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It was once thought that being on the cover of Rolling Stone was the ultimate exposure for a band but nowadays, for new rock at least, it’s the Alternative Press that’s prized and many of the bands here tonight have held that honor. People straggle into the Rialto as the Power Pop boyhood chums of Forever The Sickest Kids start to warm them up and solidly win them over as people clap overhead, cheer and sing the “do, do, do” chorus during 'Believe Me I’m Lying.' The band announces that they’ll be on Warped Tour this year, the crowd roars then the lads light up as they jump, spin and crash into 'Breakdown.' Their Pop Rock songs show an expanded melodic and instrumental depth for the genre. It remains to be heard if their new album, slated for release in April, lives up to them live.
Now a lesson as to why everyone should show up early for this tour. The roadies haul out a box with a hand painted sign on it that says “Kells.” The lead singer tentatively takes to the stage. He seems nervous and awkwardly shy as if he’s rusty or inexperienced. I focus my camera lens on him as he drinks in the modest crowd and smiles. He sings.
Were suddenly drop dead stunned at the amazing heights and drifting soul his voice portrays. We stop shooting as our hair stands on end and adrenaline jolts our nervous system. It’s Sonny Moore. A singer who’s real life story is as haunting as his voice. Former lead singer of From First To Last he dropped out of sight as he dealt with throat problems and the lows following the near loss of his voice. Well he’s back with a vengeance as his vox consumes and amazes us with 'Signal.' Shy no longer he jumps into the middle of the audience and sings. Surround by fans and the glow of cell phones he’s at home once again. The bewildered band drinks water and goofs off whilst he makes his way back to the stage. He stands on the rail, leans out over the mob and shouts “It feels good! You let me go crazy!” His microphone breaks and it’s the last we hear from Sonny tonight.
The San Francisco bay area band The Matches are cocky and sharp. Alternative rock with an ale spilling, pub party edge is their mood and the crowd is ready for them as 'Little Maggots' makes the mob squirm. They slow the pace with ‘AM Tilts’ whose emotional vocals and sleek instrumentals sneak up on us and build beautifully. A fun piece that’s dramatically comic 'Salty Eyes' entertains and smiles break out all round.
The high pitched screams of hundreds of women overwhelm us as the mob jumps, shakes the floor and the lads of All Time Low don their instruments. Definitive Pop Punk bad boys they stand in front of signs covered with a whimsy of socially frowned upon words. 'Umbrella' starts like a weird broken record then turns into an in your face crass and nasty romp. The boys work the crowd taunting them “So far all I see is sleeping children!” Long and lean, guitarist Alex, Jack and Zack come together, strike a pose and harmonize during the sweet and sour 'Shameless.'
The freakin crowd keeps screaming, a mosh pit churns and 'Poppin’ Champagne' pulls out the stops. Jungle drums beat, the lads spin, leap and catch air time whilst the mob beats their fists…then the equipment breaks. It’s time for a socially incorrect interlude of cuss words and body part names via the band then were back underway with 'Dear Maria, Count Me In.' The band sings the first verse then the mob sings the next and the screaming continues on as a parent leans over to us and says “Do they have to use language like that?”
Bryce Avery of the The Rocket Summer is a one man Indie/Power Pop show on his albums but on tour he takes a band. This guy is like a musical side show as he switches out instruments and plays everything. Someone with a brain like this, who can do it all with eerie perfect timing, scares us. He’s just too happy. 'This is ME' shows off the effect of his musical integration genius, it’s not cloudy or muddy but clear, clean and perfect. The crowd loves him as cannons shoot confetti in the air and 'So Much Love.' leaves us dancing.
