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Bam·boo·zle
n.

  1. A three-day music festival that includes the performances of roughly every relatively well-selling act in the punk/emo/hardcore/indie spectrum.
  2. The act of littering the streets, fields, and roads of Asbury Park with stickers, flyers, pins, posters, newspaper, people, trailers, vans, equipment, and tour buses for three straight days.
  3. One of the most catastrophically disorganized events in the history of man.

Over the course of three days this past weekend, the Bamboozle made its debut. The three-day festival, while including a plethora of acts in which there really may have been something for everyone, was truly thrown together in the most chaotically disorderly of ways possible. Throughout its course, set times were constantly changed/shortened/delayed, stages were often "put together" or moved, and the main stage area (indoors in Asbury Park's Convention Hall) as well as Saturday's Hot Topic stage (indoors in the Stone Pony), was closed off by the local Fire Marshall for capacity reasons for several bands. After paying $80+ for a 3-day pass, you very well may have missed a certain band you came to see. Also, most merchandise was sold indoors and upstairs at the Convention Hall - therefore, you may have needed to wait in line just to buy said merch. The Street and MADE stages were outdoor stages that sat next to each other, and though a part of Bamboozle, were free to the public. This was made rather unclear by Max Cruise Entertainment (who put on the festival). Incidentally, this is also where most of my weekend was spent. That being said, here are the full sets I caught from Day 1:
  • I managed to flitter my way inside of the Convention Hall just as the Blood Brothers were taking to the stage. Most of their set, unsurprisingly, derived from Crimes. They started off with the two most vicious tracks from said album: "Trash Flavored Trash," followed by "Beautiful Horses." "Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck" and "Rats And Rats And Rats For Candy" made appearances as well, plus "Peacock Skeleton With Crooked Feathers" if I'm not mistaken. Older tracks included "Guitarmy" and "Fucking's Greatest Hits," played back-to-back, and "Jennifer." Despite their usual energy, the band seemed an awful lot sloppier than usual, but it was an enjoyable set regardless.
  • I caught a song or two from the Receiving End Of Sirens. The band's sound is generally a more fleshed-out take on Thrice's AITA, complete with three-part harmonies, epic melodies, and bold choruses. They sounded tight, though they couldn't seem to quite capture the occasional atmospheric moments from their recently released full-length, Between The Heart And The Synapse.
  • The Honorary Title played essentially the same set I'd seen them play play in Indiana, PA several weeks ago. They started off with "Points Underneath," and threw in "Everything I Once Had," "Bridge & Tunnel," and the other EP-derived song that I still don't know the title of.
  • Prior to their set Friday night, I've just about been blown away every time I've seen Nightmare Of You. Maybe it's just because they're exponentially better than the MovieLife (lead singer/guitarist Brandon Reilly's former band), but it's probably more in that the band draws inspiration from 80's acts like Morrissey and the Cure and never at all comes off trend-hopping. While this set certainly proved my theory, I was a little less overwhelmed than past performances from the band, but it was likely due to the fact that I was even more familiar with three of the songs they played ("Why Am I Always Right," a reworked "Yuengling," "Dear Scene, I Wish I Was Deaf,"). They played one other new track, which seems to depend a little less on an effects pedal manipulated-laden bridge and more atmospheric guitar strokes, but was good nonetheless. The band was obviously pissed after their last song ("Dear Scene..."), after complaining the sound mix sounded like "a whale's vagina" and having their set cut short; they basically dropped/threw their instruments and walked off, returning moments later in probably forgetting they had to take them completely off stage.
  • I barely managed to catch an entire Minus The Bear set; I'd started to walk away after the band mumbled their name and location and I only caught the latter, but then they dived right into "Let's Play Clowns," and I realized just who this mysteriously laid-back band on stage was. The Seattle-based outfit romped through a few more, including "Fine + 2 Pts.," a song from Highly Refined Pirates I don't quite remember, and a new, near-epic song with not one, but two fake endings, both of which had me clapping like a gullible idiot. While the midtempo declaration is pretty standard Minus The Bear fare, it has a generally stronger feel for them, and if it's any indication of their forthcoming effort, Menos el Oso, the record should be an indie rock saga and easily their best effort yet. The band sounded just as they are on record and served up an enjoyable twenty-ish minutes to end my day.
Days 2 and 3 coming in the next week.






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    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 3, 2006 at 3:12 PM (EDT)

    first of all, this wasn't the first bamboozle. It's been going on for 3 or 4 years with better bands at the stone pony in a one day event. And fine 2 pt.s is off of "they make beer commercials like this". idiot.

    Posted by bizzlebrizzle on 2005-05-06 02:17:44

    Didn't With Honor play on this day?

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 10:49 PM (EDT)

    Now what made you go this day vs sunday when decent bands were actually playing?

    Shit, the Bouncing Souls played 3 times last weekend. Asbury Lanes, a free show, and i believe the stupid bambozle set.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 3:15 PM (EDT)

    what would possess thrice to cover a brand new song? that's really lame. i like brand new, but still.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 7:49 AM (EDT)

    "bienvenidos"...the parka kings were the shit. the live album of their last show "where's the afterparty"...was pretty sweet too

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 2:37 PM (EDT)

    Yes, Telegraph was awesome. Jump Up Records was my favorite about 10 years ago.

    Jim

    "you want good ska cds check into
    telegraph - 10 songs and then some...
    the parka kings - 23 skidoo (or the other album whose name escapes me right now)
    or the exceptions - 5 finger discount

    10 years ago the detroit scene owned ska"

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 12:24 PM (EDT)

    "-Motion City, from what I saw, was alright as well, but Justin's voice was cracking. Sounded like he was getting worn down."

    from what i've heard they canceled all thier shows this week, including fall out boy's cd release show in chicago, so they could go home and rest, plus justin is seeing a specialist for his throat. hopefully he'll be alright

    Posted by maverick on 2005-05-03 22:45:27

    This thing was so horrifically unorganized, it's rather embarassing. Here's some random thoughts I had on the festival:

    -It was funny watching the Receiving End Of Sirens play while Thrice was doing a signing about 100 yards from the stage. I wonder if the Thrice dudes were laughing on the inside, or calling their lawyers.

    -Blood Brothers, from what I saw, were alright. The crowd seemed really into it, which surprised me.

    -Motion City, from what I saw, was alright as well, but Justin's voice was cracking. Sounded like he was getting worn down.

    -Finch's singer still has the worst stage presence of all time. Their new songs sounded pretty decent, actually, but none of the kids cared about it.

    -I watched mayb 1/2 to 2/3s of Thrice's set. It was loud. They did cover that Brand New song, and it got the biggest response of the night.

    -Spitalfield ruled.

    -Minus The Bear were fucking incredible. Best band of Friday, definitely.

    -Scott

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-05-03 21:24:37

    Explosion, most definitly. i'm getting a bit anxious for it to tell you the truth, since it's the light at the end of the tunnel before exams kick in.

    Well, my exam is tomorrow and Thursday, and lord knows I should be studying for it right now, so the Explosion show for me its a nice break.

    Once Warped comes along, I'll have a digital camera, and I'd like to try to take pictures of the performers. (Photography has always been something I love but never have had time or energy to do.) Thus, my question of whether you were going. With staff blessing, I'll send in my photo pass request to the proper authorities.

    But yeah, I'll see you in the Explosion line, Bill?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 9:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Worst festival ever. Max Cruise sucks.

    And Motion City Soundtrack played on Day 1 and 2.

    Bouncing Souls killed - with Max Weinberg on drums for a song -- as did Flogging Molly. Both sets were outside and free.

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-05-03 20:36:01

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215545/

    Posted by mumbleumbolous on 2005-05-03 20:28:44

    someone got bamboozled.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 6:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    only the idiots waited in line for the convention hall, i just went up to the front of it where it was no longer a line and was more of a crowd of people, or had split into two lines, one with the 200 idiots waiting, and one with 10 people who split off from the line with 200 idiots waiting in it. it never took me more than 5 minutes to get in if that.

    and how did you manage to only see 4 bands? and shitty ones at that? except for the blood brothers, who while they are an excellent band, weren't all that good. they are better for small club type venues, not gigantic stages like convention halls.

    - R

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-05-03 18:26:53

    Warped Tour, no. Unless they add quite a few spectacular bands. Everyone I want to see I've already seen in the past.

    Explosion, most definitly. i'm getting a bit anxious for it to tell you the truth, since it's the light at the end of the tunnel before exams kick in.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 5:26 PM (EDT)

    "htis festival sounds like it would piss the shit outta me, i hate fucking disorganized crowds, merch lines , and anyone under 21 at shows, which seems to be 80% of every bands fan base, where the FUCK are the poeple who were young at shows when I was young?!?! did you all stay the same age and only I grew up?!?! "

    i was 18 then i started going to shows 10 years ago and the crowds for ska shows never seems to get older. the older fans move on for the most part and their little brothers and sisters get into the bands. at least thats what it seems like to me. for a lot of bands the crowds never seem to grow or shrink really either. at least its been that way with mustard plug or reel big fish over the past 7 or 8 years

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 5:22 PM (EDT)

    you want good ska cds check into
    telegraph - 10 songs and then some...
    the parka kings - 23 skidoo (or the other album whose name escapes me right now)
    or the exceptions - 5 finger discount

    10 years ago the detroit scene owned ska

    Posted by andrew13 on 2005-05-03 15:28:29

    primevil:
    best ska cds imo are:
    Operation Ivy - Energy, Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes Numb, Catch 22 - Keasby Nights, Big D and the Kids Table - Just about anything they've done, and anything the bosstones have done...

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-05-03 13:45:16

    Errr..."the quiet THINGS that no one ever knows."

    *records another hopeless plea for an edit button*

    I kid because I love.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-05-03 13:43:43

    You saw the Bouncing Souls, right?

    According to the finch news fansite Thrice performed Brand New's "The Quiet Thing That No One Ever Knows", because Brand New couldn't make it.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-05-03 13:25:06

    no thrice or motion city soundtrack?

    Both were Saturday, but I skipped the former figuring I'd never get into the venue and I skipped the latter for Crime In Stereo.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 1:23 PM (EDT)

    the bosstones best album is 'lets face it' followed closely by 'question the answers'. if you like 'jacknife' you really can't go wrong w/ either of those (released in 97 and 94 respectively)

    htis festival sounds like it would piss the shit outta me, i hate fucking disorganized crowds, merch lines , and anyone under 21 at shows, which seems to be 80% of every bands fan base, where the FUCK are the poeple who were young at shows when I was young?!?! did you all stay the same age and only I grew up?!?!

    paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 12:48 PM (EDT)

    email me at adam@fueledbyramen.com for the ltj remix cover art.

    -a.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 12:47 PM (EDT)

    I only saw the Blood Brothers from that list you posted and they were shitty.

    Posted by colin on 2005-05-03 12:41:24

    no thrice or motion city soundtrack?

    Posted by kirbypuckett on 2005-05-03 11:00:46

    DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL RIOT!!!111

    - Kirby

    Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-05-03 10:50:22

    Bosstones wise, I suggest picking up Let's Face It, then every thing before that, then Pay Attention.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-05-03 10:03:59

    Try Less Than Jake's purevolume page. If that doesn't work, ask FBR. If that, too, doesn't work, I'll bring in my copy of the cd sleeve tomorrow. I don't have a scanner at home, and I don't think I'll be going home anytime soon, eiether way.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-05-03 09:31:21

    Any idea when my review is being published?

    Sooner rather than later if you can find me a hi-res cover art for it.

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-05-03 09:02:06

    Explosion rocked last night, but the Loved Ones stole the show.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-05-03 08:47:19

    To (One True, the)Bill,

    I reviewed Less Than Jake's techno remixes of B is for Bsides. Oh, are you going to Warped this year, or the Explosion friday?

    To whomever said this:
    You managed to see a whole five bands in a day? Wow. What exactly were you doing for the other six hours?

    Now, I've been wrong before, but isn't that what the FIRST FUCKING PART OF THE REVIEW IS FOR? Plus, he only reviwed full sets, so that's probably why there's five.

    And I just started listening to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones Jackknife to a Swan. I love it, and their twist on the punk/ska monster. What are their best CDs in this vein?

    Posted by TheEvilMonkey on 2005-05-03 08:02:28

    Nightmare Of You owns.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 4:47 AM (EDT)

    You managed to see a whole five bands in a day? Wow. What exactly were you doing for the other six hours?

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-05-03 02:28:49

    "Any idea when my review is being published?"

    What'd you review?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 1:27 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    minus the bear. great band. great live show.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-05-03 01:27:23

    Any idea when my review is being published?

    And for the requisite snide remark, weren't there good bands on Bamboozle?

    Posted by 8dollarclarinetsolo on 2005-05-03 01:09:21

    thats a shame, none of those bands are really.... good..

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 12:36 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    score is for minus the bear

    the only band worth noting on this list

    Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-05-03 00:11:35

    man

    i asked you if you were going to this

    and you said maybe and i said get back to me

    that's messed

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