|
|
Kids Like Us, Casey Jones, Instilled, Shotpointblank, Fight Like A Brave
Swayze's, Marietta, GA
12/17/2004
Reviewer: Drew
|
This was my first trip to Swayze's and all I heard about it was that it's small. We pulled up to find Swayze's is actually in a strip mall. That's right, a strip mall. It's next to a small convenience store (that got tons of business from thirsty show-goers). The place was pretty small, but there was a decent stage, enough room for the crowd, and a long bar for all the merch.
Up first was a local band called Twilight of Idols. They were pretty generic, but not too bad. One particularly interesting part they had was a long melodic passage with some great guitar parts and a smooth bass line. The singer kept preaching about how you "believe stupid shit when you go to church." That got annoying. As much as I don't want to hear Christians preaching about how I need God, I don't want to hear how I don't need Him either.
Up next was recent featured band Fight Like A Brave. FLAB put on a great show. Being Atlanta locals, the whole crowd knew them and shouted every word right back at them. The band saved "Keep It Out" for last and had half the crowd on stage with them and hanging from the rafters (literally) chanting "No room for negativity..." along with them.
Shotpointblank, all the way from Australia, played after FLAB. Before the show, I kept trying to remember where I had heard Shotpointblank before. Upon seeing their CD at the merch stand, I remember I had seen a review or two online before. When the singer began talking, it was quite hilarious. For one, they're Australian. Secondly, he had some funny shit to say. "We're Shotpointblank from Australia. We don't ride kangaroos around. And we certainly don't sound like that fucking crocodile hunter guy. We play hardcore music, just like you." That's not verbatim, but close. That, and the way he said "hardcore" made for an interesting set. The music wasn't bad, and it wasn't particularly good, but it didn't matter because Casey Jones was up next.
The whole reason I went to this show, Casey Jones, took the stage next. I couldn't wait to scream the straight edge anthems along with the boys of CJ. The singer announced that he was bitten by a spider earlier in the week and had been sick. I couldn't tell, as they put on one hell of a show. They only played five songs; four off of The Few, The Proud, The Crucial, and one off their split with Traitor. They sounded great, just like I was listening to the CD. With all the chants, there was plenty of mic-sharing and crowding around the front of the stage. Upon hearing "This one's called 'Carl Got Laid'," I was elated. I love that song, and couldn't wait to jump on some kids to scream "Oh my God, Carl got laid" at the top of my lungs. I did so, and almost got dropped on my head, but it was well worth it.
Next was local ATL'iens Instilled, who had a different lineup then when I last saw them. Most of the crowd knew their songs, as they're from Atlanta, so the crowd interaction was great. But, I just couldn't get into the new lineup. When I saw them last, they were fun and full of energy. The new singer kept saying he was drunk and kept commanding the crowd to dance/mosh. It got old, and was nowhere near as fun as the band used to be. Still good songs, decent show, just not the same.
Lastly, we have recent Eulogy Recordings signees, Kids Like Us. Even though I was there for Casey Jones, I might have to say KLU put on the best show. Despite mic problems, KLU tore it up from start to finish. They played the longest set of the night (about 7 or 8 songs), and the crowd ate up every moment of it. After the first song the whole band, save the singer, took off their shirts and kind of stared at each other, laughing... hilarious. The massive chants and fast-paced parts got the crowd moving like none other had that night. The last song's chant got more people on that stage than it should have. I'm honestly surprised the stage (and rafters) held that many people. When they finished, they had to help a guy who was hanging upside down from the rafters get down. It was sick. After that last song, they did a Christmas medley thing and had a fat guy in boxers and a Santa hat throwing candy canes at everybody.
None of the bands did bad, there was dancing from start to finish, all the bands were super nice and put on a great show. It was a great night, and I finally got my "smoke this xxx" Casey Jones shirt.
|
|
|
