SHOW REVIEWS
and it begins....
From Autumn To Ashes, Reggie And The Full Effect, Alkaline Trio
@ Roseland (11/7th maybe/03)
Here are just a few money shots of how this show all went down. From Autumn to Ashes = great performance. They seemed energetic, the sound was great, and from where i was standing the crowd was loving it. Reggie and the Full Effect: I love Reggie, and as a whole his performance was enjoyable...but i do have a few complaints. First off let me say i have seen Reggie three times in the past so these statements are basically comparisons to his other shows. I must admit that his stage show was lacking (in comparison). It was funny as all hell, but seemed rushed, and almost kind of half assed. My only other complaint was that it seemed Reggie was taking more of a turn towards a somewhat "suburban hardcore" feel. I suppose he did this mostly to please the masses...suburban hardcore is apparently quite popular right now (not to say i dont enjoy some of it myself...i guess i am just not a merch whore who bathes themself in it like a pig in shit). When it comes down to it the venue was just not right for his performance, he works better in a smaller bar with no time constraints or sense of commitment to pop culture...yes i called it pop culture for that is what most of it has become. I will forgive Reggie for those minor short comings....when it comes down to it i was happy and it felt good to see him once again in all his glory riding onto stage in a power wheels. Now for Alkaline Trio...another band i have fond memories of before "the scene" hit your local department stores. I cant complain too much because they did put on a fucking great show...and they played a few songs i was hoping for.
All in all i would agree that the show was well worth whatever it was i paid. Chris was there, and he seemed to have fun. Drew was there...and he was Drew (infact he saved us a spot on line so yay for him...unfortunatley he seemed to get his ass beat in the pit...or at least thats just what it looked like when he came out). Oh Oh, we met a boy...let me just say that you know a person is cool when you catch them licking barbeque sauce off the leg of their jeans. Other than that the bonanza was out to represent...a job well done.
Pitch Black, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Alkaline Trio
@ Irving Plaza (5/23/03)
I havent been to Irving in almost a year. I really havent done much of anything (besides school) in almost a year. The opening band called Pitch Black was from the west coast and I have to admit they werent bad. I know it sounds gay but west coast punk dosnt usually do it for me. I'm not saying I hate all west coast bands, I have just generally found that I enjoy the sound of east coast bands over the sounds I have heard of the west coast bands. Anyway pushing that little factor aside all I will say is that Pitch Black was far from the worst opening band I have seen (and yes there is a worst). Now, I have heard quite a bit about Pretty Girls Make Graves, however I have never actually heard any of their music. Lets just say it was quite the pleasant suprise. To begin with I was totally not expecting a female singer, you would think someone would have mentioned that in conversation at some point. The music is kind of like The Anniversary gone suicidal with nice heavy guitar. I am still a little unsure about the lyrics, I was sensing a hint of generic, but I could totally be wrong because it was a show and it was loud, and it can be hard to tell exactly what she was saying at times. I will be looking further into that. However they were generally pretty rock with a sense of edge and a damn good performance....impressive to say the least. Now as for the main course I will admit I was slightly apprehensive as to how they would perform, and how their sound quality would be. This is only becuase I have seen them in the past, and as much as I love those boys, their live performances can give off a sense of..uhh..unpolished? You can take that as you may, I have been listening to Alkaline Trio for quite a while, I have seen them play acoustic in front of a group of maybe 15 or 20 people, spoken to Matt,taken my share of guitar picks and set lists, as well as seeing them on a larger scale stuck in a sweaty crowd of kids taking their last breathe of air to spit out just one more lyric. Last night it was fun to just take a step back and take in the sound and feeling of the music minus the sweat and tears. Alkaline Trio put on a really really good show. Sound was as good as it will ever get in a place like that and the kids near us (tone deaf or not) were really into it. Clearly there was a heavy handful of kids who only knew the lyrics to the new albaum, but that is just expected. The band played two of my three favorite songs. Opting to strum out favorites such as "My Friend Peter" and "Maybe I'll Catch Fire", and leaving "Nose Over Tail" for my memory of acoustic bliss in a time and place more appropriate for its enjoyment. That memory will remain a memory, which isnt such a bad thing. Alkaline Trio played a perfect mix of old and new, pleasing both respective sets of fans. A great show to start the summer off with.
Wesley Willis
@ The Knitting Factory
Shakes Head....I dont know how I got dragged into this one. Mike and I went with Jay and George. Ok first of all for all of you who dont Mr. Willis he happens to be a pretty well known LARGE black Schizophrenic (once homeless) man who sings songs that he himself writes. Now I know what your all thinking, there is no way in hell this is serious, and truthfully I didnt believe it until I saw it. And now that I did see it I have to admit that all I could think for most of the show is how horrible it is that this man is making money off of his problem...but people love him, and he really is a pisser. He is really funny, and I dont even mean funny because of his problem, I mean he really is a funny man. And I suppose that is why he draws such a crowd. Well anyway I think I will post some pics when the scanner works because this is something you just have to see for yourself. And might I add Mr. Willis is making quite a living for himself, we witnessed only one night of his U.S. tour.
The Reunion Show, Hot Rod Circuit, and somebody else
@ The Knitting Factory
Hmmm...I havent seen Mark in a long time...he grew his hair out and now looks like a...uhh...nevermind...who the hell cares...god bless his voice...I absolutley love it. Reunion show was Rock...except while Brian was singing I kept having this vision of a huge Brontosaurus leaning his long neck down and biting off his head; I dont think this dinosaur is even a carnivor, but it was funny anyway. So they were all Rock and Roll. It was actually their show. So like halfway to three quarters through mike and I went into the back to buy some stuff and we started to see all the kids who used to be at their shows and we said hi and stuff and it was cool to see those kids because I used to see them all the time. There definatley used to be like the same groups of kids who went to shows and everyone kind of knew each other and it was nice and friendly and I miss that. As for Hot Rod Circuit I think that was my 10th or 11th time seeing them and they were cool but I cant say it was their best performance. Who the hell cares, they are human and I am sure they get tired going on tour and what not, and they are still one of the nicest bands ever. I dont really care if they get popular, maybe they already are, I just dont see them as rock stars, I see them as guys who have to suppot their families, and they do so in the most enjoyable way possible. So yay for them. I really cant wish them anything but the best.
The Gloria Record
@ The Knitting Factory
This show was a really long time ago but i never wrote about it. So Yes, i saw them again at the same place and like always they are super amazing. Sammie went with us to this show and i think it only started around 12 at night; which is actually kind of nice. Anyway i must admit the first show was a tad bit better, i think even like the sound was a little better and all, but they still blew me away. I just cant describe the Gloria Record experience, it is something beyond music. Ok i dont want to get all gay so that is enough about that.
Tony Danza
@ Westbury music Fair
For a review of this show check out my Summer Rants page and look under the July 1st date.
The Gloria Record
@ The Knitting Factory
Absolutley Fucking Amazing! This was a jaw dropping, eye tearing, heart pounding hour of complete and total happiness. The two opening bands were....well....not my taste of music, but whatever, it happens. The only thing that could have been better was if they had played some more of their older stuff..apparently i wasnt the only one who felt this way. However if it was up to me they would have played some covers of their old band (my absolute favorite band of all time next to reggie)...yeah right...not fucking likley. Anyway July is a busy month show wise. This was a perfect way to start the summer.
MILLENCOLLIN
Wow this show was great i mean who dosnt love freakin swedish punk bands....with the exception of a few unruly jocks the pit was amazing if i do say so myself....and a few new friends were there....and it was just good all over...it might have to do with the fact that Millencollin is one of my favorite punk bands but everything that monday night just went sort of swell......
ATOM & HIS PACKAGE, AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, HOT ROD CIRCUIT, AVAIL
So this show was fun and dangerous times.....Atom rocked his package like no man has aver rocked his package in the history of nerdcore.....He was really nice and since mike dave and i were like early and first in line we got to chat with the crazy band members....Well Atom is an entire band withing himself....but like hot rod and avail were really friendly too.....well hot rod always is....anyway back to atom i hav an awesome pic with him....after himAmerican Nightmare came on and it was lots of pain...and i mean more than usual...one very large boy got in what little pit there was and started throwing punches and got me three times in the head until dave saw and jumpd in front to save me and then mike saw and grabbed me out.....then wouldnt let me go back in to kick his ass which i wouldnt be able to do anyway.....<.shrugs.>...Oh well it was still fun and then Hot Rod went on .<.shakes head.>.....they amaze me....they just rock my socks to some extreme amount that i cant even explain....ahhh happiness.....Unfortunatley we had to leave before Avail due to the fact i had an art history exam bright and early the next morning...and my grandpa had passed away that morning...and i was feeling a little strange about everything including the fact the entire right side of my face was sore beyond belief....ouch!
H2O...and Sum 41
I have no fucking clue why i went to this show other than to see H2O which ended up not being such a great exuse....I'm not even reviewing this show it's not worth my time and truthfully the only good thing about it was making a few new friends and seeing a few good old ones....However i would like to say one thing and that is that if you smoke pot...or anything else for that matter...please do NOT do it in a pit or i will be forced to tell you to die in a pool of aids.....i dont smoke and i wish not to inhale the shit that you do....so do it on your own time or your cruisin for a bruisin.....
POISON
Ok so you're either thinking one of three things:
"Poison...thats that 80's glam metal band.....they're still alive?" or
"POISON! (gives metal sign) that rocks....i remember seeing them open up for RATT" or
"Poison? Who's that?"
Well my response in reaction to hearing that Jones Beach theatre would be holding a glam jam metal band show was like a malodramatic version of "POISON!(gives metal sign) that rocks"....unfortunately i missed seeing them open for RATT but with out a doubt my CD collection has been graced for quite some time now with Poison's greatest hits cd. Now up until this year that cd only met my stereo about once a year......however as it may be known my boyfriend was quite the little metal head by the age of ten when he saw them at his first concert in 1989. so when he saw that cd in my collection all sanity broke loose....for now every car ride we were singing to the melody of every rose has its thorn...as for the show at Jones Beach, we had planned (due to low funds) to just sit outside, but when we pulled up into that parking lot filled with grade A, beautifully kept (well maybe not all that beautiful) metal mullets, and the sound of Warrant in the background, there was no way just to sit on the beach....we needed in! And so we went directly to the ticket booth and bought a pair of tickets to probally the best Jones Beach show i have ever seen. Michael (my boyfriend) sat in complete awe, mouth open, completely happy as i sat eager to the nostalgic sound of Warrant singing "she's my cherry pie".....the last time i heard that i was way too young to have any clue as to what it meant none the less i liked it then and to hear it now was pure enjoyment. Unfortunately we had missed half of their set and the set of Quiet Riot....but after the intermission the lights dimmed, the crowd went wild, and for the next 45 minutes Jones Beach could have been a time warp to the 80's......i would take that trip anyday even if i was a kid for most of it. The special effects for Poison were amazing and i kept my eyes on stage the entire time. Maybe the hair and makeup had gone down a little (not to be said for alot of the fans) but the music is still there. The lyrics are still those of the 80's era which depending on who you talk to can be a great thing or the cheesiest thing. Well screw all of you because i like cheese. Maybe the show wasnt so glam but by far it was the most jam i had seen in a long time.
Saves The Day, Dashboard Confessional, Hot Rod Circuit, and The Anniversary @ Irving
The cool thing about this show is that number one it was both Friday and Saturday night, and number two the lineup is awesome. So of course Mike and I attended both nights.
NIGHT ONE: The first night we had both worked that day so we only got a 6:00 train which means we were at the end of the line. None the less we were almost directly in front of the stage. Hot Rod Circuit played first.....this is one of my and more so Mike's favorite bands. Andy the lead singer is a real down to earth guy....he also has the cutest daughters i've ever seen. They played their usual best with Casey running all over stage being the coolest guy i've ever seen dance......In Mike's words "Casey is a metal god"......(shakes head)....anyway following them went on Dashboard which i have seen more times than i can count. Chris is an awesome guy. I've spoke with him on several occasions and was always suprised at just how generally sincerely nice he has been. Well now with both CD's out he is getting pretty popular.....so much to the point where the crowd sings every lyric....Chris seems to like that and when all is said and done he has only sang about half of each songs...the crowd's singing the other. At points there was not even need for guitar. Now i dont mind it to a certain extent but after a while its kinda like i came to see Chris sing and i kinda want to see him perform not the 400 kids that bought the cd and sat there for three days memorizing lyrics. Now thats not to say i didnt enjoy him....i would be lying if i said that. I guess i just remember seeing him in New Jersey last October when not too many people knew who he was and he played and it was amazing. It dosent help that N.J. show was the best show i have ever seen (Hot Rod, Dashboard, and Jimmy) so not much will compare. Either way Chris did put on his usual set which is always good. He even sang a new song which left both Mike and i in tears. ::sigh:: After Dashboard we went to get a drink and hit the merch table. The Anniversary played next and even though they arent my favorite band they do put on a good show. To my surprise when we hit the merch table Hot Rod Circuit had logo panties on sale which i had to have. Hot Rod had some new stuff including a Mr. T shirt which Mike rejoiced over.....otherwise it was mostly the same stuff. So we decided just to hang back for Saves the Day the first night. From what we saw they put on a good show and the kids seemed pretty happy.
NIGHT TWO: So we left earlier on like a three thirty train and when we got there we were like maybe 7th on line. The show wasnt until around 8....even though it doesnt start till 9.....so we had a while. We made friends with some other kids on line. All the bands were right in front of their busses hanging out....like usual at Irving. One of the girls we made friends with was giving out free stuff...so i had the creative idea of taking 52 free stickers and making playing cards out of them....Mike and i walked to the deli around the corner, bought some chewy Spree, and played poker for a few hours......The other kids were impressed. So finally we got in and we were right in front for all the bands. Hot Rod went on first which was real cool cause the night before.....Mike had spoken to Andy and requested a song, and well the second to last song they played was Mike's request and the entire time Andy kept looking at us kind of smiling. Needless to say Mike was happy. The Anniversary went on next and we just stayed in front cause we had real nice spots. So they put on their energetic set and all was good. Next was Dashboard and it was like the night before except he didnt play his new song which might have been a good thing. Either way Chris was good and i must give credit to his keyboard player Mike who was a charm. So after Dashboard, Saves the Day played. The were really good. Although i noticed the lead singer, Chris, had his eye on me the entire time smiling but i didnt say anything until Mike mentioned it in a jealous way.....shakes head......well after a little while we headed into the pit which was actually alot better than being up front cause the kids in the pit were awesome......they were dancing all mad crazy hardcore style and that made me happy. The show was really good as expected. So afterwards we found our friends cause they needed help through the subways and we got the flippin 1:45 train home, same as the night before, and once again it was full of really drunk people who had spent their night bar hopping in the city. All in all it was a swell weekend and well needed at that.
