This is the review I wrote on a recent show I went to. I just now am seeing how inconsistant I am with Caps. *hehe* I went to a physical today for my job, ran into my new boss, who is more excited than I am for me to start, and I recieved two shots. Can't get any better than this. My tag board isn't working and it's super pissing me off.

CURSES to Stupid Non-Working Tag-Boards.

A Rock Show

Charity Grange Hall, Dayton, Ohio

Thursday, July 9th at 7:00 p.m.

Recently I went to a rock/punk show in Dayton Ohio to scope out the local talent. I hadn�t been to a show since 1997 and was curious to see if the scene had changed at all. The �popular� genre for shows has usually been punk but with the rising popularity of �emo�, the emo genre of music is played quite a bit. (This I have NO problem with at all! J) The night started at 7pm when people began arriving at the Charity Grange Hall on Grange Hall Road not far from the local WSU campus. Handing out flyers at the door, Justin of Simply Waiting, was most kind to let me in for free with my promise that I would write up a review on each of the showing bands. Tonight, on short notice of the show, they had been able to organize two bands and three guys with their acoustic guitars, to perform.

Taking the stage first was Joe Anderl, the lead singer of Waking Kills the Dream, originating out of Dayton. He sang his heart out while strumming hard away on his acoustic guitar. The kids at the show actually have a nick name for him, �Emo-Joe.� Joe has been playing for about 8 years and trust me, you can tell. He has an advanced way of singing and of guitar playing. Emo-Joe is a very talented man, who also happens to have a heart of gold, Ending his set, he sang a song by Leonard Collar called Halleluiah, and dedicated it to his deceased band mate, and one of the best men he had ever know, Thom Wright II. Joe provided an awesomely performed set, but it would have been nice to hear him perform with out the microphone, and with his acoustic unplugged.

Performing second on the line up was Choexperiment, hailing out of Boston. This band made up of five guys; Jon on synthesizer, Ants vocals, Matt C. guitar, Matt G drums, and Chris on bass, performed an out of this world, energetic, entertaining performance. I have to give this band props for doing their own thing and not caring what anyone else thinks or cares. To start out with individuality, Chris wore no shoes or socks, Jon wore a Halloween type mask, and to top it off, Ants, a male, had breasts. (He wore a stuffed bra under his black spandex shirt.) With this band, everyone gets involved. Whether they were acting out the lyrics of the music, running around the set, pointing/yelling at you, or the time when Ants, along with his cordless microphone, fell off the steps into the bushes, they had your full attention. The reaction to this band and the emotions that people had about it were deeply mixed. I actually had the joy of hanging out after the show with my friend Erin, and getting to know some of the stories of the band from Ants and Chris. Their music consisted of screaming, moaning, and of groaning. When I asked Ants if they had a following in Boston, he replied simply, �No.� This advent/punk/metal group should be called an experimental rock group, with emphasis on the mental. This show would not be something to miss with the entertainment and experimental rock you�re bound to enjoy it. You may even be in store for a few laughs and giggles. Who knows, you might even start bobbing your head. This band cannot be compared with anything I�ve heard or seen. They just are Choexperiment.

Following that entertaining performance, Simply Waiting takes the stage to cool things down a bit. Simply Waiting, an acoustic driven indie band, consisting of five guys from the Dayton area performed an awesome set. With Justin on guitar, Matt as vocal and guitar, Josh on keys, Brandon on Drums, and Jason on Bass, these guys provide a kick ass acoustic experience. It�s hard to believe that these five have only been playing together for 8 months. Their music and lyrics are great and they provide a wonderful set to listen to and watch. I get the feeling these five already have a little following but with the right gigs and the right connections, these kids could have potential for more. Simply Waiting is comparable to other acoustic indie bands without being too comparable. With the emotion in the music and singing; these guys are bound to be a hit with �emo� kids everywhere. With a new cd coming out soon, these guys will be something to watch if you live in the Dayton area.

Last but definitely not least, we have The Blue Collar Society taking the stage. Consisting of two guys, Brandon and Levi both playing acousitc guitars; they hail from a couple areas North of Dayton, Ohio. Their set consisted of four songs, with Levi singing three, and Brandon singing one. Providing a new sound of acoustic emo, Levi and Brandon sing with pure emotion. With lyrics that talk about past experiences and guitar providing the soundtrack, they�re both one hell of a performer. With Levi's most requested song, Her Fancy, he had the girls in the front row singing along. Brandon performed in the same fashion playing one of his personally written songs. These two are great acoustic guitar players and performers. With Levi rumored to be heading to San Diego to room with the already signed girls of New Perennial, hopefully he goes far. I know he definitely has the talent.

The thing that shines about these bands performances is that each one is individual, and hits people differently. Whether it�s appealing, or frightening, these bands do what they want to do, and they have fun doing it. I think now a-days, more and more bands get away from that. It�s important to see the big picture and look ahead, but lots of times, it�s easier to stay in the here and now and just have fun. And I think that�s the great thing about local talent, they sometimes aspire to bigger things, but for now, they are here to perform their best and have fun.

Erika R. Walden

past | present

Bledgirlblue - 2003

2002 Review - 12.20.02

.end.password.blows. - 12.04.02

.nothing.fuck.it. - 11.25.02

.im.good.friend. - 11.25.02