…were awesome! Good ol’ rock n roll. To me, sounded like Every Time I Die for the everyday rock fan and definitely not as much sass (cause only ETID can pull that off), but Of course that’s mostly cause of Keith’s voice…
The final tune was “We’ve Got a Situation,” but who knows it that was Jersey-inspired or not. They dragged out the last kickass riff several times. ‘Twas mighty.
http://www.myspace.com/thedamnedthings
So even though this post is named for the headlining band at the show I caught last night a couple weeks ago (took a while to finish this one…), I didn’t see em. So there isn’t much to remember. I’ve been trying to see A Day To Remember for over a year. I missed them in April 09, BOTH Warped Tour 2009 dates I went to, and again last night. Four times I’ve missed this band! Ever since I read their great cover story in Alternative Press last fall, I’ve been really into their music and their story.
But how about I talk about the bands I acutally did see…
Whoa! This band clearly sounds better indoors rather than the set I saw at last year’s Bamboozle in the middle of the afternoon. Their mix of heavy riffs, synths, London accents and even a dub-step breakdown was insane! All the bass they pump through their speakers is amazing.
You know what. I thought I was into this band, it’s gone back to a “meh…” for me. When I saw them in 2008 supporing Chiodos (at one of the best shows I’ve ever been to), I dug em. But at this show I thought it was just weak screamo. I give them props that they’ve been around for a good amount of time, but I think their sound has changed so much over those years and they don’t know where they should take it from here on out. I mean when Shane introduced an oldie, all that I proceded to hear was old emo/post-hardcore melodies and rhythms (aka very 2004/2005). No thanks.
Man, this band absolutely rules. They’ve been in my top 5 artists on last.fm ever since I signed up to scrobble. Yes, it might be breakdown after breakdown, but these guys can PLAY. Main songwriter JB really knows how to write the riffs, and the stage presence of frontman Jake Luhrs shines (or, burns?) HARD. Especially on “White Washed”. Holy crap that song rules.
“YOU’RE THE SALT THAT’S BURNING MY WOUNDS…”
So a few months ago, we signed my favorite band in the whole wide world (no joke) — Norma Jean.
In all seriousness, their music has played a HUGE part in my life through very difficult times.
But back to the rocking. The first NJ jam I heard was “Memphis Will Be Laid to Waste,” from the debut album Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child. Most (but not me) say it’s their best song (so far), but regardless it’s the one that got me hooked on the band from the get-go. Singer Cory Brandon put it well at their last show when he said,
We’ve never not played this song! Rrrrrrrr………
I know, right? Amazing.
I got to fly down to Atlanta in October to hang out with my favorite band for a whole day. YEAH. I hardly slept the night before, and it was quite difficult to be the slynam from their new label and not the slynam who absolutely loves their music. But of course, I did the latter most of the time anyway.
In December, NJ came to NY to play at the Blender Theatre. The gf was able to take some really great flip cam footage, check it all out below.
Easily the best show of my life thus far. But I’ve got many more Norma Jean shows to attend…
At the beginning of the month I made the long trek uptown 20 blocks to catch the Just Got Paid Let’s Get Laid Tour. I had been keeping an eye on these bands for a few weeks now and was excited to see them come by NYC. But I also knew that I wasn’t going to get anybody else excited about the show and that it was going to be another solo one for this guy. Check out the reviews of each band and the live videos at the bottom.
I Set My Friends On Fire
This duo was GREAT. It’s only two guys playing screamo/metalcore and somehow they make it work. One guy does all the screaming and tad of singing, while the other guy handles everything else: singing and playing guitar live, as well as all the programming and recording of all the other instruments. The sound was huge even though there was only one live instrument, a couple mics and the backing mix. And the guitar player could definitely rock it!! I mean look at him get after it! My favorite songs of theirs are “Brief Interviews With Hideous Men” and “Ravenous, Ravenous Rhinos” for the sick nasty screaming and riffs, but “Beauty Is In the Eyes of the Beerholder” and “Things That Rhyme With Orange” are tight for those of you who like more of the singing. Also peep their cover of Soulja Boy!
Cash Cash
I went for “Party In Your Bedroom” and got more than I asked for (be careful when listening to that tune… crazy catchy). This band has been filling my recent lust for electro-powerpop bands. I’m diggin’ that sound a lot lately, and heavy vocoding on the hook is quite irresistible. The word on the REALLY tight pants, especially the yellow ones, is still yet to be decided, but I’m getting used to it (tight jeans ok, but wow). Cash Cash did a really fun cover of “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada (known to many of my friends as the #1 Toad’s anthem).
Millionaires
Okay. Um. Wow? I must admit that this band (act?) was the main reason I wanted to go to this show. I can’t say that there is much talent as far as singing and dancing, but honestly, it was very entertaining! It’s more rapping/hype-talking (? definitely made that up) and the songs lean slightly towards the “free-spirited” side of a young female’s lifestyle. Still, it was really fun to watch!
The Final Word:
I Set My Friends On Fire – SICK. Been playing the album all month.
Cash Cash – Still stuck in my head.
Millionaires – Still slutty. Would not see again, unlike the two above.
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