Show Review: Bishop Allen

Brooklyn indie rockers Bishop Allen paid Messiah College a visit last night at b-sides and put on an amazing show. I've been looking forward to this one since I got their record here at the V a while back. Coincidentally, they shot to #2 on our playlist this week just in time for the show.


Bishop Allen is primarily made up of Justin Rice and Christian Rudder, who started the band recording in a bedroom in Virginia after having a radio show and a hardcore punk band together at Harvard, though on this tour they were joined by 3 other musicians. They've released one self-recorded full length, a 4 song ep for every month of 2006 (except August, which was a live album), and two studio full-lengths including their latest "Grrr..." Their lyrical, catchy pop rock has earned them spots soundtracking everything from Sony ads to the movie Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

They put on one of the better b-sides this year, playing songs throughout their catalog-even some fan favorites called out from the audience that some band members weren't familiar with. Everyone on stage played multiple instruments and/or provided vocals at some point, making for brilliant harmonies and a diverse sound that had audience members alternately dancing and contemplating life's mysteries.

Show Review: Sweet Brag Tour

The Devil Wears Prada's Sweet Brag Tour has been selling out everywhere (they sold out the Troc in Philly on a Monday night before I could get tickets). I got to hit up the show at Rams Head in Bmore, which was also sold out, with my homeboy Alex Brubaker and some friends.

This was my first time at Rams Head, and I liked it a lot. The lack of a separate bar section makes for a more diverse crowd, and there was a great atmosphere. The show was somewhat oversold, though, so many people were stuck in the not one but two balconies-a bit frustrating for a hardcore show. I, however, was down front, so my problem was more along the lines of being crushed against the barrier.












Opening act Emarosa put on a fairly good show, with excellent vocals that for some reason reminded both me and several people around me of an R&B singer (the clean vocals anyway). This might have been part of the frontman's performance style, since he danced around sort of like an R&B singer would.
Next up was Sky Eats Airplane, who were very impressive live. Great crowd interaction, facilitated by platforms built for the frontman's antics, along with some intense breakdowns and excellent screaming made for a great atmosphere.













A large portion of the crowd was there to see A Day To Remember, even more than TDWP. I've never been able to take them completely seriously, considering I first heard them through their cover of "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson (which they managed to restrain themselves from playing) and always thought they sounded like a pop punk band with some screaming. Their live show changed my mind completely. Though catchy, they are actually very hardcore, with great breakdowns, especially on their newer material-including one song where Mike from TDWP (who was missing a few teeth) joined them on stage. The crowd was all theirs, singing and screaming along to nearly every lyric, even those from the new album, but especially to closer "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle".
The Devil Wears Prada has been one of my favorite hardcore bands since I first saw them at Purple Door a couple years ago. They put on an insane live show, and this was no exception. From the moment they ran out on stage, the packed house went nuts. Running through a slew of their older material and a few songs off the soon-to-be-released "With Roots Above and Branches Below", along with their amazing cover of the Big Tymers' "Still Fly" from the Punk Goes Crunk compilation, they closed with an epic encore of "Hey John, What's Your Name Again?" My only disappointment was that I had a fractured pinky still in a splint from the Flatfoot 56 show (review here) and couldn't go in the pit. Overall, it was a great night.
[click here for more pictures]

Show Review: Mike-E

So I missed most of Mike-E's show because I was acting in this video.

I got there for the last few songs, which were great. Evidently he is an Ethiopian rapper who also does spoken word poetry and tours with a full band, the keyboardist/bgv of which has his own music and the dj of which tours with Xzibit and other hip-hop heavyweights. The whole show is called AfroFlow.

Show Review: Josh Ritter and John Francis

Last Friday night brilliant songwriter Josh Ritter and Messiah graduate John Francis graced us with their presence, providing a combination of songwriting ability and showmanship unparalleled in my experience. Opener John Francis regaled us with several original songs and a Leonard Cohen, along with one by collaborator Kelley McRae. McRae was a surprise appearance, joining Francis on stage for several songs. They exhibited a shared love for Johnny Cash, whose son Francis has recorded with. He even did a song incorporating Cash's last words to his son as part of the chorus.

Josh Ritter was quite the showman for such a quality songwriter. I have rarely seen such a combination, and it was greatly appreciated since I was unfamiliar with much of his music. Catchy tunes and memorable lyrics are quickly picked up, however, and I was soon singing along with he and most of the crowd filled with diehard fans. His between song banter was hilarious, including constant jokes about one of his band member's waxed mustache. Regular Messiah concert-goers were heard speculating that it was the best show ever in Brubaker Auditorium.

Show Update: The Khyber and World Cafe Live

So Tina reminded me that the Khyber has all ages shows that are sweet from time to time, and Farewell Flight reminded me to check World Cafe Live, so here's some other shows to add to the huge list below...

Colin Hay @ World Cafe 4/6 and 4/7 $30
Reilly (music video release) and Farewell Flight @ World Cafe 4/14 $10
The Pink Spiders, Zolof the Rock'n'Roll Destroyer @ The Khyber 4/3 $10
We Shot the Moon (ex-Waking Ashland), The Scenic (acoustic), The Fold @ The Khyber 4/10 $12
Confide, Therefore I Am, Oceana, To Speak Of Wolves @ The Khyber 4/26 $10

Also, look forward to upcoming show reviews of Josh Ritter and John Francis, Mike-E, TDWP & ADTR's Sweet Brag Tour, and tonight's b-sides. Peace & love!