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Street Dogs - State of Grace
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This Friday night was one of the most fun and interesting shows I’ve been to in a while. The previous night was Ben Folds, but this was a totally different feel to go from large show with seats to a smaller show and a more intimate crowd. It was time for the Red Hot Valentines and various other bands at the Eagle's Reception Hall in good 'ole Rock Island, IL. I definitely love smaller shows more. After some time of anticipating this show (since I had known about it from its conception) the arrival of it was finally upon us. But yes, it was excellent, or at least most of it.

First things first, Cusack. They were very good, a band from Rockford, and it seemed not many people had heard of them before (I hadn’t). They were very good from what I heard of them, I guess they were kinda emo-punk, but they were definitely better than many bands I have seen. But I believe someone said “with a name like Cusack, it has to be good” and I think they were right.

After that was Up to Code… hmm… well jumping from Cusack to up to code was interesting… Up to Code was a band from the Chicago suburbs, which was very obvious by their style of music. They were quite loved by some of the crowd, but they didn’t quite float my boat. Think of Up to Code as what you would think of any typical Chicago suburbs band, and you’ll have the sound of them right away. They were kind of a copy of The Dog and Everything. I think that maybe they should have been first, with Cusack second, but oh well.

Bluebottle was once again another shift in music styles. They call themselves “punk with horns”… so in most minds ska. They had a great sound, it was easy to tell they had experience and knew what they were doing. There was an immediate sound difference when it shifted from Up to Code to Bluebottle. It was quality. I personally really like Bluebottle. I had many people tell me how much they liked them after their set, and that “they were the best band there”. They played an excellent cover of Weezer’s “Say it Ain't So”. They are very good live and had a fun light show too, which is just added bonus points to their excellent show.

Spitalfield was next. And I had heard about them before from a friend, but I didn’t like the “Faster Crashes Harder” CD. So I expected nothing from them. But was I wrong, they were EXCELLENT. If you want to hear them, see them live. They put on a great show. So my opinion of them was changed completely. I really can’t wait until I get to see them again. They have been classified as emo, so think Braid or The Get Up Kids. They are going to be putting out a full length soon on Victory Records… so see them before they get too big. They are going to be the next big thing. I can’t wait for their new CD.

Now to the moment I was waiting for, The Red Hot Valentines. Yeah I love them, so obviously in this section you are going to get me gushing about them. But they were excellent. The floor was filled when they came on stage. It was awesome. It seemed like they quickly became the night’s favorite band. Everyone, including myself, was dancing around, enjoying the music. I think the large following of people surprised the band themselves. The most amazing part of the night though goes to this band, because at one point, the whole crowd was singing along to the a capella part in “Firecracker”. It seemed the band was just as amazed as I was. It was just AMAZING. I didn’t expect it either, that everyone would be so into them. They managed to play songs from all of their albums, including one of my favorites “Bring Back the Good Times” and a few songs off of their upcoming album that is to be released in the late spring/early summer. It was such a small and intimate show, but it was one of the most exciting. Watch out for their new full length coming out soon. I can promise it will be great.

After the Red Hot Valentines played, it seemed the place cleared out. They should have clearly been the headliner. But I can understand why the Dog and Everything was chosen as headliner, seeing as they have had lots of radio play in Chicago. The Dog and Everything did not impress me in the slightest. It was a very typical Chicago suburbs sound. While some of the crowed enjoyed it, it was obvious that they were already fans. I don’t think they gained anyone at this show. I was very disappointed, and only stayed for half of the set. I didn’t like them in the least.

Overall, the middle portion of this show rocked. Bluebottle, Spitalfield, and The Red Hot Valentines are definitely worth your time.






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    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 21, 2003 at 1:40 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Spitalfield are quite an awesome live band. I've heard some of their new record, and it sounds pretty amazing. Next big thing? Very possibly. With the right push- these guys will be on lunch boxes before you know it. Don't judge them based on records they recorded over 2 years ago... everyone develops and has room to grow...

    And there may be a "Chicago Suburban" sound- whatever that is- but I don't think Spitalfield directly falls into it. Sure, they're poppy, but if you don't like pop music, why would you even care? I don't like hippy jam bands, but I don't complain about Phish being one.

    In summary... go Spitalfield!

    Posted by peterpan on 2003-04-21 03:33:16
    My Score:

    So I may be late but i have to have to go against the "Suburban Sound" listen to this band and you can here part of what is going on in the 815 area.

    http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/422/dearest_fae.html

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 18, 2003 at 7:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    HAHAHAHA!
    YES!
    What's the point in being a pop-punk band anyway? Try something interesting.
    Play...folk music, perhaps. Catch A Mighty Wind, in theaters now, for the complete story on folk music.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 18, 2003 at 10:33 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Random comments...

    First most of those bands are from DuPage not Lake County, and trust me you don't fuck with DuPage County.

    Second, Spitalfield will probably be the next big thing, just wait and see, Victory is going to put a huge amount of push behind them, unlike most bands that they put out recently.

    Third, Lost Boys and Holdens Catch area a bunch of wanna be's. Oh yeah, add *tomsawyer to that too. They suck, and a mojority of thier fans suck too. They give Chitown a bad name.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 2:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    RaNcId PuNx IS A GENIUS!

    Posted by Melvyl on 2003-04-16 04:46:45
    My Score:

    oh, i didn't know bland-poppunk was a chicago thingie.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 1:50 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    *Wish I were at the show.
    Sorry, my intelligence must have taken a vital blow after reading so much ignorance.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 1:47 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Actually, that "chicago suburbs sound" is a pretty stupid comment to make. Realize this. Chicago, is large. Quite large. And when you have such a massive city, you gather along with it a massive suburban area. Within that area you have sections.
    Following? Good.
    With these sections of Starbucks and cliched outdoor malls with their Citibanks and Chipotles come different "sounds." The bands that have been mentioned -- Knockout, spitalfield, august premiere, fall out boy, etc -- are generally from the Lake County section. So, for one to incure that there is, within an overwhelming area, a special set up sound, as "chicago suburbs sound," is stupid.
    Besides, Bluebottle is from the suburbs of Chicago.
    Which I was at the show though. Next time.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 12:07 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yes there is a very defined chicago suburbs sound....knockout, spitalfield, august premiere, fall out boy, etc. it's not a sound to really be proud of.

    granted i really like spitalfield in some cases. 'are we still here' is a bad ass song.

    Posted by TheBouncingSoul on 2003-04-15 23:21:13
    My Score:

    i like the red hot valentines...good songs...poppy, but pretty good stuff

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 9:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah... there's a distinct chicago suburban sound... it's pretty fucking horrible though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 9:18 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Unless your're in '630'- you wouldn't know. Some Chicago suburb '630' bands: August Premier, Farwell Night.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 8:38 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    then you probably don't live in the chicago suburbs

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 8:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The Chicago Suburb sound? That's a new one on me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 6:14 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    they play the dog and everything in chicago on the radio sure enough... but yes the dog and everything does suck

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 2:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The review didn't do much for me at all, but the guy two posts down from this REALLY needs to learn how to use correct punctuation.

    Posted by greg0rb on 2003-04-15 12:19:21
    My Score:

    bitch, bitch, bitch.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 11:09 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    They play the dog and everything on the radio, what radio station, whoever reviewed this doesnt know too much about the music scene, or good music or bands in general, if this was a show you were looking forward to for a long time, i feel for you, because these bands play every single weekend. how do people like you get your reviews posted, yet someone like me who writes one, doesnt. go figure?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 11:07 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    spitalfield becoming the next big thing, man you must know shit about music.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 9:56 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/372/the-lost-boys.html
    www.hold enscatch.com

    Check Out the Lost Boys and Holdens Catch from some real Chicago Rock!!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 7:46 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    check www.kidpresentable.com they're from the same area as those bands. fo shizzle

    Posted by Melvyl on 2003-04-15 05:15:40
    My Score:

    and yeah, how does the chicago suburbs sound? fill me in on that one.

    Posted by Melvyl on 2003-04-15 05:12:39
    My Score:

    the score is for the name, sweden sucks ass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 2:42 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    bland, bland music to say the least.

    Posted by maverick on 2003-04-15 02:37:10
    My Score:

    Katie, I didn't write this review.

    But thanks anyways. =)

    -Scott

    Posted by Katie4213 on 2003-04-15 02:27:47
    My Score:

    yeah scott! you like spitalfield. they are the coooooolest. way to go 630 area codes!!!

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