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WHFS Holiday Nutcracker

live in Washington, DC (2002)
Tours

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: viceroymonarch
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 20th 2002

A radio festival show reviewed on a punk site? Given the mainstream-ification of punk music these days, this isn't as out of place as you might think. In fact, a decent amount of crowdmembers were donning punk band t-shirts, to say nothing of the scores of 11-13 year olds in Good Charlotte shirts.

The first band on was The Distillers. Being the leadoff band, they had the misfortune of playing while the sound guys were still trying to set everything up, so their songs came out espcially bad-sounding. However, they had the requisite energy to get the crowd moving, and they didn't mess up anything, so I'm inclined to give them a thumbs up.

It was with great interest that I viewed the next band, the Vines. Having only heard the radio singles, I was interested in seeing if the other material, as well as the live show, could live up to the comparisons to the White Stripes and the Hives. However, the next half-hour was a huge dissappointment. For all the blather about the Vines being the "Next Nirvana," most of the songs they played were slower, almost ballad-like songs. The crowd went off for "Get Free," but the rest of the set was a definite thumbs down.

Next up, Queens Of the Stoneage. These guys were just badass, and they put on a hell of a rock show. Though their intricate sound lost something in the cavernous MCI Center (muddy sound was a common theme throughout the show), QOTSA just piled it on, and played wonderfully. Also, Nick Oliveri looks even freakier in person. Thumbs way up.

Unfortunately, rather than capitalize on the crowd excitement following QOTSA, they decided to put Zwan on stage next. My friend told me they played 4 long-ass songs, all of them sounding the same, and it felt like hours. I'm going to have to take his word on it, because I fell asleep at the start of the second song and woke up in the middle of this long-ass outro. Smashing Pumpkins were great, but Billy Corgan has clearly lost his magic touch. Thumbs down.

Next up was the highlight of the night, as James Brown took the stage for a special appearance, with the Pietasters as his backing band for the night. My only quibble was that he only performed two songs, rather than a full set. "I Feel Good" had the entire building singing and dancing along, and "Sex Machine (Get On Up)" tore down the house. Amazingly, despite his age, James hasn't lost a step, as he showed in his dancing. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone in awe of this legend and his amazing performance. Thumbs as far up as you can reach.

The band with the unenviable task of following James Brown was New Found Glory. The crowd reacted very well to them though, and NFG performed quite well. Unlike most bands that have no clue what to do when on such a huge stage (both figuratively and literally), bandmembers were constantly jumping around, moving across the stage, and NFG's sound is well-suited to arena rock. The only negative to this performance was vocalis Jordan Pundik's tendancy to hold the mic to the crowd to sing along to certain parts of songs. A decent amount of the crowd was singing, but because of the size of the building, it hardly made a sound in the mic. Aside from that, great performance, thumbs up.

After NFG came Boxcar Racer and Coldplay, but...well, it's Boxcar Racer and Coldplay, would you have stayed?

Overall, that's four thumbs up to two thumbs down. That alone would be enough to praise this show, but when you factor in the amazing James Brown, I can't help but rave about it. By all means, please, do yourself a favor and see James Brown live. Even a jaded punk rocker will love it.

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Anonymous (January 24, 2003)

Can't you feel the love tonight? Awww :) How cute. Everyone adores you.

Anonymous (December 26, 2002)

By coldplay do you mean lots o'food? Cuz ya sure look like food would be in your top 10. You have bigger tits than my sister.

viceroymonarch (December 26, 2002)

haha Scott you tease. Just post them already!

maverick (December 26, 2002)

I like Coldplay.

In fact, I'm listening to their new album as I type this.

Possible Top 10 of 2002 contender...

-Scott

Anonymous (December 25, 2002)

Why on earth doesn't anyone like Coldplay?

Totally awesome band.

fallingtopieces (December 25, 2002)

OK KIDS!!!! SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! Seriously though please stop bitching about who likes what bands and how cool/dumb they are for liking said bands. If you wanna attack someone, dont do it on these little post things, cuz its annoying to read through all your crap. Just learn to let things go, its ok, its not the end of the world.

ANYWAYS, as for what i think about this show and review. The show sounded kind of weak. There were some good bands to start off and then James Brown would be the obvious climax. But with only two songs and leaving, thats shitty as hell. Thats like pulling out way too early and getting blue balls.

As for the coldplay thing, i like those guys. The singer is really interesting to watch, he totally gets into the music, its sweet.

thats it for now, peace, good night and merry christmas to all who celebrate it. For those to who dont celebrate christmas, you have a good day too.

viceroymonarch (December 24, 2002)

well said. :)

Anonymous (December 24, 2002)

oh, and you want my signature? ok. sorry to have to say this, but its mommy. by the way, i'm sorry for leaving you all those years back. just couldn't stand the site of your ugly face.

Anonymous (December 24, 2002)

viceroy-you still haven't explained to me why you're a faggot cocksucker poser who is too big for boxcar but loves new found glory. get off this fucking site you little asswipe poser.

viceroymonarch (December 24, 2002)

I love how this guy writes multiple messages to me, but doesn't sign them anywhere, like he's trying to make me think there are a few different people using the exact same vocabulary to call me the exact same things. As if he expects me to run away in tears because people from a comment board called me a poser.

PS. Have you checked out the WebMD.com thing yet?

waste_elite (December 23, 2002)

i'd like to set that kid with the 2 posts below me on fire...

anyone with me?

i swear, there is nothing more obnoxious than a snot-nosed little middle school student that goes around trying to prove how punk he is by calling everyone a poser.

Anonymous (December 23, 2002)

good comeback there viceroy. how long did it take you to come up with that? fucking poser.

Anonymous (December 23, 2002)

viceroy you little faggot cocksucker. stop acting some big shot punk elitist by saying you like new found glory but claim to be to good to see box car racer. they're both fake and looks like you're one as well bitch. don't come to this fucking website. there are enough posers as it is.

Anonymous (December 23, 2002)

I would've stayed for coldplay, but not boxcar...coldplay are actually good, but just the new album; to be precise. Let the flaming begin. - bigjerk

Anonymous (December 23, 2002)

Hey look at me! I'm punker than you!

-Scotty

viceroymonarch (December 23, 2002)

Hmm, I don't really see any connection at all between liking "trendy" music and having a rich stepfather, and anyway I don't have any sort of stepfather let alone a rich one. Sounds to me like you've got a typical case of projection going on. You're ashamed of the fact that you only like bands that are trendy in 'the scene,' as well as ashamed of the fact that you've never in your life done anything constructive and always lived off of YOUR rich stepfather. And rather than face those facts, you try to project them on to me by claiming that I only like bands trendy to another 'scene' and I have a rich stepfather. Perhaps you would be better served spending time at WebMD.com getting help for your psychological condition, instead of this fine website.

Anonymous (December 23, 2002)

hehe, viceroymonarch you fake asswipe. you really are a true punk rocker. not only do you like the distillers (haven't you heard? they're the newest craze), but you LIKE new found glory (a must listen for any punk fan) but HATE box car racer. go back to rich step-daddy's cock and gag you little poser.

Anonymous (December 23, 2002)

James was amazing at this show. I went to see him, then left immediatly after. The Pietasters did one hell of a job as his band....Oh yeah, and Queens of the Stoneage were amazing too.

-eric-

BrandonSideleau (December 23, 2002)

Sad Sad Sad. The godfather of soul surrounded by pop sissies. (shakes head in disgust)

Anonymous (December 22, 2002)

Blah blah blah blah nfg blah blah shitty blah blah boxcar racer blah blah worse blah blah than blah blah cancer. thats all I saw in your reply

viceroymonarch (December 22, 2002)

PS. I don't think Boxcar Racer is on MTV anyway, jerky. So you lose that point, as well.

viceroymonarch (December 22, 2002)

That's hilarious. Just priceless. You just scolded me for NOT being closed-minded. This must be a first, even on this site. First of all, you're a moron. Second of all, Boxcar sounds like what would happen if a pop-punk band decided to try to save the world, while NFG sounds like if a pop-punk band wanted to rock out. Third of all, to have an opinion that two bands sound very similar is one thing; To say that anyone who disagrees is a stupid is egotistical, elitist, and basically everything that's wrong with the 'scene.' So in conclusion, fuck off.

Anonymous (December 22, 2002)

The coolest thing about James Brown is the shit he gets arrested for. Fucking Priceless. twat

Anonymous (December 22, 2002)

You said that you gave nfg performance thumbs up. Then you went on to say, "but...well, it's Boxcar Racer and Coldplay, would you have stayed?" Is there a difference between boxcar racer and nfg? Nope. Both of them are magnets for dipshits that think the only music worth listening to is found on mtv. But you act like staying for boxcar racer and coldplay is wayyyyy beneath you. You say that AFTER you stayed for nfg's entire set. Take that airplane glue out of your nose and take a deep breath. There, feel better? Now do you realize that you are an asshole while you’re high? You piss off your family and friends and make outrageous statements that there's somehow a difference between two fucking horrible bands. That's like saying you like n'sync but you hate the backstreet boys. SAME FUCKING BAND. Twat.

Anonymous (December 22, 2002)

ummm. . . 12 years olds . . . .

BrandonSideleau (December 22, 2002)

New Found Glory get 12 year old girls, not hot chicks.

evildeadalive (December 22, 2002)

That getting chicks and making cash guy is definately at the wrong site. I'm pretty sure he was looking for www.limpbizkit.org. Fuck off jocko homo.

Anonymous (December 22, 2002)

that first line should have read like this:

i think that only people who really appreciate music enjoy coldplay.

my bad.

-reeko

Anonymous (December 22, 2002)

i think that only people who reallly appreciate coldplay seem to enjoy their music.

that said, they rock...

also, the pieststers OWN and i got no beef with the godfather of soul. though it must have been wierd for him playing to a crowd of kids who most likely came to see nfg. it must have been one hell of a diverse crowd though.

anyway, as far as radio festivals go, this one sounds pretty cool. good diverse lineup. i still think that the best radio festival around is the y100 FEZtival here in philly though.

smashing pumpkins ruled!!!! one of the best bands of the 90s. zwan doesn't sound too bad either.

-reeko

burstandbloom (December 22, 2002)

Wait, that's not what music is all about?

Melissa

waste_elite (December 22, 2002)

yeah, because making tons of money and gettin chicks is what music's all about.

were you in motley crue?

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

this is funny. you kids diss NFG, but yet, where is your band that is gettin chicks and making tons of cash?

i thought so...once you get your band to that level i will congrat you

viceroymonarch (December 21, 2002)

And for that matter, if I cared what people thought about me, I wouldn't post that I think Blink 182 is 10 times better than NOFX :)

viceroymonarch (December 21, 2002)

No actually I was somewhat interested in Coldplay. My friend was whining to leave once James Brown finished though, and I figured I'd rather get back to campus and find out where the parties are, than waste 75 minutes to see Coldplay. If I cared about what people thought of me, I wouldn't have ever admitted to liking NFG.

WussEmoRock (December 21, 2002)

To the reviewer, good review but...if someone is making fun of you or not agreeing with something you say in your review (I'mm talking about the box car and coldplay comment you said) you don't have to go "oh well that's not what I meant, I actually like them I just didn't want to sit thru 25 mins of more music." come on buddy, stand up for youself, we all know you don't like either one of those bands, you said it so yourself in the review. you don't have to please everyone, just look at me.

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

burstandbloom (December 21, 2002)

thanks

evildeadalive (December 21, 2002)

Zwan is Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins fame's new band. Pretty crappy from what I've heard...

burstandbloom (December 21, 2002)

What is Zwan?

I would have stayed for Coldplay, but taken a bathroom/refreshment break during Box Car Racer.

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

I would have stayed for coldplay...you twat

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

I woud have gone but the tickets were like what $50 for shit seats and horrible sound. I heard the Distillers went on before the time on the ticket or something like that so a lot of people didn't see them. I went last year at the patriot center (smaller but still way too big) and I liked 2 bands Blink (yeah I know you hate them I don't give a shit) and Pete Yorn, he kicks ass.

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

Tom Delonge's "Look at me, I'm the next Ian McKaye" delusion.

...run that by me again? i'm not seeing any connection whatsoever.

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

i almost went to an hfs show once and i'm amazed that there were more than 2 non-shitty bands. fucking amazing.

waste_elite (December 21, 2002)

this is a surprisingly decent lineup for a nutcracker show, it's usually all shitty nu-metal bands.

still, wasn't worth shelling out the cash for expensive tickets at a crappy stadium. james brown woulda been cool but he only played 2 songs so i don't think i missed too much.

and i agree with adam's statement down below.

good review.