Neon Trees, Eastern Conference Champions & The Limousines

May 22, 2011

The Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia PA

I was pretty excited when I found out that Eastern Conference Champions would be opening for Neon Trees, not only because they’re a Philly local band that I’ve liked for quite some time, but also because I’d been dying to see Neon Trees since I picked up their album ‘Habits’. Add this to the fact that they would be playing The Theatre of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia and I was pretty much getting a boner before I even bought tickets.

I had seen Eastern Conference Champions play before, at a small venue a few years ago and loved every second of their performance. Joshua Ostrander has a voice that is a little bit gravely and a lot bit soulful, set over Melissa Dougherty’s slamming guitar melodies and Greg Lyons’ steady beats. It’s good to see a girl jamming out up on stage once in a while, holding her own with the boys! They mostly played songs from the new album ‘Speak-Ahh’ which is a perfect mix of the driving melodies and almost haunting slower songs I’ve come to love from ECC. A throw back from 2007’s ‘Ameritown’ got the crowd going, topped off by their signature drum jam session to close the set out. They rocked the house in preparation for the next opening band, and just killed it the way I expected them to. (I really love to gush about ECC because I live in Warrington, which is about 2 towns over from Southampton, where Josh and Greg grew up. The Southampton Collection and Bristol Road, they mean something to me!) I can’t wait to see them again on the 20^th of this month at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly!

The Limousines performed next, and while their specific brand of techno-infected, club beats doesn’t really speak to me, they sounded good. You could tell that the crowd was digging them when everyone started jumping around and dancing, and both Eric Victorino and Giovanni Giusti rocked out in their own respective ways. They sounded better than I thought they would, so I have to give them credit.

And then there’s Neon Trees – with lead man Tyler Glenn in a bright yellow leather jacket, taking his shoes off and throwing his socks out into the crowd. They sounded incredibly good, with sharp beats set down by Elaine Bradley and tight riffs by the rest of the band, the whipped cream on top being Tyler Glenn’s distinctive vocals. They killed current hits and my personal favorite from ‘Habits’, ‘Our War’. At one point, Tyler asked who the youngest person in the crowd was, going on to say that he knew how hard it was for kids these days. He said he knew that there were so few outlets for them and so few places to be accepted, especially by people their own age. Tyler acknowledged that teens just sometimes don’t know what to do so they self-harm or commit suicide and that at least for one night they had somewhere to feel accepted. These are the kinds of messages that need to be spread by bands and it was reminiscent of early My Chemical Romance, when Gerard Way said that their band saved lives. Teenagers and people in general want to feel a connection to the music they listen to and the bands that produce it and talking about things like that, actually connecting with an audience is what it’s all about. When you can come down to your audience’s level and tell them that you’ve been where they are, and that you’ve felt what they’re feeling, it’s incredibly ingratiating. I love Neon Tree’s even more now that I’ve seen them in concert, and would certainly see them again.

The few pictures that I took are on my Flickr, as always and once again I have to say that I would suggest seeing any of these bands if you get the chance!

- RIOT! (aka Morgan)

The lifetime chance of being a rape victim is 1 in 8 for all women & 1 in 10 for all men

Let me tell you a story:

About a young woman who was afraid of very few things, who thought she was invincible, who thought nothing could hurt her. She went out on a Wednesday at 2am, alone in a college town because her roommate didn’t feel like walking in the cold to get food with her. They wanted specific iced-tea, iced-tea that you could only get from the gas station at the bottom of the main street, so the girl went to get some. On the way she saw maybe two people, but it was dark and she didn’t take much notice of them. About half way into her trip she felt someone grab her from behind and a knife press into her neck. She was small and this person, this man was two, maybe three times her size and pulled her into an alley with a door at one end. He told her not to scream and she didn’t, even when he pushed her down onto the ground and proceeded to rape her. He left her there, in the freezing cold that night, in a pool of her own blood, probably to die, because the things he had done could have killed anyone. But she put herself back together, she stumbled back up the street and threw her clothing in the garbage. She showered to wash him off of her and told no one for six months. They couldn’t find him after that long, nor did the police even really believe her when she finally went to them.

It was 4 years ago this January that this story occurred and the only thing I want to say is, if you’ve been raped, please, please tell someone. The biggest regret I have is that I waited too long to tell the police, waited too long to tell anyone and that he may still be out there somewhere, waiting to do this to someone else.

Here’s another part of her story:

Over 4 years ago, when I was in my second semester of college I was brutally raped at knife point. At that time I was not sexually active, & therefore had no reason to be on birth control. As a result of this, I became pregnant, although it was more than a month before I actually realized it because I had such bad anxiety that I refused to leave my dorm room. I did eventually go to a doctor, after which I decided that an abortion was my only option. I could barely stand myself, let alone a child that had been forced upon me through such a traumatic situation. I had always been pro-choice, but this was still a life-altering decision for me, just like being raped had been - as a result I still have lingering post traumatic stress disorder and sever anxiety.

The actual event of the abortion affected me less than going to the clinic that morning, although this is not to say that it did not affect me at all. I do not believe that anyone can be unchanged by having an abortion. But it was a decision that I had come to peacefully and without regret. At 9am there were already protesters outside the clinic in Philadelphia. I had already dropped out of college 3 weeks earlier because of my anxiety and depression and the things that happened to me that day were undeserved. I was yelled at, called terrible names by these people who were supposedly speaking the word of the 'Lord'. A God I had been taught to believe was forgiving, and ultimately understanding. I was surprised to find people (girls) my own age protesting there, and it was one of these girls that spit in my face as I was leaving, after my procedure (I had a first-trimester surgical abortion). I honestly do not believe that I deserved that, after everything that had happened to bring me to that point. It had not been my choice to be raped, for a child to be forced upon me when I could not even take care of myself. I honestly do not believe anyone should have to endure what I did, simply for making a choice that affected their own life. Those people didn't know me, they didn't know what had happened to me - yet they assumed because I was having an abortion, that I was a 'bad' person.

I would never spit on someone for being pro-life - or for being or believing in anything else for that matter. It just makes me sad, that not all people can be as understanding as others, that they can believe so strongly in something that they can't for one moment think that perhaps someone else had a valid reason for doing the things they do.


- RIOT! (aka Morgan)

Opening The Show

Sometimes I feel it important to point out my dislike of people who go to concerts and disregard the opening bands. I’m pretty sure there isn’t a band in the world that didn’t open for someone else at one point in their career. Some of my favorite bands are still opening acts and I’ve discovered some awesome music by opening myself up to actually listening to the first acts at shows.

Just to name a few, We Were Promised Jetpacks and This Good Robot are two bands that I never would have known had they not opened at concerts I was attending. From the first second We Were Promised Jetpacks started playing, I knew I had to download their album, even though the crowd basically ignored them. Some of their guitar riffs are almost haunting and raw and Adam Thompson’s Scottish accented voice, while not incredibly distinctive, is still memorable enough to make you want to keep listening. This Good Robot is a good example of an opening band that could completely rock a venue without anyone knowing who they were. An eight person band that filled the stage, whose lead singer jumped around and then into the crowd, that’s attention getting. Mix in Michael Ragosta’s knack for dancing, singing and playing guitar all at the same time, while being backed by not one but two drummers, and you’ve got an opening act that can actually get the crowd considering them.

I only put these things out there because I think too many people go to concerts thinking that the opening acts are going to be terrible, without even giving them a chance. I mean, how else are we going to discover new music if we don’t go into things with an open mind? All I’m saying is that not all opening bands totally suck, so give ‘em a chance before you turn off and ignore them.

- RIOT! (aka Morgan)

My Chemical Romance, The Architects, Thursday & This Good Robot

May 6 & 7, 2011
Tower Theatre, Philadephia PA
Starland Ballroom, Sayerville NJ


It’s really kind of hard to describe how much I love My Chemical Romance. Not only did their music help me through some hard times in my life (just like other bands have done), but they’re Jersey boys who made something of themselves and they’ve been through some hard times of their own and they’ve managed to come out on top. Like any large fan base, there is a familial kind of feel to the ‘MCRmy’ and I suppose I have MCR to thank for meeting one of my closest friends, Brittany and a bunch of other great girls (and of course there’s bickering and bullshit between fans too, but I like to focus on the good instead, because I fucking can). I’ve been a fan since ‘I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love’, which came out when I was in middle school, but my parents sucked and never let me see them in concert. So this past December I saw them with The Gaslight Anthem at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom where I almost got killed and punched a 30 year old man in the back of the head multiple times. But that’s okay, because I got to see them two nights in a row this past May 6^th & 7^th in both Philadelphia and New Jersey.

Philly is my home town, so of course I was going to see MCR at The Tower Theatre in Upper Darby. This is a seated venue, but we didn’t really sit, except for Thursday’s set, which I found a little strange. The Architect’s played first, and absolutely killed it with stuff from their newest album ‘The Hard Way’ as well as some older stuff. I’m pretty sure there were only a few actual Architects fans in the crowd, but they had the place rocking and it was awesome to see. Ironically enough, the row where I was sitting was completely empty until MCR actually came on so a couple of the Skeleton Crew roadies came out and were sitting, watching some of the show. Thursday seemed almost like they weren’t completely feeling the venue because they weren’t as energetic as they could have been. Granted, they were playing songs from their new album ‘No Devolución’ which is markedly slower than their older albums, but telling people they can sit down is a little bit of a cop out at a concert. They still sounded good, but the crowd didn’t seem into it, which was disappointing for a band that’s been around as long as Thursday has. And then there’s My Chemical Romance, who everyone was there to see so of course the place got crazy once they started playing. I was excited to hear them play stuff from the new album ‘Danger Days: The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys’, which they definitely delivered on. They played ‘Summertime’ which surprised me, but which made me incredibly happy, since I have lyrics from it tattooed on my foot. They also played some of the older stuff like ‘Vampires Will Never Hurt You’ and ‘Famous Last Words’ (also a tattoo, on the inner part of my bicep) which were received well, as I’m sure they always are. Being in the 11^th row wasn’t bad, because I had a great view and didn’t have to worry about the ‘pit’ or whatever ended up forming right in front of the stage. That would be for the next night…

Now, I don’t typically go to big concerts in Jersey, just because bands usually play in Philly around the same time anyway. I make exceptions when The Scandals, The Architects and the like play Asbury Lanes, but that’s about it. But, when my friend Brittany told me she was going to the first Starland Ballroom show, I said why not because I knew if nothing else it would be a great time. I think I slept about 3 hours before driving over, and once I got there we went right to Sayerville to get in line. Yep, I stood in line all fucking day, got sun burned on one half of my face because I had my hood up and still didn’t even get barricade once the doors finally opened. The good part about it was however, that Bee and I met a girl named Sam, who is totally awesome and who we’ll be seeing MCR with again in August. So standing in ‘round about the 4^th row of a basically standing room only venue wasn’t too bad (until I got up to the 2^nd row later in the night). I could see incredibly well for being 5’3” which surprised me, and I managed to keep both Bee and Sam with me until My Chemical Romance actually came on. This Good Robot opened the show, a band I had never heard of from New York who rocked the place right from the start. Everyone seemed really into it and I ended up getting a free demo off of the lead singer at the end of the show which was pretty awesome and I’d say they’re worth listening to. As the Skeleton Crew techs were setting up for The Architects, a kid behind me was talking shit on my boys from MO, thinking they were the British Architects, so I had to set him straight, letting him know that these guys sound more like The Bouncing Souls, as opposed to the more hard-core, screamo sounding Brighton boys. I probably could have touched Brandon Phillips once they came on, and it was really good to hear some girls in front of us singing along too. To my surprise The Architects played a couple of different songs from the night before, and they killed it once again, so much so that I got my hair pulled from the guy behind me, wanting to tell me how he’d been wrong about The Architects not being awesome. As Thursday, the Jersey natives came on, I could tell that they were so excited to be playing and Geoff Rickly was way more active on stage than he had been the night before. They killed the new stuff and ‘Jet Black New Year’, one of my personal Thursday favorites. By the time My Chemical Romance finally came on, I was in the 2^nd row, fighting for footing, but loving every second of it. We happened to be on the left side of the stage, right in front of Frank Iero, so a lot of the pictures that I managed to take are of him. They rocked, right off the bat and I don’t think it’s a coincidence because this was the first night of two ‘home-coming’ shows that they played in Jersey and you could see how happy they were to be playing. I can’t even remember exactly how long I lasted before I had to be pulled out of the crowd (I not only lost one of my favorite plugs, but also almost killed a girl who kept trying to push me out of the way). It was pretty funny, because as I’m getting yanked out of the crowd by this huge security guard, with half my ass crack hanging out because people were pulling on my pants (not really sure why), Frank Iero looked straight at me and mouthed ‘sorry’, I guess because I couldn’t stay up at the front. I don’t really know, but it was kind of cool all the same. To make it even better, when I ran off to the side I ended up standing next to Frank’s wife, Jamia, who is totally adorable and such a sweetheart. At the end of the show as we were walking to our car I caught Brendan Phillips of The Architects with one of the roadies I’d seen the night before and said hello. He’s so down to earth and I’m sure the rest of the guys are as well. Hell, he was selling their CD’s outside the venue!

All in all both shows were incredible, and I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to share the second one with some awesome girls. I’m looking forward to seeing MCR again in August, where I’ll be in the 18^th row at The PNC Bank Center. If you want to see my pictures from both nights, they’re on my Flickr, along with photos from other concerts I’ve been to in the past. And I would definitely say that if you get the chance to see any of these bands, it’s well worth it!

- RIOT! (aka Morgan)

What The Actual Fuck?!

I just love waking up to see Facebook notes like I saw this morning. Apparently someone stole a shit load of equipment from Skeleton Crew Records’ band The Scandals while they were in San Diego, California last night. By equipment I mean guitars, amps fucking merch for Christ’s sake. It really pisses me off to think that this band might not get to finish the tour that they just started for an album that they just released, all because of some assholes who like to steal shit. I was really looking forward to seeing them with The Bouncing Souls in Philly in July, and now I’m afraid they might not be there. That would seriously suck, because while I love The Bouncing Souls, I was really going to that concert to support The Scandals. I’m fiercely protective about my small label, local bands, and I’ve seen these boys play Asbury Lanes with The Architects before, and needless to say I love them.

I just don’t understand people who do stuff like this – I hope they catch these guys soon, because it’s a real shame!


If you want to help The Scandals out by donating to their cause, then visit their Facebook event. I know I'm going to give some to these great guys!

- RIOT! (aka Morgan)

Bamboozle 2011

April 29, 30 & May 1, 2011 

Meadowlands Stadium, Rutherford NJ

Bamboozle - 3 days of live music, meeting bands and all around rocking out. We lucked out this year in that it didn't rain incredibly hard or for an extended period of time, and while the evenings were chilly, the days were sunny and hot. Meadowlands Stadium parking lot was full to the brim with people ready to hear some good music from both well known and unknown bands and browse killer stands that included the ever popular Electric Zombie clothing line. Bands that I saw included Sleeping With Sirens, Streetlight Manifesto, Taking Back Sunday, The Ready Set, LMFAO, 30 Seconds to Mars and Circa Survive among others. Despite the heat and sometimes irritating people in the crowd it was an awesome weekend full of awesome music.

I want to talk first about Electric Zombie, because while I was at Bamboozle for the music, I was incredibly excited to see designer and clothing line owner, Kyle Crawford out promoting his new summer line. Don’t mind my creeper picture below, but who wouldn’t be drawn into shopping at a stand that looked like that?! 

With a horror and cult pop culture themed repertoire, I instantly fell in love with Electric Zombie – it encompasses all of my favorite things after all. While I was creeping on the stand during the LMFAO show, I got a sneak peak of the new summer line, which was being previewed at the time, and actually met Kyle. He was very nice (and might I add totally cute, since we know I’m a creep and all) and being able to meet the line’s creator made me that more inclined to buy his products. Check them out if you like bright colors, eye catching designs and are in the mood for something a little different.

So now on to the music! I guess I should start by saying that I always have a problem seeing everyone I want to at Bamboozle, because my favorite bands tend to play at the same time – Gaslight Anthem and Taking Back Sunday for instance. But that aside, I love Bamboozle because there are so many things going on at the same time, which gives you the option to be at a concert or getting something signed, while listening to three different things that you’ve never heard before while you’re trying to get where you’re supposed to be. Bamboozle has introduced me to many new bands over the years, and has heightened my awareness for local music, for which I’m thankful. I’m a staunch supporter of Philly local music, so Bamboozle gives me more of the New Jersey (and even beyond) side of things. To name just one, an unsigned band from CT named Brookline Drive approached my friends and I to listen to their CD as we were headed in for the day and gave us a taste of their four part harmony after we’d talked to them for a few minutes. They were great and what made it even better was being able to actually talk to them and get to know them before we bought their CD. There’s almost a sense of community at Bamboozle, and you can get caught up in it if you let yourself.

I also met two bands that I absolutely love – Sleeping With Sirens and New Found Glory. All of the guys were really nice and I happened to be close to the front of the line for both signings (very first in line for SWS). I’m not usually one to have much to say to bands when I meet them, I’m a little prone to nervousness and awkward silences usually ensue but I told Kellin Quinn that they were awesome and that I loved their music, he told me I was awesome. Lame, I know, but I like to think I’m awesome once in a while. The guys from NFG were great too – just really down to earth and seemingly happy to meet everyone.

I’m not going to talk about every concert I saw, just because I feel like it might get boring, but I did want to highlight a couple, just because they were so awesome. Circa Survive is the first – I’ve loved this band for a long time, not only because they’re from my hometown of Doylestown (and I saw them when they played Siren Records) but because Anthony Green is an incredible front man. He actually got down into the area between the barricades and was attempting to crowd surf while still singing, after running around on stage for three songs like a crazy man. I love distinct sounds voices (evident by my love for Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn) and Anthony Green certainly has one, and being serenaded while the sun went down wasn’t too bad either. Taking Back Sunday was another great show, and an awesome end to the second night of festivities. Not only did they play the entirety of the album ‘Tell All Your Friends’, but Adam Lazzara actually climbed up the stage scaffolding at the end of the show and hung upside down. You don’t see stuff like that too often, and it’s awesome to know after a whole day of great concerts you can end the night with one of the best. I can’t say that anyone we saw actually sounded bad, which is a great thing in my book, because we all know there are just some bands who don’t sound incredibly good live.

Part of loving Bamboozle is realizing that a lot of the bands who were featured, played ‘Boozle when they were first starting out, and have played the festival many times. There’s a sort of nostalgia for some of them and it really comes through in fantastic performances. I’ll go again next year just as I have for the past few years, expecting more of the same – great artists and great music. To see some of the pictures I took, go to my Flickr! On a final note, since I didn’t talk about all of the bands I saw, I do want to recommend that all of you check out any of the aforementioned artists, because they’re awesome.

- RIOT! (aka Morgan)