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Street Dogs - State of Grace
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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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    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 15, 2004 at 4:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    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

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2004-03-15 14:01:08
    My Score:

    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

    Posted by inagreendase on 2004-03-14 16:18:23
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 1:57 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "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

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 2:35 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    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)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 12:55 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    i agree with the person below me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 12, 2004 at 12:28 AM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 6:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    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

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 11:30 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    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.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 10:34 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    """i think big d sucked when i saw them, i just dont dig the rap/ska shit. they had a lot of energy but that still didnt make them good. catch 22 is still pretty good live in my opinion, i enjoyed their performance"""

    Give me a fucking Nickle for every song catch 22 sings and doesnt rap.. i love catch , but they fucking rap you jackass.. well atleast post tmomas..

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 8:23 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    (Referring to the previous comment) I have never thought of Big D as "rap/ska..." and they're a lot better than the current "Catch 22."

    It's too bad the Planet Smashers weren't at this show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 7:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i think big d sucked when i saw them, i just dont dig the rap/ska shit. they had a lot of energy but that still didnt make them good. catch 22 is still pretty good live in my opinion, i enjoyed their performance

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 10:08 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Big D was amazing their last time in Chicago. They were almost totally sober and just had insane energy. Totally inspiring."

    yea i totally agree. that show was amazing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 9:42 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I like how C22 chooses to play their songs at 100x tempo live when compared to CD.

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2004-03-10 01:32:41
    My Score:

    darkstarm ... you have to stay for the Planet Smashers
    they are one of the best live bands going today
    they are well worth sitting thourgh catch 22 for

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 11:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    ioioi

    Posted by darkstarm on 2004-03-09 22:48:38
    My Score:

    I'm listening to Keasbey right now. New Catch is so horrible, I'm pretty sure I'll be gone after Mustard Plug plays their set in April.

    Big D was amazing their last time in Chicago. They were almost totally sober and just had insane energy. Totally inspiring.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 8:56 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    when is the new bigD album comming out goddammit

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 5:41 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I missed c-22 because my friend is a retard, nice to know they played in Reading (big up the massive, Oscar Wilde was killed there). Have fun.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 4:46 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Yackity-yack!

    The last Big D record was loaded with filler...hope this one is more consistant.
    Yackity-yack!

    And don't come back!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 4:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i was actually not horribly impressed by big d's live show, either time i've seen them. they're not bad, and they have pretty good energy, but their songs do not sound the same...especially can't be caught, for i love their recording of it, but live it just wasn't as good. best live ska band ever is the toasters. hands down.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 2:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I went to one of the the Ska Is Dead shows, which Big D and Catch 22 both played. Big D showed once again why they're the best live band ever, yet, sadly, Catch 22 sucked the wang. They played waaaaaay too much off the new cd, and the horn players looked like they were bored out of their fucking minds, especially the trumbone player. Shitty like whoa...

    -c22

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2004-03-09 14:44:17
    My Score:

    Big D rock my fucking socks
    Catch 22 used to kick ass ... but the pizzazz has faded over the years
    I can't wait for the Ska Is Dead tour to touch down in my area
    Planet Smashers, Catch 22, Mustard Plus and Big D
    Thinking about all that ska goodness gives me an erection

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 2:27 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I never was that into C22, but when I saw them the other week, they put on a good show and they looked to be having fun up there.

    They keep on playing the songs they love and many people love all while having fun. Props to 'em.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 1:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    dude i was at that show when he split his head open it was here on long island at the downtown,one of craziest things i've ever seen at a show he kept playing like 5mins after that happened!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 1:47 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Catch 22 shouldn't even break up, they should get hit by a comet and die.
    Big D should try a little harder to rock more. They by no means suck, but I would definitely not consider them good either.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 1:45 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Bigwig rocks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 11:51 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    don't fight it,invite it