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This past Sunday was a night of vindication and reward. Rainer Maria and Mates Of State, two bands who I absolutely love, were touring together. Not only that, but they were playing a show 45 minutes from my college. Not only *that,* but the show was free of charge [thanks to the fine folks at Knox College], and was being held in the coolest place ever for a show - the Gizmo. The Gizmo at Knox College is just a coffee shop with no real stage to speak of, and when they do shows, the bands just play on the floor right in front of you. It's very intimate, and very cool [see my review of the Dismemberment Plan show last March for more proof]. So as the six of us arrived [after reeling in shock from seeing an actual tour bus parked outside], we settled in for what looked to be a kickass rock show.

Of course, before we got to the asskicking part, we had to sit through two opening acts - one of which was acoustic hippy jams, the other a Mineral ripoff with more uptempo songs. Neither group announced their name, and to be frank I couldn't care less, as my mind was focused on the two headlining acts.

Mates Of State set up first, as the crowd quickly rose off their feet and gathered in front of the poppy organ-and-drums duo. The band played for close to an hour, incorporating much new material into their set [including an absolutely haunting song that sounded like some sort of evil carnival ride with lots of "ha ha ha"s incorporated] as well as old favorites such as "Proofs," "Hoarding It For Home," and my personal favorite "La'Hov," which Caithlin from Rainer Maria came out to dance to. It was highly amusing, to say the least. Watching Jason and Kori croon to each other behind their respective instruments is so heartwarming, it's hard to not fall in love with them while they're playing. The Mates tied up their set with a cover of a Nico's "These Days" [most well known from the movie "The Royal Tennenbaums"], which I believe is on their upcoming split 7" with Dear Nora. I had been waiting to see this band again since June of 2000, and they most assuredly did not disappoint. As the applause faded and the organ got packed up, the crowd thickened with anticipation for the band seemingly *everyone* was there to see - Rainer Maria.

Okay, it's time for me to gush - I love Rainer Maria. I've loved them ever since I first heard them, back in 97 or 98. Sadly, I have never seen them live, missing show after show due to random conflicts. So like I mentioned earlier, this show was vindication for me. Rainer Maria were nowhere near as good as I thought they'd be - they were better. Kicking things off with a sick rendition of "Long Knives," my blood pumped along with my fist as I belted out lyric after lyric right into Caithlin's face [remember, there was no stage so I was standing literally right in front of her]. The band then went on to rock me and the rest of the crowd senseless for a good hour, pulling material from as far back as 1999's "Look Now Look Again." Sadly, we didn't get the classic "Tinfoil" off their debut "Past Worn Searching" LP which apparently Champaign and Chicago both got, but I'm not bitter. Why?

BECAUSE I GOT TO SING "THOUGHT I WAS" WITH THE BAND, THAT'S WHY.

Sorry, I went into gushing mode again. But seriously, it happened. Apparently Caithlin took notice of me singing along all night, and during "Thought I Was," she spun the mic around to me and made me come up and sing. No joke. It was a trip.

I've given up on trying to make this review sound professional. All I can say is if you appreciate talented, innovative music, there is no reason why you should not be attending this tour. You can thank me later.

RAINER MARIA'S SET LIST
Long Knives
Artificial Light
Mystery and Misery
Atlantic
Planetary
Broken Radio
CT Catholic
Hell and High Water
Contents of Lincoln's Pockets
Thought I Was
Ears Ring



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    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 1:16 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Hmm, I wonder if the rainer maria ads I'm seeing right now have anything to do with this glowing review? Kinda makes ya think. Maybe he traded reviews for food? Could be.

    Posted by evilmidget2 on 2003-02-17 16:02:39
    My Score:

    this twat guy has more personality than everyone else on this board combined.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 11:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Twat-- your comments don't even make any sense. You are a moron. Don't even comment on these boards unless you are going to say anything that makes sense and that is doing something more than making fun of people or ripping on people or whatever it is you are trying to do, even though you don't even know what you are talking about or who you are talking to.

    Posted by greg0rb on 2003-02-15 15:21:28
    My Score:

    Oh twat you are really too much. That is all I have to say, and this is the last time I check this board, so don't waste any more hours on those oh-so-creative posts. Ass.

    -Greg

    Posted by waste_elite on 2003-02-15 04:08:23
    My Score:

    priceless

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 14, 2003 at 10:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Yes. My real name is twat. I introduce myself to all the ladies as twat. Because that’s my name. Jesus Chris you’re fucking stupid. You make Cara look like Steven hawking. “Bring it on asshole?” You sound like that fucking cheerleading movie with the same name. Greg, are you pissed cuz mommy got mad at you for hitting Marsha in the face with the football? Greggy I can say all I want about you and it will accomplish nothing. Why make fun of someone that listens to Rainer Maria? It’s obviously that person is going through enough emotional and physical pain. It’s also obvious that Greg has heard it all. The fat jokes, the tiny penis jokes, the too young to be going bald jokes, and the hey stop making fun of my girlfriend-Shut up I’m not your girlfriend we just sit next to each other in math class jokes. I really don’t want to beat a dead horse, or a really fat balding horse. Pretty please with sugar on top go fuck yourself. twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 14, 2003 at 1:02 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Oh, twat, so much controversy, how much better can it get?

    -El Vaquero (friday morning school conferences)

    Posted by Strewtho on 2003-02-14 08:44:36
    My Score:

    ah twat guy stirs the shit again, good to see a nice firey reaction.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 14, 2003 at 1:18 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    dignin below, forgot to sign in

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 14, 2003 at 1:17 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    remember in jr. high when the kids in super big jnco pants would call everyone twats...oh yeah they also had rat tails and lived with their homo hating uncle in a trailer.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 11:06 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The S - Man from R - Town getting to supply surprise vocals during "Thought I Was". That is epic. Rack me. I'm out.

    By the way, the show in St. Louis was good to.

    Posted by greg0rb on 2003-02-13 12:51:24
    My Score:

    Twat, you're a fucking idiot. Everything you said has nothing to do with Cara's comment. Plus the comment is true, I was there, the wording she used just made it funnier. Since I agree with her, wanna say some shit about me? Bring it on asshole.

    I'm sure a guy like you who goes by the name "twat" gets all the ladies. Girls love that shit... i should go by the name "gash" or some shit, then maybe I'd be as cool and punk as you.

    -Greg

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 8:53 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Cara you're stupid. That's why men leave you, plain and simple. You should wait awhile before you put out. It gives men the wrong idea. Oh and try not to talk, cuz that would ruin everything. And when you two go see a movie or something try not to say, "that was the most rocking disney cartoon rocking movie rock ever!" just some advice. twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 6:55 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Most rocking indie rock show ever! The Rainer Maria guitarist made the show. Truly amazing.

    -Cara

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 5:27 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    A while back, my girlfriend took me to see Ben Folds...who I actually enjoy from time to time, but not enought to buy the entire collection or anything. Anyway, It was just him and a piano. Not 'playing at the same level' kind of thing, but intimate nonetheless.

    The entire time, this guy standing directly behind me sang every single word to every single song as loud as he possibly could. He was god-awful. I would have turned around and punched him in the neck if I thought security wound't have beaten my ass. It was like my own personal Ben Folds Jr. concert, except 50 times worse and combined with the sound of fingernails accross a chalkboard. It nearly ruined the entire experience. I hate you Ben Folds Jr!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 5:09 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    When I saw Rainer Maria in October the guitar play was being such an ass... Caithlin invited everyone on stage to dance, and he kept shouting 'Go back where you came from! Don't come near me...'

    Posted by sloppyblake on 2003-02-12 02:07:33
    My Score:

    remember when scott made fun of the kids at jimmy eat world for not knowing the words? for shame..

    Posted by viceroymonarch on 2003-02-11 22:58:32
    My Score:

    Eh leave him alone, he got to perform a song with one of his favorite bands. I'd be writing like that too if it happened to me.

    Posted by waste_elite on 2003-02-11 22:28:06
    My Score:

    lose the ovaries man

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at 9:54 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    hah, i thought this review was by a girl the whole time.
    but putting that aside, i'm glad you had a good time. i wish i had that much fun when i saw rainer maria.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at 9:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Seriously you need to stop praising this band. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this band sounds like the band "heart" if everyone got really drunk and switched instruments. Actually that might sound good, unlike this band. Fuck this band. twat

    Posted by greg0rb on 2003-02-11 17:21:55
    My Score:

    oops, terra. sorry!

    Posted by greg0rb on 2003-02-11 17:20:56
    My Score:

    Scott, you forgot to mention when i scared the crap out cara, kristina, terran and amber! heh. But yeah, that was cool, and by cool I mean totally sweet.

    -Greg

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at 4:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I can't wait for this show

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at 3:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this guy is tripping

    Posted by TenderBransonX on 2003-02-11 15:57:44
    My Score:

    Never listened to this band that much but I recently picked up Long Knives and I fucking love it. Cant wait to see them in Orlando

    Living not Slaving
    www.amiracole.com

    Posted by sloppyblake on 2003-02-11 15:34:01
    My Score:

    scott are you still 15?

    Posted by preacher on 2003-02-11 15:01:52
    My Score:

    sounds like you had a blast. good on you! :)