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Well, I thought after a little push from my former English professor I would give this a try. And what a “fantastic show” to start things off the proceedings. Now, I know by having visited this website 1,000’s of times that The Juliana Theory seems to be right up there with the top 10 most reviled bands here. Nonetheless, I had seen them three times before and they had always put on a good show and had some decent opening acts, though I am most partial to Piebald. However, after hearing their new album when it came out (and immediately using for frisbee golf practice and hearing the shit-ass production (i.e. an audience recording would have been ten times better) of their recent live album I had about thrown in the towel. Now, I know that I should been using the towel as toilet paper.

After seeing Thursday, Year of the Rabbit and Death by Stereo the week before I knew that this was not going to be topped, especially by TJT. In fact I wasn’t even planning on going. Then my friend, who I unfortunately introduced to TJT, said he would buy my ticket, I said what the hell. Bad call. We got there with Celebrity having about four songs left in their set. I thought it was Copeland since they looked similar and had they same whiny, emoting style as Copeland. To be honest, I should have headed for either the door or the bar at that time. I did neither. So much for sobriety.

So much for giving up smoking as well. I needed some vice to make it through this ordeal. Thankfully, Celebrity ended and since TJT already had their drum kit, monitors, etc. set up in the back it was a fairly short first intermission. I held out hope for Copeland as I had weathered them earlier as they opened up for somebody else at that time. Not a horrible band, but unfortunately, they are just incredibly bland. Not really much of anything to set one song apart from the other. Though, I give the drummer credit as he seems to enjoy himself regardless of the less than responsive audience and his lead guitarist who I doubt ever had a shade of personality.

After about a half-hour Copeland called it quits and fifteen minutes later I was introduced to Hopesfall. Now, I had heard a few songs of theirs off a Trustkill sampler and it did not change my belief that outside of Poison the Well their wasn’t much I had interest for on the label. Hopesfall’s performance did nothing to change my mind. As the crowd began to dwindle (not a good sign when the crowd sizing is getting smaller instead of increasing as the main draw is getting closer), they put on a set of mediocre one-tempo hardcore that reminded me of PTW without the benefit of any tempo change or any variety in the screamed vocals. Yeah, I do feel bad that that had their stuff stolen twice in less than a month, but it doesn’t change my feeling on the performance. Though, as Brett (lead singer of TJT) was standing behind me for half the set, I should have taken my opportunity to tell him exactly what I though of the new album.

Twenty minutes later, after I just got back from the Newport’s glorious bathroom (wishing it had something to do with alcohol), TJT hit the stage. When they started off with their standard closer “If I Told You This Was Killing Me (Would You Stop)”, I knew this couldn’t be a good sign. It would be the anthem for the rest of the night as I would feel like asking the band the same question. Regardless, I like the song as well as their first two full-lengths. Another song was played after the first and then if I recall correctly, seven songs were played off the new album in the next hour, “Trance” being about the only one that I could stomach. Why wasn’t I smoking more? Not sure. Anyway, they came back for an hour including “5,000 children” and did not play “Duane Joseph”. A bit odd, when you have already alienated your fan base into the ground, that you don’t play your best song which gets the most audience pop. By the end of the show their was less than 150 people remaining and needless to say I wished I wasn’t one of them. I headed out the door, contemplating ending my friendship with the guy I was with for subjecting me to this, and tried to wash any memory of this experience from my brain. Obviously without success.






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    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 6:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Juliana Theory should combine with Matchbox 20 to form the gayest, whitest band ever."

    agreed

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 24, 2003 at 11:23 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This score is for Cap'n Crunch and River City Ransome.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 6:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i dont know, ive listened to hopesfall a decent amount on cd and the songs do sound different and seem to be pretty full of tempo changes but the couple times ive seen them live all the songs have sounded a LOT alike. but i will agree that the other three bands blow.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at 12:16 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i take offense to the thrice and brand new comments. I am definitely 22. my g/f is 14 if that makes any difference. she tells me what to like.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at 9:16 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    how could you say hopesfall is one tempo music? they change up their music with slower parts and then they get faster sometimes.

    the only "poison the well"ish they have is the scream. and thats barely close.

    what a shitty review. juliana theory is terrible. and you need to stop talking about your personal life and more about the show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 20, 2003 at 7:01 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Are those scensters 14 year olds?.....becuase thats all I read on hear..."Oh my God Thrise is so Amazing".......dude "The Brand New CD is Amazing"....fucking weak.

    Posted by Edgie on 2003-10-20 18:15:27
    My Score:

    Hopesfall put on a damn fine set when I saw them with Bane and Comeback Kid. Comeback Kid and Bane put on much better sets, sure, but it was still a pretty good set.

    Posted by captaincrunch on 2003-10-20 15:19:45
    My Score:

    "Scenesters are ruining normal use for the word AMAZING for everyone because they use once every sentance. Especially when talking about music...anyone ever notice that? I've almost completely quit using the word"

    I agree, it is overused. The only time I use it is to describe the game River City Ransom for the old NES. Man, that game is amazing. Its coming out for the game boy advance, too. Hot shit.

    This score is for River City Ransom

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 20, 2003 at 11:03 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    You're so SMOOOOOOOOOTH

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 20, 2003 at 11:01 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Wait! what's this shit about Matchbox 20 being good, and rob thomas' voice being "AMAZING" and them being great musicians.

    a) you obviously don't play any instruments because most of the bands I LISTEN to, could play a matchbox twenty song using their ass-hair.

    b) that guy has the most fucking annoying voice ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 20, 2003 at 10:56 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Juliana Theory think they're aerosmith. Serious.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 20, 2003 at 10:42 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Scenesters are ruining normal use for the word AMAZING for everyone because they use once every sentance. Especially when talking about music...anyone ever notice that? I've almost completely quit using the word.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 19, 2003 at 6:22 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Does that fruitcake singer still have a wireless headset mic?

    Posted by themuffingirl on 2003-10-19 08:10:01
    My Score:

    monkeyman is looking for scene points. lame, the points are for the review.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 4:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah, i second that comment about the newports bathrooms. those things are classic

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 4:47 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    dont think i would define that review as a diary entry. i gotta admit that i have been to a few shows were somebody had thrown a free tic my way. at least he didnt bitch like a moron like most of the people here do.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 12:49 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    that review was ridiculous. who cares what your professor said? who cares who bought your ticket? jesus christ, these are reviews, not diary entries. if you didn't even want to see the bands why the fuck did you go?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 12:15 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this lineup is gay. richard simmons gay. no no, siegried and roy gay.

    Posted by Fuzzy on 2003-10-18 09:54:44
    My Score:

    I miss the Newport's smelly grimey bathrooms. Sad that I had to move to Jersey. Columbus pride, represent!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 12:21 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    hopesfall is good, copeland is good, celebrity and juliana theory suck... also the guitarist of saved by grace (RIP) is now playing for hopesfall... which will make them better b/c he's an amazing writer. Check out saved by grace if you can, they were amazing, and will always be amazing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 12:07 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    my favorite is when a guy goes to a show and then complains about how hard it was to have to sit through it

    chicks love copeland so if a chick was diggin' me 'cause i listen to copeland i'd be all over that

    Posted by slippy on 2003-10-17 22:15:17
    My Score:

    yeah hopesfall is the shit, this score is for them, and them only. i saw them in detroit a while ago and it was fucking great. so there.

    Posted by boldredletters on 2003-10-17 21:23:09
    My Score:

    hmm, i wouldn't really say hopesfall sounds anything like poison the well. it is a lot... better? less forced melodies, and slower tempo. and a much more intense live show.

    too bad they seem to tour with bands with kids who think they are too cool to like bands who scream.

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-10-17 20:57:39
    My Score:

    dude, go tate-core and ban his motherfuckin IP!!!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 7:33 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    God I cant wait to get a fat cock in my mouth...any takers?

    -Scott

    Posted by maverick on 2003-10-17 19:25:59
    My Score:

    We steal news from Buddyhead?

    Riiiiiiiiiight.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 6:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    wrong. juliana theory is one of the top 5 most reviled bands on this site. and deservedly so.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 6:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Cool review....excpet for the fact that you actually like Poison The Well. Anyway...how many of you Punknews readers out there are like me? You hate emo,ska,hardcore,pop punk...but for some reason always gravitate to this site beacuse once in a while they have news that you actually give a shit about or that they just stole off Buddyhead; or because you like talking shit in the reviews??...show of hands please....

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 5:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    matchbox 20 is good band, just bc your not into that type of music doesnt mean that rob thomas doesnt have a unbelivable voice and their alot more instrumentally talented then most of the bands you probably listen to.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 5:28 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    If you live in the Buffalo area, theres an amazing show coming up towards the end of november(20 i belive)

    Thursday November 20th @ The Cruise In
    1477 Abott Road, Lackawana NY

    Hopesfall
    Haste
    Planes Mistaken For Stars
    With Honor
    Clearmotive (buffalo hotness)

    Posted by recordings on 2003-10-17 16:58:30
    My Score:

    best live review ive seen in a while. hah, perfect. it nice to get a big fat stinker reviewed now and then.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 4:51 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    shitty bands good review

    10 points for the review

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 3:56 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Hopesfall is the only good band left on Trustkill.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 3:54 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Juliana Theory should combine with Matchbox 20 to form the gayest, whitest band ever.

    Posted by captaincrunch on 2003-10-17 15:37:47
    My Score:

    Excellent review.

    Damn, when I saw TMV on Monday at Newport the place was packed to the ceiling. It would be funny to see a shitty band try to play to 150 uninterested people at that place. Hilarious.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 17, 2003 at 3:04 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i saw hopefall and juliana theory back a while ago and ya tjt put on one of the worst live shows i have ever seen in my life, waste of my money and i want 3 hours of my life back

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