The Falcon / Bad Sandwich

The Falcon / Bad Sandwich: live in Chicagolive in Chicago (2005)
Red Scare

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: RedScareRedScare
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Published on April 1st 2005In all my life I've never been to Chicago, and there has been a small group of people that have consistently given me shit about it. For the most part, it was just Brendan Kelly, who relentlessly regaled with me stories about late nights and questioned my loyalty as a friend. After no less than four.

In all my life I've never been to Chicago, and there has been a small group of people that have consistently given me shit about it. For the most part, it was just Brendan Kelly, who relentlessly regaled with me stories about late nights and questioned my loyalty as a friend. After no less than four years of this nonsense, I was due for a visit to the City Windy, and the Falcon's first ever show seemed like the perfect reason to finally make the trip. Farther distances have been traversed to see shittier bands, no doubt.

Basically, the opening band was responsible for promoting the show and I was told they did some flyering, but aside from that, I'm not sure how anybody managed to find out about this show. I was starting to "get the drift" if ya know what I mean. These guys didn't want to play in front of anyone for the first time, and this show was basically a secret/private affair. Of course I was dead wrong, because upon arrival to this warehouse space, the sidewalk was full of kids socializing outside the half-open sliding gate. More shocking were the abundant forties and 12-packs that were openly carried around on the street and inside the building. After milling around a bit (and outfitted with some cans of Hamm's thanks to my pal Abi) I gathered that most of the people here just "heard about the show from a friend" or read a post about it on the Alkaline Trio message board. So I had another realization: we are in Chicago after all, people love these guys.

I was actually getting excited; I mean, a free punk show at a semi-abandoned warehouse space in a strange new town. And it's BYOB! Well, enough of background, it was time for the opening band. They introduced themselves as Bad Sandwich and I was told they were also playing one of their first shows. It was some pretty sloppy thrash but they went over well with the locals and I think one of the members was from Los Crudos. The band spent half of their set dancing among the audience and their interactive show seemed a perfect fit for the chaotic circumstances. They played for 20 minutes, but they must've crammed a dozen songs into that time frame. Between bands someone was playing Bad Brains' Rock For Light on a boom box, which I thought was a nice touch of class.

No one seemed to be in a hurry, but by the time the Falcon finished setting up their own gear the place was abso-smurfly packed. I have been to some crammed shows, but there was probably 200+ people in a space smaller than the Bottom of the Hill in SF or the Offramp/Graceland in Seattle. I managed to wrangle a good spot close to the stage and off to the side so I wasn't in danger of spilling any beers. I saw Brendan take one last haul off his brew before he took the stage (a foot-high platform made of particle board) and kids went ballistic. Without any announcements or tuning they went right into the first song off their EP, only to follow it up with the second song, which also has not one, but two ridiculously long titles, so it will have to go unmentioned. Once again I was reminded of how popular these guys are in Chicago because kids were rolling all over each other, singing every word, etc. Despite my precautionary efforts, I spilled my beer after all, and was nearly crushed against a wall.

They took a brief break after song 2, but it was only to stop for another drink. People were still screaming in applause until Brendan removed the tall-boy from his lips to say "We're the Falcon from Chicago!" into the mic. From there, they went into their third song, which was a new one for all in attendance, but they still performed it with all the vigor and guts as their first two crowd-pleasers. They went on to play 9 songs total, all five from their EP and four "new" songs. One peculiar thing I observed was that even Danny was drunk off his ass, which is something I've never witnessed in all the years of seeing Trio shows. Overall, it was a sweaty and intense show, and the crowd was roiling the entire time. It was definitely one of those special and intimate experiences that don't come along very often and I'm grateful that I was one the few to enjoy it. If Chicago had more of this kinda shit to offer, I'd be out there all the time! Maybe that was the problem all these years…

Anyhow, it should also be noted that I am the very person who released the Falcon EP, so it could be perceived that my review is biased and all that. But really, it was so small and unannounced that no one would ever document this occasion were it not for me. The last thing I would want to do would be to tarnish my own good name or the journalistic integrity of Punknews.org. That said, the show was fucking awesome.

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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 (April 7, 2005)

Truth be told, I don't think any show with Brendan deserves the max star count if he is still standing at the end of the show.

Anonymous (April 4, 2005)

Anyone notice the guy in the tiger suit running around the show?

Anonymous (April 4, 2005)

not anymore at least. sheep have vd

- paul

Anonymous (April 4, 2005)

i don't like to rape sheep

paul

Anonymous (April 4, 2005)

was there merch? did anyone score a t-shirt?

Anonymous (April 3, 2005)

sweet! I like to rape sheep!

- Paul

stevejonestherealbones (April 3, 2005)

just as long as my dicks not gay, i'm doin fine.

do you want my address so you can come stab me in the face? i've posted it at least 5 or 6 times on this site

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (April 3, 2005)

I want to stab jones the bones in his gay face

darkstarm (April 3, 2005)

I am about to fucking cry. This place was at the warehouse across the street from my fucking house. THIS IS SOME BOOOSHIT. How did I not hear about this. Or SEE the fucking people for that matter.

Anonymous (April 3, 2005)

i wish i would of known about this show.

stevejonestherealbones (April 3, 2005)

ha ha. you make good arguments. you call me a name...i made one up for you, just messing, and then you call me a name again. wow.

all this because i said the reviews should be shorter.

good one

anyway, wanna fight now? that seems to be the natural progression with someone like you...i'm down, let me know where and when

-jones

Anonymous (April 3, 2005)

what jones really meant to say: "blahblah, i'm a pud, blahblahblah."

Anonymous (April 2, 2005)

THe Falcon is fucking amazing! This was the best show I've been to in a long time! Bad Sandwich was great. The falcon was great! It was like a fucking party! I hope that place has more shows.

stevejonestherealbones (April 2, 2005)

well, that coming from a fug is a little hypocritical...but whatever...

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (April 2, 2005)

Man, you must get tired of constantly defending yourself.

This can't be a coincidence. You're a pud.

stevejonestherealbones (April 2, 2005)

you're used to being a pud? i dont even know what that is....but good luck with that

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (April 2, 2005)

I had a hard time seeing cause people were flying all over the place, but I got a few good photos. I'll post the site once I upload them.
Furgie

Anonymous (April 2, 2005)

You're a pud Jones, and don't forget that's all you're allowed to say about yourself. Get used to it, I am.

stevejonestherealbones (April 2, 2005)

i know you are, but what am i?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Jones the Boner should have his comments limited to these words: I'm a pud.

stevejonestherealbones (April 1, 2005)

i think reviews should be kept to one paragraph, two max. i dont want to read any of this

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

RedScare (April 1, 2005)

ElVaq: Shit, full length? I'd be honored but I don't think I could do it justice. I know the guys all want to put something out that comes from a decent studio and has a sizable label behind it. But the real delay is probably the fact that TLA is about to embark on a huge tour in Europe and the Trio are about to go balls-out with their new record. The good news is that they definitely have more songs and the desire to put out an LP. Isn't there some label from their town that allegedly "owns the streets"? Talk to them about a full length, it's outta my league.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Too many nights are spent at Denny's wondering what could have been.

ElVaquero (April 1, 2005)

Tobers, great review, any word on when you're gonna release the full-length?

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

this show was on my to-do list, but my friend erica had to go and get a flat tire. arghh. another night spent at denny's thinking about what could have been.
ashley

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

the best part about the show was the nitrous tank by the bathroom... Oh man was I messed up! The Falcon rocked too!

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Wow, this fuck really DOES listen to Reliant K.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

"what a pussy. pssh. go listen to relient k

paul"

I don't like Relient K and I do like getting loaded, but all I'm saying is, I don't think that it really adds that much to a show or to a band if they're all wasted. I mean, anybody, save Andre the Giant, can get drunk---how exceptional is it, then, for a band to be wasted? It isn't, and people always use it to validate their own drinking. I don't mean to be such a killjoy, but if a band is known for being loaded at every show on their tour, it just sounds too self-destructive...

And any band worth its salt can get on stage and perform without being drunk and get everybody in the crowd --drunk and sober-- to enjoy its set.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

why cant shit like this happen in miami

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Great show, but a little scary. Drunks everywhere. Also, the neighborhood was kind of ghetto, but both bands were great, esp. the falcon. Todd is so fucking fun to watch. Highlights were Asshole Parade and Dan and Brendan arguing over whether one of the new songs was called "Garfield Hates Mondays" or "Odie's Revenge."
Priceless, I hope that place keeps doing shows.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

"Is it realy that awesome that some of these bands' members are drunk at every show? I mean, doesn't that suggest alcoholism?"

hahahahahahahahah. .......................hahahahahahahahaha.

what a pussy. pssh. go listen to relient k

paul

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

yo dude below me. don't sign your name as 'paul' or people are gonna get us confused. come up w/ somethin else.

anyway, the falcon ep rules, so thanks for putting that out even if the artwork blows my nuts.

sounds awesome! brenden rules

paul

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

I was there for Bad Sandwich and they were awesome. Best songs of the night were "Modern Ham", and "You Are (The Government Cheese)". I hadn't heard of the Falcon before, but they were good too.

Paul

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Is it realy that awesome that some of these bands' members are drunk at every show? I mean, doesn't that suggest alcoholism?

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

abso-smurfly? i think i want to fucking puke.
-TOBB

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Naw bro, I was at that show to see Jose's new band, it was actually in Pilsen on the Southside. Didn't know "the falcon" was playing, but they did and they rocked it.

XxDiegoxX

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

I heard Bad Sandwhich played a warehouse show on the Northside, but I didn't know THIS was happening. And yes, I believe Jose from Crudos is in B.S.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

where was the show at? aprils fools?????

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

This is fake........

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

I hope this is an april fools joke... if not im mighty pissed off.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

godammit i blew it. the alk3 board is down now too becuz so many people wre talking about the record being leeked. the next show better not be so secret.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Im envious! This sounds like the perfect setting for a great show.

TheOneTrueBill (April 1, 2005)

So wait a minute, where was the show at?

hubitcherkokov (April 1, 2005)

Throw a "think" in there, too.

hubitcherkokov (April 1, 2005)

I don't even The Falcon EP is all that great, but I still would have killed to be at this show!

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Damn. . . wish I was there.

Anonymous (April 1, 2005)

Fuck sounds like a good time.

Barkley