(July 29, 2009 Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's)
Every once in a while, a tour comes along that's too good to pass up (see my last post, about the New Deal tour). Gig Life didn't seem like one of those to me initially. A friend and I planned on attending, I for Fireworks and Set Your Goals, who co-headlined the tour with Four Year Strong, the band he wanted to see. Some problems arose just a few days before the show, and I thought I wasn't going to be able to attend. But had that happened, you wouldn't be reading this, would you? Everything worked out, and I found myself at Small's door in the rain on a Wednesday night.
Grave Maker, a hardcore band (no, not the kind of 'hardcore' you listen to) from the UK, came out first and absolutely killed it. I've seen so many generic bands that claim the term 'hardcore,' but this was the first real hardcore band I've ever seen, and they won't be the last. The crowd/band interaction, the band's energy, the aggression in their sound, it all created this really crazy mood that can't be duplicated. I don't really have any other experiences to compare it to, but if I ever - scratch that - when I see another hardcore band, I'll let you guys know how Grave Maker compares.
The second band to play was a band from Michigan (they congratulated us as Pittsburghers about the Stanley Cup) who go by the name The Swellers. They play an infectious brand of a workingman's pop punk, if you will [your girlfriend wouldn't really care for it, but they couldn't play with three other Grave Maker's either (that term will never stick)], and with their recent signing to Fueled By Ramen, have a hard-earned slot opening for Paramore. This was one of those sets that made me really regret not being more familiar with the band's material, they put on a great show, had a ton of fun, and made it fun for us. They set the bar for the rest of the night, in retrospect.
One of the two bands I was looking forward to most, Fireworks, was up next. They came out swinging with "Detroit," the first single off of their fantastic new album, All I Have to Offer is My Own Confusion. Dave, the band's vocalist, does not sound very good live though, as evidenced throughout the whole set. Sometimes though, it's more about having a good time than sounding good while you do it, and I had a pretty darn good time throughout. The set was filled with songs I, along with several others in the crowd, knew every word to, and the band was really energetic. The atmosphere was just really upbeat. Given the chance I'd definitely go see them again, just to have a great time.
set list:
Detroit
I Support Same Sex Marriage
Michigan Boys Need To Get A Clue
Closet Weather
Show Me Your Vanishing Act One More Time
Geography, Vonnegut And Me
2923 Monroe St.
From Mountain Movers, To Lazy Losers
When We Stand On Each Other We Block Out The Sun
Before the show started, I found out (to my disappointment) that Four Year Strong was headlining, and Set Your Goals would be direct support. More than anything I was worried about set times, but clearly that was nothing to be concerned about. I gave my phone and my glasses to my friend and headed for the pit by the end of "The Fallen..." and spent the next 45+ minutes having the time of my life. This mosh pit ran the gamut, complete with several circle pits, standard moshing, pushing, and several crowd surfers. Did I mention singing along at the tops of our lungs? If I could do it every night of my life, I'd be the happiest guy alive. SYG wasn't the best band I've seen live or anything (don't take that the wrong way, they sounded really great), but they were the funnest band I've ever seen live, without a doubt.
set list:
This Will Be The Death Of Us
The Fallen...
Work In Progress
We Do It For The Money, OBVIOUSLY
Look Closer
Summer Jam
Echoes
Goonies Never Say Die!
To Be Continued...
Gaia Bleeds (Make Way For Man)
This Very Moment
Our Ethos: A Legacy To Pass On
Dead Men Tell No Tales
Mutiny!
My night was already complete, but Four Year Strong had yet to play, and my logic was that I paid to see five bands, I might as well stay for all five. I've never been a big fan of FYS though. For a while I never listened to any of these other bands because they drew comparisons to FYS, the first hardcore-pop-punk/easycore/positive hardcore/whatever-you-want-to-call-it band that I'd heard. I'm just not a fan, don't ask why, but their live show didn't sell them to me at all. The crowd was really boring, and the band felt like robots. The set was exactly what I expected, and while they sounded really good, it didn't even feel like they were in the room. It was as if a couple hundred kids gathered together to listen to a Four Year Strong CD together.
set list (courtesy of setlist.fm):
The Takeover
Bada Bing! Wit' A Pipe!
Catastrophe
Abandon Ship Or Abandon All Hope
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Hell
Semi-Charmed Life (Third Eye Blind cover)
Prepare To Be Digitally Manipulated
Beatdown In The Key Of Happy
She Really Loved You (Reach The Sky cover)
Maniac (R.O.D.)
encore:
Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die
Nonetheless, I did enjoy myself. This tour was so worth it, it was one of the best times I think I've ever had at a show. I feel almost privileged to have been there, these bands are at the top of this scene, and to get them all on the same bill was quite a treat.
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