on anything for a while. I know they played a lot of songs that I liked and a few I was surprised to hear but I wish I'd been able to enjoy it more. Luckily I'll be seeing them again in October. :)
Sorry about the short and terrible review. I've been way behind on this blog so it's hard to remember details. :(
setlist:
1. The Shower Scene
2. The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
3. Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades
4. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't
5. Sowing Season (Yeah)
6. The Archer's Bows Are Broken
7. Jesus Christ
8. Flying At Tree Level
9. Mix Tape
10. Seventy Times Seven
11. Jude Law And A Semester Abroad
12. Bride
13. Gasoline
14. Bed
15. Jaws Theme Swimming
16. Degausser
17. You Won't Know
18. Soco Amaretto Lime
By the time Brand New took the stage it was extremely hot and the crowd was packed in pretty tight. I only lasted through a few songs before I had to move back for fear of passing out. That was only the third show I've had that happen at but I was furious that it happened for Brand New, especially in such a small venue when I'd been so close to the stage. I couldn't even remember most of the set because I couldn't concentrate on anything for a while. I know they played a lot of songs that I liked and a few I was surprised to hear but I wish I'd been able to enjoy it more. Luckily I'll be seeing them again in October. :)
Sorry about the short and terrible review. I've been way behind on this blog so it's hard to remember details. :(
setlist:
1. The Shower Scene
2. The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
3. Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades
4. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't
5. Sowing Season (Yeah)
6. The Archer's Bows Are Broken
7. Jesus Christ
8. Flying At Tree Level
9. Mix Tape
10. Seventy Times Seven
11. Jude Law And A Semester Abroad
12. Bride
13. Gasoline
14. Bed
15. Jaws Theme Swimming
16. Degausser
17. You Won't Know
18. Soco Amaretto Lime
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