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Streetlight Manifesto / Gym Class Heroes

live in Pittsburgh (2005)
Victory Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 21st 2005

We walked into the venue as pop-punk locals Hope On A Rope were in the middle of their set. Zany song titles like "You're Not Gay" and a sarcastic tune about Jesus loving me? They would've been pretty spectacular if I was 13.

Whole Wheat Bread was up next. For those not aware, the band is a three-piece pop-punk outfit whose primary marketability lies in their race (black). Throughout their set the band would throw in some hip-hop feels to their songs, whether it be through shouted/rapped verses and at one point busting into an all out hip-hop song. While one of their songs was fast-paced and reminiscent of Stay Asleep-era Bigwig, the rest were fairly standard fare stuff. I remember them playing closer "Old Man Samson" and "Police," the latter of which had the band ranting about the song subject, getting the crowd in true NWA fashion to shout "fuck the pigs!"

While they may get ignored and shit-talked, respectively, by vast hip and indie-hop fans, I still think Gym Class Heroes is still pretty refreshing for their genre. I'd venture to say it's their gentle mix of full band beats and honest delivery that makes them as enjoyable as they are, and getting to catch another full set by the band reinforced it that night. Schleprock, the lone rhymesmith of the outfit, managed to throw in reccomendations of pets over girlfriends, nappy hair talk, 9-5 sympathy and a scathing condemnation of mainstream acts like 50 Cent amongst set cuts like "Papercuts," "Cupid's Chokehold," "Taxi Driver," "Simple Living," "Makeout Club," and closer "Nothing Boy Vs. The Echo Factor." The last of both the stage banter mentioned and the songs here came hand in hand, as Schlep attempted to "break down the barrier," sotospeak, by standing amongst the crowd for the duration of the song. It was a fairly forthright, candid set that proved the band is a consistent live act.

However, the band that would turn the venue into a veritable skankhouse had yet to take the stage, and thus, all checkmarked shoes in the house remained firm. That is, until Streetlight Manifesto took the stage. The band's usual tightness and overpowering horn section delivered as usual despite the lineup changes undergone the past year. They managed to spread their surprises throughout the set; the second song played was fan favorite, super anthemic "Point/Counterpoint." Now, it's widely agreed that the song is essentially the sequel to "Keasbey Nights," and the band apparently agrees; in the middle of "Point/Counterpoint," the band burst into the chorus of "Keasbey Nights," and ended up playing the majority of the cover smack in the middle of the "sequel," only to immediately transition back to "Point/Counterpoint" and finish it off; a pretty incredible moment on its own. "A Moment Of Silence" (this song if not something else) involved the band playing the intro of the song, then playing the intro of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"...and then diving back into the slow-paced jam. The laid-back, careless vibes of the genre were obviously in full effect, and for the better of the night. Other tracks included in no order were what Streetlight called a Bandits Of The Acoustic Revolution cover in "Here's To Life" (also announced was new BOTAR material being recorded this Summer as "both" bands hit the studio), "Everything Goes Numb," "That'll Be The Day," "We Are The Few," "A Better Place, A Better Time," another rousing Catch 22 cover in "9MM & A Three Piece Suit," "Failing, Flailing," and "The Big Sleep," possibly among a few others. "Hey Ska!" was requested, but the band declined, claiming they couldn't play it anymore -- legally, not ably. However, its omission did not deter another splendid set from one of the -- arguably -- top ska-punk acts going presently.

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Anonymous (June 26, 2005)

I won't believe a word tomas says until I have a new album in my hands.

Anonymous (June 26, 2005)

HEY IM THAT KID WHO RIPS HIS SHIRT OFF AT EVERY SHOW!!!
No seriously thats me, Ive been doing that at like the last 40 or50 shows Ive been to. Ive been at like every show in Pgh since 98, after Laga clsoed the punk/skla scene kinda died out. The streetlight show was really really good though, the best of the 3 times I saw them.
My sn is MAxximus212 for anyone who goes to alot of shows in PGH

Anonymous (June 22, 2005)

...for whoever asked...victory's release date for the new streetlight album is january. they were going to release it in june, but for whatever reason the band obviously wasnt in the studio, and thus the new album cant be released now.

btw i saw the last show of this tour in jersey and these guys kick ass live.

inagreendase (June 22, 2005)

But you never said that we didn't play well.

This is true. Credit where credit's due.

Anonymous (June 22, 2005)

All of the bands were amazing. And I am the guitarist of Hope On A Rope. Sure, we may be imature and not like Jesus. But you never said that we didn't play well. So if you like immature pop-punk that will probably make you chuckle check us out on Myspace.

Thanks for the review,
Mike Mars
HOAR!

Anonymous (June 22, 2005)

Poor Hope On A Rope...
I'm sure 14 year olds like them too...

thefineprint (June 21, 2005)

at the Albany show they played the intro to When I Come Around at the beginning of A Moment of Silence. haha.

stevejonestherealbones (June 21, 2005)

gay

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

skaboom (June 21, 2005)

So glad to hear new BOTAR coming out. The last time they updated their website was 2003! I absolutely love SM, they are easily the best ska band today, possibly ever.

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

they played "hey ska" at the detroit show...

Marlon (June 21, 2005)

But name dropping is the funnest thing in the world!

inagreendase (June 21, 2005)

Brian forgot to mention me in this review.

...and how cool I am.

- Kirby

If I even hyperlinked your user info and said something like "my fellow show attendee," I'm sure someone would accuse me of namedropping.

blinkrules (June 21, 2005)

yeah i've seen them play 9mm and Keasbey Nights. Maybe next time they'll play On&On&On or Giving up giving in.

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

Brian forgot to mention me in this review.

...and how cool I am.

- Kirby

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

Great show.
Does anyone know who that kid is who always climbs up on stage during the last song at pittsburgh ska/punk shows, rips his wife-beater off and stage dives?
My friend and I have seen him do this at least 10 times and neither of us know anything about him.

YES!!!

I've had my eye on that kid since the first of the two Suicide Machines' shows last year.

He is brilliant.

- Kirby

tommy_jarvis (June 21, 2005)

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

I don't think there's any argument that Streetlight is one of the best ska-punk bands playing today.

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

When the fuck is the new album coming out? !?

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

isaw this friday in albany.

it was greats

ChokingVictim (June 21, 2005)

I can only imagine how amazing Streetlight is live. Rarely have I heard a band where every band member is talented - usually bands are lacking with at least one instrument. I really like the drummer though. He keeps things interesting and at the same time carries the rest of the band along. "A moment of silence" is an awesome song.

Anonymous (June 21, 2005)

Streetlight Manifesto Fucking Rocks.