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| Get Up Kids / Superchunk / Hot Rod Circuitlive in Norfolk2002 live show  Review by: Chad Brown See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on July 9th 2002 As a band that ranks pretty high on my favorites list, I was certainly excited to go see a live show. Playing along with Hot Rod Circuit and Superchunk, the Kids rocked a sold out show at the Norva. While I was fearing I wouldn’t enjoy the show due to my high expectations, I walked in with an open mind, and expecting to have an awesome time. Little did I know, any and all expectations I had for every aspect of the show would be blown away completely. I arrived at the Norva around 7:30, and was greeted with the ever-so-long line to get in the door to the facility. Since the doors didn’t even open until 8, I ran over to the McArthur Mall and grabbed some eats, before heading to Will Call to pick up my tickets. I got inside, looked over the merchandise, and just hung around waiting until 9, when The Hot Rod Circuit finally hit the stage to a nice reaction. Before the show, I’d only heard a few HRC songs, so I wasn’t sure quite what to expect from them. What I got was a forgettable set, which didn’t really do much for me. I’d heard so many good things about Hot Rod Circuit, but personally, I didn’t see anything special about them. I was rocking to a few of their songs, but that’s about as far as my liking for their set goes. They sounded dull, uninspired, and I couldn’t make out the lyrics in almost every one of their songs. I was also surprised at the length of their set – around 30 or 35 minutes. While the HRC didn’t do too much for me, I’m sure hardcore fans of the band were more than pleased with their performance, so I guess my opinion isn’t a fair one. After a small break, Superchunk hit the stage, to a mediocre reaction from the crowd. Before the show, I hadn’t heard anything by Superchunk, so everything they were playing was new to me. I enjoyed a little of what I heard, but for the most part, again, I was unimpressed. The crowd didn’t seem to be impressed, either. At one point, about 1/3 of the audience had middle fingers pointed at the lead singer, who responded by asking, “What does that jester mean in Norfolk, anyway?” Needless to say, the crowd was less than amused. Their set continued, and while the crowd got into some songs, like myself, they just seemed bored for most of their set. Superchunk really hyped The Get Up Kids, however, which got the crowd somewhat excited. They exited the stage, and that’s when my night really begun. Immediately, chants for the band began, and the crowd became ever-so-anxious. What they got in return, however, was a horrible 45 minute wait. I’m not sure if there were technical problems or what not, but the wait seemed like an eternity. By this time, I was about 6 or 7 “rows” from the front in the general admission seating area, so I didn’t have much room to stretch out, or even move period, making the wait seem much longer. But it all seemed worth it when the kids hit the stage, and began rocking the Norva. They kicked off their set with "Let the Reigns Go Loose", a rather slow song, and in my opinion, not a good one to start off a set. They then went into “The Worse Idea,” and then “Stay Gone.” By this time, the crowd was getting restless, and bored. That didn’t last for long, as the band broke out into “Holiday,” next, which got the crowd rocking in no time. Definitely a crowd favorite, the song sounded great live. This is where most of the “moshing,” and crowd surfing began, and went on for the remainder of the evening. Kids were doing both at every opportunity, and several Norva security personal had to be on-hand in case anyone got injured, or things got out of hand. I noticed the band played a lot of stuff from “On a Wire,” which is rather disappointing, because that isn’t the stuff you wanna rock to at a live show. But just when the crowd would show signs of boredom from the slow songs, the GUK would throw in a great song from “Something to Write Home About,” which would get everyone energetic again. The band could’ve done a lot better job of organizing their set, and mixing slow and faster songs, but oh well. After about 45 minutes, the band played “Coming Clean.” And just walked off stage, and the lights went out. My fear was the show was already over, but nobody moved. I’m not sure if the band had planned on being done, or they just left for a water break, but either way, they came back on about 10 minutes later, and busted into some crowd favorites. “Mass Pike” got a huge crowd reaction, and the crowd vocals drowned out Mike’s vocals almost the entire time. Next up was Action & Action, another crowd pleaser. After a few more songs, the band played “Ten Minutes to Downtown,” one of my favorite GUK songs. The tune sounds amazing live. The boys had hit every note all night long, but they just outdid themselves with this song. It had amazing energy behind it. James, the keyboardist, had great energy the entire show, and near the end, even took a stage dive to the crowd’s delight. The band ended their hour and 12 minute set with a song which I don ’t even remember. It’s not a good thing when a band closes with a crappy song, but I guess that’s the way things go some times.
I can’t really speak much for HRC or Superchunk, but I can say that I
wasn’t
impressed with either. However, the Get Up Kids’ performance made
everything
worthwhile. Any expectations I had for their live show were demolished.
They
hit every note musically, and got the crowd going when they needed to.
The
only disappointing factor of the show was that “On a Wire,” was
overplayed,
but I’m not sure if that was completely the band’s fault. Either way,
The
Get Up Kids solidified their spot as possibly my favorite band after
this
show. Yes, they were that good. If you get a chance to see the GUK
live, don
’t miss the opportunity. If I had of, I would’ve missed what was
possibly
the best live band I’ve ever seen.
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who fucking cares where you went to eat, NO ONE The 'CHUNK freaking wrote the book for bands like the TGUK. Who would have ever thought to mix dirty pop-punk with awkward indie-rock? Yeah, it was Superchunk. Chunk i saw the get up kids, koufax,and hot rod circuits in hollywood at the troubudour. the reason i give the rating a 9 is because the get up kids played most of the new stuff which no one wanted. the crowed wanted more of the old songs. but they did play some good old ones like "mass pike, action-action and some covers, most people thought hot rod had a better set. their new stuff still has lots of talent and its good but just too slow for most people. i like it never really had any desire to listen to GUK or HRC, but Superchunk owns. i'm sorry your review's been torn apart chad. the internet's a harsh place, i don't have the balls to post reviews. haha and also hair bands are horrible. They were just these ridicuously dressed monkeys who all sounded that same. So keep head banging the few brain cells you have left. The guy two posts down is an idiot. If you dont like the music thats cool we all have different opinions but to say something that fucked up you have too be retarded. And I love how everyone jumps on a the bandwagon for bashing bands if they are successful, and who gives a shit what they wear, its about the music. Its better than all this nu metal shit, so stop bitchin. fart The Get up Kids Tour Bus should accidentially drive off the freeway and down a fucking cliff killing them...that would be awesome. In fact i would dare to say it would be best thing they ever did for music I'm sorry, but I gotta write after reading this clueless wonder's review... I went to three shows on this tour, which some Superchunk fans are calling "the controversy tour." All three I went to see Superchunk, who blew the Get Up Kids off the stage. How can you not be impressed with them? They are rocking so hard and playing some of the best sets they ever played. They influenced the Get Up Kids and tons of other "indie" bands that are out there. If it weren't for them, the Get Up Kids would probably not be around and we would not have all the great bands that have come out on Merge over the last 12 years. At least The Get Up Kids appreciate this great band, its just too bad thier fans have figured it out yet. moshing? get up kids? You see what you did Scott? Ever since you started telling us about the personal shit that goes on when you go to shows in your reviews everyone else does it. I don't care. Unless some chick started stripping, there was a crazy shootout, lots of explosions or a nuclear attack, keep it to yourself Beavis. The Norva sucks ass. And don't get me started on Peabody's. I saw tguk in Seattle and they were a huge disappointment, even after reading all the negative reviews. Boring as shit. They were so much better the last time I saw them... If they would have just ended it with Ten Minutes it would have been better. At least we could have left in a good mood, instead they played one more boring song and put everyoone back to sleep. Crappy crap crap. The only thing more frustrating than buffoonery is young, uninformed buffoonery. Kudos should go to TGUK for asking Superchunk to be on the tour, as they and Hot Rod Circuit obviously have a lot of respect for them. In an ideal world, the 16 year old legions might do the same, open their eyes and ears and realize that the Chunk have 11 records, countless 7" and were one of the first to have their own label in Merge records(not a vanity imprint ala Heroes and Villains) It's co-owned by a Mac(the singer) and Laura (the bassist) and they are pushing 160 releases. Superchunk did yeoman duty in creating the independant scene and touring circuit that allows TGUK and HRC to be the titans of today. Superchunk still tour in a van and they fucking rock. Hard. Plus they know how to use the word gesture in context, which puts them head and shoulders above you, my friend. The lead singer's name is MATT not mike, you foolio. I wrote the first review of the TGUK tour...at the Hollywood show...anyway, here are my thoughts (more of them): Hopefully your mom was not late picking you up after the show. Wow. Are you like 12 years old...Haven't heard of Superchunk!!?? They are freaking idols and ground breakers of the indie scene...Bands like the GUK wish they oozed the kind of talent that Superchunk does... I was at the Raleigh show and Superchunk blew TGUK off the friggin' stage, the reviewer must be about the same age as most TGUK fans, 14 As someone from Chapel Hill, NC, which is the home of Superchunk, I extend my middle finger to you, reviewer. Learn some history. And "On A Wire" is actually a pretty strong album, you just need to grow an attention span. I don't know if someone who has never heard superchunk should be alowed to review this show...HRC kicks ass I saw them at roseland in NYC last week. Get up kids rocked. they played for what seemed like forever. a really long set which was a mix of all their albums and went back and forth from slow to fast songs. I had seen them at the asbury park skate and surf fest and they were alright. But they really rocked last week in NYC. as for hot rod, I missed them because I was too busy gettin my drink on at a bar a couple of blocks away. I've seen them before and they are ok. but I thought Superchunk rocked as well as roseland. They are a great band and no, the get up kids would not exist if not for superchunk. ask tguk themselves, they'd tell you. anyway, they rocked at our show and even the people who had no clue who they were seemed to enjoy them. on the other hand, superchunk being a long time staple in the NYC music scene, most people did know who they were and appreciated them much more than by giving them the middle finger. I saw them at roseland in NYC last week. Get up kids rocked. they played for what seemed like forever. a really long set which was a mix of all their albums and went back and forth from slow to fast songs. I had seen them at the asbury park skate and surf fest and they were alright. But they really rocked last week in NYC. as for hot rod, I missed them because I was too busy gettin my drink on at a bar a couple of blocks away. I've seen them before and they are ok. but I thought Superchunk rocked as well as roseland. They are a great band and no, the get up kids would no exist if not for superchunk. as tguk themselves, they'd tell you. anyway, they rocked at our show and even the people who had no clue who they were seemed to enjoy them. on the other hand, them being a long time staple in the NYC music scene, most people did know who they were and appreciated them much more than by giving them the middle finger. What a bunch of ignorant kids. Superchunk has done so much more in their careers than GUK can ever hope to. Idiots. i feel like a loser because this review really pissed me off and i couldn't wait to get a comment on a rip it apart. i'll keep it simple. the get up kids wouldn't exist without superchunk. really. not physically, but musicly. also, well, nevermind. someone else will write a mean post too i'm sure. i hope. i wrote a review of the roseland show but alas, tis not here...just a note, ther GUK's singer is named matt, not mike, and what i wrote was similar to your idea that their setlist resembled something pulled out of a hat. going from slow crap to upbeat back to ol' crap makes fans seasick, not entertained. i've seen the GUK play better and i hope this isn't their peak. thats all i got, time for bed then work. |
