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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

Since most of you just want a set list of what the headlining band played, here you go.

The Bouncing Souls played:
Cracked
Argyle
No Security
Freaks, Nerds and Romantics
Hopeless Romantic
Private Radio
That Song
Anchors Aweigh
Gone
True Believers
Kids and Heroes
Apartment 5F (opener)
East Coast! Fuck You!
Born Free
Kate is Great
Ballad of Johnny X
(and probably another song I forgot)

Let It Burn picked up their equipment at 5:45 and proceeded to rock the fuck out. The kids got into it, but not moshing, but attentively listening. Okay, by kids, I mean teenagers punked out, tight polyester pants, 7 inch mohawks (no exaggeration), and combat boots. As per usual, smoke hung in the air like fog in England, and just as pervasive. Regardless, Let it Burn held down a tight but all too short set, with a high energy content that any jaded scenester could appreciate, and a world weary adult could get into.

The Unseen came up next, mohawks and all. I'm not an Unseen fan, or a fan of streetpunk in general, but if you like streetpunk, go check these guys. The crowd got into them, but I didn't. The lead singer sounded like a dying bear with emephezema, but that must give him more street cred. Oddly enough, there wasn't the three, four hundred odd "oi!"s I was expecting during their set. The lead singer's screams weren't totally incomprehensible, which is a point in their favor, but the music was throwaway at best.

Avail was up next. I'm going to prefix this with the statement that I've never heard Avail before this, but what I heard was fun. It was mostly punk rock mixed with classic rock, with a small dusting of hardcore. Whatever it is, its catchy, engaging and fun.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that they've got a semi-mascot on stage with them, a guy called Beau (according toavailavail.com) who occasionally added background vocals, but otherwise just walked around onstage with lots of foam hands, masks, and such for the auidence's entertainment. Instead of being a cheap ploy for smiles and attention, he was actually fun and put a smile on kids faces, when they weren't pushing each other in the pit.

New Jersey's (yes, I know they live in New York now, but they're still from Jersey) the Bouncing Souls in all the times that I've seen them have never been so on. Sure, it was a little sloppy, but it was fast, frantic, energetic and a fucking great time. Greg seemed less nervous than usual, moved around some onstage, Pete and Bryan were the most energetic I've ever seen them live, and Mike has yet to get worse at the drums.

If you've never seen the Bouncing Souls live, go see them on this tour, they're playing with some siiiiiiiiick bands, and if you've seen them 13 times before, see them again on this tour. They're at their apex, cheerful, funloving and hardy. Warped Tour can't come quickly enough now.



People who liked this also liked:
With Honor - This is Our RevengeMillencolin - Pennybridge PioneersSnuff - Six Of One, Half A Dozen Of The Other 1986-20027 Seconds - Scream Real LoudThe Briefs - Steal Yer HeartWorld/Inferno Friendship Society - Red-Eyed SoulGerard Way and Gabriel Ba - The Umbrella Academy: Vol. 4 [comic]The Ataris - Live At The MetroBalzac - Beyond The DarknessVaux - Plague Music



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    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2004-08-26 03:06:36
    My Score:

    The bouncing souls have been my favorite band for like the last seven years, however given the horrible chocie of having to sacrifice any of my soul's albums or avail's "over the james" I think i'd have to save my copy of the latter!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 7, 2004 at 10:53 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i loved these guys yeah there still street punk but who the fuck cares we don't need anymore sum 41 bands around these guys rocked my fuckin socks off
    signed
    hardcorechick

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 6, 2004 at 2:57 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    hardcore influenced, but they're still street punk. come on. that is OBVIOUS not just from the way they look but from their music.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 4:14 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    despite their mohawks and clothes.....the unseen actually arent street punk you idiot. Definitely more hardcore influenced.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at 9:45 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    My thoughts exactly. Avail has been keeping it true for years. My score is for them and all the kids who will figure that out someday.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 7:36 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the score is for avail... avail owns

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 6:30 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Did you know a running automobile produces many times more carcogens and other harmful gases than a single smoker will ever produce in his life time?

    This score is for tobacco.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 4:33 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i posted below. it's kind of the same thing as cig smoke in the air. heh.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 4:33 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    did you know that london fogs were caused by overuse of coal and during times of fogs deaths increased by large numbers. fucked up shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 4:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    avail has hype?

    why are thursday, hwm and avail being compared in the same post?

    uhhhhhhhhh

    i want a hwm/avail/rumbleseat tour. and fuck, why not the unitas and the crows too. everyone from everyband on the stage. and they just switch songs randomly. it'd be aweomse.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 2:33 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The Unseen rule!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 12:12 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This review was terrible.

    And the guy who said "They have the smartest lyrics for a Street Punk Band" about the unseen? That's hilarious man! Like saying "he has loads of jew friends for a nazi".

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 8:48 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    worst review ever.

    and what's with all the avail bashing. they've put on some of the best shows i've ever seen. granted their last couple albums are lackluster, they're still fucking amazing.

    looking foward to seeing them in nyc thursday.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 2, 2004 at 1:40 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yes, its true, i am the punk rock elite and you are less than shit. because i say.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 10:08 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "you lucky fuck. i'd kill to see that show...easily two of my favorite bands and have been for almost a decade now, but with this shitty review i have come to the conclusion that you are not worthy of witnessing an avail/ bouncing souls show. now go hang your head in shame. oh, yeah, to all you who have negative shit to say about avail....go eat a bowl of dick. because i say."

    can someone say elitist?

    Posted by thenightprowler on 2004-05-01 22:00:36
    My Score:

    I was at this show. Awesome show, my only complaint would be the sound, mainly the vocals. I was right in front at the barricade and the vocals were still pretty quiet for all the bands.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 8:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    you lucky fuck. i'd kill to see that show...easily two of my favorite bands and have been for almost a decade now, but with this shitty review i have come to the conclusion that you are not worthy of witnessing an avail/ bouncing souls show. now go hang your head in shame. oh, yeah, to all you who have negative shit to say about avail....go eat a bowl of dick. because i say.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 4:38 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The boucncing Souls live in NJ and not NY. They did live in NYC at one time. The band now practice at K8 house in Asbrary Park, Nj

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 4:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Up the punx!

    Down the review!

    Posted by ThreeChordsAndTheTruth on 2004-05-01 16:07:22
    My Score:

    I think The Unseen's drummer is pretty poor, on Explode he speeds up pretty noticeably on some tracks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 11:50 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I love the Unseen, but when I saw them on this tour in cincinnati they sure as hell sucked. Personally I think Explode is the worst CD they've ever done, with only 4 or 5 good songs, the rest is just boring and is very low lyrically for these guys(They have the smartest lyrics for a Street Punk Band). Well they played atrociously, they played all of their songs with poor timing, I was so pissed when the dumbasses sped up So This Is Freedom? So fast that I couldn't sing along with it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 11:01 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    how come you never heard of Avail, were u born in a bubble or something?

    this review blows....u didnt review anything

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 10:54 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i live on the east coast and every "big" punk show that comes around always seems to have the unseen on the bill. bewildering, mind-boggling, perplexing, frustrating. fuck these guys.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 4:47 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    'but the music was throwaway at best'

    How can you say that abut the Unseen? They're music rocks my socks!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 1:14 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I fail to see how so many of you have never heard of Avail, or just dislike them. They kick all kinds of ass on record, and on top of that they put on an amazing live show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 11:22 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i saw the bouncing souls/let it burn/randy tour when it came through la and it was fantastic. i haven't had that much fun at a show in awhile.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 11:14 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Im sorry, i heard a few songs by Avail and i didnt like em. I dont get their hype. The bouncing souls always seem to grab bands to tour with that i dont understand why people like

    HWM??? I dont get their appeal
    Avail? I dont get their appeal
    Thursday? Jesus christ, i really dont get their appeal...."

    hot water music are fucking amazing, avail kind of blow, i don't recall the souls ever touring with thursday before, but they did however tour with strike anywhere who i think is one of the most generic bands out there

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 11:03 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Takes me back to 2000 whenever I see this bands name.

    Sara(no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:58 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    hot water music is awesome, so is avail

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:57 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i've loved avail since i was in the 8th grade (i'm 22 now you do the math) and as much as I hate to be the "i only dig their old shit" guy.

    i, uh, well, only dig their old shit. Anything after Over The James is just blah.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:51 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Im sorry, i heard a few songs by Avail and i didnt like em. I dont get their hype. The bouncing souls always seem to grab bands to tour with that i dont understand why people like

    HWM??? I dont get their appeal
    Avail? I dont get their appeal
    Thursday? Jesus christ, i really dont get their appeal....

    Maybe its just me....

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    that kids sucks

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    wrong.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    avail sucks

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 9:16 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    jeezus krist.. never heard Avail? Holy shit.. I'm so.. fuck! I don't even believe it. Horrible review.

    I know you don't get born with street cred or scene points or the punk rock starter kit, but come on.

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2004-04-30 20:19:16
    My Score:

    I don't really regret not going.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 8:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i actually went to this show, and thought the sound for the souls was really really bad...maybe it was where i was standing

    shitty review by the way

    Posted by slippy on 2004-04-30 20:05:02
    My Score:

    I will always hold a special place in my heart for Avail.

    Posted by PsychoOS231 on 2004-04-30 19:08:41
    My Score:

    The guy below me is talking bad about Mr. Pink , lets get em boys!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 7:02 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    steve buscemi sucks! i saw!

    Posted by greg6711 on 2004-04-30 18:36:45
    My Score:

    best show i've been to this year.

    I was so sad when Randy cancelled, but hey it was an amazing show.

    Unseen - the unusual. It must be sad to play sad songs about how life sucks, but hey, I guess there is a market for that stuff.

    Bouncing Souls - 4th or 5th time ive seen them. They always rock. Very strong this time, must of been because of my good mood

    Avail - I know they didn't play last, but they were AMAZING!
    the crowd was crazy, a fight almost broke out, there was the metro guy doing karate moves. Amazing set.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 5:55 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Bouncing Souls suck. Hopeless Romantic is a shitty song!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 5:37 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    You cant go wrong with Bouncing Souls and the Unseen, too bad Randy had to drop off the tour.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 5:07 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I was at the Pittsburgh show. I also have never heard Avail aside from their compilation songs cuz I dont' really like them. They were much better live, I liked it, but that Beau guy is annoying I thought.

    The souls owned but Greg is a little weird looking w/ long hair and his stage presence was nil, but they were incredibly on, it sounded perfect, better than CD.
    pittsburgh set:
    apt.5F opener
    cracked
    say anything
    kid or 87 I forget which is which, the one that goes "do you remember I DO!"
    kids and heroes
    hopeless romantic
    johnny x
    here we go
    east coast f u
    ole into kate is great (encore)
    gone (closer)
    true believers
    private radio
    needle on the record or whatever
    track 5 off of summer vacation
    nerds, freaks, romantics
    some song i forget the name of it was old it wasnt argyle or quick check
    anchors aweigh
    born free
    sing along forever
    that song off of summer vacation that goes "sometimes she comes to me in a song"

    thats it i think . it was awesome . fuck you. FART!

    Posted by OKSoda on 2004-04-30 16:45:57
    My Score:

    This show was a lot of fun. I was ultra pissed that Randy didn't make it, as you may have read before, but Avail and the Souls played amazing as usual. Let it Burn was pretty good too. I'd check them out if you are into hardcore-influenced pop-punk (as if that isn't too cliche right now). Plus, hitting the Chicago Diner up after a show for a soy shake and tofu dog will make even the worst event totally awesome. Moreso, the Cubs got rained out, so parking was no problem. Sweet. Oh Randy... where are you...?

    Posted by Steve_Buscemi on 2004-04-30 16:04:41
    My Score:

    Saw the souls at skate and surf...

    their drummer definitely can play.

    shitty review.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2004-04-30 16:02:18
    My Score:

    Bouncing SOuls and Avail are two of my favorite bands, unfortuantely this tour isnt hitting florida!! I met Beau at the avail/boysetsfire/by all means show here a while back, he's a really cool guy.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 4:00 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Shitty review...

    -c22

    Posted by sickboi on 2004-04-30 15:54:30
    My Score:

    Beau rules. And his wife is mega hot.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 3:46 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Right... Like the Bouncing Souls aren't street-punk influenced... And I think anyone who's a fan of street-punk has already checked out the Unseen. No need to update me on the latest craze.

    -BSD