My night started bad and I was afraid it would affect my whole attitude towards the entire show. I tried hard not to let the fact that I was ditched for the night, make me have a negative opinion towards the bands. Some bands just deserved it no matter how good of a mood I would have been in.

The night was fresh and started off with local San Diego band One Track Mind, who were one of the worst acts I had ever seen. I felt almost sorry for them in a way. There were about 20 people total in the whole building and only one girl was sincerely into the music. There was something annoying about the lead singer’s voice as if he was trying too hard and the band just didn’t seem to be in sync with each other. I felt as if they needed just a few more days of practice under their sleeve. I couldn’t help but slip a note to a friend “I think they suck!” and keep one for myself that said “remember they sucked.”

Next in line was Mike Park. I wasn’t sure what to expect with a name like Mike Park. (I hadn’t done my research prior to the show). An Asian man in his late 20s (he’s 31) stepped on stage with an acoustic guitar in hand. For some reason I felt like I was watching an Asian version of Livingston Taylor with the lyrics and attitude he took towards his music. The actual instrumental part of his music was great, and the song Don’t sit next to me because I’m Asian got a slight chuckle from the audience. He ended his set with an acoustic version of Skankin’ Pickle’s I’m in Love with a girl named Spike, which was by far the best version of that song I’ve ever heard.

Park introduced The Eyeliners, who’s first half of their set was nothing more than a huge disappointment. They had cancelled a San Diego date of a previous tour and this should have been their make up to the scene. Their vocals were weak and it was just one more band that sounded off beat. Midway through their set, they had a friend Lance jump in on drums while lead vocalist/drummer Laura parted from her instrument. This was an improvement to say the least, and the band sounded as if it was meant to be that way. Away from the drums, Laura’s vocals made the band. With the 3 sisters Gel, Laura and Lisa all singing in unison, and friend Lance on drums, I can only say they are a must see.

One band I was hyped up to see was Minnesota band Selby Tigers. I just want to throw in that they are much better recorded than live. With one guy in a navy blue mechanic’s work suit and pink scarf and a girl in a 60s style jumpsuit with the biggest “white girl hair” I’d ever seen, I was afraid to know what they’d brought to the tour. The scarf and hair distracted me from actually listening to the music. All I could think about was “I wonder how many cans of hair spray and gallons of gel that took”, and “I wonder if that guy really thinks that pink scarf looks good tied around his neck”. I lost interest in the band fast.

I wasn’t sure if I could take being there any longer. It felt like it was midnight but a quick glance at my watch revealed that is was only a little past 9 pm. Thrice changed my mind quicker than the blink of an eye. Now Thrice is a band that has earned their place in the Southern California music scene and it’s not hard to hear why. Thrice was in fact one of the bands I had anticipated all month. This was not the first time I had seen them, and I can honestly say that every time I do see them, they rocked ten times harder than the last. I think the crowd could agree because the floor felt like it was shaking as the fans jumped around and sang along. There is just a likable quality about their music whether you prefer fast power rock or something a little mellower. Check out their LP Identity Crisis, which can be found in many record stores. It’ll be 10 well-spent dollars.

Boston based band Cave In, like Selby Tigers, is just another band that sounds better recorded than live. I can’t quite put my finger on why this is true for Cave In though. I talked to someone who had gone to the Plea For Peace tour specifically for Cave In. The poor guy was disappointed and told me to add to my review “Cave In was not Cave In, they only played a buncha new stuff.”

Now if you like Chris Carraba of Dashboard Confessional, also known from Florida’s Further Seems Forever, you really should consider seeing Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio. He’s touring solo for the second half of the “Plea For Peace” tour (9/6-9/30). Someone told me “Alkaline Trio sucks, so an acoustic act would just make them suck more.” I can only say he was wrong, wrong, wrong. I have a new found love for Alkaline Trio, but more for Matt Skiba. The best word that my vocabulary allows is “AWESOME!” Skiba is in touch with his fans and he literally had the girls screaming and crying, making me feel as if I was at a Beatles concert. Soon after his act, he was on the floor hugging fans and signing autographs. I said nothing to him but flashed him a camera with a big smile across my face. He gladly took a picture with me then shook my hand, hugged me and thanked me for what I am guessing is taking the time out of my schedule to see him play. It’s musicians like him who make me appreciate their music more.

Skiba’s last song was Hot Water Music’s opener. That was a mind altering experience. It was one of the best things I’ve ever heard. It was even better than HWM’s entire set. I think many could disagree though. The crowd jumped all over each other in competition to sing into the microphone. There is nothing to say about HWM except “amazing.” I think this is due to the fact that I was still in a daze about Matt Skiba. HWM’s Transloaction was a perfect ending to a semi-crappy night.