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Midtown / Recover / The Reunion Show

live in Chicago
2002
live show

Review by: Megan
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Midtown (link)

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Published on September 24th 2002

I think I've been brainwashed. All I can think of is Midtown. Midtown loves me. I love Midtown. Midtown saves. At least that's what the blinking signs told me at the Metro on September 20th with Armor for Sleep, The Reunion Show, and Armor for Sleep. Armor for Sleep was up first. They're a quartet from Jersey. Overall, the set wasn't very impressive. The songs seemed to blend into each other and the band wasn't very dynamic. It wasn't that Armor for Sleep was good or bad, it was more of a lack of anything. They were a fiercely generic band with dual vocalists, one shouting, one singing. You can judge them yourself when their CD comes out in January.

The Reunion Show, who were covering for Taking Back Sunday while their lead singer recuperates was up next. With the unexpected switch, I didn't have time to check up on TRS beforehand. They actually put on a really impressive set. The songs were energetic and uptempo with a sprinkling of keyboards here and their. Their CD, Kill Your Television comes out October 22nd on Victory Records. One of the songs they played "Stuck on You" sounded a lot like Weezer. Once again, another band who isn't terribly original, but they brought a nice twist to an otherwise played out sound. Much like they said "its all been done before" but TRS made the night a bit more exciting.

Recover benefitted from the absence of Taking Back Sunday by moving up a slot in the billing. Apparently the third time's a charm, but this was my third time seeing Recover and I still can't get into them. I thought maybe I didn't like them at first because they opened for Jimmy Eat Wrold and all I wanted those nights was some JEW and Promise Ring, but once again on Friday they didn't do it for me. The sound reminds me a lot of Thursday, only for some reason Recover annoys me. I must be the only person who feels this way though because all of the other bands on the bill were singing Recover's praises up and down. The only song they played that I somewhat enjoyed is "I'm Betting All I've Got." I have trouble respecting any band who asks the crowd to mosh. Check out their new EP for yourself. Perhaps I'm biased, I can't deny that they put on a good show and the kids enjoyed them. Their talent just escapes me personally.

Midtown played a powerpacked seventy minute 16 song set. I didn't have high expectations, but as soon as the sign started flashing "Midtown Saves" I knew that at least I'd be amused. (It also didn't hurt that Gabe was sporting the "Anything Jesus Does I Can Do Better" Locust sticker). They opened the show with "Find Comfort in Yourself" off the new disc "Living Well is the Best Revenge." The band had excellent chemistry and the trio of vocalists gave the band a bit more of a range. All of the songs sounded very crisp. The band seemed to have fun with each other as well as the audience. During "Still Trying" Gabe pulled three fans onstage for a dance contest. Although none of the three could actually dance (kudos to the guy doing the worm) it was nice to see a band having fun interacting with their fans.

Rob's drumming was incredibly strong and he never seemed to tire, whereas Gave explained to the audience that he was in need of a breather. It was Midtown's first time headlining a show at Metro and they expressed a large amount of thanks and gratitude to the fans for showing up that night. The band was sincerely happy to be playing and that showed in their stage presence.

the set was:
find comfort in yourself
get it together
resting sound
still trying
let go
(i forget the name of this song but it goes 'fear not cuz heres the anwer to your most pressing question')
become what you hate
no place feels like home
recluse
you should know
perfect
such a person
like a movie
just rock & roll
------------
frayed ends
a faulty foundation

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 8:16 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I hope youre not talking about a typo on your part because youve posted that same title twice. Anyway Im done with youre ass because saying youre gonna kick someones ass over the internet signifies to me you are a child. Now try coming up with an intelligent response oh wait your vocabulary is much too small. Expand your horizons and SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!

Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-09-30 18:33:38
My Score:

OHHH capital letters,good for you.I know what the title is,I have the CD,it's called a typo.And they did NOT call it "Recover",they have never called it that.I oughta know that,seeing as I've seen em more times than you EVER will.I've heard them call it a few different things,but not simply "Recover".Also,what of the ass kicking ?I'll beat you like a red-headed step child at K-mart.Blue light special on a can a whoop-ass.Come on.Bitch.

PS-capital letters are retarded,get a life moron.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 12:45 PM (EDT)
My Score:

To that_guy:

when you correct someone and talk that much shit over the internet you better be right fucker because if you want to get technical and shit its ceci n'est pas recover not cest n'est pas recover. You got technical so i did... Bitch. -your friend the reviewer of the co show
p. S. At the co show recover stood up there and blantanly said that they ran out of their new ep which they just call recover.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 29, 2002 at 4:59 PM (EDT)
My Score:

ok so chill the fuck out. megan and my friend was fucking dating dan, so i think we know what we are talking about. stop bitching and complaining, she just wrote a review and added what she felt. she wasn't writing the damn thing for you.

Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-09-29 13:31:20
My Score:

Hey,it's the dumbass who wrote the CO review,what's up bitch ? Bitches and hos,bitches and hos,bitches and blunts, bitches and blunts.Yeah,you're a retard,hahaha"Recover",what the hell were you thinking ? It's Cest N'est Pas Recover,and they say that live,they don't call it Recover.Shithead.You don't know me,I know this shit though.I'm friends with some of the guys of Recover,and I've been seeing them live since before you knew who they were.So don't fuck with this you little bitch.Oh,and I'm moving to Denver next year,so if you still don't like me by then,just come kick my ass.Bitch.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 29, 2002 at 3:18 AM (EDT)
My Score:

To the guy that writes FARRRTSSSSPOOOOPEEEEEE:
Im glad were fucking 12 again dickface. I remember you put down my finch review a while ago but how can anyone take you seriously when you ARE THE ONE TALKING OUT OF YOUR ASS. Grow up fuckface because thats something my little 8 year old brother would say. Not Neccesary. Oh and on a side note the CO show was amazing check my review out for that. Exept Gabe is a shithead thats for sure.

Posted by maverick on 2002-09-28 15:33:32
My Score:

I just noticed that Midtown didn't play "Come On" or "Direction."

That, my friends, is a party foul.

-Scott

Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-09-28 11:22:59
My Score:

hahahaha,funny,funny stuff man.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 12:53 AM (EDT)
My Score:

ROCK THE FUCK ON THAT_GUY! STICK IT TO THE MAN! i wasnt at this show, tried to get tix for the philly show before adam killed himself, so i cannot comment on anything other than that_guys retort to the jackoff 2 spots down. FIGHT THE POWER or something FARRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTSSSSSSSPOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEE!!! !!

Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-09-27 17:18:08
My Score:

Actually,unpopular losers go to a punk site just to say that punk is for losers.Go put on your Staind Cd,and try to suck your own dick.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 27, 2002 at 2:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

punk music is for kids who are losers and unpopular!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 27, 2002 at 11:13 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Lets just all get this over with and have a collective FUCK GABE and FUCK MIDOTWN chant!!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 10:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

did NOT.. sorry.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 10:37 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i saw this show as well..i found recover to blow me away (for the second time) and im now an even bigger fan.

to whoever would "put them under the 'emo' label" you obviously just couldnt stop there. besides, they do blow midtown out of the water.

gabe stopped the show for like five minutes cause "he wanted a beer" and if "someone wasnt going to get him a beer he was going to get it himself" and walked off stage. it was amusing, for about .003 nanoseconds, then i wanted to rip his scrawny head off and tell him to turn that one guys (not the rabbit lookin guy) amp and mic up.

the fact that they both sat down during the beginning to 'no place feels like home' and made him play and sing up there with all his shit turned down really pissed me off, cause it felt like they did give him the credit he deserved.

oh well, he joined the fuckass band.

Posted by sickboi on 2002-09-26 15:23:05
My Score:

soooooo overrated. I'll give you cred for the review, but that gets taken away for paying to see Midtown, unless you didn't pay...but you did waste a night seeing them...its a draw.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 7:30 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Anything you can do,I can do better,I can do anything BETTER THAN MIDTOWN !!

Posted by waste_elite on 2002-09-25 23:31:09
My Score:

"Gabe was sporting the "Anything Jesus Does I Can Do Better" Locust sticker"

lame attempt to get some cred

the locust should fuck their shit up

Posted by WussEmoRock on 2002-09-25 21:04:45
My Score:

The dumb post on here and on the plea for peace show review were NOT ME, someone just signed my name, look I am logged in, they weren't. anyway, so don't believe them, and even if you don't like me (which most of you dont), don't like me for those dumb reasons they said. I'd rather you not like me because I like Simple Plan and RBF haha

*****Wuss-Emo-Rock*****

Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-09-25 20:32:12
My Score:

To the guy who said shit about Mest,what are you talking about ? Seriously,I didn't understand your post.But,from what I can infer,you look down on Mest,and I don't understand why.You see,they played together for years before they got a record deal,even if it was on a major(Maverick),and are just now going on a headlining tour.Find out the facts next time.

About Recover,I'm from Houston,which is about 4 hours from Austin(their hometown),and I have seen them,what ? 10 times ? 15 ? Who knows ? Alot.They have only disappointed once,and that wasn't their fault.It was when they played with Bad Religion and LTJ.Both Recover and BR had technical difficulties,and the venue refused to turn the lights out for Recover,so the band was sweating so fucking much,had to be hot as hell on that stage.That's a good track record,one time out of who knows how many.They out shine almost every band I see them with,definitly a band worth seeing.

Midtown,ahhh,what can i say about Midtown ? Who cares ? I'll see if they're any good live,10/10,and I'll see Recover,yet again.Can't wait.

Also,if you live in Houston,or the surrounding areas,the next day,10/11,please go to the Engine Room,and check out an up and coming local band-the Trademark.Tickets are $6 for 21 ,and $9 below that.They play a very good Recover-esque type of music,and put on a killer live show,please come support them.Ask for Trademark at the door.Just email me at ska_punker04@hotmail.com with questions or comments.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 7:24 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Yeah, the one time I saw Recover, they kept telling the crowd what to do. "this is a poppy song, so dance!" or, my favorite, "This is your last chance to tear it up guys! But watch out for the girls." Fuck off.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 6:57 PM (EDT)
My Score:

screw whoever posted as my name, that wasn't me people. I'm on a public computer right now so I am not logged in, but that was not me. Gabe is an asshole and thinks he is a total hotshot, so stop trying to be me someone else, I know your jealous of me haha j/k

*****Wuss-Emo-Rock*****

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 4:39 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I agree with scott... nice review megan, im sure the show rocked, sorry we couldnt have been there! have fun in seattle, ill talk to you soon!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 4:27 PM (EDT)
My Score:

gabe is the only dick in midtown. the rest of the guys are nice as hell.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 4:20 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Wuss Emo Rock..What are you talking about...he is a piece of shit...Honestly, years ago, couldnt have been a cooler guy, since the accident when stacey got horribly injured...hes changed. now he is such a cock sucker....mr wuss emo rock....go play with gabe and you 2 can have your own cock sucker club house...have fun being alone...

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 3:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

ahh i was the guy who did the worm on stage...haha

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 3:49 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The grammar in this review is atrocious. And Midtown sucks, wth or without Gabe.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 3:37 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Obviously you guys dont know Gabe. He is a great guy and done alot for the punk rawk scene as we know it, you should bow down and worship him

*****Wuss-Emo-Rock*****

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 1:43 PM (EDT)
My Score:

taking back sunday are the worst band i have ever seen live.. fuck them.. they arent even tight.. they fucking suck and the singer wants to be pretty before trying to sing onstage..their music is soo not original.. they are only catching up the trend.. !!

Posted by c0untDrak on 2002-09-25 13:12:42
My Score:

Personally, if you ask me, older saves the day was an obvious rip off of Lifetime. But, as more and more records come out, they get poppier and poppier. I love Lifetime, and a fan of TBS and good friends with them. I cannot dig their live show at all. I have know STD since the Sefler days. Chris and Bryan anyways. I think TBS is nothing like STD. Sure, lyriclly they are similar but sound wise...NOTHING!!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 12:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I'm just commenting on something someone said down below earlier...I know this has been discussed before, but...

Anyone who tries to tell me that Taking Back Sunday sounds like Saves The Day has obviously never listened to one or either of those bands...
Adam's voice has a similar quality to Chris's, but they don't sound exactly the same, and musically they do not sound the same...

Without classifying the music too much, yes, both bands play a somewhat similar genre of music (whatever you might feel compelled to label it)...But beyond that I don't understand someone saying TBS is a ripoff...

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 12:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Dude, i dont just agree with you bit I must say that this is the greatest posts ever...finally, the word is out...Gabe is a cock sucker! Fuck Midtown...bring on some real music!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 12:29 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i think megan did and awesome review. she is so hot. so i heard this guy from chicago band, his name in bob (i think) totally digs her. dude i am going to have to fight him for her.

Posted by bostonmusicguy on 2002-09-25 11:02:24
My Score:

Wow, people actually agree with me for once?? The score is for people agreeing with me... the one and only time!-BostonMusicGuy

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 10:45 AM (EDT)
My Score:

BTW..there are stories i could tell that would prove my point...but i do not want to start shit for the other bands involved

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 10:35 AM (EDT)
My Score:

As a follow up to my last comment...i have also heard both statements...the hobby one and the blow up one but from wjhat i heard is that he will go solo if they dont blow up...blow up...they have had MCA backing since there DT release....just going on their FIRST headlining tour...just like mest...shit play together for years but never go out on your own..what the point of playing...sure making money is good...but why exploit what everyone loves.... I remember gabe when he was in humble beggings...robb when he was in the royalties and heath and tyler when they were in nowhere fast....thats when everyone was friends...no one had beef...the scene has become a West Coast vs East Coast rap thing...Gabe in on the front lines....why be a cock sucker??? play for ther love of it or just fucking quit...

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 10:31 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Bostonguy could not of said it better..See im from NJ...from the NJ punk rock scene...I know Gabe and midtown very personally...and he has just become the biggest cock sucker EVER

Posted by bostonmusicguy on 2002-09-25 10:21:15
My Score:

Fuck Midtown indeed... fuck them fuck them fuck them. Not all of Midtown, mostly just Gabe. I hate hate hate Gabe... no I don't know him personally but anyone who says these things:If his band doesnt make it blink 182 huge within a certain amount of time he will break them upand...Music is just my hobby, if it doesnt work out I will find another jobThats just an asshole couple of things to say. For that I hope they do break up and never ever ever make any more music. Besides shouldnt everyone on this site hate them for being a "blink 182 ripoff". I mean if you ask me these guys are 2000000 time worse than NFG, Good Charlotte, and Blink 182... I'd say that ever if they werent the biggest bunch of shitheads in the world... well even if Gabe wasnt the biggest shithead in the punk world.-BostonMusicGuy

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 8:45 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Personally, I think Gabe is the biggest cock sucker ever met! its all about getting a big head since being signed to a major and forgetting everyone else who was either there from the begining or was there to help them out when they needed it the most...fuck everyone liek that..it just too bad that hes a cock becuase they could be considered semi talented! but since i know him...FUCK MIDTOWN

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 4:56 AM (EDT)
My Score:

NONE of those bands are good.
armor for sleep? more like 'lull you to sleep'
the reunion show? more like 'donkey show' (only not funny)
recover? 3rd rate boy sets fire/thursday/thrice rip off
taking back sunday? saves the day is a good band, but we don't need #2.
midtown? too pretty for punk. is the bass players amp even on during their shows?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 3:17 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"Their talent just escapes me personally."
How can you say that about anyone and like midtown? You should be drawn, quartered, salted, and fed to bulls.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 2:34 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Adam has a big ass fucking gut. But I guess that comes with having a shitload of drinks every night, passing out on stage and cracking your face.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 1:28 AM (EDT)
My Score:

ummm...to the moron who called taking back sundays lead singer a "fat ass"...you have a major problem. adam is WAY skinny, and people like you are the reason we have skinny anorexic fucks walking all over, thinking theyre too fat. fucking idiot.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 12:57 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Sucky suck.

Sara(no h)

Posted by bostonmusicguy on 2002-09-25 00:53:20
My Score:

I hate Midtown... not their music... I just think they are pieces of shit. I hope Gabe's "hobby" is going well.-BostonMusicGuy

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 12:11 AM (EDT)
My Score:

no no, moshing is lame, and all you punk rocker kids that like moshing are also lame

punk is lame

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 11:58 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Um.. actually, I would throw Recover under the devil word "emo". So. Yeah.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 11:22 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Hey Megan this isnt emonews.org

Moshing, or whatever you want to call what I do at show, is a fucking relase and a way to connect with the band

Recover fucking rules

You are dumb, so is JEW, so is PR, so is Midtown. So id emo. I hate that shit. I hate you.
So does God.

I know he told me

Taking back sunday should take their fat ass lead singer back to school and teach him how to keep his fat ass on the stage or at least learn what gravity is. He knows now, fat ass. Just like scott. I am glad I wont have to wait through their fucking sorry ass Thursday/Saves the Day cover set. I will mosh during recover and leave before richtown. Thanks for the set list, that was real gay.

Are you listening? WHOA OH OH

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 11:17 PM (EDT)
My Score:

That guy is real agro.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 11:15 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Dude... Armor for Sleep played twice? You are a retard. Fuck this arty stand around watching some fucking emo crybaby wish that some fucking girl would scrape the bottom of her shoe and return his heart. I hate this shit, if I'm gonna pay money, I'm gonna fucking mosh.
See you at the show Travis! FUCK ART LETS MOSH!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 11:11 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i saw recover once... with fsf and pop unknown in pitt at laga (the night the security guy beat the shit outta the lead singer of pop unknown)... they were alright, i thought the big skinny guitar player guy was pretty funny to watch... they didn't do much for me though... niether does midtown though

good review though

Posted by Megan on 2002-09-24 22:38:10
My Score:

Thanks for the song name Bryne, I appreciate it... I felt like an ass for forgetting it

Posted by StabbingGoldfish on 2002-09-24 22:34:47
My Score:

great review, I'm upset I missed this show :/ Oh well. recover is amazing live, I've seen them twice.

Posted by Geetarchick on 2002-09-24 22:18:00
My Score:

A very whoasome review! I was at this show and yeah seriously what the hell was with the "Midtown saves" sign and crap.. "Midtown loves you..". Anywhoo, i honestly liked Recover out of all them the best. I used to like Midtown and had never seen em before and their live performance was pretty disappointing. Armor for Sleep is good but they would be better with some backup vocals. As for The Reunion Show, i've seen em before but it didn't hit me this time about how much they sound like The Hippos minus the horns... An okay show all in all...

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 10:01 PM (EDT)
My Score:

good review, I still have not seen Midtown live. damn.

*****Wuss-Emo-Rock*****

Posted by maverick on 2002-09-24 21:53:11
My Score:

Whoo Megan! Awesome review! You rule! Now write the Promise Ring one! =)

-Scott

Posted by Bryne on 2002-09-24 21:46:51
My Score:

The name of the song you forgot is "There's No Going Back."

Posted by travis on 2002-09-24 21:21:08
My Score:

oh man. recover is going to rip shit up. thats the only reason why im oing to the show in seattle.