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Saves the Day / Circa Survive / Moneen

live in New York
2006
live show

Review by: Brian
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Saves the Day (link)

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Published on April 4th 2006

Saves the Day can be pretty hit or miss with their headlining tours the past few years. I wasn't huge on the bill that featured now labelmates Senses Fail and Emanuel, but taking out Hot Rod Circuit and Boys Night Out was fun, and I enjoyed seeing them with Taking Back Sunday and Moneen. So needless to say, I was pretty thrilled to learn that they would be heading out with Circa Survive and Moneen.

To my dismay, Drive By played first. I remember the band simply as one of the most retched acts I've ever witnessed opening a show, which happened to be My Chemical Romance's headlining tour in late 2004 (essentially, moments before MCR was to become MTV darlings). Their song structure made little-to-no sense, and the music itself was ultra derivative pop-punk. But here, they seemed like they were starting to find their voice; their musical style was closer to boring emo rock with a few frills here and there, but only one song ended in an awkward, abrupt manner, whereas last time that was the case for nearly every song. I certainly didn't get any enjoyment out of their brief set, but it wasn't quite as mind-numbing as the first go-round, thankfully.

I wasn't entirely sure whether or not Circa had hit the popularity mark hard enough to overtake Moneen for the direct support slot, but that doubt was qualified when Moneen began to set up. The crowd's response to the set? Lackluster at best. It seemed like there were no more than a half-dozen visible fans of the band in attendance, and as a result, the band seemed a bit tired and discouraged, but only in the sense of "for themselves;" there was plenty of wild thrashing around, with vocalist/guitarist Kenny Bridges scaling a speaker at one point and taking a jump off the 10-foot height to land on his feet while he continued playing. Their new album by the way, titled The Red Tree, is great. They opened the set with one of its songs, the slower, modest "This Is All Bigger Than Me," a dreamy, atmospheric, gentle number with the key line "I hope your corporation dies." Perhaps the Canadian quartet has been hanging out with Underground Operations acts? Granted, I could be totally misreading that line, as I have no lyrics available for the rest of the song. The explosive, spectacular "Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do" followed, which I was pretty happy about; it's one of the year's best songs, no doubt. "Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?," "The Frightening Reality of the Fact That We Will All Have to Grow Up and Settle Down One Day," "The Passing of America," and "Start Angry...End Mad" would finish it up. The band did play completely spot-on and energetic as usual, but the total lack of a reflection of that in the audience did seem to hurt it a bit.

Circa Survive is a band whose album, as some of you might now, grew on me immensely over the course of last year. While I was always impressed with the standouts ("Act Appalled," "The Great Golden Baby"), the other songs were like hanging out with a stranger who refused to talk to me; I spent considerable amounts of time with them, and they would barely give me the time of day. After a few months, it seemed they started to break out of their shell, and I was rewarded for my patience with Juturna finally hitting home as a whole. So for an act that plays dreamy post-hardcore and contains two members of a band who long flew well under the radar, Circa Survive is big. Like, 14-year-old girl big. They had a veritable shitton of fans in attendance who sang along to every single word. The band came on stage with Anthony Green singing a brief solo piece, and I won't lie -- I was in awe. He hits those high pitches perfectly; those vocal flourishes on record are indeed the real thing. The set was rather seemless, with most of the songs transitioning perfectly. I was pleasantly surprised to hear "Handshakes at Sunrise" open it up, as "Holding Someone's Hair Back" followed. In no particular order, they would also play "Wish Resign," "The Glorious Nosebleed," "In Fear and Faith," "The Great Golden Baby," "Stop the Fucking Car," with "Act Appalled" (which Green called "Act Impressed") closing. Pretty solid.

Oh, and Saves the Day? They only played the best set I've seen them play, ever. They injected a necessary energy into all their older songs that gave them a new life. Their sets have more or less become parties of nostalgia these days, but these are parties that involve simply some of the greatest emo/pop-punk songs of the last seven years. They always throw in a few surprises, and I'd be a nasty fibber to say I wasn't more than excited to hear "Deciding" and "Banned from the Back Porch," two songs I'd never heard them play live. The set was spread out nice and evenly, with three songs from the upcoming Sound the Alarm thrown in. I've actually managed to hold off on listening to the leak of it, so these three in particular were quite impressive; they all carried on a viciously cynical manner despite the smooth, somewhat poppy nature of each (discluding "The End," of course). I suppose I'll continue to wait and just reap the rewards of waiting until April 11th. Another great set from a thoroughly revived act.

Set list by album [may be missing a song or 2]:

Can't Slow Down

Deciding

Through Being Cool

All-Star Me [played first]
Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots
Banned from the Back Porch

Stay What You Are

At Your Funeral [played second]
See You
Nightingale

In Reverie

Anywhere With You [first song of the encore]
Tomorrow's Too Late

Ups & Downs / I'm Sorry I'm Leaving

Ups & Downs [second of the encore]
Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off to Heaven
Jessie & My Whetstone

Sound the Alarm

Head for the Hills
The End
Sound the Alarm

Also, the band was selling their tour-only Bug Sessions Volume One acoustic EP for $10. The packaging is only an orange cardboard sleeve, and there's only seven songs, but the pseudo-discography nerd in me picked it up regardless.

Oh, and they showed Transformers clips in between sets. Awesome.

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Posted by Frogish on 2006-04-29 16:23:41
My Score:

I was at the Chicago show and Saves the Day rocked the house. It was my third show and they havent let me down yet. However...Circa Survive bored the hell out of me. I couldnt even tell if they had moved on to a different song or not because it all sounded the same.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 12:45 AM (EDT)

Oh, I saw about 11 shows on this tour (extended spring break) and it blew my mind almost every single night. If anyone out there has not yet seen it but is able to, DO IT!!!!!!! They really have revvved-up the In Reverie stuff for the live show, and I found myself actually regretting that I had never given the album the time of day. I would probably be considered an STD-purist by most people who care enough to give it a name, so for me to say that even In Reverie sounded good live is a big deal.

The big disappointment of the trip was when they had to cancel the set in Lubbock because the promoter apparently screwed them over. However, my evening was not lost as Moneen and Pistolita hooked up with some local groups and played a last-minute DIY show at this adorable hole-in-the-wall called Tokyo Joe's. It was so great to have Moneen physically in my face, as opposed to on a 5-foot stage obstructed by bouncers. Made me feel like I was home again :)

Oh, and I have just put together a LENGTHY review of The Red Tree, so keep your eyes open for it over the next few days :)

sarah.lawrance

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 10, 2006 at 6:47 PM (EDT)

That's the same Saves the Day set played in Chicago on 04/09. The chronological songs (1st song, encore songs) were in the same order. I suspect they're playing a pretty standardized show, so if you're going you know what to expect. Also, Down to Earth Approach is now on the tour, and they're pretty damn good.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 9:19 PM (EDT)

The Red Tree (.moneen.'s new album) is definitely going to be one of the best releases of 2006. They put on an amazing live show; I'd suggest all you Americans out there check them out on this tour...it's worth it, despite Circa Survive's lacklustre live effort.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 6:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

score is for 'holly hox, forget-me-nots'

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 6:53 PM (EDT)

sound the alarm is weird. chris's lyrics have really gone downhill.

it was interesting that there was a fast part in one of the songs, but it sounded fat wreck fast and not lifetime fast.

his singing is even weirder now though. on in reviere i thought he was getting his balls stomped on while he sang. now i dont even know.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 3:41 PM (EDT)

Moneen's new album is tops in '06 in my books.
Unrivaled energy and they managed to arrange the songs in such a way that it wont get boring to listen to.

-bryan styles

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 3:33 PM (EDT)

moneen is more talented than all these bands combined.
they had a huuuge response in rochester,ny.

best band in music.
their live show sounds better than their albums and they actually show real raw energy.

Posted by Allular on 2006-04-06 14:21:50

I'm blown away with how many people are saying that it sounds like In Reverie. What the hell are you listening to?

Posted by cherrycolarain on 2006-04-06 13:25:25
My Score:

I heard most of the tracks from "Sound The Alarm" and it sounds amazing. I Think they have more energy this time around, and I don't know.. at first it's ackward but then the sound eventually grows on you.

About the show: Moneen deserved better. Most will say they
can't out do Saves The Day, and maybe that's true. But they are by far superior to Circa Survive (CS is good. but c'mon).

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 11:34 AM (EDT)
My Score:

it sounds a lot like In Reverie, i think. with maybe a tad more bite. but just uninspired songwriting is what disappoints. the same way i felt about In Reverie.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 8:47 AM (EDT)

i was hopeing the album would sound more like in reverie, i dont know why people hated it so much, i guess you have to play an instrument to respect the song structures and how much talent they show on that release

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 12:42 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Damn score didn't post. It's an 8.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 12:41 AM (EDT)

Score is for Sound the Alarm. So far, everything about it is negative, but i like it a lot. You have to take into account that In Reverie is also my favorite Saves the Day record, and this one is pretty similar, so it's up there with some of the better records I've heard so far this year.

Posted by cantsitstill on 2006-04-05 22:56:06
My Score:

just got my advance copy of Sound The Alarm today.

VERY disappointed.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 10:04 PM (EDT)

Psyched on seeing this show!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 6:53 PM (EDT)

it was wierd they played jodie at the show before the one i went to, i was kinda bummed. but that still was the best set list i have ever seen them play

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-04-05 15:42:47

"Like, 14-year-old girl big.

i don't know if you were making fun of fat girls, but that was really funny."

Uh... no, he means that they're so big that 14 year old girls love them and scream insanely for them.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-04-05 15:39:03

To the dude below me, I was at this show and they definitely did not play Jodie. My friend and I were hoping for it but no dice.

Posted by backupdork on 2006-04-05 12:43:50

are we certain that they didn't play Jodie? every other set-list i've seen from this show has included it. if they don't play it tonight in pittsburgh or tomorrow in cleveland, i'm gonna be pretty sad.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 1:45 AM (EDT)

i dont think they are embarassed of thier first release, just that it would sound awkward cause the other cds are almost in a complete other direction. still amazing tho

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 1:28 AM (EDT)

"Saw STD in San Diego a month or so ago and they totally blew ass. Chris kept on apologizing for being sick (he was stoned out of his mind, and felt the need to tell us the he wasn't felling good at the begining and end of each song they played). All-in-all they must of played about 8 songs. ZERO new songs. ZERO encores. 30 bong hits for Chris before the show. Huge fan, but highly disappointed from this lackluster performance.

By the way; did Circa Survive play the same song 10 times in-a-row. Man they sucked the life out of that place. The score is for them.

~Alfred"

Yeah, I'm sure that what was happened. No, really he obviously wasn't sick and Circa Survive obviously played only one song.

Moron?
Yeah, moron.

Posted by albertfreddyingram on 2006-04-04 22:41:12

Saw STD in San Diego a month or so ago and they totally blew ass. Chris kept on apologizing for being sick (he was stoned out of his mind, and felt the need to tell us the he wasn't felling good at the begining and end of each song they played). All-in-all they must of played about 8 songs. ZERO new songs. ZERO encores. 30 bong hits for Chris before the show. Huge fan, but highly disappointed from this lackluster performance.

By the way; did Circa Survive play the same song 10 times in-a-row. Man they sucked the life out of that place. The score is for them.

~Alfred

Posted by cantsitstill on 2006-04-04 22:26:38

well, back then when they were just another punk band, even my shitty band could play with them. the same way we played with hot water music and panthro uk...

and yes, i am bitter. In Reverie gives me nightmares.

Posted by maverick on 2006-04-04 15:37:44

The stoke factor is off the charts for this one. I'm seeing the tour this Thursday, and I cannot fucking wait.

And to whoever said the new Moneen is one of the best of 2006: You're 100% right. It's fucking tits.

-Scott

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 12:51 PM (EDT)

When i saw them they played take our cars now..... One of the funnest sets ive ever seen

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 11:48 AM (EDT)

I want a punk show.

you probably shouldnt be going to see circa survive and saves the day if you want to see a punk show.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 11:08 AM (EDT)

"yeah, I've seen these guys about 4 times and the only time I heard "Deciding" was when we played with them in '98 right after Can't Slow Down came out.

it's your typical 'band is embarassed by first release only to realize everyone loves it 6 years later and starts playing songs from it' scenario."

Why do I get the feeling you never actually played with them? Also, it sounds like someone is bitterrrrrr.

Posted by cantsitstill on 2006-04-04 10:20:19
My Score:

yeah, I've seen these guys about 4 times and the only time I heard "Deciding" was when we played with them in '98 right after Can't Slow Down came out.

it's your typical 'band is embarassed by first release only to realize everyone loves it 6 years later and starts playing songs from it' scenario.

Posted by HeresLookinAtYou on 2006-04-04 10:11:40
My Score:

Score is for NYC and Anthony Green

Posted by OverDefined on 2006-04-04 08:43:33

I saw this tour in Boston. Besides the door guy being a dick and taking my prescription pills away (fucking asshole), it was pretty enjoyable. Luckily I missed Moneen. That a capella thing A. Green opens with is a Bjork song. I think Circa was little off. I also don't like their bouncy sway thing they all do. It looks really awkward. Saves the Day was awesome and the new songs sounded great.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 3:18 AM (EDT)
My Score:

the new Moneen album is one of the best of this yearr its amazing.

Posted by SuperRad on 2006-04-04 02:48:50

Sound the Alarm is going to rock my face off. They're playing the Triple Rock on the 15th and I'm not sure if I'm going or not. I actually saw them open for Blink 182 and Green Day on the Pop Disaster Tour way back and they sucked live. How was the pit? Was there one? I need to know. I don't want a Lucero show, I want a punk show. I'm conflicted.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 1:23 AM (EDT)

It's you.

Posted by sickboi on 2006-04-04 00:53:19

Is it me, or does Sound the Alarm remind anyone else of the Mars Volta?

Posted by ryanbolger on 2006-04-04 00:47:58

i guess seeing moneen outside of the GTA just isn't the same.

Posted by danperrone on 2006-04-04 00:14:32

sound the alarm SUCKS

i don't know what the hell all of you are listening to, but all i hear is a "heavy" and "dark" in reverie

Posted by colin on 2006-04-04 00:06:18

Like, 14-year-old girl big.

i don't know if you were making fun of fat girls, but that was really funny.

this tour looks pretty good.