FACE TO FACE @ ROSELAND BALLROOM / DROWNINGMAN @ HARD ROCK CAFE
2/9/01
I met up with my trusty-concert-going-partner-in-crime Meredith and others in front of Roseland where the lead singer of Thursday was handing out flyers for a free show after this one, around the corner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Recognizing him from when I saw them at Birch Hill, (they rock the house, check them out if you get the chance, you won't regret it) we talked to him. Ends up that cute little kid from Big Daddy was at one of their shows and he met the kid, how cool is that? With all intentions of running from Roseland to catch that show later, we met up with friends (one who had seen H20 12 times! La Cucaracha!) and went inside. The show began with Dashboard Confessional (a long title for what is usually one guy, Chris Carraba). However, for such a large venue he had the smarts to get some backup, a drummer and bassist. Smart idea kiddo, because he sounded much better than he does usually! Add up the factors of it not being crowded and DC being the first act (so no one was sweaty.... hundreds of sweaty people standing together is no bueno), it was actually enjoyable. And seeing Mr. "Hardcore-is-in-my-blood" Justin sing along was damn funny. Next on, Snapcase.... I guess you have to see them when they're headlining. First of all they should've been headlining if longevity counts for anything, second the crowd wasn't really into it (there was a small section for them but not like at their own shows), third (probably as a result of the crowd not being into it) the band really wasn't either. Not like they were when I saw them before (fuckin nuts!). Go see them on their own tour, at a small venue, not at an over-sized thing like this. Overall, I wasn't impressed. On to the band I saved my pennies to see: H20!!! It's been WAY too long since I'd seen them live and even longer since they came to their hometown, NYC. I can't speak for the crowd because I went up front to scream my lungs out! Opening with Everready, their set went strong. They pulled out Blackout classics like Family Tree (But why only the intro to 5 year plan? Cockteases!) and plenty of Thicker Than Water/F.T.T.W favorites, the highlight being "Guilty By Association," where Mr. Freddie Crecien (yes kiddies the former singer of Madball, R.I.P) came out to do his solo, which the song simply isn't complete without! They did "Like A Prayer," probably one of my favorite punk covers of all time, and some of their new covers (raise your hand if you have the new 7"). At times between me, my buds Lina, Justin, Meredith (little shout outs here),we were singing along so loudly I doubt anyone could hear Toby! And for the fans who have been waiting for the new album (out May 17th, go steal yourself a copy) you might not want to get your hopes up too high. The stuff seems softer, closer to "pop-punk." Is it the signing to the major label? Is it a natural progression of the music (after all, F.T.T.W was lighter than any previous album)? I don't know but there was a bad reaction from the crowd and obviously the band noticed. No final judgments until the album comes out though, who knows we may all be surprised. Besides that, it was a rockin set. Next, (and kudos to Roseland for having such short in-between-band-times, also to WSOU for sponsoring the show) was the main band, Face To Face. Although I'm not a big fan, they sound great live. They opened with "Ordinary", did "Walk The Walk," other favorites, and (of course) "Blind." Although entertaining, I was getting eager to get to see Thursday already. The singer said if we ran there right after Face to Face was over, we'd just catch their set and I REALLY wanted to go. But Face to Face did an encore and a friend wanted to stay, so we did, and as soon as it was over hauled ass outta there! Around the corner we made it to the Hardrock Cafe, and at first weren't sure of what to do. There were lots of people outside, and although it was advertised as a free show, with all the people we weren't sure. Looking obviously clueless, a nice cute guy told us a band had just gotten off and that people were just chilling outside.
Was it Thursday?!
Unfortunately, it was. As I stepped inside they stepped offstage (NO!). Sad (oh well it's not like we paid any money anyway). But I had to stay, if you saw the place you'd feel the same. The walls were decked out in Kool and the Gang memorabilia (Let Me Clear My Throat!) and Eddie Van Halen's guitar among other things. The whole place was made out of wood and it was tiny, giving it a nice homey kind of feeling; the fact that it was packed didn't hurt either. So came on the last act, Drowningman. Wow. I'd never even heard of these guys before but do yourself a favor and check them out. It was this sick, loud-as-fuck hardcore which sounded like nothing I've never heard. I only caught the first song due to some extremely funny beer spilling (unfortunately, Meredith was soaked and didn't find it too funny). Hopefully the rest of the set was just as good, if anyone reading this was there e-mail me about it. And fuck you to the moron who thought he could bring a big open glass of beer with him to the pit. Oh well, we had a long ride home that we had to get started anyway.
And for anyone who was at that 57th street N/R station, I think we can all say a big FUCK YOU to the MTA. Damn that construction, as soon as I get the NYC subways down (I finally found out where the L , J , M , and Z go) they go and change everything around. Ok besides the pointless complaining, these shows were great, check out the links for these bands and e-mail me with your opinions, pictures, or your own show reviews!
-Monica Fanya
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