Catch 22 / Big D and the Kids Table

live in Reading (2004)
Victory Records

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Contributed by: Kevin Hare
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Published on March 9th 2004

The show was at Soundwaves, a small venue in Reading, PA inside a skatepark. It was all ages, no smoking, and sold out, but yet still seemed kind of empty.

The first band, Ritter, started at 7:00. They seemed to be a punk/metal band in the ilk of Bigwig with some pop elements. They also seemed very boring. All of their songs seemed too long repeated the same key elements in each one without changing much. They had good energy, but that did not save them. They covered a Paula Abdul song, proving once again that the whole punk cover thing is now completely stale. Because they were from Allentown, they had a few fans there, but nothing special.

The next band was the Dead 50s. This was the only band on the bill that I had not heard before. They took the stage looking like Pennywise, with an overabundance of trucker hats. They proved to be more exciting than Pennywise, but not by much. They were just an average punk band. I assume that they were a local band, as it seemed that many people were there for them and knew all of the songs. The only song that they played that I knew was We Are 138, originally done by the Misfits. The two people I was with seemed to like them, but to me they were boring.

Next up was the band that I specifically went for: Big D and the Kids Table. I had seen Big D twice prior to this show, but never got to fully appriciate their live show, as the first time I saw them was my first time hearing them, and the second time was a Warped Tour.

After a brief intro that I don't quite remember, the boys of Big D took the stage and quickly showed their trademark energy. They started off with Girls Against Drunk Bitches, a song off of their forthcoming album How It Goes. This song was, quite frankly, nuts. I had not heard it prior, but it immediately made me dance and go crazy. They did not slow down, however, going right into Checklist. The energy continued throughout thier whole set. Highlights included playing What the Hell Are You Going to Do twice, having only one fan cheer after the second time. They played most of their hits, including Can't Be Caught, Myself, and LAX. It was a truly awesome performance.

The headliner, Catch 22, was next. I am a die hard fan of Keasby Nights, their first release, but am not so much of a fan of their post-Thomas Kalnoky albums. They were very disappointing. They played only 5 songs from Keasby Nights: Riding the 4th Wave, On and On and On, 9mm and a 3 Piece Suit, Keasby Nights, and ended, as always, with 12341234. They played these songs well, except sped up, which was not quite as good as on record. They had energy, but seemingly not enough, especially after Big D and the Kids Table. Catch 22 played a short 45 minute set, which was not nearly enough.

Other highlights included David McWane, singer of Big D, showing me what was used to remove the staples put in his head after busting his head open on a ceiling monitor during the Ska is Dead tour.

All in all excellent show, if only for Big D and the Kids Table.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (March 15, 2004)

I saw the Big D, Toasters show in cleveland and i have to say that Big D was fucking amazing live. I don't care who you are their energy is so fucking amazing and they're not rap really. You can say that they have rap in em but they're definatly not rap. And whatever that kid said about ska bands being in it for the bucks, i have to say you're an idiot. I dont go around seeing to many people interested in ska anymore, hense why the tour name is SKA IS DEAD... people are fucking stupid

mikeinflames (March 15, 2004)

bbwwwhahahahahahaha
that's hillarious ... that he didn't pick up on the reference and got so pissed about it
some people on this site REALLY need to get laid

inagreendase (March 14, 2004)

Looks like someone didn't pick up on the Propagandhi reference...

Anonymous (March 13, 2004)

"ska sucks, ska revival isn't cool you stupid fucks, the bands are only in it for the bucks, and if you don't believe me your a shmuck

(yeah i'm a tool, but i'm right too)"

yea you are a fucking tool. how the fuck are you right? yea youre right because catch 22 and big d make so much fucking money playing ska. it aint 1996 no more buddy. so fuck you

Anonymous (March 12, 2004)

ska sucks, ska revival isn't cool you stupid fucks, the bands are only in it for the bucks, and if you don't believe me your a shmuck

(yeah i'm a tool, but i'm right too)

Anonymous (March 12, 2004)

i agree with the person below me.

Anonymous (March 12, 2004)

If catch 22 went back to their old sound, it would be theft, thomas owns that sound and his band is streetlight manifesto, now.

Anonymous (March 11, 2004)

Both bands play excellent shows and i have never really considered either of them to be "rap/ska" just good ska. I do think that Catch 22 needs to revert back to their old sound though, it is so much better than what they play now.

-SV

Anonymous (March 11, 2004)

alright, point taken. catch 22 does "rap" too. So i will put my thoughts this way, i just dont like big d. Sorry to offend of you pricks with my thoughts. Guess i just dont see the attraction of big d.