Argh. Words can't express how bad the experience was today. I traveled for 1.5hrs each way outside my uni here to go see Dashboard Confessional with Brand New at Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I went for Brand New, as they seemed like they'd be a shitload of fun for a few reasons:
a) they've got very well crafted lyrics
b) they have some pretty energetic songs which would make for some fun (not too intense) moshing
c) they haven't had a new album for ages and I know all the lyrics from Deja Entendu, having listened to the album 1000000 times.
d) i had a new razor blade i wanted to try out with the other emos that could be expected at the gig.
The set is meant to start about 7.30. So brand new get up there about 7.40 - no problem there. Everyone is excited. They play a song from Deja and everyone is jumping around, going crazy. Well, kind of. The lead singer (who also plays guitar) seems to be more interested in experimenting with his vocals, by singing off key and changing the pace of the songs. As the song progresses he also tries to show off by doing tricks with his guitar. Unfortunately he looks stupid. He also is dressed like shit. He gives off an aura of "ohhh sweet. thanks for the money guys. now fuck off" with the way he dresses and the way he moves.
So then they decide to play new songs. Unreleased songs which are way too emo and quiet. Songs that no one knows the words of. Sure, it's fine if this was for 1 or 2 or even 3 songs of a 1hr 30 mins set - shows the fans you care and youre giving them a sneak peak into your new stuff. However, it's not ok if you play about 4 new songs in a row. Everyone ended up just staring at them bored, unable to get into the music as it lacks energy, and is unfamiliar. Soon they decide to finish on a well known song. Everyone gets excited again and cheers, moshes, etc. The singer/guitarist decides to play some guitar with his teeth, and by play I mean he just bites some chords randomly, which dont add anything. He just looks like an idiot who doesn't care. Then they walk off the stage. I look at my watch: it's 8.15pm. "Ummm.... ohhh i get it" I think to myself. "There'll be a 3-song encore"
...brand new never come back on stage.
A 35 minute set. A crappy set. Soooo shit. Stupid arrogant singer. Stupid arrogant band.
In lighter news, dashboard confessional who headlined, were surprisingly good, even though I thought I'd hate them live. The singer is actually quite funny:
"Who chucked the ice cream sandwich on stage? You think that was funny? Well, it kinda was. But I don't come into your job and slap my cock on your face"
and best was how this group was disrupting the gig by showing dashboard their rude finger saying dashboard sucks. The singer goes:
"Ohh nice work. I guess you went to see brand new only. Now you're saying fuck you to us. You know how you paid $30 for your ticket? Well, thanks. We're going to buy something nice with your money"
a) they've got very well crafted lyrics
b) they have some pretty energetic songs which would make for some fun (not too intense) moshing
c) they haven't had a new album for ages and I know all the lyrics from Deja Entendu, having listened to the album 1000000 times.
d) i had a new razor blade i wanted to try out with the other emos that could be expected at the gig.
The set is meant to start about 7.30. So brand new get up there about 7.40 - no problem there. Everyone is excited. They play a song from Deja and everyone is jumping around, going crazy. Well, kind of. The lead singer (who also plays guitar) seems to be more interested in experimenting with his vocals, by singing off key and changing the pace of the songs. As the song progresses he also tries to show off by doing tricks with his guitar. Unfortunately he looks stupid. He also is dressed like shit. He gives off an aura of "ohhh sweet. thanks for the money guys. now fuck off" with the way he dresses and the way he moves.
So then they decide to play new songs. Unreleased songs which are way too emo and quiet. Songs that no one knows the words of. Sure, it's fine if this was for 1 or 2 or even 3 songs of a 1hr 30 mins set - shows the fans you care and youre giving them a sneak peak into your new stuff. However, it's not ok if you play about 4 new songs in a row. Everyone ended up just staring at them bored, unable to get into the music as it lacks energy, and is unfamiliar. Soon they decide to finish on a well known song. Everyone gets excited again and cheers, moshes, etc. The singer/guitarist decides to play some guitar with his teeth, and by play I mean he just bites some chords randomly, which dont add anything. He just looks like an idiot who doesn't care. Then they walk off the stage. I look at my watch: it's 8.15pm. "Ummm.... ohhh i get it" I think to myself. "There'll be a 3-song encore"
...brand new never come back on stage.
A 35 minute set. A crappy set. Soooo shit. Stupid arrogant singer. Stupid arrogant band.
In lighter news, dashboard confessional who headlined, were surprisingly good, even though I thought I'd hate them live. The singer is actually quite funny:
"Who chucked the ice cream sandwich on stage? You think that was funny? Well, it kinda was. But I don't come into your job and slap my cock on your face"
and best was how this group was disrupting the gig by showing dashboard their rude finger saying dashboard sucks. The singer goes:
"Ohh nice work. I guess you went to see brand new only. Now you're saying fuck you to us. You know how you paid $30 for your ticket? Well, thanks. We're going to buy something nice with your money"
i would've thought they'd be better
