Show Reviews.

Saturday April 14, 2007. - Hamilton St Cafe

A Brick by Brick and Rude and Reckless Production, featuring Jester, The Coverups, Offbeat in Suburbia, Years Gone By, Sayrelin, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer, and Awful Waffle. Hamilton Street Café, Bound Brook.

Though I decided I was going to review this show for the website, I unfortunately was late. I missed the first two bands, Jester and The Coverups . I missed the first band, Jester, so there isn't much I can say about that. I've seen the Coverups plenty times. I've seen them enough to know that their set probably consisted of regulars such as 'Working Class Pride' and 'Battle Cry' while Anthony Awesome the band's manager danced around, ran into walls, and on the stage.

I got to Hamilton Street just in time to catch all of Offbeat in Suburbia's set. The venue was hardly filled but you wouldn't be able to tell by their lively set. Though there weren't many kids watching their set, the ones who were danced, sung along, and got pretty into it. The band played my personal favorite 'Apathetics Anonymous', which is technically a Back Up Gravity Plan song. However singer/saxophone player Tyler and singer/guitar player Matt Schey are in both bands, so I guess it's all relative.

The next band was called Years Gone By. I was impressed by their set and their merch display, which consisted of a professionally made banner and packaged CDs along with shirts, etc. The band had a lot of energy on stage and their sound was definitely put together. Years Gone By had their stage presence down pat; the singer spoke to the crowd during sustained chords thanking them ?for coming out and hanging out with them, and they had their jumps synchronized perfectly to the beat of their music. Though the kids who were there for a ska show did not enjoy the pop-punk sound of Years Gone By, you have to admit, they were good for what they were. I was hardly able to tell whether the kids who were watching Years Gone By's set enjoyed it because what little people filled the room just stood there.

Sayrelin and the band before them (Years Gone By) sounded exactly the same to me. In fact, they both had a bass player with long hair and tight pants. In fact, it might have been the same person, but I don't even really know. Though they played later in the lineup, there were less people watching their set than for Years Gone By, so I guess we know which band sold more advance tickets. *Note from Robbie - Neither band was asked to sell tickets*

Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer was simply a blast. Zolof has proven to be an acquired taste; people either love or hate their poppy synth female fronted sound. I personally love Zolof, and I especially love the singer, Rachel, who was sporting an engagement/wedding ring. The crowd had little to no reaction, despite being one of the funnest (I am aware that this is not a real word) sounding bands I know. Though the crowd was dead, Zolof delivered an excellent and energetic performance. I just wish more people were into it. It's easier to get into the set when more people are dancing and enjoying themselves. They played some songs that were familiar to me like 'Mean Old Coot' which is on their LP Jalopy Go Far, and 'Argh' I'm a Pirate' which is on their Popsicle EP. They also played some newer songs that I didn't know, either way their set was excellent, though I personally wish their set lasted longer.

Awful Waffle closed the show with a tenth member (Wrestle Mania character cutout) while singer Matt Jensen wore a Wrestle Mania champion belt. The crowd was the most energetic during Awful Waffle's set, which was not surprising. Awful Waffle played their now signature cover, Third Eye Blind's 'Semi-Charmed Life.' In addition to many familiar originals they played a new song. To my delight, they played 'Pigs in a Blanket', which is rarity to hear played at their live shows. They closed with '10x Better Than the Kevin Hay Two-Step' more affectionately known as 'Bee Swat'. Their set was fun, but it was more or less the same as every other time I've seen them play.

Overall the show was enjoyable though there weren't many people in attendance (There were only about 150 people there, which seems like a lot but really isn't when a lot of people are coming/going constantly). I know it wasn't the promoters fault, because the internet has literally been littered with flyers for this show for the past month or so. So I left to conclude that it was the mixed lineup. The diverse lineup was probably chosen to attract many different people. However, this plan seems to have back fired. Still a fun show though for those who were there.

-Ali Donohue