Show Review

I've seen every band on this bill at least once. However, aside from Dredg who I saw earlier this year, I haven't seen the other bands for at least a year, and a lot has happened since the last time I saw them. Coheed "blew up," The Blood Brothers "broke up" and MewithoutYou "came up." The band I was most excited to see, I would soon find out, played the shortest set, and I was suprised to be impressed with Coheed And Cambria. So MewithoutYou once again blew my mind as they took the stage with a swarming, chanting embrace. Most of the kids were obviously clueless and had no clue what they were in for, but I knew what to expect from MWY: energy and some. Though they were dressed a little more normal than the last time I saw them, and played a much shorter set, I got my ears worth. Pouncing with energy and a sort of swagger that was only matched by the singer of Dredg, I think everyone collectively was getting into their high-energy set. This band is one of the most innovative, smart acts out these days and it's a disappointment they have yet to be discovered by the masses.

And finally, the world's most underrated band took the stage and blew my mind. Playing a classic set (but strangely and sadly very short) of songs primarily from Catch Without Arms, they sounded huge and brilliant. Once again Gavin (singer) was stellar, as were the other bandmates, with stunning precision and accuracy to match their huge sound. This band is definitely the most underrated, undiscovered band on the major market and I almost cried when I saw their CDs going used at Amoeba last week. Everyone should love and admire this band of sheer genius and talent, and I feel I really had a right to yell "WHY AREN'T THESE GUYS HEADLINING" after their set. Absolutely incredible, and I only was disappointed to see that Blood Brothers would end up playing twice as long. Go see this band and buy Catch Without Arms.

The Blood Brothers are one of those bands I like to a certain point, but the shrieking got on my nerves that night. Maybe it's cause I was still reeling from the short Dredg set, but most likely it was because they just plain played too long, and played too many new songs (which are, generally, wack). Still they had a pretty good stage presence and I wouldn't expect anything less from a band I can only define as the epitome of chaos.

Over two years ago, I witnessed a small band called Coheed And Cambria opening on the Thursday/Thrice tour and I would have never imagined they would be playing sold out shows at $45 a ticket. The band was definitely going for an epic, huge sound, and they sounded EXCELLENT. They played a lot of old songs as well as new ones, and the stage was decorated with huge monolithic images of a naked man, a gigantic projector barring the Coheed logo and subtle random video displays throughout the show, and a pretty impressive light show with fog gassers. They sounded as huge as their set was, as expected; at $40+ a ticket I wouldn't expect anything less. The crowd was going nuts, everyone casting a poor attempt to reach Claudio's range, and I couldn't help but laugh when my buddy revealed that Claudio "looked like a monster" as he clamabered onto the stage with his absurd hair and dual necked guitar. I was pleased to hear old jams and new ones alike, and they had a pretty good grasp of their sound. It seems the artsy, undeniably "uncool" band has reached the point of no return and now are major label rockstars; but they seemed to pull it off well, maintaining their "cool" posture and fan support.

What a great show; if you didn't get a chance to buy tickets and they're still available, pick one up--otherwise just wait till Dredg goes on tour and catch them while you can.

review by Andrew Martin