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Posts Tagged ‘The Matches’

  1. Best Albums of 2008

    December 12, 2008 by Steph

    Okay, so we all have different tastes in music and there was NO WAY I thought we could come together to make a complete list for you.  Instead, I decided that each of us should make a list for you of our top five albums of 2008.

    Apparently our tastes converged because we have a few in common.  Our collective favorites were:

    Jack’s Mannequin’s The Glass Passenger

    Fall Out Boy’s Folie a Deux

    Forever the Sickest Kids’ Underdog Alma Mater

    And here are our top picks:

    Kristyn (writer):

    1. Fall Out Boy’s Folie a Deux
    2. Valencia’s We All Need A Reason To Believe
    3. Jack’s Mannequin’s The Glass Passenger
    4. John Mayer Trio’s Where The Light Is (Live)
    5. James Morrison’s Songs For You, Truths For Me

    Aimee (photographer):

    1. The Matches’ A Band in Hope
    2. The Cab’s Whisper War
    3. Jack’s Mannequin’s The Glass Passenger
    4. Sing It Loud’s Come Around
    5. Simple Plan’s Simple Plan

    Steph (writer):

    1. Panic at the Disco’s Pretty. Odd.
    2. Jack’s Mannequin’s The Glass Passanger
    3. Forever the Sickest Kids’ Underdog Alma Mater
    4. Ingrid Michaelson’s Be OK
    5. Joshua Radin’s Unclear Sky EP

    Catharine (photographer):

    1. Fall Out Boy – Folie A Deux
    2. Taylor Swift – Fearless
    3. Panic At The Disco – Pretty. Odd.
    4. Demi Lovato – Don’t Forget
    5. Metro Station – Metro Station

    Justin (writer):

    1. Disturbed – Indestructible
    2. Mindless Self Indulgence – If
    3. Kanye West – 808s and Heartache (having to put this on here makes me want to punch myself)
    4. Hollywood Undead – Swan Songs
    5. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords

    Cassie (writer):

    1. Fall Out Boy – Folie a deux (even if just for the hype surrounding it)

    2. The Academy Is… – Fast Times at Barrington High

    3. ADELE – 19

    4. Charlotte Sometimes – Waves and the Both of Us

    5. Forever the Sickest Kids – Underdog Alma Mater


    Brianna (writer):

    1. Jason Mraz – We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
    2. Gavin DeGraw – Gavin DeGraw
    3. Jack’s Mannequin – The Glass Passenger
    4. The Hush Sound – Goodbye Blues

    5. David Cook – David Cook & David Archuleta – David Archuleta

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  2. The Involuntary Movement Tour

    December 1, 2008 by Steph

    I arrived to the House of Blues in San Diego slightly nauseated and feeling sick. It was either the tail end of food poisoning or the stomach flu – either way, I hadn’t eaten in two days and I couldn’t stand thinking about food. But I also couldn’t stand the thought of missing the Involuntary Movement Tour. So I toughed it out and got up to the front for one of the best tours ever.

    First up was a band called School Yard Heroes. Their sound was unique but also somewhat familiar. It had a vague No Doubt-y feel to it, but was a little darker pop rock. The singer seemed to have channeled all of the Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls) that she could manage, running out on stage in black, torn up fishnets and a cut up black dress that looked like it was a ball gown before someone hacked at it with a pair of scissors. The energy on stage, from the band, was mediocre. The guitar player attempted to engage the crowd by pointing a few times, and lead singer tried her best to serenade a few people in the front row. Their song arsenal was full of drum heavy songs like “Cemetary Girl,” which was, as the lead singer said, a song about the end of the world, when women rise and take over. They closed their set after four songs – they had failed really to catch my interest enough to buy a CD or visit their merch table. You may, however, become a fan if you are into the whole horror-pop, macabre genre.

    The next band on was The Status, a four piece pop outfit from Atlanta, Georgia. When these four boys came on stage, I had to giggle a little on the inside. They are the same kind of essential pop punk, fun music that I love as a little guilty pleasure, when I get tired of sounding elitist and listening to indie music. This wonder band was brought into the scene by Bayside’s Anthony Raneri, and has also garnered the attention and support of Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzarra. Their set was full of energetic, pop punk – something you just might want to jump around to. The messages of their songs were all positive, about growth and change, about never giving up on your dreams. In the middle of the set, they played their single, “So This Is Progress,” which features Anthony from Bayside – he came out during his part in the second verse and the crowd went crazy. The band played one more song and then bid the crowd farewell. I have to admit that their sound is very generic, and nothing I’ve never heard before, but something about them made me want to buy their CD – they were gracious on stage, thanking the crowd at every chance, smiling during songs and doing their best to engage the crowd, and that’s what impressed me most.

    The third band was a personal favorite of mine – Valencia. It was hard to come at this set objectively because I love them so much! It seemed like a good portion of the crowd was there in support of this band too, judging from the roar when they ran on stage, one by one to some “introduction” music.  After that, the set was strictly Valencia energy. Frontman Shane Henderson runs around on stage, shaking his head and belting out lyrics like nobody’s business. Guitarists JD Perry and Brendan Walters always do their best to pump up the crowd and interact, and bassist George C (I won’t torture you with his last name) leaned into the crowd frequently to sing along in the faces of fans. They played songs from the new album, like “All At Once,” “Holiday,” and “Where Did You Go,” as well as old jams like “The Space Between” and “Three Thousand Miles.” As always, their set was full of energy and emotion – these five guys really leave everything out on the stage when they perform.

    The fourth band was the highly anticipated band The Matches. This was the first time that I was going to see this band with their newest bassist. They kicked off their set with “Their City,” and the crowd was privy to lead singer Shawn’s somewhat eerie movements on stage, as well as guitarist Jon’s spastic, yet still entertaining dance moves. After that, they played other tracks like “Point Me Toward the Morning,” and “We Are One,” always with their quirky energy that leaves you thinking, “What drugs are they on?” They closed their set with “Papercut Skin,” as they usually do. Overall, their set was good – this band has amazing stage chemistry. Something about their weirdness just works.

    The last band was, of course, Bayside. The crowd went nuts when they took the stage. I was a bit weary, because I had heard on their previous headlining tour that they played a very short set – if they were to do that this night, it would have surely incited a riot. But not to fear – the band ended up playing nineteen songs and left the crowd pleased. They opened up with “Boy,” and covered all of their popular songs including “The Walking Wounded,” “Carry On,” and “Duality.” The crowd was full of energy and the band seemed to be feeding off of this – Anthony jumped around on stage when he wasn’t glued to his mic and Jack and Nick, the guitarist and bassist, respectively, did their part to “rock out” as well. I really enjoyed their set – but from afar, because the crowd was wildly jumping around and my fragile stomach just couldn’t handle it that night. The band closed with “Devotion and Desire,” and then left the stage leaving the crowd sweaty, tired, and satisfied.
    -Kristyn

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  3. Sherwood with The Matches, The Higher, and We Shot the Moon at The Knitting Factory

    February 4, 2008 by Steph

    Sherwood with The Matches, The Higher, and We Shot the Moon at The Knitting Factory on February 2, 2008

    So I ran halfway from the parking garage to The Knitting Factory full of excitement and nervousness with my two friends – Cassie and Liz – trailing behind.  I strolled up to the window just to be embarassed with, “I’m sorry, you’re not on the list.”  Crap.  And the show was sold out. After a few phone calls and some really awesome people, the three of us were able to arrive fashionably late mid-set of the opening band.

    Jonathan Jones - Vocals, keys, guitar, and mastermind of We Shot the Moon

    We pushed and maneuvered about half-way up to the stage and settled into a nook in the crowd to enjoy We Shot the Moon.  They looked pretty average – guitars, drums, bass, keys – but their sound was remarkably impressive.  Johnathan’s vocals were mature and controlled.  The keys were a refreshing throwback to unadulterated piano, but the heavy drum still made you want to get up and dance.  If Ben Folds decided to do power-pop, I think this is where he’d end up.  They had already convinced me of their idea, but when “Welcome Home” came on, it won my heart.  Maybe I’m just a sucker for a good slow jam, but this is download worthy – legally, of course.

    The crowd was pretty mellow through WSTM, and it was obvious a lot of us hadn’t heard them before and were hesitant to get into the groove.  As soon as The Higher came on though, people got their feet moving.  Front man Seth was quick to step right up front and steal our attention.  I could feel how much he loved performing – and he’s great at it.  He wasn’t afraid to make eye contact; he sang a few lines to me while making crazy eyes.

    Seth of The Higher

    Their sound ranges from dance-y and funky on songs like “Insurance” to heavy tracks like “Diaries.”  I hadn’t noticed while listening to their album, but Tom’s voice is very “pretty.”  With his look he reminded me of Taylor Hansen meets American Idol.  It definitely worked for the crowd though – everyone in the place was dancing and jumping whether or not they knew the songs.  Some of the tunes were less memorable than others, but the best part of the set was when Seth announced, “I’m gonna play a song you guys know” and started in on “Histrionics,” which is both their best (and shortest 🙁 ) song!

    Shawn Harris, The Matches

    So next up on stage was The Matches.  I’d only heard one of their songs, “December is for Cynics” off of Santa Cause, a Punk Rock Christmas, which I really like, but I was told, “Fuck The Matches” by a friend upon hearing the line up of the night’s show.  I didn’t know what to expect.  Out come these kids, color-coordinated in black and red to the string intro of “Salty Eyes” and Shawn Harris steals the mic like he owns the stage.  Who the fuck does he think he is?  Initial reaction — they pissed me off.  This asshole looks like Johnny Cash reincarnated as Gerard Way with vocals reminding me of Brandon Reilly of Nightmare of You.  This fucker is clad in polka-dots and a little girl’s red sweater, but I got into the music.

    Although I wanted to hate them, I couldn’t take my eyes off.  The whole band’s “I don’t give a fuck” metality made me want them–when is that not true?   I realized I knew a few of their songs.  I found myself singing along to “May your organs fail before your dreams fail you!”  The heavy drum and the bass groove got me shaking my hips and thowing my head simultaneously.  Before I realized it, they were on their last song.  Awh, over already?  That’s the sign of a good set.

    Nate, lead vocals of Sherwood

    Nate, lead vocals of Sherwood

    Nate Henry of Sherwood

    The long-awaited Sherwood were up next.  By this time, I had made my way up front.  I was so anxious for their set that when I noticed a roadie put down the set list, I asked a girl in the crowd to take a picture of it on my camera.  I was stoked to find they had a lot of my old favorites prepared.  I’ve seen Sherwood a couple of times since they toured with my favorite band The Rocket Summer in 2005.

    They got off to a rocky start – for the first song and a half, Mike’s keys weren’t on.  After the glitch there was an immediate change in Mike’s attitude, and he became his crazy usual self that I remember–bouncing around on stage and letting out somehow-harmonious screams of exultation.

    Dan Koch, sexy beast according to drunken girls.

    Dan Koch, sexy beast according to drunken girls.

    I had gotten it in my head when I saw Sherwood open for The Academy Is that I didn’t like their new stuff.  Maybe it was that I just didn’t know it, but this time I got into it. Their newer album is a lot less acoustic and sounds more processed with the drum machine like in the song “Alley Cat.” At the show though, they played an acoustic version that gave me chills.  “Learn to Sing” and “I’ll Wait for You” still remain my favorites, but their new dancier (yes, I just created that word) tunes are to my liking.  I was pissed off that some drunk girls were shouting over a gorgeous heartfelt “This Airplane is a Ribbon,” but I loved it (along with Mike and Joe blowing bubbles) all the same.

    Mike,. Sherwood's designated wild man

    Mike,. Sherwood's designated wild man

    I know I usually make a few comparative references, but to me, Sherwood is just Sherwood.  Their style is simple and heartfelt.  They don’t ravage the stage or dress like a bunch of douchebags to get your attention, but that’s because they don’t need to.  Sometimes on stage they can look a little lackluster, but just close your eyes and feel their music.  Because that’s what it’s really about, right?

    I left with a major high (what can I say?  music is my drug) and the ladies and I scored a sweet West Aspen Merch demo CD and Forever the Sickest Kids stickers outside.  Leaving a show is always the worst part… until you get into your car and listen to the bands all over again.

    Stay classy, scenesters.  <3 Steph

    p.s. for more photos, check out the Sherwood album on our Myspace

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