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Squad 5-0. The Kills. Eastern Youth. The Gadjits. The Exit. The Ghost.

So many fests would kill to have a lineup like this.

For the Fireside Bowl, it's a typical Friday night.

After plowing through horrendous traffic, my companion Danielle and I entered the hallowed halls of the Fireside right before openers Squad 5-0 were going to perform. Now, I'll be honest: I had never heard the band but had automatically pigeonholed them because they were on Tooth & Nail Records. They quickly set me straight, raging through a half hour of their rock and roll diddies. Imagine Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones fronting a more experimental version of the Ramones. Garage rock at it's best. Their set got a little long-winded, as the songs started to blend into one another, but they were more than a competent opener. I would go see them again sometime, which is one of the best compliments you can give to a band.

Next up was the Kills. The Kills, for those of you who don't have your ear to the tracks, is Alison from Discount's new band. And if you're going to see them expecting more poppy emotional punk, think again. Discount, it ain't. Imagine a more experimental version of the White Stripes [it was just Alison and a guy] with horrible stage presence and no charisma. It was depressing, to say the least. Some of the songs were good, but all were too long, in my opinion.

The show had hit it's first mini-slump. Who could turn it around? Why not a power trio from Tokyo, Japan? Eastern Youth set up and completely rocked the crowd senseless for the next 30 minutes. I was amazed to see how much the crowd got into their music, since it was all sung in Japanese. Their singer definitely knows how to wail, and his vocal range seemed to be infinite. The band played 2 tracks off their new split CD with Cursive which was nice, since I actually knew those songs. Everybody, go see Eastern Youth! You will not be disappointed.

Danielle and I were 3 hours into the show, and were starting to feel the effects of working all day and such. What better band to turn us around than the Gadjits? The rock and soul revival began as soon as they soundchecked, and didn't stop until close to an hour later. The band would just play song after song without any breaks in between, tuning on the fly and rocking without care. This band is the real rock and roll deal. Their setlist was as follows:
Shine, One Stones Throw From A Riot, Beautiful Girl, We Were Right, Optimism, Someday Driver, Sentimental Rubbish, This Girl, Nuthin, Ex-Ballerina, Talkin' Bout My Demographic

The Gadjits completely stole the show up to that point. Anything else would be icing on the cake. So who was next? The Exit. Their icing seemed to have gone a bit sour. I didn't really enjoy them at all. For all the positive press they're getting, I just didn't hear it. It sounded like boring and derivative dub-influenced punk rock. Not to mention that their last song of the set went on for about roughly 10 minutes. I have no problem with long songs, as long as they *go somewhere.* This one stayed in neutral. This was quite the letdown from the Gadjits' amazing set. Could the show be saved?

Yes it could. Transplanted Chicagoans the Ghost were the headliners, and while they were a bit under the weather, they still played a blistering set of "oldies" [off their debut album, "This Is A Hospital"] as well as some new tracks. They opened with album closer "Red Slippers Red Wheels," closed with album opener "Death By The Bay," and played tracks like "Diffuser" and "Gem Mint Ten" in between. No "By The Books," though, which bummed me out [3 times seeing them and I still haven't heard that song], but they still sounded tight as ever, and loud to boot. Their new guitar player Charlie hit virtually every guitar part spot-on, so kudos to him. The Ghost closed out the night with a bang, and it made me almost forget about the duds earlier in the night.

As we sped home, then got stuck in a random 12:30 AM traffic jam, then sped home some more, we reminisced about the show gone by. The Gadjits were by far the best band there, followed closely by the Ghost and Eastern Youth. Squad 5-0 made just enough of an impression on me to keep me interested in them, and the Exit and the Kills are now scratched off my "to see" list. All in all, it was a great show and if any of these bands come towards you, go out and support them.



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    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 7, 2002 at 5:54 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    squad five-o is fucking insane live. their cd's are alright but their live shows make up for them. the lead singer literraly has no fear. the other month at a festival he climbed up a forty foot rafter and jumped in the crowd. fucking insane. i saw the exit earlier this year and thought they were pretty good. unique sound. i got to see the ghosts last show in california and it was fucking awsome. everyone was into it. i don't know anything about the other bands.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 6, 2002 at 8:17 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The Ghost fucking rock. Get their asses to the east coast, enough of playing the fireside 20 gazillion times, no offense chicagoans.

    Posted by teabag on 2002-07-04 11:39:41
    My Score:

    I just played a show with the Exit in Minneapolis, and I thought they played a pretty tight set. I thought they sounded like the police minus the dub stuff. They nailed all the harmonies and rocked it pretty hard.

    Check them out if you can.

    Posted by evilmidget2 on 2002-07-01 16:35:46
    My Score:

    you people whine to much. i saw the gadjits and squad 5-0 in atlanta. i dont like squad 5-0 but i love the gadjits. why do you all care what station wagons they hopped on and off of (if they did). they still kick ass.

    oh yeah, the station wagon thing was a joke, but i know some stupid fool will criticize me for it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 1, 2002 at 4:22 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Hey maybe you're right, maybe the gadjits didn't decide to jump the band wagon and it's all just one big coincidence. Seeing that they stopped playing ska when ska stopped being popular and they just as quickly started playing this indie rock stuff right when it became popular too.. wow, that's one big fuckin coincidence right there!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 1, 2002 at 2:01 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The Gadjits rocked; they definitely stole the show for me. I really liked the Kills music, although I would agree with the lack of stage presence comment.
    What annoys me is how many times I've heard people say the Gadjits 'sold out' or 'they're jumping on the trend wagon' or some other crap like that. First off, the Gadjits sound, even when they were a so -called ska band, leaned heavily toward rock, blues, gospel and soul. Secondly, the Yes I Are ep and Today is My Day records were recorded before all the Strokes hype, before the White Stripes hit the big time, before the "garage rock revival" became the next big thing. Thirdly, The Gadjits sound nothing like any of those other bands. If you don't like their music, fine. But to hate them for some imaginary indiscretion against some bullshit punk rules is just hopping on THAT band wagon. The reason that so many people get into 'punk' in the first place is to be free to be who they want to be. To be free of the judgement and rules of mainstream society. And the saddest thing is, punks are THE most judgemental group of hyprocrites in the world.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 1, 2002 at 11:40 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this place has fuckin' air conditioning...what the hell!?!

    I don't even go to shows a lot in the summer because Club Laga (Pittsburgh) is like a sona.

    - Kirby

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 1, 2002 at 10:15 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Well, first, theres no bowl in Vancouver cause canada sucks. Second, the exit and eastern youth were the best part of the show. The gadjits played way too long and the schlong goblin talked too much. They aint bad but took too much time. The newbeat rocked the house.

    Posted by Fuzzy on 2002-06-30 23:57:56
    My Score:

    I just wish that Gadjits still played their blending of old 2tone Ska. It makes me sad, 'cause it almost seems as if they are riding the trends, jumping from ska to this "new" pseudo-garage rock that is the thing lately.

    Maybe I just don't like change.

    Posted by jheisel on 2002-06-30 20:15:20
    My Score:

    am i the only one who has never heard of the exit?

    i guess that's what living in moscow does to you.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 2:48 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the new version of beautiful girl is amazing.

    Posted by shindo on 2002-06-29 23:41:28
    My Score:

    The Gadjits are simply amazing live and some of the nicest guys to meet. Their new material is great and they've managed to re-interpret some of their older songs with their new soul sound.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 10:41 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i saw the gadjits play in detroit wendesday,theyre were so few people there it was crazy. and that song is called sentimental rubbish. that seems to be the same set list as when i saw them,but they did take a few breaks,one to explain the song ex balerina, and one for brandon to leave the stage and throw up. despite his sickness, they played really really good.

    Posted by Geetarchick on 2002-06-29 21:17:19
    My Score:

    Blah I was supposed to go to this... I'm glad it was a decent show. I'd seen all the bands except for the The Kills, and I thought they were all must-see-again's. Actually I'll admit, I didn't really enjoy Squad 5-0 when I saw them, but i heard their recorded stuff and it was pretty good so it makes me want to see them again. I like the Exit; I've seen them only twice though...
    They've been saying the fireside's getting torn down for years; it'll be awhile til they actually do it. There are supposed plans for demolition in next spring. And if/when they do, there's gonna be a gazillion kids skipping school and work to tie themselves to it. :)

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 6:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    fools, Ive seen the ghost 3 times in the last month, and all i heard prior was how they 'suck live'. What the hell are you on? They are by far the most consistent and fun band ive seen. If you dont want them, iowa city will take them off your hands.

    Their new songs 'letter from god', and the one about leaving california are great.

    wyzo

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 6:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i thought the fireside bowl was getting closed down?

    even though im from vancouver, this place sounds like it kicks some major ass..why dont we have on of them?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 4:08 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the gadjits were suppost to headline, but the ghost & eastern youth were added due to the fact their orignal show was at the abbey pub (curisve cancelled.) eastern youth was raw and kicked ass. the ghost sucks, i don't see what the big deal is. the exit can stay in new york. the kills were alright, nothing special. this show was hella over rated.

    Posted by maverick on 2002-06-29 15:28:18
    My Score:

    Whatever, dude.

    Gadjits rocked, Exit bored.

    Face facts.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 3:04 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    no way man...the exit stole the show. and the gadjits played way too long; it's never acceptable to play one hour when you're playing third to last.

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