Concert Review: Blink 182, My Chemical Romance, Matt and Kim

Band: blink 182, My Chemical Romance Opener: Matt and Kim
Date: October 2, 2011
Location: Sleep Train Amphitheater, Sacramento, CA

Preconcieved Thoughts of the Band: blink 182 is my favorite band...EVER! I saw them, two years ago at their reunion tour and I was blown away (and in physical pain) from their performance. They are known for playing loud punk rock and as fast as they can. I knew what they were going to be playing in their set list, even their new songs off the album Neighborhoods. I was so prepared for them. My Chemical Romance on the other hand, is a different story. I haven't heard from the since middle school. Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge was pretty much it for me. I strayed away from the emo scene to more indie rock afterward. I knew a couple of singles form their Black Parade album but that was pretty much it. They did change their image to a more colorful one, but I was pretty DGAF about them. Finally Matt and Kim was another band I was crazy to see at the tour. They were on my playlist all of freshman year in college. I missed their performance at the Fillmore a year ago, but I wasn't going to miss them this time. 

Concert Review: Beirut

Band: Beirut
Date: October 1, 2011
Location: The Fox Theater, Oakland, Ca

Preconceived Thoughts of the Band - My current roommate introduced me to them about 2 years ago with the track "Elephant Gun", and I became an instant fan. I loved the use of trumpets, french horns, trombones, and tubas. They have very unusual sounds which is made by their unusual use of instruments. My music management professor mentioned the band a couple of times during his lectures. I wouldn't consider their sound to be a platform for every band to copy, but it is a unique sound that makes them stand out.

Blink-182, My Chemical Romance and Matt and Kim: Concert Review and Photos

Band: Blink 182, My Chemical Romance Opener: Matt and Kim
Date: October 2, 2011
Location: Sleep Train Amphitheater, Wheatland, CA

Preface:

Noely and I attended the same show, but we definitely both have different views of the show, being different levels of a "fan" so to speak. Enjoy :)

Preconceived Thoughts of the Band -

For Matt and Kim:

I had previously never heard any of their music before the show. I have some friends who absolutely love Matt and Kim, and those friends and I have pretty similar music taste. Going into their set, I expected to enjoy them, just based on my similar music taste with other fans.

My Chemical Romance:

I have been an on again off again fan of MCR for about 8 years. Back in middle school, my younger brother was obsessed with this band so I have been exposed to their music for quite some time. However, over the years their sound has definitely changed, and for me, it wasn't necessarily for the better. I loved their first two albums, but their last two I never really got in to. I had seen MCR live about 5 years ago, so going in to this show, I wasn't sure what to expect, since they are an aging band with a new sound.

Blink-182:

Much like the Brand New show, I was unsure how this show was going to play out. Since Blink is definitely an aging band, I have heard that seeing them now is not as good as seeing them, say, 6 or 7 years ago. While this can go for any band, I had heard bad things about this fact in regards to Blink. However, since I had never seen them live before, I had to go to experience them at least once, and I kept in mind the fact that they may not sound as good as they once did.

What Actually Happened (BITCH SPOILER ALERT) -

Recommendation for the Yellowcard Show

This month there are going to be quite a few shows that are tempting to go to. However, with a small pocketbook and increasing ticketmaster convenience charges, going to all the amazing shows that are coming up is not possible. Since the Yellowcard/Every Avenue, nevershoutnever, and Skrillex concert are all around the same date, I would recommend you attend the Yellowcard/Every Avenue show.

Yellowcard

Yellowcard is a pop punk band from Florida that formed in 1997. One of the unique features of this band is the fact that they use violin, which is unusual for this genre. The band released three records before going on a two-year hiatus and then releasing their most current album. Yellowcard has been on tour with reputable bands, such as All Time Low and Linkin Park. Every Avenue is a pop punk band from Michigan that formed in 2003. They have released 4 full lengths albums and 3 EP’s. They have toured with All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Boys Like Girls and The Maine. Both Yellowcard and Every Avenue have played at Warped Tour. These bands playing together would be a very strong and well-played show. This show would cost you $22.

nevershoutnever

nevershoutnever is a pop punk band from Joplin, Missouri. The front of the band, Christofer Drew began making music in 2005. The band has 6 EP’s and 2 full-length albums. While they have quite a large fan base due to Drew’s good looks and nomination as PETA’s sexiest vegetarian, he has often played and come to his shows drunk and high, which other fans, concert attendees and I find disrespectful to his audience. He also has a bad reputation for being mean and rude to fans when they approach him before and after shows. This show would cost you $27.

Skrillex

Skrillex, also known as Sonny Moore is producer from Los Angeles. He was once the front man for the band From First To Last, but now is known as Skillex and plays electro house music. He has grown quite popular in this music scene. However, when weighing the pros and cons between all of these shows, this show is the most expensive. While it may be fun, it is not exactly the type of music that this company is known for writing about nor is it worth the price of two other concerts that we can attend. Another negative about this show is that it is sold out on ticketmaster, so tickets would have to be purchased via stubhub, and currently the tickets listed are double the original asking price. This show would cost you $88.

Yes on Yellowcard

While all of these shows would offer a good experience, the Yellowcard/Every Avenue show would be the best and most tried and true for your money concert. Seeing the nevershoutnever concert would be fun because of the natural, good spirited music of Christofer Drew, but his poor attitude and usually inebriated self is definitely less attractive to the audience. Skrillex would bring to the table a dancing filled night, but the price is not worth drive into the city.

--Relic

Album Review: Blink 182 - Neighborhoods

Band: Blink 182
Album: Neighborhoods
Release: September 27, 2011

History: It has been about 8 years since new music has been out for this pop punk trio, but there has been a lot of things in-between, the biggest being their "indefinite" hiatus. Tom ventured off to a space, ambient, progressive rock known as Angels and Airwaves. Three album in, there is a mature state that Tom is in. On the other hand Mark and Travis made +44, named after the international code for England when they were talking about the project. When Your Heart Stops Beating  is a straight forward rock album with electronic influences. Being apart for 4 years, they gained knowledge in song structure, using experimental sounds and growing up in general. Having said that, saying that Neighborhoods would be the next Enema of the State or Take off your Pants and Jacket, is complete nonsense.

To understand Neighborhoods, look at the history. The first couple of years after the break up there was bitter tension from Mark and Tom. Mark made a clear statement on Tom in "No It Isn't" :"Please understand, This isn't just goodbye, this is I can't stand you". Tom responded in "Rite Of Spring": The summers gone, the years have passed, my friends have changed, a few did last". Tom started experimenting with sounds and effects that would give AVA their signature sound. Aside from +44, Mark became a producer, so he learned about sounds and music from the producer stand point. Travis was featured in rap music, so he started venturing off in different genres. 


Their happy reunion started off with a horrible tragedy. The first was the death of their long time producer Jerry Finn. After that,Travis and DJ AM were involved in a plane crash in late September that kill their close friends. During his rehabilitation, Tom decided to speak to everyone. 5 months later, after months of a rumored reunion they announced their reunion almost at their 4 year break up anniversary.    


Fast forward to when the album was released after 2 years of making their album they were almost true to their word. It is a continuation of their last album. It did venture off into experimental elements. It would include influences from their side projects. BUT it is not a progressive album as Tom stated. It is just a rock album, with the pop punk foundation in which they are based of. 

Brand New to re-release "Your Favorite Weapon"

Hello!

I wasn't able to attend any shows this week, but I did stumble upon some awesome news! Brand New is planning on re-releasing their first album that was originally released in 2001, "Your Favorite Weapon." It is being re released to commemorate it's 10th anniversary.

This re-release is set to come out November 22. There is already a pre sale available here:

http://www.shopradiocast.com/products/Brand-New-%252d-Your-Favorite-Weapon-LP.html

Price as of now is $16.49. This price includes the LP of the album and an instant download card which contains some previously unreleased demos.

The track listing of the LP is as follows:

1. The Shower Scene

2. Jude Law and a Semester Abroad

3. Sudden Death in Carolina

4. Mix Tape

5. Failure by Design

6. Last Chance to Lose Your Keys

7. Logan to Government Center

8. The No Seatbelt Song

9. Seventy Times 7

10. Secondary

11. Magazines

12. Soco Amaretto Lime

The LP is also going to have new art work. From the forums, it is definitely getting mixed reviews from the fans. Some love it, some hate it and prefer the original.

--Relic

Concert Review: French Cassettes

Band: French Cassettes. Opener: Tibetan Method and Travis Vick
Date: September 23, 2011
Location:  Fox and Goose, Sacramento, CA

Preconceived Thoughts of the Band -  I met one of their band members weeks ago to discuss a project, in which we would have to coordinate. I am somewhat their manager/consultant. The band member was generous in giving me their EP. I gave a listen to and instantly was hooked. They have a poppy/catchy guitars, soothing vocals and groovy bass. For a baby band, they had their signature sound already figured out. I showed them to my friend and they also became instant fans. I wanted to hear more, so I found out they were playing a show in sac and we drove the venue.