The Get Up Kids @ Webster Hall (3.2.11) and Music Hall of Williamsburg (3.3.11)

The Get Up Kids were once a band that headlined tours aroudn the world along with the Skate and Surf Festival in Asbury Park. They were also a prominent force in the emo-music revival in the mid 1990’s, along with Jimmy Eat World. Now, the Kids are adults and have been touring their first full-length album in seven years. Though they’re not the band they once were, it’s rare to watch a band grow up right in front of your eyes.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2011 The Get Up Kids performed at Webster Hall in New York City. This was the first time they returned to this venue since their break-up tour. The band was excited to be back and showed it as they played an inspiring set with a number of old fan favorites mixed with tracks from their latest album, There Are Rules. But the night felt uneven because of the departure from their original, emo sound off of the new album. The crowd was jumping around frantically during hits such as “Action & Action,” “I’m a Loner Dottie, a Rebel,” and “Don’t Hate Me.” But when TGUK played anything off of There Are Rules, the crowd was stagnant.

Combine that with some technical difficulties and an unruly crowd that caused the security to go bonkers, the show was a forgettable one. But no matter what, I’ll never get tired of seeing The Get Up Kids.

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Round Two! So after the concert on Wednesday, I listened to There Are Rules and I must admit, I enjoyed the songs twice as much as I did prior to seeing the songs played live. I’m not sure how that worked, but I’m sure glad it did. So on Thursday, March 3, 2011 I rolled into Brooklyn to catch The Get Up Kids once again at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. I’ve never been at this venue before so I was excited to explore.

Once my friends and I entered the venue, we were confused as to where to go. Somehow we went down a flight of stairs and found ourselves at a bar. I ordered myself a Sixpoint Brown Ale and then walked around the horse-shoe bar, up the stairs, and through the doors to the main room. The room was about one-third of the size at Webster Hall’s Grand Ballroom. On the sides of the room were narrow platforms that allowed those standing there a view slightly above the ground floor. That’s where we watched the performance.

I’m not sure if it was the sold-out crowd that night, or if TGUK were feeling generous, but they played a much crowd-pleasing set than their list of songs at Webster Hall the night before. They were on stage for 90 minutes, just like the night before, but their song selection in Brooklyn was simply better for us kids who wanted to hear the hits. Playing tracks like “Coming Clean” and “Mass Pike” instead of new material, the crowd was going wild. Ending the main set with I’ll Catch You and then burning through their energetic encore like it was a party, TGUK rewarded a fun crowd with a fun-filled show.

It was great to see The Get Up Kids on the stage again. They’ll most likely call it quits soon, but I hope I can see them a few more times before that happens. TGUK for life!

My Favorite Albums of the Decade (20-11)

Previous Post:  My Favorite Albums of the Decade (30-21)

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20.  Second Stage Turbine Blade (2002) – Coheed and Cambria

This is the first studio album by progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria, led by the recognizable voice of Claudio Sanchez.  It’s funny how I just mentioned The Decemberists above, because here’s another band who writes their lyrics as part of a story.  In this album, we’re introduced to the married couple of Coheed and Cambria as they embark on their dangerous sci-fi journey.  It might sound a bit ridiculous, but somehow Coheed and Cambria makes it work.  Their songs are very thick and complex, and although there are only ten tracks on the album, the length exceeds 55 minutes.  Many of their songs are borderline epic.

Favorite track:  “Everything Evil”

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19.  Swiss Army Romance (2000) – Dashboard Confessional

This is the first full-length album by the acoustic-emo band, Dashboard Confessional, led by Chris Carrabba.  Before the band exploded onto mainstream success and a full band with its hit “Vindicated” from the Spider-Man soundtrack, Carrabba’s music was very personal and stripped down to solely his acoustic guitar and his belting voice.  This is the Dashboard Confessional that I prefer.  The songs of Chris Carrabba are more effective when they’re raw rather than over-mixed and performed by a full band.  It’s easier to relate to his words and the soft quality of the guitar and vocals makes it friendlier to the listener.  It’s one of the albums I most remember from my past.

Favorite track:  “The Swiss Army Romance”

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18.  On a Wire (2002) – The Get Up Kids

Despite mediocre reviews, I was impressed with the mature direction The Get Up Kids decided to venture with their third studio album.  Their most popular, and certainly their best album (Something to Write Home About), preceded On a Wire, therefore there were great expectations from the band.  But instead of staying on track with their pop-emo sound, they explored experimental tones with slower tempos instead of the catchy hooks the fans were used to.  I admit that it took me a bit to get used to On a Wire, but after I did I absolutely loved it.

Favorite track:  “Walking on a Wire”

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17.  …Burn, Piano Island, Burn (2003) – The Blood Brothers

This is my favorite album by these post-hardcore screamers, The Blood Brothers.  Their third full-length album, Burn, Piano Island, Burn, is a jagged and intense album from start to finish.  The first time I ever heard this group made my jaw drop, but not in a good way.  I wasn’t yet ready for the tempo-changing, high-pitch yelling, erratic grindcore The Blood Brothers provided.  But as I grew up I appreciated the album for what it was, which is a greatly creative and borderline insane production.  And it might be strange to admit this, but through all the screams and unorthodox melodies, it’s still quite a popular and mainstream album.  There have been numbers of friends whom I would’ve never predicted to enjoy Burn, Piano Island, Burn.  That’s only a portion of the genius.  Listen and discover the rest.

Favorite track:  “Cecilia and the Silhouette Saloon”

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16.  Happy Hollow (2006) – Cursive

Cursive is one of my favorite bands, so don’t be surprised to see more albums by these indie-rockers from Omaha on this list.  Their fifth studio album, Happy Hollow, takes the listener through a fictional town where we meet people invested in a variety of social issues.  It’s a carefully crafted collection of tracks, portraying ideas like the American dream, religion, hypocrisy, and more.  Cursive is not a stranger to the concept album, which is a very strong reason why I love these guys so much.  Although I’m not a fan of every song on the album, it’s hard not to credit Cursive’s accomplishment with Happy Hollow.  Kudos.

Favorite track:  “Big Bang”

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15.  Say It Like You Mean It (2002) – The Starting Line

By no means are The Starting Line the most talented band, but this album is certainly one of my favorites.  This is the first album released by the pop-punk band from Pennsylvania and it showed all of the potential that TSL never lived up to.  I must’ve scratched the crap out of my Say It Like You Mean It compact disc during my youth because I can still recall every song and practically ever lyric from this album.  Packed with insanely catchy tunes that’ll make you want to skip instead of walk, The Starting Line was the premiere pop-punk band in the beginning of the decade.

Favorite track:  “This Ride”

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14.  Neon Bible (2007) – The Arcade Fire

Only the second album by one of Canada’s finest, The Arcade Fire, they’ve already made their stamp on the music scene in a huge way.  High in production and deep in meaning, Neon Bible is a magnificent collection of unique songs that explore the ideas of religion on a grand scale.  The ominous tones throughout is enough to keep any listener captivated.  With dark songs like “Black Mirror” and “Black Waves/Bad Vibrations” to more upbeat tracks like “No Cars Go”, The Arcade Fire has taken the world by storm with their ability to pack messages inside their bigger-than-life songs.

Favorite track:  “The Well and the Lighthouse”

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13.  In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 (2003) – Coheed and Cambria

The progressive rock band, Coheed and Cambria, outdid themselves with their sophomore album to the cult-following of Second Stage Turbine Blade.  Blending a number of different influences and musical styles, In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 is more ways than not “epic.”  Without getting into how the lyrics progress The Amory Wars, Claudio still manages to attract the most mainstream success from this album.  With singles like “Blood Red Summer” and “A Favor House Atlantic,” the band received some well-received radio and MTV play.  The best aspect about this album is the structure of each individual song.  Changing tempos and key signatures two and sometimes three times within a song, these 5+ minute tracks are an adventure in their own right.

Favorite track:  “The Crowing”

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12.  The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most (2001) – Dashboard Confessional

The follow-up to Swiss Army Romance is very similar in style, but a lot more effective.  For the majority of the album, Chris Carrabba performs his songs solo, giving it the intimate experience that his fans have grown to love.  But for the first time, tracks like “Saints and Sailors” and “The Good Fight” include additional members that make up Dashboard Confessional.  He didn’t abandon his acoustic guitar yet and that’s why this will always be one of my favorite albums.  Carrabba’s emotion reverberates through the strumming of his guitar and the meaningful cry of his voice.  I can’t say I have ever listened to songs that represent so much to a singer than of these.

Favorite track:  “The Brilliant Dance”

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11.  Bleed American (2001) – Jimmy Eat World

This is the fourth studio album by emo-rockers Jimmy Eat World.  The album was retitled Jimmy Eat World after the September 11 attacks, and rightfully so.  Here is Jimmy Eat World’s strongest and most complete album to date.  The album has its ups and down, fast and slow, emotional and fun.  It’s a roller-coaster of music.  Beginning with the loud and edgy “Bleed American” into two catchier tracks “A Praise Chorus” and their hit single “The Middle,” the band is moving at full speed and doesn’t slow down.  Exploring a number of situations revolving around relationships, this album solidifies Jimmy Eat World as emo-legends.  I will never get tired of this start-to-finish, entertaining and expressive album.

Favorite track:  “Cautioners”

The Get Up Kids @ Irving Plaza (10/31/09)

Let me attempt to paint you a picture.  Name your favorite band of all-time.  This doesn’t have to necessarily be the band you think has the most talent, nor does it have to be the most popular band or the coolest band.  Just your FAVORITE band… the one that will always remain in your heart and soul and the one you can recall countless memories of what you were doing while listening to their songs.  Okay, got it?

Now name your favorite album of all-time.  The one album that has all killer and no filler.  The one album you can recite every single word of every single track.  The album that holds more meaning to you than any other collection of songs.

In my case, The Get Up Kids is my favorite band, and “Something to Write Home About” is my favorite album.  So try to understand the ecstasy I was in when they performed the entire album of “Something to Write Home About” from start to finish with minimum breaks.  I was in heaven.  There’s no other way to describe the state of bliss I experienced.

Anyway, the concert was held on Halloween, so everyone was dressed up in costume including the bands.  When The Get Up Kids came out they rocked the whole Wizard of Oz theme.  Lead singer Matt Pryor was the Scarecrow, Jim Suptic was the Tin Man, Rob Pope was Dorothy, James Dewees was the Lion, and I’m not actually sure what Ryan Pope was.

I had a pretty funny interaction with my friends at the show, because prior to leaving we looked at the setlist The Get Up Kids have been playing on their reunion tour and we were totally stoked at all the amazing songs they were playing.  But when they took the stage and played the first three songs off of “Something to Write Home About” we turned to each other and wondered if they were actually playing the album in its entirety.  And then Matt Pryor said something on the lines of “There’s nothing like playing a whole album on Halloween.”  Our eyes widened and our jaws dropped to the ground.  And the rest was history.

The best part about The Get Up Kids playing the entire album was hearing them perform certain songs on the album that I’ve never seen they play before.  One notable song (and arguably my favorite off of the album) was “Long Goodnight.”  Pryor actually admitted that they probably only played this song live about 5 times in their entire career.  But also hearing gems they usually don’t play like “The Company Dime”, “My Apology”, and “Close to Home” was amazing as well.

After completing the album, The Kids left the stage briefly and returned with as Pryor put it, “Part Two” of the set.  With “Something to Write Home About” finished, they went on to play hits off the rest of their albums.  Half of these songs included old tracks such as “Don’t Hate Me”, “Coming Clean”, and “Mass Pike.”  They even played a new song titled “Keith Case.”  Their finale was the incredibly powerful “Walking on a Wire.”

To recap, my favorite band performed my favorite album in its entirety.  Needless to say, this was and always will be my favorite concert performance.  I sure hope The Get Up Kids stay together, record more albums, and tour a lot more.

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The Set List:

Something to Write Home About:

Holiday
Action and Action
Valentine
Red Letter Day
Out of Reach
Ten Minutes
The Company Dime
My Apology
I’m a Loner Dottie, a Rebel
Long Goodnight
Close to Home
I’ll Catch You

(intermission)

Man of Conviction
The One You Want
Coming Clean
Off the Wagon
No Love
Campfire Kansas
Keith Case
Mass Pike
Don’t Hate Me
Walking on a Wire

Albums That I Love – “Something to Write Home About”

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During a conversation among close friends at Applebee’s, we shared our favorite albums with each other.  This gave me the idea of this new segment of the blog: Albums That I Love.  And what’s better to start this off other than my favorite album, The Get Up Kids’ “Something to Write Home About.”

I hold this album close to my heart for a few reasons.  One, because this is an album that I can listen to from start to finish without any desire to skip a track.  Another reason, and more importantly, there’s a sentimental value I have for this album.  I can’t tell you how I was introduced to The Get Up Kids… I can’t even tell you what the first song I heard was… but I can tell you that this album was in my CD-player throughout my entire high school experience.

That’s what the emo genre was all about, right?  High school was a time with a wide variety of emotions packed into life’s fast-lane of four years.  The Get Up Kids were one of the first bands where I could really relate to the songs they were singing about.  This was important to me because prior to listening to The Get Up Kids, I rocked out to Limp Bizkit and KoRn in the 8th grade.  I enjoyed those bands but it just wasn’t the same.  I found it hard to relate to albums like “Significant Other” and “Follow the Leader.”

“Something to Write Home About” is definitely an emo album and The Get Up Kids are an emo band.  Stop cringing.  TGUK is the good type of emo, not the kind that involves fashion over music.  The kind where front-man Matthew Pryor and guitarist/vocalist Jim Suptic sing with their hearts on their sleeve and where the plain truth speaks volumes over abstract poems.

The whole album deals with the theme suggested in the album title, keeping up with friendships and relationships through the conflict of distance.

My favorite track off the album is “Action & Action.”  The song explores Pryor’s distaste towards someone but then it slightly changes directions to expressing how he learned from his errors, which in turn made him a stronger person.  The chorus contains a brilliant line with a lot a depth, “Every mistake that I made, I couldn’t have made without you.”  On the surface it seems that Pryor is blaming someone for the mistakes he made in the past, but it could also mean how he’s thankful to that person for the errors he made with him/her because now he knows better.  This is a very powerful and heart-felt song.

The explosive opening track “Holiday” addresses how Pryor foresees his relationship failing because of how far apart they are from each other, but he doesn’t blame the distance entirely.  “Maybe I can see you on holidays / You’re worlds away / I’ve never forgotten all our yesterdays.”  I let out a deep sigh every time I hear these lyrics.  You can really sense Pryor’s pain at his situation and his attempt to keep his sinking relationship afloat.

During the soft, mellow track “Valentine” Pryor spills his heart with lyrics like “Will you be my valentine if I’m a world away?” and “The constants aren’t so constant anymore.”  Whether these songs are about one or more person is for us to ponder, but it’s hard for to me imagine that they’re not linked.

The Get Up Kids also has one of the saddest tracks I’ve ever heard on this album, “Out of Reach.”  Pryor sings his sadness through words like “I’ve got pictures to prove I was there, but you don’t care.”  It seems the distance has caught up with the couple and even though Pryor is looking to try again and start over, the relationship is done.  This was probably every high school kid’s breakup song in 2000 (only if you were blessed enough to have known about TGUK).

The album picks up after the somberness with “Ten Minutes.”  Jim Suptic takes the lead vocals in this song while Pryor settles for backup and James DeWees wails on the synthesizer.  The energy from this song overpowers the lighter tone compared to the previous few.  Suptic gives his honest opinion about a shaky relationship that relies on needing someone when they’re not there.

The track “I’m a Loner Dottie, A Rebel…” is another lively, crowd-favorite from The Get Up Kids.  But the real kicker is the album’s final song, the piano-ballad “I’ll Catch You.”  The Get Up Kids are great at concluding their albums with memorable songs, but nothing tops “I’ll Catch You.”  For once, the lyrics take a backseat to the beautiful music performed by the band.  That doesn’t stop them from ending the song with the sweetest lyrics to make girls tremble, “Don’t worry I’ll catch you.  Don’t ever worry.  No need for reminding.  You’re still all that matters to me.”

I feel the main attraction about “Something to Write Home About” is its consistency with the subject matter and the way everyone can relate to it.  Listening to the entire album from start to finish is like embarking on a romantic journey that is full of passion, heart-break, and hope.  There aren’t many bands who simply tell it like it is and that’s why this album is such a gem.  This isn’t The Get Up Kids’ only good album, but it sure is their best.