Show Review

As Max Bemis descended from the steps in the back of the Troubadour, the deafening roar of the crowd reminded me, coincidentally, of a song he wrote called “Little Girls.” Much like on the three nights a year or so ago when I saw Say Anything play with Recover and Armor For Sleep, there were young girls who were avidly and vividly (and hell, even audibly) diehard Say Anything fans taking up the crowd.

And, as the piano intro of “Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too” trickled out of the speakers, these Little Girls were making themselves flamboyantly visible. Almost obnoxious, they screamed every word in unison, but at that point I fell victim to the infectious stage presence of Max Bemis and company. On stage, he was joined by a number of veterans, including Jamison from JamisonParker, and Alex (and I think another former member?) of Lance’s Hero. Though, admittedly, it was a bit awkward seeing Bemis without his usual guitar, his stage swagger was visibly comfortable, as he embraced the crowd, bouncing off every corner of the stage and even occasionally (but rarely) twisting the mic to face the crowd.

Songs from “Is A Real Boy” like fan favorites “Alive With The Glory Of Love,” and even my personal favorite, the antagonistic “Admit It!!!” were performed with a sort of blistering, sweaty energy. The highlight of the night, however, was quite possibly the droney chanting in “Slowly Through A Vector” (“HA HA HA, SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!!”) or the soaring chorus of “Spidersong.” Truly, it was never a dull moment.

“Is A Real Boy,” originally released by Ohio indie Doghouse Records, is truly an acclaimed record in the scene these days, and to see Bemis out of his faze (or whatever you want to call it) was truly a blessing. Indeed, Bemis hardly seems changed—and it’s obvious to realize why he now shares a label with Santana and Alicia Keys—he’s insanely talented.

review by Andrew Martin