Show Review

The last time I witnessed Armor For Sleep, it was probably around the 7th time I saw them. On their last headlining tour, the band demonstrated characteristics of a matured, trained rock band—vocalist Ben Jorgensen had dramatically improved his vocals, and the rest of the band seemed tight and together. However, on this occasion, the band was playing in front of about 50 kids; on the 16th the room was packed of chanting, compulsive fans of the band—there were even some kids waving a “raindrops…we love Armor For Sleep” banner on the balcony. I had never realized until that point that the band has become overwhelmed with attention—and are avidly outperforming their labelmates on Equal Vision in record sales. On the Alternative Press “The Invisible Sideshow” tour, the band is selling out shows nationwide and they are playing their longest set ever.

About halfway through their set, we walked in to witness ActionReaction playing songs from their forthcoming EP and a few from their current, self-released EP. Not bad, but Jason Gleason couldn’t quite seem to get his voice through the microphone, and a lot of melodies were lost to the aggressive guitars. I found myself at best unimpressed with the band’s rather basic, dry set: but enjoyed seeing Gleason powerfully exhale “Bang, Bang!” during perhaps the one track I truly enjoy from that band.

Next was Chiodos, who were playing to a crowd of their own. Opening with the theme from Requiem For A Dream and some sound effects which I would later discover were from the forthcoming The Sound Of Animals Fighting record, upon which Craig is lending his vocals for a couple tracks. While this sound was in the background, singer Craig was seen donning a rather ugly mask of some sort of demon or something, and he talked into the microphone in a weird voice. I couldn’t understand what the hell was going on but heard “the devil’s semen” somewhere in there. Weird. Finally, the band played, yet again, another stellar set, with shredding, loud guitars and constant chaos and energy—so good. Not even into the record, but I enjoyed the set rather thoroughly.

As Boys Night Out took the stage, I was already beyond anxious to see Armor, but found myself singing along with the repetitive, catchy choruses from the band’s debut, “Trainwreck.” The last time I saw these guys they were practically an entirely different band, and they were pretty damn solid this time around. Though kids didn’t seem to be getting into it, I thought they did a great job putting across the sound on “Trainwreck.”

At last, my boy Ben Jorgensen from Armor For Sleep took the stage, playing “A Quick Little Flight” from their latest record, “What To Do When You Are Dead.” I was immediately shocked as the entire crowd sang along at the top of their lungs—and it was no secret that the obnoxious girl who was screaming into my ear behind me knew all the words. The band proceeded to play one of the most earth-shattering, energetic, and harmonious sets I ever thought possible, even including “Basement Ghost Singing” on their set list. The band obviously have grown since their days on Equal Vision, and what struck me was that Armor For Sleep have finally caught their live act (which admittedly was a little lacking) up with their sound on record (which is outstanding). Not to mention the crowd’s response: there was a myriad of big and little kids alike reciting every word along with Jorgensen.

Dramatically improved hardly grasps the nature of this band—I’ve seen them play so many times now but never left a show with the sense of longing and satisfaction I left with on that fateful night at the Troubadour. A good buddy who I was with despised the band’s live act before this show. After the show, I asked him what his thoughts were, and to my glee he simply shook his head, uttering one simple word: “amazing.” And, likely, that’s a word the executives at some major labels who have been scouting the band (and were that night) can’t help from uttering, either.

review by Andrew Martin