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The Starting Line / Home Grown / Allister / Senses Fail

live in Seattle (2003)
Universal Music Group

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

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

Published on September 2nd 2003

I drove down for the show with a friend on Saturday morning for the big DTR Invasion Tour in Seattle. It was the closest stop to me on the tour, as Drive Thru has no distribution in Canada, so I paid my 15 bucks American and went to the show. I ended up getting Taco Bell before the show, so basically regardless of the bands I was going to be in a good mood the entire night.

I sat in a diner across from the Showbox, as 1200 kids wrapped around 1st Avenue in Seattle. It was quite a site to see and I got asked by a number of people what was going on. 'Five bands you've never heard of are playing". Adam from Home Grown walked right by me and I said something like 'Adam take a seat dude" but he had more important things to do than talk to a fan and seemingly avoided me on the way back to his bus.

I had to get tickets at will call, so I got in at the end of the Early November set. Most of the crowd was 13 and 14 year old truckerhat girls, with Starting Line shirts that had been "de-constructed", so most of the people shouting the words back at Ace were 16-19 year old guys. The band surprised me how far they have come and how much they have improved since last summer (when they perform ENAS on the DTR DVD). They closed the set with "All We Ever Needed" and "Every Night's Another Story". The bass player in this group was all over the stage and alot of fun to watch. Decent set.

Senses Fail came out next. They came out pretty high energy, and Dan (the drummer) was rockin' out all set. I don't recall the first song, but immediately following they went right into 'Free Fall without a Parachute", "Steven", "My Bloody Romance" and then finished off with 187. Buddy was screaming in alot of the choruses and bridges. Yet, it wasn't the "Finch" screaming that leaves you in awe, it was really bad screaming that was muffled because he couldn't hold the mic properly, so it was just like hearing static. An OK set all in all. Allister is next

Allister hit the stage in ties and plaid shirts with 'Radio Player'. Everyone gives Allister so much crap for being the worst band on Drive-Thru but the set was awesome. Alot of energy throughout the set and the backup vox and harmonies were kick-ass. They went into "Scratch" "Overrated" "Moper" (off of DEAG) and closed the set with, of course, "Somewhere on Fullerton". These guys surprised me with how catchy they are, I wasn't a big Allister fan going in, but I came out as one.

Home Grown came on at about 8:25 with "Tomorrow". This band writes pop punk songs that just aren't very poppy. "Give It Up" was the best song in their set without question, and the kids who have the DVD were lucky enough to get a live version of it. Darren sounded sweet on the drums, but it was a predictable set finishing with "Kiss Me, Diss Me". I would much rather have seen Allister as the semi-headliner. Then again, I'm probably just bitter because Adam ignored me before the show. Either way, I didn't go in a Home Grown fan and didn't come out as one.

Prior to The Starting Line taking the stage, all the previous bands' amps were taken off and a huge backdrop was let down. Covering their amps was a map of Europe and North America with stars covering all the cities they've played. Chariots of Fire played over the loudspeaker and the boys added an electric line to it. They then dove into 'Hello Houston" with an enthusiastic crowd jumping all over the floor. They launched through songs like 'Given the Chance', 'Three's a Charm' (awesome), "Leaving", "Saddest Girl Story", "Left Coast Envy" and then went into an acoustic track off of the upcoming EP, the title track 'Make Yourself At Home'. I got ahold of this CD about 3 months ago, and I'm not really impressed with this track or "The Night Life" which was played in the encore. The best track off of the EP is "Playing Favourites" but it wasn't played . They played 2 new tracks entitled 'Surprise, Surprise" and "Classical Jazz". They finished off the set with the 3 best songs of the night in my mind, "Up and Go", "A Goodnight's Sleep" and "The Best Of Me". After about 25 seconds offstage, they came back for 'The Night Life" and then finished with "This Ride". Kenny's vocals were amazing all night, but the sound mixing was poor on the bass and lead guitars and took away from the set. I was a little disappointed not to hear "Greg's Last Day" but I've seen it performed twice before so I'll get over it.

Decent show all in all, worth the drive, and I got to give out my own demo to Allister, Homegrown and TSL after the show which was rad.

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Anonymous (September 8, 2003)

Allister gets way to much shit for being a pop-punk band, Sure their new album was a hit and miss. Some songs were awesome, some songs were extremely bad. But, there are tons more of shitty pop-punk bands that that get way to much credit for being good.(Simple Plan, Good Charolette) Give them a fucking break.

Anonymous (September 8, 2003)

I agree totally

TheNick (September 8, 2003)

holy shit people are dumb.

ok. obviously only 13-14 yr old girls are going to this show. why? becuase this is the new music for them. they arent going to get into to 'old school' punk bands if they arent exposed to them. are they supposed to all go over to oldpunkers house so he can give them lessons in punk music? i dont fucking think so. its going to happen to every generation. the kids that were getting into punk with bands like green day and the offspring got shit from the people who were all about bad religion and all ages and shit. and those people got shit from people who like the ramones and new york dolls. or whatever the fuck bands they liked. of course the twenty something and thirty something people arent going to like bands comprised of 17 yr old kids. theres no relation there. ok. so fucking get over it.

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

haha yes, i drink at this girl's house who has a computer loaded up with those bands. i just get ridiculously drunk and make her play simple plan and brand new mp3s all night.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

"the starting line and other extremely over the top poppy bands are really funny to listen to while drunk."

Wow, you're only the 3rd person I've know that thinks that too. It's so corny and cliche it really amuses me, not like always laugh out loud funny, but amusing for sure.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

WOAH WOAH WOAH! Slayer sucks!?! Fuck you buddy, you are an idiot and Arraya would destroy you in a second.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Del Taco is the shit, their Chicken Soft Taco is the best EVER !! ANYWHERE !! Too bad they don't have those things in Texas. I've only seen em in Colorado.

THAT GUY
(not signed in cause I'm eatin tacos)

Anonymous (September 4, 2003)

my opinion on drive thru records' roster:

the movielife's first cd was kind of cool, but that was on revelation.
the starting line and other extremely over the top poppy bands are really funny to listen to while drunk.
a band called from first to last just signed to drive-thru and they are amazing at times.

Anonymous (September 4, 2003)

I'm sorry I love me some local mexican food but Taco Bell has the variety and goodness you simply can't get anywhere. Yeah, it's not really authentic mexican food, but baja sauce is damn good.
Oh, I could only imagine how bad this show really was.

Eddie (September 4, 2003)

Oh, and Midtown.

Eddie (September 4, 2003)

Allister, Rx Bandits, Finch = only good bands on Drive-Thru anymore.

Anonymous (September 4, 2003)

'I like all the bands on drive thru, and I'm not 13 or 14 years old.'

so you're saying that you're 15?

Anonymous (September 4, 2003)

I like all the bands on drive thru, and I'm not 13 or 14 years old.

Smashcore (September 4, 2003)

Starting Line suck dick

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

"Slayer sucks just like ALL of the Drive Thru bands. I repeat ALL because ALL of the bands are cliche pop punk bands."

Fuck you The Movielife kicks ass.

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

"first of all, to all you people dissing DTR... why're you reading this review in the first place if you hate them so much?

second of all.. SENSES FAIL kicks everyone's ass- after seein the DVD, i thought Buddy would be an asshole.. and everyone would be brainless... but in July, i got to meet them.. and they were alllll so fun and sweet and polite!! THEIR SET ALSO ROCKED SOOO BADLY THAT IT MADE THE WHOLE CROWD'S CHILDREN PREGNANT!! ...

if you have nothing to say, don't say it at all- you're finished."

A stupid 13 year old comment made by -- you guessed it a stupid 13 year old girl.

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

"violent mosh pits during the starting line? hahahahahaha. who you playin. go to the slayer/hatebreed show and then come back and tell me the starting line show was even 1/100 as violent. a brotha can die in one of those slayer brawls."

Slayer sucks just like ALL of the Drive Thru bands. I repeat ALL because ALL of the bands are cliche pop punk bands.

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

"Either way, I didn't go in a Home Grown fan and didn't come out as one." -

Now now dont be bitter. he ignored you get over it. You wouldnt have tryed to be all chummy and "down" with him if you werent a HG fan.

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

"violent mosh pits during the starting line? hahahahahaha. who you playin. go to the slayer/hatebreed show and then come back and tell me the starting line show was even 1/100 as violent. a brotha can die in one of those slayer brawls. "

Seriously. When somebody talks about a "violent pit" at a fuckin Starting Line show, then they have never been to a metal show, specifically Slayer.

Their circle pits are something to behold.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

starting line tried to get my friend fired from her job. assholes.

Poisonthesink (September 2, 2003)

"........as Drive Thru has no distribution in Canada.........."
Another reason why Canada is a better place to live than the U.S.

"Everyone gives Allister so much crap for being the worst band on Drive-Thru but the set was awesome."
I hate all drive thru bands equally(except RxBandits), so i spread my crap all around the drive thru family.

".....went into an acoustic track off of the upcoming EP, the title track 'Make Yourself At Home'."
So they got tired of ripping off New Found Glory, and now they'e going for Dashboard Confessional?

Was this written by WussEmoRock?

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

violent mosh pits during the starting line? hahahahahaha. who you playin. go to the slayer/hatebreed show and then come back and tell me the starting line show was even 1/100 as violent. a brotha can die in one of those slayer brawls.

KirbyPuckett (September 2, 2003)

"first of all, to all you people dissing DTR... why're you reading this review in the first place if you hate them so much?"

Because I get bored as shit w/ professors because I know more than them -- This website entertains me while that goes on.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/
(Anyone up for some Ghost Recon)

awaitingyes (September 2, 2003)

good review

FortyMinutesWest (September 2, 2003)

Children are dying everyday...I blame this tour.

punkrockbumm (September 2, 2003)

first of all, to all you people dissing DTR... why're you reading this review in the first place if you hate them so much?

second of all.. SENSES FAIL kicks everyone's ass- after seein the DVD, i thought Buddy would be an asshole.. and everyone would be brainless... but in July, i got to meet them.. and they were alllll so fun and sweet and polite!! THEIR SET ALSO ROCKED SOOO BADLY THAT IT MADE THE WHOLE CROWD'S CHILDREN PREGNANT!! ...

if you have nothing to say, don't say it at all- you're finished.

blaubs21 (September 2, 2003)

hmmm i don't care what anyone thinks, i love the lineup on this tour.

i will however be getting out of the main area of the floor once Home Grown is finished. i've seen The Starting Line 3 times before (2 at Warped, one opening for TBS) so I really have no need to get caught up in that mess. for some reason, the floor gets violent during TSL...i still can't figure it out. i thought 13 year old girls hated mosh pits.

joeg (September 2, 2003)

del taco baby del taco.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

Sorry... but local mexican places kill taco bell. Anyone around buffalo area would never be seen dead in a Taco Bell when there's Mighty Taco. So this score goes for all the bands and your damn national fast food chains.

mighty taco for life.

holla bitches,
-feedmynightmare

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

are u guys all fucking idiots? the guy said allister had a sweet set, he doesnt diss them. he said it was a 25 second break, not 25 minutes. and to the guy who said he saw it on another page like absolute punk. stop bitching, ur on the internet enough to memorize reviews and the sites they came from. go outside, or to a show. i hate drive thru records, but at least read the guys article before u give him shit

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

Drive Thru Records...

Ew.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

'Five bands you've never heard of are playing".

fucking pretentious

THAT_GUY (September 2, 2003)

You're one stupid fuck. Why would you go to this show, then insult the guy from Homegrown, and then say that Allister is the worst Drive Thru band ? Sorry, but you got hosed, I'd pay 7 bucks to see Homegrown and Allister, no more than that. And Allister is among the best on DT, I've rarely heard a bad word about them. Allister,Homegrown,Rx Bandits,Benjamins(RIP),and my home town favorite - Fenix TX are the only good bands on their label.

mcpike (September 2, 2003)

isnt this gonna be on fuse?

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

"Yet, it wasn't the "Finch" screaming that leaves you in awe"

I don't think there's anything about Finch the leaves anyone with a brain in awe besides how easy it is to add screaming to pop-punk in predictable ways. Same goes to Senses Fail... except Finch actually seems like they try to write good lyrics, but get caught up in generic metaphors easily... Senses Fail needs to read more books.

I'm convinced someday everyone's gonna wake up and realize that the watered down Thursday/Glassjaw wannabe's suck. People have brains. Use them.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

ok allister is definetlyt not the worst band on the label, they are the only good band along with the rx bandits fuckhead

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

"especially a TWENTY-FIVE MINUTE BREAK!"

umm... i think he said twenty-five seconds...

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

How fuckin terrible is Senses Fail!? Drive-thru= satan.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

Why the fuck does a band need an encore?

Especially a band list TSL..

Especially a TWENTY-FIVE MINUTE BREAK!

That is just straight up gay. There's no way I would ever wait 25 minutes to see two songs from a shitty band.

Why does this band think they're rock stars?

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

"THERE ISN'T A WHOLE LOT OF COCAINE AVAILABLE FOR FIFTEEN DOLLARS."

yea, that's why i said i'd buy crack. whole lot cheaper, more jail time..

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

the white one? You're gonna get all the gash.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

oops! almost forgot to tell ya guys i'm also gonna wear my brand new studded belt!! woot! k, see ya guys at the mall and the concert! woot! woot!

nfgrawker ;)

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

i got my trucker hat, my camo shorts, my black adidas, and my hardcore band t-shirt. i'm ready for this CONCERT!! drive thru forever!!!! k, see ya guys at the mall!!!!

nfgrawker ;)

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

crappy tour of the year. One time, during a boys night out set, the singer from Senses Fail tried to tell us that it was nice to see kids dancing hard, because thats how they did it in Philly..or something ridiculous like that.

rock on chicago,
-feedmynightmare

inagreendase (September 2, 2003)

how many times must we tell you people??? THERE ISN'T A WHOLE LOT OF COCAINE AVAILABLE FOR FIFTEEN DOLLARS.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

I'd go for the 13 and 14 year old girls.

-bemused-

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

America is stupid.

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

hey scott, this is wussemorock informing u that this review is on another site as well. maybe absolutepunk.net...i think thats where i saw it. so tell this fucker to stop sending it everywhere...thats lame

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

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

not only do senses fail suck...but they make me angry just thinking of them

_911 (September 2, 2003)

this show would be cool if you were 13 or 14 like the girls there..

Anonymous (September 2, 2003)

taco bell will fuck you up, man.
and what a shitty show, i'd take my fifteen bucks and go buy some crack..

adamsocial (September 2, 2003)

Motherfuck Senses Fail.

KirbyPuckett (September 2, 2003)

It's "a lot"

Two words.

...and the Starting Line is still the worst band I've ever had to watch live.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/
(This score is for Wolfenstein ET)