From Autumn to Ashes/Walls of Jerico/Armor for Sleep/Silverstein/The A.K.A.s

The Metro, Chicago IL
February 20, 2004

The floor was mostly empty.  Kids were being searched at the door while the first band was setting up.  They were well into their second song before there was a crowd worthy enough to talk to.  The A.K.A.s erupted with energy and excitement.  The atmosphere was weird and you couldn't really tell if the crowd was feeling them or if they were just glad to be in out of the street.  

The A.K.A.s are more old school punk than modern emo.  The singer, Mike, was clad in tight black pants, a jean jacket, and had his fist in the air.  These are the kinds of bands that like to start shit.  The A.K.A.s lyrics are more than ferocious, they are intelligent.  So many bands think they have something to say, but the A.K.A.s say it.  That's what I loved about them.  Some kid from the crow yelled "Man, you are wasting my time."  To which Mike on the mic responded, "I'm gonna waste some more of this kid's time."  Mike then went into a political rhetoric that I was proud of.  Regardless of your political standing, the underlying point was made.  At their merch table, you can register to vote.  Instead of just complaining about the state of things, they encouraged kids to rise up, get off their asses, and do something about it.  I was impressed with the fierceness of their show and the energy they exuded as the crowd got bigger and bigger.  By the end of their set, the crowd was full, and were jumping, and having a great time.  It was a good showing from the NYC boys.

The second band that played was Victory's own Silverstein.  I was pleasantly surprised at how intense these guys were.  A band of five guys that when combined, their ages probably don't add up to 100.  Young guys out of Canada.  However, their sound is mature and interesting.  The crowd was thrusting and jumping, and every inch of air was full of energy.  The sweat of 400+ kids mixed together.  I could tell that these guys were a favorite of the night.  Their music is schizophrenia at an extreme.  The tone went from soft ballad pandering to violent, kick you in the balls screaming.  From start to finish the crowd was in their hands.  Silverstein's latest album's music made a great showing and the crowd knew all the words.  Screaming, fists in the air, jumping, sweating, they were everything a young band aspires to be; on top of the world for 30 minutes.  

Armor for Sleep was the third band to play.  I bought this CD a while ago and never really bothered to listen to it.  I had bought it the last time I saw them play in Chicago.  Comparatively, they have improved ten fold.  The crowd seemed excited enough to be in their presence, but did not react as well.  The set started off well, but lost steam half way through, and by the end of the set, people were edgy.  I guess waiting for From Autumn to Ashes to play was wearing the metal kid's appreciation for emo too thin.

Well, they got what they wanted.  Walls of Jericho loaded onto the stage and began to play and then, their singer jaunted on to the stage.  This is the reason that I hate female-fronted bands.  Thirty minutes of screaming that not only sucked, but was incomprehensible; I wanted to throw myself off of the balcony.  I could not understand one single word that she "sang."  The singer was probably five feet tall on a good day and thought she was the metal Gwen Stefani.  She was so totally wrong.  The kid that was next to us actually leaned against the wall and fell asleep.  I'm not sure how he slept through the noise, but he must have just been that bored.  I sure was.  Walls of Jericho, I'm not impressed.

Finally, From Autumn to Ashes (FATA) took the stage, the tension broke, and the crowd went crazy.  They opened with "After Dinner Payback."  I thought this was a bold move because that was the most well-known song on their second disc.  The tempo was fast-paced and aggressive and the entire venue was shaking with adrenaline.  They blasted through the first six songs like a pistol.  One after another.  

They then took a break and Ben told us that they were embarking on a tour in the U.K. the next day (which we wish them all the luck on).  At which point, frail Francis, who is generally trapped behind the drums, bellowing out vocals that emanate through everything else going on, emerges from behind to take the mic.  "Lilacs & Lolita" was his shining moment.  He was so emotional and so intense that he lunged himself on the ground.  It was amazing to watch and to listen. Somehow, every word out of his mouth hit you in the heart and made you feel like you were there on stage with him, on display.  Truly impressive.  Most of the rest of their set was compiled of songs from their first release, Too Bad Your Beautiful.  All in all, the concert was awesome.  Not life changing, but hey, what can you do?  I strongly suggest that you check out FATA when they hit your area.

XROXX concert rating: XXX (3 out of a possible 5 X's)

Jayne*Star
jayne.star@XROXX.com