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Spitalfield / Saosin / The Bled

live in Cleveland
2003
live show

Review by: bichodomatojim
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Published on August 1st 2003

First off this is more of an impression than a review, but call it what you will. I loved the old Grog Shop, full of grime, smoke, band photos, stickers and graffiti on all the walls and floor. It had the worst men's room I've ever used. The sound sucked, but if you stood in the right spot it was ok, I'll definitely miss this place, R.I.P. Now onto the new Grog Shop, which was relocated just up the hill. I walked in and all I could smell was fresh paint. The place has a nice layout, it's much larger than the previous location. As you walk in there's a longer bar on the right, you proceed past the game machines, and jukebox on the left and you see the stage. It's the perfect size for a 5 piece band. Much larger than the picnic table size stage the old location had. After approaching the stage, turn left and there's a side area with a counter for merch and two loading doors! The loading doors are a nice addition. There are plenty of stools and little tables, and trays next to the pillars throughout, and the bathrooms, well you can actually wash your hands and go #2.

Ok enough of that, as always the Grog Shop is notoriously late. This show slated for 7 ended up starting well after 8. This sucks, because they had a second show scheduled and this cut into the bands' time. Oh well, they could of played longer if the first band would have just set up, instead of waiting around for more people, I think 5 more people strolled in. The turn out had a whopping total of about 40 people (including 14 band members and the 5 Grog Shop employees). It was early, but come on Cleveland.

First up: the Bled. I was already a little annoyed with them just moping along setting up and hanging around. The sound guy tried to get them to start, they did about 20 minutes after he asked. This pissed me off, because now all the bands lost about 3-4 songs. Oh well. The music was fast, slow, scream, scream... It was ok. They sounded off to me, maybe it was their travelling, I don't know. They had great energy and got some of the kids moving a little. They had some good ideas, but just seemed off. I don't know any song names, because everytime the singer started to anounce the name, a guitarist would strum some annoying chord, I caught only the first and last syllable of most names.

Next: Saosin. I've heard good things about these guys. I heard one song previously and thought it was ok. Live, they are much better than their recordings. Full of energy, tight musically, and fun to watch. Imagine the character Puck from Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream", dancing around with his mischievous smile wearing gymshorts and donning a Friar Tuck-sish hair style singing very high pitched melody and throwing in some hardcore screams. This was the lead singer. Definitely fun to watch, with the ballerina arm movements and all. I don't like high "prog rock" pitched vocals, but this singer's odd stage presence made it somewhat enjoyable. My only complaint goes to the sound guy: the guitarist on stage right kept moving his lips, but we couldn't hear a thing, it would have been nice to see a little contrasting vocals. They played songs off their EP, which I picked up after the show. The best song they played, however was the last one and it was new. If you like the EP, they sound much better live.

Finally: Spitalfield. I read Megan's review a few months back, downloaded their cd from emusic. Definitely one of the summer fun bands. These guys are tight. They are full of energy and despite the somewhat cheesy lyrics they had me wanting to bust out the moves. It sucked that the people at the show were all too "cool" to move up and jump around a little. I caught many feet tapping along, however. Super short but very enjoyable set. They only played about 7 songs, all off the new album. I couldn't help but laugh when someone behind me said the lead singer looked a little like that American Idol guy with the goofy ears, because of how he looked when singing and bobbing around. If you like their new album, you've got to see them live. But if you go, please give up your pretencious "punk coolness" and dance around a little!

Despite the late start, short sets, and a few sound issues, this was a great show. The sound at the new Grog is much better than the old location. We'll just have to wait for the paint fumes to clear and the smoke gets into the walls before calling it home.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 8:15 AM (EST)
My Score:

when the hell did this show happen? how did i miss this? regardless, the old grog shop was THE venue. its size said it all and many many good and very talented acts have played there over the years. the new grog isn't bad...but the feeling you get from seeing a band there just doesn't match up anymore.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 11, 2003 at 12:02 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Spitalfield rock in their "pop" punk way! Saosin rock in their "whacked" way, the Bled rock in their "rough" way. Good Review. Honest.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 15, 2003 at 11:26 PM (EDT)
My Score:

All of you are the stupidest fucking humans on the face of this earth...first off, learn how to review a show! Second, eat shit...every band on the bill were different...therefore good in their own ways...and none of them had the right to shreadline...maybe this said reviewer should have...wait or did The Bled fuck your face off with metal, so you couldn't...?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 at 3:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Spitalfield are amazing. I wish I could have seen them with Saosin in PA... oh well... they'll be back.

Posted by GreenVandal on 2003-08-08 17:31:16
My Score:

This band fucking sucks. Just cuz your pop doesnt mean you have to sound like shit. Shitty shit at that. Ick, I hate these bands...cept Saosin, never heard them.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 at 10:14 PM (EDT)
My Score:

dude, the old grog shop was my dream venue. i fucking love that place. i always wanted to play a show there. when good bands that come around, for instance thrice, you just know the crowd is going to be insane cause the place is super tiny. i have seen many good bands there.. and will miss it.

Posted by Poisonthesink on 2003-08-04 21:33:19
My Score:

I would have come if I wasn't in fucking West Virginia....

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 4, 2003 at 8:06 PM (EDT)
My Score:

What the fuck do you mean by prog rock?

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 4, 2003 at 7:08 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Oh my God... You act like Spitafield isn't just another pop-punk piece of shit band... Boy, from their single, I can tell they suck. By "fun" do you mean "trendy"?

-BSD

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 4, 2003 at 1:33 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"and don't waste a paragraph talking about some lame club in cleveland who fucking cares"

I fucking care. The Grog has been the best club in Cleveland for years. Many people in the Cleveland area have consider it the Grog shop the CBGB's of Cleveland. it (was) tiny, rundown, coverd in odd art,stickers,flyers and press photos, just a great punk atmosphere. The venue has had shows by so many bands that have gone on to be really huge (Oasis, Deftones, Bright Eyes, Jawbreaker, etc.) and has always had a great feel to it. Perhaps the review is a little to localized for most, but for those of us that head out to the Grog often it speaks volumes. It's funny that no one bitches when reviews talk about the Metro, The Troub or Electric Factory.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 4, 2003 at 12:59 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Spitalfield are a great band. Their older stuff isn't as good, but that is to be expected, as they started very young from what I've read (1998?). Their new cd is definitely worth your time if you're into indie/pop stuff. It hasn't really left my cd player very much since i picked it up the week it came out.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 3, 2003 at 5:09 PM (EDT)
My Score:

They're older than people think they are. Spitalfield did releace an album before this, it just wasn't nearly as good.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 10:57 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Spitalfield can't headline? Saosin are great, don't get me wrong, but they are also a very new band.

Spitalfield sold out the Metro in Chicago in June. Thats like 1,100 kids or something like that.

Of course they can't headline anywhere, they are also a pretty new band, as far as the entire US is concerned. Just wait and see...

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 10:49 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Spitalfield are super tight live, and they know how to have fun. Sure, if you don't like pop they probably won't be your thing, but if you don't like pop, why even bother commenting on them?

Scott- thumbs up on these guys. Definitely one of the best albums this summer.

Posted by funkisdead on 2003-08-02 16:53:09
My Score:

what is the old band the guys from saosin were in? was it agent felix or some shit like that?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 4:52 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The Bled? hahahahaha

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 1:47 PM (EDT)
My Score:

how bout the bled are better than all the afore mentoined bands.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 8:58 AM (EDT)
My Score:

What's up with the current trend of Geddy Lee vocal offspring: Anatomy of a Ghost, Saosin, Coheed & Cambria ? Spitalfield will be huge! These guys are the real deal, awesome guitar sound, repetitive vocal harmonies(I could listen to them all day), and I can see the lead singer does not look like the American Idol guy, but when he mutes his guitar, sings and tilts his head from side to side, I can see a slight resemblance.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 1:51 AM (EDT)
My Score:

yeah saosin definalty should have headlined this show their ten times better than spitalfield saosin is a band that is dienfalty about to get prety big prety quickly cant say thats a good thing cus their one of the best bands at doing what they do out their right now

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 11:45 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Anatomy of a Ghost was supposed to headline this show and they canceled, also the Cleveland Scene show list and the Grog Shop both spelled Spitalfield - "Spitafield"

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 10:43 PM (EDT)
My Score:

no they can't, you liar why would tell a lie like that?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 7:37 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Saosin could headline over Spitalfield anyday. Saosin pulled in a good 200 kids when I saw them 2 weeks ago, and they weren't even the headliner.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 7:27 PM (EDT)
My Score:

hey dude, i didn't click on this to read an impression, i clicked to read a review. and don't waste a paragraph talking about some lame club in cleveland who fucking cares

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 7:07 PM (EDT)
My Score:

he doesnt look like the dude from AMERICAN IDOL!!! that was so mean. you need to loose weight

Posted by bluetunehead on 2003-08-01 18:54:20
My Score:

"spitalfield headlining shows? yeah right."

look at the rest of the bands listed....none of them could rightfully headline a show.

Posted by megan on 2003-08-01 18:50:40
My Score:

Dance party up in here.
HOLLA!

Posted by Katie4213 on 2003-08-01 18:41:04
My Score:

i love spitalfield!!!! and megan!

what a great review. you are my new best friend. yeah, chicago kids need to learn how to dance too. but whenever the spital is playing oh man, watch out, dance party, 'holla back!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 6:12 PM (EDT)
My Score:

spitalfield headlining shows?

yeah right.