A coworker invited me to this show last night, and I was completely unfamiliar with all of the bands playing. Gaslight Anthem headlined, Fake Problems played before them, and Bridge & Tunnel opened up. I had a great time, heard some new music, and got some new tracks for my iPod - win/win!
Bridge & Tunnel: They've got a decent bassist, and she made me think of a hipster Tina Fey. The chick guitarist actually reminded me of a blonde Steve Perry. The male lead vocalist (?) couldn't hang a solid pitch on a coat rack, and at one point cracked me up by stomping one leg so energetically that he nearly kicked himself in the butt. The drummer was unremarkable. Musically, Bridge & Tunnel was not very inspiring - and you couldn't make the lyrics out, so they didn't score points in that area. Lots of crash cymbal, lots of metal-worthy headbanging, some decent bass lines. What amused me more than the lead singer's physical energy was the preface to every song: "This song is about [insert socially aware topic here]". Example: "This song is about the gentrification of NYC" (screamcrashgutterbass) - "This song is about how older people can't always get work in our economy and the things that are supposed to help them out, like Social Security and pensions and stuff, don't work like they're supposed to" (screamcrashgutterbass). The last thing I want to hear from a screamo band is their personal philosophy of subjects about which they are ignorant, especially when the opinion comes in the form of lyrics I literally cannot decipher - and I'm a Hatebreed fan, which should tell you something.
Fake Problems: Definitely worth checking out. They're a very energetic group with a lead singer who demands your attention from the get go. You can really hear the genre blend among the "Tighten Up" style guitar riffs, beach punk (early No Doubt & Sublime) style, skate punk (Less Than Jake), folk, "new" 70s (Amy March, White Stripes) and Latin music. Fake Problems makes you want to dance all night, which I probably would have if I knew the music better - I get distracted from moving during concerts if I'm concentrating on actually listening to the music instead of losing myself in it.
LGT Fake Problems Too Cold To Hold because I couldn't find a link to what I'm sure is only a tour track.. "How Come All This Time You Let Me Smoke Weed And Then You Up And Ditched Me Cuz I Smoke Weed Even Though You Knew The Whole Time?".
Gaslight Anthem: I am now a fan of this group. They put out their first album in 2007, sophomore in 2008, and just released their third album "American Slang" this year. When they play live, they've got an infectious fun-ergy that manifests in stage antics like half-ass cartwheeling and telling completely unrelated stories. Really great drummer, a completely hot Jersey guido bassist, and guitarists/vocalists that ENUNCIATE the fantastic lyrics they've written (are you listening, Bridge & Tunnel?). They've got a very original sound that seems to root in Bruce Springsteen and classic punk. In truth, they remind me of Alkaline Trio, but with less blood and alcohol, crossed with the Ataris. Their music holds elements of ballad rock and almost all of their well-recognized songs feature high energy, insistent melodies. Gaslight Anthem interacts really well with their audience, and they recognize / shout out the regular attendees (AKA groupies). The lead singer told a (random) story that went something like this: "I know on stage I'm joking and having a lot of fun but I'm really kind of a moody guy, you know, I get obsessed with building amplifiers and I don't really want to talk to or see anybody. I get really anxious and kind of neurotic sometimes... but anyway when I got here, [National staff member] was just like, living Zen man. So, thanks for that, Dude! This next track..."
LGT Gaslight Anthem - Old White Lincoln
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