IHEARDTHEYSUCKLIVE.COM

Social Distortion - House of Blues - San Diego

2.20.2011

Old school punk rockers, Social Distortion, rolled into San Diego for a pair of shows recently to wrap up their quick tour of North America in support of their most recent release, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. As one can expect, they did not disappoint their So Cal faithful.

An hour before the show was even to begin, fans lined the streets of downtown, waiting for the doors of the House of Blues to open. Braving the cold (yes, it was 45, but San Diegans are pussies), people of all walks of life could be found. Man, woman, young, old, black, white, etc… All were accounted for. The music of Social Distortion seems to transcend boundaries – good music is good music. And Social Distortion makes damn good music.

At 9:30 when the lights in the venue went dim, just the sight of their hero, front man Mike Ness, drove the anxious crowd into frenzy. The show was started with the first track off their new album; an instrumental called Road Zombie. A real heavy, guitar fused anthem transitioned into the classic, So Far Away.

This was interesting and telling choice to show just how consistent and solid the band’s sound has stayed over the years. Road Zombie coming off their newest album and So Far Away off their self titled release of over 20 years ago. Neither song sounded much different than the other in terms of style and flowed right into each like two pieces of a puzzle fitting together. Hearing that made me smile as I had no idea what to expect next.

Social Distortion played for a solid hour and half spanning their entire library of music. Staples of any Social D show were played – Mommy’s Little Monster, Ball & Chain, Ring of Fire – as well as plenty of new music – California, Can’t Take It With You, and their most recent single, Machine Gun Blues.

Being a fan of the band for over 15 years, every show feels like reuniting with old friends. You can hear the same songs every time, but never complain because they are so good. One thing of which you can complain though, is the in between song banter of Mike Ness. I don’t think I can remember a show that I have seen where Mike didn’t reference ‘the Sunday-nighters’, ‘getting beat up for having a crazy colored hair’, or ‘how the kittens were out tonight’. I’ve seen them play in different cities coast to coast and I have to say, the show banter is exactly the same – every city, every year.

I can’t complain too much, for the band and Mike Ness rank extremely high on the awesome scale. I would go see them anytime, anywhere, no matter what songs were played or what is being said. This show gets a solid 5 out of 5 regardless, tweak the banter (or at least attempt) and the band may break the scale and deserve a 6 out of 5.

A special thank you to Jen of Relentless AM - thanks for everything!

Set List:

Road Zombie

So Far Away

King Of Fools

I Won’t Run No More

Mommy’s Little Monster

Sick Boy

Machine Gun Blues

Ball & Chain

Through These Eyes

Bakersfield

Sweet & Lowdown

Down Here With The Rest Of Us

Cold Feelings

Still Alive

California

Can’t Take It With You

Ring Of Fire

Story Of My Life

Full Post

Scars On 45 - The Hotel Cafe - Hollywood. CA

2.16.2011

There's nowhere to hide at the Hotel Cafe in L.A., a fantastic venue I've mentioned on these servers before. The tiny stage barely rises off the floor, which is jammed with tables and a cramped standing-room area, so that the overall effect is like seeing a concert in your living room. So long as you dimmed the lights and hung some velvet curtains, you understand. But I mean you can get close enough to see nosehairs.

And when I showed up there on a Wednesday night, after a quick trip on the L.A. subway, which exists, and whose eerie flourescence unsettles you on the best of days, I arrived expecting to take in a bit of mild failure. This was mostly due to a combination of the weird vibes lingering from the subway, the fact I didn't like the name of the band I was headed there to see, a Leeds quintet called Scars On 45, and the slightly odd feeling one gets when one walks into such a romantical candlelit type of place solo and slightly drunk.

So it was all that more impressive that I walked out quite impressed by the show.

The band on before Scars On 45, which went by the even less-fortunate moniker of Nightmare & The Cat, started countering my expectations right off, conjuring a rocking shoegaze-y type of cocky haze, and featuring a particularly excellent guitar player, whose spell-binding work on a gorgeous green Gretsch was impossible to look away from.

And when Scars On 45 took the stage - scruffy, unassuming, and very British in the way I want to believe all British people are British (drily witty, boozy, and with awesome accents) - the fullness of their sound seemed to push the place's walls back, to turn the small room into a much bigger venue.

Now, part of this is because their music falls squarely into the vein of broad, tasteful, melodic pop/rock, pioneered by artists like Train and Coldplay, that's specifically designed to fill arenas. But Scars On 45 also resonates on a more indie level, resembling, say, Snow Patrol plus a chick singer, or Margot & The Nuclear So & Sos with a British accent. Think dramatic melodic peaks, think, and maybe this sounds bizarre, OK, but the band does feature dueling male/female vocals, and at a couple of moments, they even reached a smooth Fleetwood Mac-esque breakdown feel.

Those touchpoints - arena or indie or classic - all have big sounds, and the Leeds quintet does too, layering their instruments in a dense sheen of elegantly-arranged, propulsive rock Frontman Danny Bemrose has a full, smooth voice in the manner of, well, the frontmen of the aforementioned bands, appropriately emotive and flexible and relatively soaring. Aimee Driver's delicate layer of harmony adds a surprising heft to the tunes, providing them with an almost studio veneer.

The band powered through their set at the Hotel Cafe, big and melody-soaked and sounding of their influences, but also staking out their own territory, with Driver's presence remarkably impactful. Shyly smiling from under black bangs, she exuded a tentative confidence, like Meg White with a bit more pep, and in reverse: instead of shrinking from the spotlight, Driver seemed to just be awakening to the pleasures of standing in it.

Bemrose, a former member of the Huddersfield Town Football Club, a professional team in England whose status is about equal to a AAA team in Major League Baseball, who apparently picked up a guitar after breaking his foot and ending his career, gave off a properly earnest charm, with no trace of ex-athlete detectable, all Chris Martin without any Wayne Rooney.

"We're English, so we'll be doing our best to drain the bar after if you want to come say hello," he quipped mid-set, before starting in on another one with a big chorus.

3.5 / 5 Stars

review by brian

Full Post

You, Me, and Everyone We Know - Highline Ballroom - NYC

2.9.2011

You, Me, and Everyone We Know are currently on tour in support of their first full length record Some Things Don't Wash Out. What really stands out with this album and the band in general is the vocals. Front man Ben Liebsch has a fantastic voice but when all 6 members of YMAEWK sing together is when they really shine. These "gang vocals" certainly put an emphasis of emotion on the album, but would they hold up live?

Short answer, yes. YMAEWK's vocals were just as big live as I expected them to be. Liebsch on his own commands attention as he paces the stage in a successful effort to connect with each crowd member. But the highlight was the loud and crisp gang vocals which poured over Highline Ballroom.

You, Me and Everyone We Know put on a solid live show with the vocals exceeding expectations. Some Things Don't Wash Out is a very good pop/rock album that plays very well live. I think YMAEWK have a great sound and will be playing to much larger crowds very soon.

4 out of 5

review by CB

Full Post

Hellogoodbye - Highline Ballroom - NYC

2.9.2011

Hellogoodbye have grown up quite a bit over the last 5 years, both on and off the stage. The last time I saw HGB live was just that long ago in support of their first album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!. I remember being mesmerized watching men run around dressed as Ketchup, Mustard and a Hot Dog during their set. Today, HGB are touring in support of their recent (and amazing)record, Would It Kill You?. Although the condiments were absent during this show, HGB more than make up for the lack of shenanigans with musicianship that has evolved into a much more mature sound.

Playing a good mix of new and old songs, Hellogoodbye certainly put on a great show at Highline Ballroom. Highlights included new songs "Finding Something To Do" and "When We First Met", as well as classics such as "Baby Its A Fact" and encore "Here In Your Arms". The band was not all business though, lead singer Forrest Kline and the boys kept up a good amount of funny banter that really brought the crowd into the performance.

I think you will find Hellogoodbye's new album a little less "Dance" and a little more "Indie", but I think the two albums mix well live. I think the band sounds just as good live as they do on their album, so leave the iPod at home and spend an hour or so with Hellogoodbye.

4 out of 5

review by CB

set list:
Finding Something To Do
Would It Kill You
Getting Old
Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn
When We First Kissed
Baby Its A Fact
You Sleep Alone
Coppertone
Dear Jamie...Sincerely Me
When We First Met
Something You Misplaced
Encore:
The Thoughts That Give Me The Creeps
Here In Your Arms

Full Post

Aabaraki - Rockwood Music Hall - NYC

1.28.11

If you go see Aabaraki, then you will get funked. Truth. They're currently playing shows all over town in support of their new EP and it's hard to imagine the kind of person who wouldn't enjoy their show. Don't be that guy.

Who are they? Just four guys from Brooklyn with the kind of talent that turns stripped down funk and soul into something great. Frontman Akie Bermiss hums and croons like Cee-Lo only with more grit, less flash. The uber-talented Aaron Steele provides the kind of class on drums that singlehandedly makes them a serious act. Brian Forbes shreds the guitar and Quentin Tarantino-impersonator Ari Folman-Cohen coolly funks out on the bass.

Here's the conundrum. How does a band with lyrics like, "Girl, you could have it all if you only had a little bit of me in you" live up to the boast on stage? Bermiss addressed what was missing mid-way through the set explaining, "I actually don't know how babies are made." In half-jest naturally, but still, why hold back? We clearly came to feel the funk. Bring it! Mean it! Otherwise you're just funking with us.

4 out of 5

review by Ace

Head on over to bandcamp to check out their pay-what-you-can pre-release EP.

Full Post

Jen Hirsh - The Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles

1.8.2011

Jen Hirsh, an impeccably-voiced singer/songwriter whose debut album, Myself In Two, is due early this year, delivered an amiable set last Saturday night at The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles.

The tiny venue - all exposed brick, black velvet curtains, and candlelit tables - provides a cozy stage for up-and-coming singer/songwriters to reach engaged, sympathetic audiences. The scale is small, and the crowd populated about equally with performers' fans, friends, and fellow musicians waiting to take the stage. The vibe so mellow and encouraging throughout that the evening resembled a summer camp open mic nite as much as a rock n' roll show, in the best possible way.

Following a set of bright tunes from Tim Blane - joined by Hirsh for several harmony-rich numbers to close it out - Hirsh hustled to lug her own small keyboards through the crowd and onto the stage. As she and her backing musicians set up, she exuded a goofy charm, all good nature and grins, clearly rather thrilled to be there.

Her buoyant mood lasted throughout her 45 minute-ish set of pleasant, melodic, mid-tempo soft rock - think Chantal Kreviazuk circa "Surrounded" meets Norah Jones circa Home, and you'll have a pretty good idea of her core sound. Her look - a cascade of long, wavy dark hair - also recalls such chanteuses. In fact, I thought so much of the very-imitable Ms. Jones during the show that I couldn't help but wonder how Hirsh felt about her. Does she look up to her, and play her records over and over again until the grooves wear out, as her sound suggests? Or is she annoyed by Jones and her success and the inevitable comparisons that result from working in a vein so similar to such a massive mainstream phenomenon (who also happens to have an all-timer of a voice)? I have to imagine it gets pretty tiresome, and I feel kinda bad, after experiencing the show in such a warm and loving atmosphere, that I'm even taking the space, here in this sparsely-read blog, to bring it up. But the parallels really can't be denied.

Hirsh's songs, co-written with guitarist Adam Tressler, are tight, poppy numbers with good choruses. Some ambled, some drifted, and a few even rocked a little: they sound ready to fit right in alongside the aforementioned Jones and Kreviazuk - or perhaps Sara Bareilles or Vanessa Carlton or Michelle Branch. The dramatic "Scissors & Soap" stood out mid-set, and the closer, "The Big Picture," changed things up a bit with its delightful bounce, reminiscent of Regina Spektor's "Fidelity." (note: the YouTube links, should you check them out, feature more stripped-down performances of the songs in question; at The Hotel Cafe, she was backed by a full band that included keyboards, an upright piano, a full drum kit, and guitars and bass)

Her voice has real range and precision - even as it audibly tired towards the end, she retained incredible control, displayed a gift for smooth phrasing, stayed perfectly on pitch, and delivered some impressive high notes. I kept thinking, "If this was an American Idol audition, Randy'd be going on about how 'This girl is ready for the studio RIGHT NOW, DOG!'"

And so it turns out that Hirsh actually did audition for AI Season 9, which jazzy performance earned her a golden ticket. Though she evidently didn't make the final 12, the AI metaphor is useful for the purposes of this review. Because Hirsh sings like a pro, no doubt due to her natural gifts, her training at the Berklee College Of Music, and her work as a back-up singer. She and Tressler also write pleasing songs. But she doesn't quite stand out from the pack. "Who is Jen Hirsh as an artist?" I couldn't help but imagine Kara asking, following yet another solid-but-slightly-unremarkable performance. Hirsh's vocals are impressive - but if I closed my eyes while I was listening, I don't think I could tell her voice apart from any of the other singer/songwriters mentioned above.

At this early moment in her career, before she's even released her first album, wearing her influences on her sleeve isn't necessarily a bad thing - indeed, it's practically to be expected. Rare is the artist who emerges fully-formed. So here's hoping that Jen Hirsh finds success with Myself In Two, and gets the chance to continue honing her craft.

Two-and-a-half stars (w/ a bonus five-star rating for The Hotel Cafe as a venue
Full Post

Adam Shenk - The Bitter End - NYC

12.15.2010

Adam Shenk throws a little bit of everything at his live performance, which you wouldn't expect from watching his YouTube videos. I came to The Bitter End expecting to see a man and his keyboard - what I got was a well-rounded musical experience from not one, but seven different people. Tonight, Adam brought two background singers as well as a drummer, a gutarist and a bass player. This added a depth to his music that I was not expecting - it really put some meat behind his sound.

The song selections were also all over the map. Adam showed his range by mixing a Christmas song and a Mariah Carey cover into his set of original songs. But where Adam really impressed me was with his R&B based songs featuring a rapper who goes by the name HEIGHTZ. These two sounded great together and it was these songs that were the most dynamic and fun.

All told, Adam Shenk put on a good live show. Energetic and fun, I would certainly catch his act again.

full photo set here

Full Post

Never Shout Never - Best Buy Theater - NYC

I have to apologize to Christofer Drew and the boys at Never Shout Never, I know nothing about their band. I have never heard any of their music, so I really don't feel qualified to comment on their live show. What I do know is, they must be doing something right. A sold-out headlining NYC tour date playing to 2000 screaming(I mean, really screaming) fans is as good as it gets. Pics from the show after the jump....

Full photo set here

Full Post

I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business - Best Buy Theater - NYC

Is it me or are I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business getting bigger? What started out as a side project for front-man Ace Enders, ICMAM seems to be gaining momentum. They started out the year opening on Copeland's farewell tour, then jumped right into playing every date on Warped Tour. Currently they are opening up for Never Shout Never, playing sold out venues with capacities of over 2000 fans. Ace seems set on keeping up that frenetic pace and turning that "opening act" title into "headlining act" in 2011.

Any why shouldn't they have a headlining tour? I mean, have you ever heard so much sound come out of only one guitar and one drum kit? ICMAM really do sound great live, the only downside being that you only get to hear five or six songs when Ace has over 11 years of material to draw from - including Early November songs and songs from his side project, Ace Enders and A Million Different People.

Although his old songs speak for themselves, his most recent album The World We Know is Ace at his best. He seems to get better with each album, which is why I think his next album(due in February 2011) will take the band into that "headlining act" category. After my talk with Ace, it is clear he is going to work harder than ever to make great music for his fans. All we have to do is sit back and listen.

5 out of 5

review by CB

Full photo set here
Interview with Ace Enders of I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business

IHTSL: We reviewed your Long Island Warped Tour stop, how was Warped Tour?
Ace:Good, it was a long, hot tour. It had a lot of ups and downs - we got kicked off our tour bus at one point and were left in the middle of nowhere. We had a lot of weird things happen but for the most part it was a lot of fun.

IHTSL: Did you see any bands on Warped Tour that you were in to?
Ace: There were a lot of good bands like Alkaline Trio and Never Shout Never - its always good seeing them. There were a lot of bands - it was a good time.

IHTSL: The bands at Warped Tour and this tour with Never Shout Never are definitely on the young side. How does it feel to be one of the more experienced musicians on tour?
Ace: That question can be answered in any number of ways depending on what mood I'm in at the moment. Right now it makes me a little bit proud that I can still - I don't want to say compete - still swing it with these younger bands and it makes me proud that I have kept it up this long.

IHTSL: You have a new acoustic album out now (Dustin' of the Ol' Guitar) and it seemed like it took you only two short weeks to make...
Ace: Less than two weeks - it took me about two days to track.

IHTSL: Is that one of the advantages to today's technology?
Ace: Yeah, its way cheaper. The technology being all digital recording and digital downloads.

IHTSL: Does that help you out a ton?
Ace: Where Im at right now its like I'm relearning the music business because its in a weird place right now and nobody really knows where its going. For us, right now, that's working. Being able to make music, put it out quickly...

IHTSL: And ask people what tracks they want to hear like on your new acoustic album?
Ace: Yes, see what people are going to be happy about and go with it. Not just cater music to what people want, but make the fans apart of it which goes back to the old school theory of the fans being apart of the music.

IHTSL: What do you think is the best part about your live show?
Ace: I don't want my show to be about coming and hearing a few songs. What I try do is share a message with people, a positive "you can do it" type of message. I don't think that's necessarily why people come, but that's what I am trying to do.

IHTSL: Do you feel that this crowd, which is on the younger side, connects more with your Early November songs or with your newer ICMAM stuff?
Ace: The set list I played today was mostly new stuff. What I've found with this crowd, and its no diss to anybody, but individually they are pretty good but as a whole they have a really short attention span. So I play songs that can involve them or songs that are a little more energetic.

IHTSL: How is The Living Room(Ace's recording studio) going?
Ace: Good - Im really happy with it. I'm psyched to get home and start recording our new record.

IHTSL: A new ICMAM record?
Ace: yeah, I'm going to start recording after Thanksgiving. We're going to do a release in February probably - early spring, something like that.

IHTSL: Wow - and the new album will be recorded in The Living Room?
Ace: Yes

IHTSL: So when you go on tour like this, how much of a salesman are you for your production business?
Ace: I mean, if I see someone...Ive definitely experienced a lot of success but also a lot of failure. So when I sense or see someone that I care about or developed a friendship with I like to bring attention to it. Because the feeling of that failure is something that comes up to me once a week, twice a week, and all the "could've(s)" and "would've(s)" - I try to help people steer away from having that.

IHTSL: Any bands you are listening to now?
Ace: I always listen to Ryan Adams, obviously - one of my favs of all time. I really love Jaymay a lot, and some of the old time goodies like Jets To Brazil - always got to have some of that around. The only thing on the newer front if I want to have a little fun I will throw on Vampire Weekend or something like Passion Pit. Other than that, anything depressing I'm in to.

IHTSL: Your focus seems to be on ICMAM, is Ace Enders and a Million Different People on hold for now?
Ace: I will always play some of those songs, but its more that I didn't like having my name in the title, it came down to that.

IHTSL: What is it like having your wife and son on tour with you?
Ace: Its complicated. Its stressful being a parent on the road but actually being on the road(with your family) is great. We got to go to Disney Land, we spent a day on the beach at Santa Monica, we got to see some gardens in Dallas, and a few days later we were in Disney World and he took his first steps in Disney World. So, its stressful being a parent on the road but there are experiences that not many people can say they have had and I was there for them - and that's special.

IHTSL: You have been non-stop touring this entire year, plus you recorded an acoustic album? Does it just keep going?
Ace: It sort of has to. If I want to keep my family growing at the pace that it is and keep upgrading and doing things normal people do in life...if you have a job being a doctor your not going to take time off...that's what it is. Yeah its busy, its being away a lot but I have an opportunity that if it works out - its a long shot - but if it works out it will be great for my family and my future and thats the important thing.

IHTSL: And you are doing what you love along the way?
Ace: Yes. At times its challenging and doing what you love is always challenging because its always a double-edged sword, you know, but I wouldn't trade it, for sure.