Hot Water Music, F Yeah Fest Etc.

For as much hype as I made for this weekend, it totally lived up. And yeah, I know this was almost two weeks ago, but I’ve been busy (I got engaged!). So deal with it. I’m not going to review too much, except to say this about all of the bands that I saw.

Since I’m not reviewing, you can read these reviews:

F Yeah Fest Tour

Hot Water Music, Thursday, Paint it Black

Monotonix, Crystal Antlers

Monotonix are insane. Nothing strikingly original or unique, but an amazing live show. I’ve never seen a drummer crowd surf before…with his kit.

Matt and Kim aren’t that amazing, but their smiles are. Every time I see them its so inspiring to see how happy they are on stage.

I hadn’t seen Dillinger Four in a few years, but they were a lot of fun. Paddy is one of those front men who manages to be pretty funny without getting to annoying.

Circle Jerks were fun too, but there was definitly an old-ness factor to them. Sitting backstage next to Greg Hetson and Keith Morris was kind of intimidating.

Hot Water Music were great. We cabbed it up from the Circle Jerks show to catch them in their second song.

After HWM, we went back downtown to catch Monotonix again (their shtick is impressive but grows old) and then Crystal Antlers who are going to be huge.

Review: The Bouncing Souls, live in Brooklyn

The Gaslight Anthem, Tim Barry, The Bouncing Souls: Live in Brooklyn

If you pay attention to this blog, you know I’ve been excited about this show for a while. I was initially going to review this entire show, but Punknews already beat me to it (and did a fine job, may I add). They did, however, miss The Gaslight Anthem (always check door-time, boys!) so I’ll throw in a few things about the show anyways. Some amateurish video and pictures are to follow.

The Gaslight Anthem’s “Sink or Swim” was one of my favorite records of 2007. Last summer, when the did a two week tour with a band I was managing, I had no idea what would happen next. They would come home from that tour and over the next year grab support slots for the likes of Against Me!, The Draft, The Loved Ones, and The Bouncing Souls. In that year they’d also release an EP, sign with Side One Dummy, tour Europe, and even play some fests.

They truly have what it takes to take it to the next step. I was, however, a bit underwhelmed by their performance this past weekend. I really enjoyed myself, but I can’t imagine their performance helped them win over too many fans. They were a bit too cock-sure, too swaggery. Their attitudes screamed “every body tells us we’re the next big thing.” Their setlist was unimpressive, playing only four songs from their debut album, and playing some new stuff that almost had a Nickleback vibe to it. I’m sure the new record will be great, but for now we’ll have to wait and see.