Show Review

So I've been out of the loop for the past few weeks. I apologize for my lack of reviews and updates, but I'm pretty sure seeing Saves the Day at the Ottobar is going to help me jump right back into the indie-rock music scene with an energy and excitement that I haven't felt in many years.

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but being able to watch Saves the Day perform at the Ottobar in downtown Baltimore was such a rare occassion. This is a smaller club, 500 capacity. There are no security barriers or security guards telling the kids to calm down (or harrassing them). This is punk rock, and I'm so glad to see Saves the Day still playing small club shows such as the Ottobar.

Anyways, the Spotlight (a local band from Baltimore) opened the show. It's very strange that I had never heard of them before this show, since I live and breath the Baltimore music scene. They were okay. Really not my cup of tea, but I'm sure they were estatic to be able to open up for such a giant as Saves the Day. Congradulations to those guys.

The main support for this show, and the only other band to play outside of Saves the Day, was Pistolita. I caught these guys in Lancaster, PA when they were on tour with Say Anything this past spring. At the Say Anything show I was not impressed with them at all. At this show, I was blown away. This band has such powerful energy. Their hooks are instantly accessible and their music is extremely intelligent. Their piano/keyboard player plays with such aggression and intensity, as does their guitar player. I did not notice any miscues in their rhythm section, which is always a plus. This band is extremely well-rehearsed, and it's obvious they are poised to become one of the next big things in the underground indie scene. Be sure to check this band out, especially if indie-pop/post-punk with keyboards is your thing. I would be surprised if they disappointed you.

Anyways, on with the review, and the reason I'm writing this. Saves the Day at the Ottobar! This band is one of first bands I fell in love with. I was pretty much a giggy fan the entire show. Chris and company took the stage and the sold out crowd instantly erupted into one giant energy bomb. Kids screams and singing, stage diving, circle pits (yes, circle pits) and lots of fist pumping. Saves the Day wasted almost zero time in giving the crowd some old-time favorites, as their second song was Third Engine. The intensity level and energy in the crowd skyrocketed. I'm pretty sure at least 90 percent of the crowd (if not more) were singing right along with almost every song. Their set included a wide-variety of songs from Through Being Cool, Stay What Your Are, In Reverie and Sound the Alarm (the crowd was absolutely too crazy to keep a running order in my head of all the songs they played). The only song they didn't play that almost every in the crowd wanted to hear was "Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off to Heaven." I think they realized that the crowd might have tore down the walls -- yes, it was that crazy -- if they played "Sell My Old Clothes."

I do have to give extreme gratitude to Saves the Dave for constructing a set that kept the crowd in control by throwing some slower songs into the mix. If they would have played all fast rock songs things could have become a nightmare. Saves the Day is all about having a great time, and they made this clear all throughout their set.

As expected, Saves the Day was at the top of their game all night, and you could tell that they were extremely happy to be playing for such a small, overly-excited crowd. Chris even offered to come down and play a song in the crowd but Manuel (bass player) advised him that probably wouldn't be too wise. Good call on Manny's part. Everyone in the crowd loved Saves the Day, but if Chris would have stepped down into the crowd to play, especially with no security there to guard him, things could have gotten extremely nasty.

On a side note, if you ever get into a small club show (that's sold out or close to it) without security, watch out for stage diving, especially if you're in the front few rows. Pretty much keep your hands up the entire show because the moment you let your guard down you'll get cracked right in the back or head with a flying foot. It doesn't feel too grand.

In closing, if Saves the Day plays a small club around your hometown, get tickets early. It will be one of the best nights of your life. Man, Saves the Day are absolutely amazing. It makes me smile just to know a band like this is around.

review by Robby Lester