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.
Showing posts with label chain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chain. Show all posts
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
one hundred and twenty four
I'm way behind on the last three shows I've been to, so these reviews/summaries are probably going to be horrible due to my terrible memory.
Show 124 was the Ace Enders/Dangerous Summer/Gay Blades/Person L Barbecue Across American Tour and it was utterly wonderful. I ended up going alone but I saw a friend from school and one from Absolutepunk, so that was nice.
I'm not even sure I remember the correct order of the bands, but I want to think the Gay Blades played first. I'd seen them before and been impressed by their crazy energy and stage presence. The two-piece band is highly entertaining and their sets never contain a dull moment.
Person L was the band I was least excited for, but seeing them live made the music so much more enjoyable. Watching Kenny on stage is kind of incredible. It's musicians/performers like him that make me really love going to shows because there wasn't a single moment in his entire set in which he looked bored or even the least bit tired of playing. You could tell he absolutely LOVED every second of it, and that kind of passion makes every bad thing about shows completely worth dealing with.
I was really anxious to see The Dangerous Summer, possibly more than any other band on the roster that night, mostly because I'd never seen them before. Reach for the Sun has been in pretty regular rotation for me lately and hearing those songs live was pretty great.
As for the headlining set, there are hardly words to explain how wonderful Ace Enders is, live or otherwise. From what I hear, he's not a bad cook either. (I didn't eat at the barbecue.) He's another musician that always seems so genuine in everything he does. He and Sergio both have an insane amount of energy when they perform, too, and I love that they bring back old Early November songs. Off the top of my head I remember hearing "I Want to Hear You Sad," "Ever so Sweet," "Decoration," and "The Best Happiness Money Can Buy" from I Can Make a Mess.
Fantastic show overall. Anyone who misses this tour missed out on something great.
Show 124 was the Ace Enders/Dangerous Summer/Gay Blades/Person L Barbecue Across American Tour and it was utterly wonderful. I ended up going alone but I saw a friend from school and one from Absolutepunk, so that was nice.
I'm not even sure I remember the correct order of the bands, but I want to think the Gay Blades played first. I'd seen them before and been impressed by their crazy energy and stage presence. The two-piece band is highly entertaining and their sets never contain a dull moment.
Person L was the band I was least excited for, but seeing them live made the music so much more enjoyable. Watching Kenny on stage is kind of incredible. It's musicians/performers like him that make me really love going to shows because there wasn't a single moment in his entire set in which he looked bored or even the least bit tired of playing. You could tell he absolutely LOVED every second of it, and that kind of passion makes every bad thing about shows completely worth dealing with.
I was really anxious to see The Dangerous Summer, possibly more than any other band on the roster that night, mostly because I'd never seen them before. Reach for the Sun has been in pretty regular rotation for me lately and hearing those songs live was pretty great.
As for the headlining set, there are hardly words to explain how wonderful Ace Enders is, live or otherwise. From what I hear, he's not a bad cook either. (I didn't eat at the barbecue.) He's another musician that always seems so genuine in everything he does. He and Sergio both have an insane amount of energy when they perform, too, and I love that they bring back old Early November songs. Off the top of my head I remember hearing "I Want to Hear You Sad," "Ever so Sweet," "Decoration," and "The Best Happiness Money Can Buy" from I Can Make a Mess.
Fantastic show overall. Anyone who misses this tour missed out on something great.
Friday, June 26, 2009
one hundred and twenty three
Tuesday, June 23rd at Chain.
Three Date Theory, Takota, the Photo Atlas, Runner Runner and the Audition.
For the first time in a long time, I showed up early enough to actually park IN the Chain Reaction parking lot. Three Date Theory was decent, but nothing special. The free demo they handed out didn't do them any justice - they actually sounded better live.
Takota's set was far too short for my liking - only five songs, but it was still thoroughly enjoyable. I recognized a few of the ILTC girls before the show but saw very few people singing along during. They hadn't played at Chain in quite a long time so I'm not all that surprised, but it was so incredibly good to see them again. They played two news songs as well as "Lioness," "Satellite" (for everyone who had seen them before), and the new staple song, "Turn Up the Radio." I barely talked to any of the guys except for Grant, but it was great to see him again. I really hope they do keep scheduling more shows.
The Photo Atlas was actually a little difficult to watch. I usually try to be nice in my reviews, but the singer's "vocal style" could only described as entirely too vibrato. The music was great - fun, dance-y rock stuff, but the vocals were just irritating.
Runner Runner was next up and, thankfully, far easier to endure. Dance rock with more of a pop edge and lots of group vocals, they held my attention very well. I only stuck around for a few of the Audition's songs but they were somewhat similar. Fun, danceable rock music with somewhat unique vocals. Takota was, by far, the high point of the night.
Three Date Theory, Takota, the Photo Atlas, Runner Runner and the Audition.
For the first time in a long time, I showed up early enough to actually park IN the Chain Reaction parking lot. Three Date Theory was decent, but nothing special. The free demo they handed out didn't do them any justice - they actually sounded better live.
Takota's set was far too short for my liking - only five songs, but it was still thoroughly enjoyable. I recognized a few of the ILTC girls before the show but saw very few people singing along during. They hadn't played at Chain in quite a long time so I'm not all that surprised, but it was so incredibly good to see them again. They played two news songs as well as "Lioness," "Satellite" (for everyone who had seen them before), and the new staple song, "Turn Up the Radio." I barely talked to any of the guys except for Grant, but it was great to see him again. I really hope they do keep scheduling more shows.
The Photo Atlas was actually a little difficult to watch. I usually try to be nice in my reviews, but the singer's "vocal style" could only described as entirely too vibrato. The music was great - fun, dance-y rock stuff, but the vocals were just irritating.
Runner Runner was next up and, thankfully, far easier to endure. Dance rock with more of a pop edge and lots of group vocals, they held my attention very well. I only stuck around for a few of the Audition's songs but they were somewhat similar. Fun, danceable rock music with somewhat unique vocals. Takota was, by far, the high point of the night.
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