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The Lawrence Arms / The Ghost

live in Seattle (2004)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Katie4213
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 3rd 2004

The Lawrence Arms finally made it back to Seattle after what seemed to be too long of a time, and with them the brought a Chicago favorite of mine, The Ghost. I’m a big fan of The Ghost, and it had been a while since I had seen the Lawrence Arms, so I was excited to hear new material from both of the bands. The opening bands for the night were Seattle’s Amazombies and School Yard Heroes.

I am not going to lie. I was not impressed with the Amazombies or School Yard Heroes. There sounds were strikingly similar, and there was not much in their music that I found to be impressive or intriguing. However, School Yard Heroes seems to be a favorite in the Seattle area. I had actually been hearing a lot of hype about them and was interested in seeing their set. Although their poppy post-punk sound has caught on to a lot of kids, it really did not do much for me. I wish I could give you more information on these two bands, but I was really just not interested in their music at all.

I have seen The Ghost several times in Chicago, and they have created a well deserved name for themselves in the Chicago scene. Front man Brian Moss has an amazing talent for writing creative songs with innovative musical arrangements and impressive lyrics. I was excited to hear some of their new material that will be available in March on their second full length; This Pen is a Weapon, on Some Records. Their performance for the night, although enjoyable, was not the best I have seen this band perform. If you were at the show, don’t sell The Ghost out short. I don’t feel this show was an honest representation to what they have to offer as a band. AMP magazine recently gave The Ghost a good review on their new album. Check out their website to hear a new mp3.

And finally, the Lawrence Arms. The Lawrence Arms are a three piece punk band from Chicago. This tour was in support of their new album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. The last time I saw the Lawrence Arms was the summer of 2001. I can’t say their live show has grown since then. I was pretty unimpressed. Their sound seemed hoarse, and was having a hard time coming together on stage. Favorites of the night included First Eviction Notice, Your Gravest Words, and Porno and Sunff Films. (Can you tell I am more partial towards Apathy and Exhaustion)? My suggestion, if you like their new album, see them live, I think it would be hard to develop a liking for this band based solely off their live show.

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mikeinflames (February 10, 2004)

Kool Keith kicks ass
Masters Of Illusion (with Motion Man) and the Analog Brothers (with Ice-T) are two of the best/funniest hip hop albums of all time

I'm still waiting for None More Black, Rise Against, and The Lawrence Arms to tour together
That show would kick so much fucking ass

Anonymous (February 7, 2004)

kool keith

Anonymous (February 6, 2004)

actually I bet the "arms" post rehab material would really suck, keep on pounded that poison fellas

Barkley"North Side Dead Eyes"Barkster

Anonymous (February 5, 2004)

Enough of the drunk bashing. The guys up there having a damn good time, and entertaining. Who cares if they didn't sound exactly like the album, the performance was hilarious and fun. I saw it with a good buddy, and we'd waited years to see them play live, and I thought they were entertaining as all hell. He was drunk off his ass, and personally, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Shit, after the show he even came up and bullshitted with me. They were having fun up there and tried to include the audience. I only wish more people respected their lyrics and depth to which their songs reach.

Anonymous (February 5, 2004)

oh christ.

the only thing schoolyard heroes and the amazombies have in common is that they have female vocalists. the fact that you failed to notice that crucial point essentially negates everything else you have to say.

the amazombies are fairly textbook pop-punk. schoolyard heroes aren't. they obviously started at that point, but are making pretty great strides at shaking all of that off(and judging by their newer songs, doing at least a fairly good job at it. i suppose playing several shows a month with a band like kane hodder would do that to anyone). it's not that i really have an intense love or appreciation for either band, but come on. be fair.

mac.
deathtofalse@yahoo.com

dignin (February 5, 2004)

"check www.est1987.com"

That websites a joke. They give every cd at least three outta four stars. I stopped looking at it when it said Taking Back Sunday created one of the most creative and best cds of ALL TIME.

Anonymous (February 5, 2004)

3 shows in ohio and still not one set for michigan, dammit, and they threw in a texas date on the 18th, bollocks.

Anonymous (February 5, 2004)

Good point by the guy a few posts down ... you really want to get close to the stage when Larry Arms plays, so you can see that they're just having drunken fun and not trying to recreate their albums note-for-note. And the banter is the best part.

- Fatty "Just Bought The New No Motiv ... Eh" Arbuckle

Anonymous (February 4, 2004)

this is a hospital is a very good cd. and i shall be looking forward to this pen is a weapon.

Anonymous (February 4, 2004)

check www.est1987.com

Anonymous (February 4, 2004)

i was at that show, and 1 thing : if you were going to see the lawrence arms and plannin on critiquing thier music live, youre in the wrong place. they are there to have fun and thats what they do. if youre going to see lawrences arms and sit in the back and be like " oh my god they are so bad live," then you can fuck yourself, im sure they dont want you there either. jackass