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Reggie and the Full Effect / Midtown

live in Chicago
2003
live show

Review by: Katie4213
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Published on September 2nd 2003

Saturday night at the House of Blues Chicago- Reggie and the Full Effect, Midtown, My Chemical Romance, and Moneen. Needless to say this was an energetic crowd, consisting of mainly younger kids in the prime of their high school years. Although I am only 19, I felt like I was on the older end of the crowd.

After Alkaline Trio’s “Good Mourning” rang through the speakers in it’s entirety and then some, fellow Vagrant band Moneen took the stage, one of the highlights of the night for me. Moneen came out and rocked out hard. They started their set with “Nothing Says I Love You like a Set of Broken Legs”, and moved straight into their title track off their new album, “Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?” For those of you who are not familiar with Moneen, they are a fun band. They play their hearts out on stage. I would compare their sound to that of Taking Back Sunday, however, with a little more flare. My only problem with Moneen, their set only consisted of four songs. They wrapped up the show with “Start Angry . . . End Mad” and “The Passing of America”.

I have to say, I don’t think I have ever been to a show where I have seen so many kids wearing the shirt of a band playing as I did that night with My Chemical Romance. It seemed every other kid was wearing a MCR shirt and covered in sweat from dancing in the pit. I don’t think it is and exaggeration to say that My Chemical Romance was close to, if not, the favorite of the night. Bursting with emotion Gerard came out on stage and took control of the venue. He had the attention of everyone at the show, and spoke to them with his lyrics. His emotions were reciprocated by the energy and sing-a-long from the crowd. MCR played two new songs during their set that sound pretty promising. Their new album, which they are currently working on as they are on and off tour, should have some impressive new material. My favorite of the night was “Vampires Will Never Hurt You”. As the band ended their set, Gerard let the crowd know that the band had some important news to share with their fans, and if they were at all interested check the band’s website that night to see what he was talking about. For those of you who have not heard the news, head over there and check it out.

Surprisingly enough, much of the energy was lost when Midtown began to play. It may have had something to do with the vocals sounding weak (this being a technical problem). But once things began to run smoothly, kids started warming up to the guys in Midtown. Since their show last year at the Metro, I think Midtown has lost some of the support Chicago has previously given them. I am not too sure why, I found myself singing along to the majority of their set and having a good time. But I can’t speak for everyone at the show; I heard some booing as Midtown continued to play. Their set was mainly songs from Living Well is the Best Revenge, however, the crowd favorite was “Just Rock’n’Roll” off of Save the World, Lose the Girl. Overall I had a good time during their set, but it was nothing mind blowing.

And finally, the band of the night, Reggie and the Full Effect. This night marked my first time seeing Reggie. I have heard so much hype about their live show. Maybe I was going into it with too high of expectations, but they really didn’t do the trick for me. But we are all entitled to our own opinions, and I think I am in the minority with mine. Reggie had a huge welcome from their fans and came out in their trademark attire and face paint, consisting of bright red suits, black ties, black wigs, and red face paint. These guys were having fun onstage, and Gerard from MCR joined in on the fun dressed in a bear suit. Reggie had a seemingly long set, and over the course of it, the temperature in the House of Blues rose considerably. As far as their set list, I am not going to be too much of help, but they did play a lot of songs off their newest album. The most audience participation was during their song “F-O-O-D” which had me singing and dancing a little myself.

Overall this was a fun rock show, nothing too heavy, or too light. I think the line up of bands was a good mix, enough to keep you grounded for the night, but still have fun.

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Posted by eyeball_kid on 2003-09-07 14:31:54
My Score:

Rollerblades is part of full British attire now?!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 6:34 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I am wayyy too lazy to write a review for this so I will just post it in here. I was at the last show for the Reggie/Midtown/Moneen/MCR tour, and it was just a free for all.

Opening was Moneen, who i thought were good, but not as good as everyone is saying. In the middle of the last song though, Reggie came out with a 'Go America' cake to give to the friendly Canadians. Besides that some "police" came on stage trying to shoot Moneen with BB guns and trying to put them in handcuffs. (the police were actually MCR and Reggie members dressed up) Anyway Kenny, the lead singer of Moneen, climbed up this huge 12 foot speakers to get away from them. When they finally left the stage from trying to get them he was still up there and they were still playing. Well he had lots of energy the whole night so he started to get all pumped up and jumped right off, flying to the ground. They finished that song without any noticeable mistakes and had a great show.

Next was My Chemical Romance. I was really disappointed in their live show, it was decent but I was just hoping for so much more. They played a few new songs, which I think sounded great. While they played the last song, Vampires Will Never Hurt You, the Moneen guys came out with plastic bunny masks and no shirts on, attacking all of MCR. Again they kept playing the whole time and the energy just kept building while they were all running around stage trying to get away.

Midtown was up next. I had never seen these guys before, and maybe he was just drunk, but the lead singer, Gabe, was a real jerk that night. Anyway, they have a boring live show and aren't very energetic, but I really liked the musicianship, very tight and on point. The new songs sounded great and were the highlight of their live show. The drummer from MCR came out to do a cover of the G'N R' classic Sweet Child O' Mine with the guys. But Gabe stopped the whole thing right when it was getting good because he started drumming a little too soon and messed up his best 'solo' ever. Anyway, they finished that and did a good job.

Finally Reggie came on. Gerard, from MCR, and 3 other people were dressed up like bears, and the Reggie crew all came out in the red suits. They started with Apocalypse WOW! and never let up from there. Highlights of the set included a random bear headed indivdual that came on stage to sing a song with reggie, when he through the head it was none other then Matt Pryor from the Get Up Kids. He ran over and hugged Reggie and they kept singing, but James(Reggie) seemed a little surprised like he didn't know he was there. One of the Midtown guys dressed up like a Pirate and came on stage and started dancing with the bears. Andy from Hot Rod Circuit was one of the guitar players for the Reggie crew for the night, so that was kinda cool.

The set ended with Fluxuation coming out and doing his 2 classic British songs. He came out in full old school British attire, even including rollerblades. After the second song he started to get naked and pour beer down his belly and down his pants. Then Common Denominator came out. They all were covered in blood and were spitting blood at each other and the audience. Reggie came out in this Devil like costume with horns and everything. The stomach area was all cut out and was covered with blood. Andy from HRC was in some tighty whities and let blood drip down his mouth when he started playing. They had a great finish and ended a terrific live show.

By the way the venue had no security guards and consisted of mainly teen kids, so everyone was able to have a good time, and no real problems were reported.

-Anthony

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 4, 2003 at 6:01 PM (EDT)
My Score:

seriously.

i write reggie songs in 10 minutes, does this dude actually tour with the songs for a few months and make alot of cash?

wow, i could be rich.

Posted by JustinsFanClub on 2003-09-04 08:50:28
My Score:

ha, thats all i have to say to that

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 7:33 PM (EDT)
My Score:

emo-core, post rock, or whatever the fuck it's being called these days. basically ska's heir apparent, mr. rx-bandits.com

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 3:05 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"krispy kremes are ridiculously bad for you."

Maybe that explains the pain in my chest and the numbness in my arms....

Posted by JustinsFanClub on 2003-09-03 10:16:03
My Score:

what genre would that be, crap?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 2:34 AM (EDT)
My Score:

for the genre ya, mcr is pretty decent. i mean, they're no Senses Fail or anything....but really, it's decent. their song structure isn't the greatest. most of them could use some trimming. way to long to hold your attention. i don't listen to their album too much, but they put on a great show.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 12:48 AM (EDT)
My Score:

krispy kremes are ridiculously bad for you.

Posted by ElVaquero on 2003-09-03 00:34:27
My Score:

their writing is actually surprisingly competent considering their genre

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 11:37 PM (EDT)
My Score:

the reviewer failed to mention that the three new songs midtown played were the best songs they've ever done.

reggie was dull but ok. common denominator was worth it. the singer from moneen tried way too hard to be energetic which made the songs suffer. mcr puts on a good show, but their songs need some work. great presence, but their writing could use some work (altho it sounds like its getting better).

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 9:00 PM (EDT)
My Score:

for some reason i cant get into reggie either so the reviewer is not alone

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 7:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Since when does falling on your ass make you amazing...

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 7:19 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Ok first off, moneen got 4 songs becuase they started like 15 minutes late.

Second, somebody tell the bass player from MCR to not dress like a girl.

Third that WAS Sean Ingram as the one and ONLY Hungry Bear.

You REALLY should know what you are talking about if you are going to review shows hun. Or at least watch from a spot where you can see, because Sean Ingram looks NOTHING like the fuck from MCR, even in a bear suit.

Plus how can Reggie as Fluxuation singing and rollerblading around (and falling on his ass) not be considered amazing?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 6:35 PM (EDT)
My Score:

for all you mutherfuckers raving about krispee kremes, IN CASE YOur BLIND, THERE JUST DONUTS! PLAIN REGULAR DONUTS, and there the same KIND AT DUNKIN DONUTS, GET OVER IT

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 4:44 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Isn't Reggie's 15 minutes up already? Man, I would've thought for sure Under The Tray would've finally put the nail in the coffin, and people wouldn't cough up $15 for an album filled with mostly horrible jokes and 7 or 8 two minute songs.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 4:39 PM (EDT)
My Score:

You know what fucking rocks?

Krispey Kremes.

THe gift from the gods I tell you!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 3:05 PM (EDT)
My Score:

why doesn't sean ingram bring back coalesce??? he could still wear the bear suit.

Ramo
(now i'm functioning on impatience here)

Posted by ElVaquero on 2003-09-02 13:53:30
My Score:

ok, this show really wouldn't be that bad if mcr opened with 4 songs, and then moneen played all songs from both albums (and the ep), then, that would be a show worth going to. moneen shouldn't have to stoop to opening for midtown who are themselves open for reggie... this is dumb.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 1:37 PM (EDT)
My Score:

How DARE you confuse Sean Ingram with the shitfuck from MCR.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 10:35 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Um, the guy in the bear suit was not the guy from MCR. It was actually Sean Ingram, from Coalesce.

Reggie was the best of the night, followed by Moneen. I can't stand neither Midtown nor My Chemical Romance.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 10:35 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Um, the guy in the bear suit was not the guy from MCR. It was actually Sean Ingram, from Coalesce.

Reggie was the best of the night, followed by Moneen. I can't stand neither Midtown or My Chemical Romance.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 9:47 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Now who the hell compares Moneen to Taking Back Sunday? The reviewer should get a clue..

Its a damn shame they only played 4 songs. And its even more of a shame that theyre going to have to play with Saves the day and tbs. Now a bunch of stupid wana be emo kids are going to singing moneen songs...god thats scary.

905 for life,
feedmynightmare

Posted by Imposs1ble on 2003-09-02 09:32:28
My Score:

Rule #1: Don't be that guy.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 5:26 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Yay for "Good Mourning". Haven't taken that thing out of my car for the last 3 weeks. Alkaline Trio sound like the best band all night

-bemused-

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 1:36 AM (EDT)
My Score:

'I have to say, I don’t think I have ever been to a show where I have seen so many kids wearing the shirt of a band playing as I did that night with My Chemical Romance'

don't be that guy!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 1:24 AM (EDT)
My Score:

moneen should have been given MCR's time. then they could have a longer set. and it was probably sean ingram in the hungry bear suit.

Posted by maverick on 2003-09-02 01:15:09
My Score:

Moneen gets 4 songs while My Shitty Romance gets a full set? Fuck that shit.

-Scott

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 1:12 AM (EDT)
My Score:

you sure that wasnt Sean Ingram dressed up as Hungry Bear? At least I was under the impression he was doing the whole Reggie tour.

Posted by KirbyPuckett on 2003-09-02 01:04:23
My Score:

Best live band...Reggie.

Runners up: Motion City Soundtrack, Suicide Machines, Less Than Jake, Catch 22 and _________.

Fill in the blank, so you don't get on my ass about my opinions.

Consider yourself lucky to have Moneen and not Senses Fail...Eh.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/
(Hum pwns all of you)

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at 1:04 AM (EDT)
My Score:

4 Moneen songs??? thats bullshiiiit. altough all their songs are about 6 minutes long so i guess its not that bad.