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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

It's actually getting cliché to open up Long Island show reviews saying how "big the scene has blown up here recently," but this really hit the spot. With 700 people over the legal limit, the Suffolk County fire marshal was forced to shut the down the show before the Used took the stage. There will be refunds and a rescheduled show. In other words, I saw Thrice and My Chemical Romance for free. It doesn't get much better than that. Especially since I didn't have to take such angry bias into this review because I hate the Used.

Story of the Year, another of the John Feldmann-produced groups (see the Used, Showoff, Mest, etc.), opened up on the stage in a spastic frenzy, dancing from each end of the stage to the other, playing ditties off their new release, due early in the Summer. I was looking forward to this band, but to my disappointment they played zilch off their only official release, Bigbluemonkey (EP). I know I'm taking the easy route with this comparison, but they seemed like a decent version of the Used, with the singer dropping from melodic to screaming and back. They closed with "In the Shadows" a frame of time after plugging Glassjaw, whose Daryl Palumbo happened to be at the show.

My Chemical Romance, thankfully, did not seem too inebriated during the course of their set (see interview for elaboration). They took the stage as "Romance" played over the PA, and blasted right into "Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us." While running through several songs off I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, they also played a new one called, "This Isn't a Fuckin' Fashion Statement, It's a Death Wish" with an opening riff that I think I creamed my pants over. They flawlessly closed with "Vampires Will Never Hurt You," a great five-minute dose of energy that had the crowd singing along and acted as the final injection for pumped-up preparation for Thrice.

Okay, before I begin with Thrice, I will admit that they disappointed me slightly - there just seemed to be something missing - BUT, they were still really good and acted beyond reasonable ability to pinpoint their talent in each song. "Betrayal is a Symptom" could not have been a better opener, with Dustin Kensrue screaming over the amazing fingering of Teppei Teranshini (lead guitar). I will, without regret, proclaim Teppei the greatest Asian guitar player, ever. As Used fans scrambled to get decent places on the floor for a band that wasn't going to play, I was able to listen to a fluid set that had Thrice play three new songs off The Artist in the Ambulance, and take the almost-radio friendliness of "Deadbolt" and smash it to pieces, beautifully orchestrating the stop-start fret-molesting that makes the song so great before closing out with "To Awake and Avenge the Dead" to many of the crowds' delight.

All in all you can't see a better lineup and get your money back after you enjoyed yourself like I did. When I send in my tickets soon, I'll feel like I'm cheating SOMEONE out of SOMETHING - now let's just hope a similar scene doesn't happen with Finch April 28th.



People who liked this also liked:
So Many Dynamos - FlashlightsGlos - HarmoniumChampion - Different Directions | The Last Show [CD/DVD]The Fall of Troy - ManipulatorJohnny Cage - The MotionsShook Ones / Easel - SplitVarious - Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of It AllThe Humanoids - Are BornHoly Roman Empire - The Longue DuréeSeasick - Awakenings [10 inch]



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    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 1, 2003 at 2:15 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    and to the people talking about the pittburgh alk3/thrice show. thrice wasnt as good as when hot water rolled through town, but alk3 was great, however, playing 5 new songs was a bit excessive, considering the new album isnt officially out yet. i woulda liked to have heard more off of from here ot infirmiry, all they played was 'private eye' and 'another innocent girl'. still awesome though, they wrent fucked up at all. i saw them on plea for peace a couple years ago, and they were fucked up big time at that show. i mean wasted. dan almost fell over like 3 times and skiba started yelling at people for moshing during bleeder. it was amusing, cuz i'm a drunk too

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 1, 2003 at 2:11 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    scott, i live on south bouquet, do u go to pitt?
    cawknocker

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 1, 2003 at 2:08 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yea when i saw thrice at the alk3 show, they definately were lacking the energy and precision of their show several months previous with hot water music....hmmm...their probably just fucking tired from touring all year and recording a follow up to 'illusion of safety' less than a year after its release. the new material sounded cool though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 1:59 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i saw thrice and alkaline trio last thursday and it was one of the top five shows i ever been to.....

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-04-30 08:36:46
    My Score:

    adam i was talking about "Something missing" being in the songs, not the ADD-driven mechanics of them jumping around like simple plan. some of the songs just dragged in small parts...it's hard to explain, but what i can definitely say that it was in the songs, not not moving around.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 7:31 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    T & C is a video game?? what does that stand for?

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 7:28 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    nice adam.... thricerocker is me... krell

    Posted by at_the_drive_in_21 on 2003-04-30 01:18:44
    My Score:

    I personally wish bands wouldn't play lots of new songs at their shows. I like hearing songs I know.

    Posted by NOFXPunkLTJ22 on 2003-04-29 15:33:16
    My Score:

    First of all no, story of the year did not play song 2 off the EP. And Thrice was AMAZING. You can't expect Thrice to run around like morons when their guitar parts are much harder than most other punk bands (basically every punk band.) It is ridicules to say they were missing something. Yeah they were missing the "hey we can run and jump around while we play factor", thats it. The new songs were amazing too. And if thrice doesnt want to play T & C they don't have to. To Awake and Avenge the Dead is a better ender anyway, it was an amazing closing song. A band will promote their newest album usually at a live show, therefore they would promote Illusion of Safety and give the fans some of the future release the Artist in the Ambulence. They only played Identity Crisis from the song titled CD, and thats all they needed. They were amazing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at 4:55 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "overrated" comments are retarded. they're made by people who think THEIR ratings are the only ones who count.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 6:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The only band more overrated than Thrice is Finch.

    They both bring the suck.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 2:06 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    why are you comparing teppei to only other asian guitarists? he's one of the best guitarists in the scene right now. god, what a good band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 1:35 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i find the guy from HI-standard better, and i know there are many more great asian guitarists.
    the guy in undying is dirty too.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 8:45 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I agree. Teppei fingers like no ones business.

    jeb

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 7:27 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah my chemical romance was really fucking awesome in concert. they played all their songs flawlessly and they put on a great show... the lead singer did a lot more than motorcycle motions at this show...

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 4:45 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    They Played T & C At the glasshouse last year it was there encore song it was brailliant the singer jumped in the crowd it was great

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 1:30 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    thats weird, when I saw them I was surprised with the total lack of of energy. All the singer would do is that motorcycle motion with his hand. But maybe I caught them on a bad light, oh well dont care for their music anyhow.

    dignin

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 28, 2003 at 12:15 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    My Chemical Romance is awesome in concert, I suggest anybody see them who can. They have so much energy on stage, its amazing.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-04-27 21:00:52
    My Score:

    btw so much for the regret thing

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-04-27 20:59:04
    My Score:

    ok sorry about the asian thing. i can see that upset a lot of people. he's just an obviously gifted guitarist and you don't see many asians of those nature. it'll never happen again.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 27, 2003 at 8:35 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    teppei and his headbanging own everyone

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2003-04-27 19:38:35
    My Score:

    Okay. That Rufio thing is just ridiculous. I have heard his guitar work and it is pretty good, especially considering his genre of music, but seeing Teppei live will let you know he could crush that dude. He is much better live then recorded. But that asian thing was really really stupid somlets not talk about this anymore.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 27, 2003 at 7:06 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The best asian guitar player is the dude from rufio

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 27, 2003 at 5:22 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I will, without regret, proclaim Teppei the greatest Asian guitar player, ever.

    BURN IN HELL WITH YO' RACIST JIBBA-JABBA! I PITY THE FOO' WHO SAYS STUPID THINGS LIKE THIS!

    - Mr. T

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 3:49 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the best asian guitar player? that's the stupidest thing i've heard in a long time.

    Yeah, I agree. Couldn't you just have said he's a good guitar player? What was the point of the Asian thing? Seems kind of random to me.

    Posted by KirbyPuckett on 2003-04-26 09:08:13
    My Score:

    Albert Freddy Ingram --

    My school work is a lot harder than anything you'd ever have to deal with, thanks.

    - Scott
    http://www.local-felons.com/
    (And he knows it)

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 6:38 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i just saw thrice at the roxy in la a few weeks ago and they were incredible. they had some much energy and so much passion it was tangible. LOVE that band. nicest dudes ever too...i talked to eddie and teppei for awhile afterward and they were super nice. i cant wait for july...

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 1:03 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    They never play T&C anymore because they've played it so many damn times. They used to play it at pretty much every show, so I can understand how it would get old.

    Posted by lalombriz on 2003-04-26 01:02:30
    My Score:

    to whoever was wondering about new songs played by alkaline trio:

    they played: emma, all in black, continental, we've had enough off of good mourning... they sound really, really good!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 12:52 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Cool review but Teppei the best Asian guitarist...? Hes damn good but I say that that title should go to Hide of X Japan. His solos, particularly those in Art of Life, Blue Blood, and X are impossible, yet he does it wonderfully.

    But Teppei still rocks.

    Posted by Kevin11 on 2003-04-25 23:45:41
    My Score:

    They played T & C in Orlando...

    Posted by chimericalburst on 2003-04-25 22:43:27
    My Score:

    last summer when i saw thrice/recover/brand new (one of the best shows i've ever seen btw) i yelled out "T & C is the best nintendo game ever" and dustin said "it certainly is, but that doesn't mean we're gonna play that song." they never play 't & c.' those bastards.

    cburst

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-04-25 22:32:13
    My Score:

    you were right, thrice was missing SOMETHING, even though i dont know what it was... there was just something not there even though i was right in front of the stage, raping everyone i bumped in to. i just expected it to be orgasmic or something, haha... oh well great show anyway, MCR was amazing, and one of the best bands to see live. and for the record, i never said (im his cousin) that they played the second song off the ep, i said i wish they did, although they did play one song... i dont remember which

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 10:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Damn.

    I was hoping a random airplane would crash into the venue during this horrible show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 9:42 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the best asian guitar player? that's the stupidest thing i've heard in a long time.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-04-25 21:41:00
    My Score:

    they sound pretty good. if you like illusion of safety more than identity crisis you'll like the new shit a lot. if not, you'll prob find it just as good as IOS. they at least seem like one of the few bands that don't change their sound upon signing to a major.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 9:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    so how were the new songs they played?

    Posted by lalombriz on 2003-04-25 21:04:01
    My Score:

    to the guy talking about alk3 in pittsburgh... i drove from columbus to see them (fortunately i already had my ticket from when they announced the show)...

    thrice put on a decent show... i'm not a huge fan of theirs... but they were better than when i saw them open for HWM in cinci...

    alkaline trio put on an amazing show... they were not sloppy at all... whoever told you that just said it to make you feel better... they put on an awesome show!

    i guess this is a good review... my score is for the review

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-04-25 21:01:44
    My Score:

    whoops...my cousin told me story of the year played the 2nd song on bigbluemonkey. they might have, i dont know. can anyone else who went to this show confirm this for me

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 8:03 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I saw thrice a couple weeks ago in LA and they didn't play T&C at all. In fact even when the crowd started chanting "t & c" we just got a comedic "we don't know that one" response and didn't get it. Nor did they play phoenix ignition, but still a good show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 7:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    they didn't close with T&C? Thats like the best song to close with ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 5:20 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Wow Scott you are the coolest. You went to a show on a school night, unheard of. People we got to give him an award or something. Simply amazing.

    Albert Freddy Ingram

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 3:37 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    All in all you can't see a better lineup and get your money back after you enjoyed yourself like I did.

    Worst sentence ever.

    Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2003-04-25 14:34:51
    My Score:

    I drove from Kent State to Pittsburgh to see Thrice and The Alkaline Trio, but alas, it was sold out. Oh well. Hope everyone there had fun, I heard the Trio was sloppy as hell.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 2:28 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Enough of yo' jibba-jabberin'-jive- talkin trash! mistah t hates imposters!

    - mr. T

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 2:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Don't do school, eat your drugs, and take your Milk...I need work
    Mr T

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 2:11 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    STAY IN SCHOOL FOOL!

    - Mr. T

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 1:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I'm writing a review of the Alk3/Thrice show in the 'Burgh last night...Just give me sometime to get out of school. It ain't easy going to a show, then staying up to study for finals all night!

    - Scott
    http://www.local-felons.com
    (I know more about HTML than my Prof.)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 1:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I saw Thrice last night. I'm not a big fan, they are technically amazing, but they are boring as hell to watch.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 25, 2003 at 1:05 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    While i havent, wont be and will never visit Long Island for a show, I must just comment that I really enjoyed reading this review. No idea why, but very well written. (Y)