We didn't quite make it to this show on time, but once we got there Every 40 Seconds was going on. I have no clue who this band is or anything about them for that matter, so they may even be called "Every Forty Seconds" or have some other name that reminds me of that new Jared Leto band. In any case, if you didn't see this band you're not missing much. Their basic blend of pop and rock was rather boring and they pretty much just stood there and played. Perhaps if they seemed more enthused about their set, maybe I would have as well.
Next Junction 18 went on- a band who I have heard a lot about but until now had never really actually heard. It was kind of surprising, because I thought they'd be a lot better. Aside from the singer who just sings approach, they also had a lot of the elements of sound of many of the bands who have preceded them (i.e. New Found Glory, Saves the Day, etc.) Though I must admit that there were a couple of songs I got into. Well, I didn't really "get into" them per se, I just didn't think they were complete crap.
In their defense though, the acoustics in the Empress Ballroom are really bad and unless you have heard a band prior to seeing them there it may distort your impression of them.
Finally, we got to see the Stryder. This is only my second time seeing the "new" Stryder, once before was a little while before Jungle City Twitch came out. So this was my second time hearing the new songs.
I must say that I'm impressed because they cranked out mostly all new songs. Some of the people there- who were clearly only interested in hearing "Sucker" or "Eleven Eleven"- may not agree with me, but I don't care. I'd much rather hear "This Is The Time" or "Crook" any day.
One thing I like about the Stryder is that Pete, Scottie and Nick all sing. If losing a lead singer was the reason that now Scottie sings, I'd chalk that up to being a good thing based just on that alone.
As Pete played the intracite guitar parts, Nick tried to keep his chain inside his shirt and Scottie ignored the workers' pleas to stop playing (apparently they went over their time limit) the Stryder is certainly a sight to see for rock these days and not all the pop.
They closed with "Intoxicated" and "King of Coronas", the only two songs that they played that were from that era. During "King of Coronas" they went into "Down and Dirty", with Pete claiming it was the extended version (that was when staff there got upset). Last time I saw them, I think they played about double the songs from Masquerade that they did at this show, so if they're slowly phasing out all of those songs, I'll be much happier for it. Don't get me wrong, I like some of the older songs more than anyone, but Jungle City Twitch is where it's at.
-Nacho
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