10:1 (Shows:Month)

Raisch/Hirsch (of the Futuretips)

Walker Lundee

Foxymorons

Jetpack

Finally back from PA. It was a good time. Allow me to elaborate.

So, after having driven for a little more than an hour to pick up some of my friends who are at schools in the Lehigh Valley, we all headed south on 309. We didn't have too much trouble getting there, but we were a little early (it was supposed to start at 2, we got there at 3, nothing happened until 4:30), so we decided to walk around the beautiful city that is Philadelphia. We were probably in one of the skeeviest sections of the city (we did see the Disney Church though, and lots of shoes on telephone lines), although there are plenty in Philadelphia, so we didn't stay out too long.

The venue itself, if you can even call it that, was pretty amazing. It was literally in a room in a huge factory. We were told to take this old industrial elevator to the third floor; it was possibly the most exhilarating elevator ride I have ever experienced. The room itself was about halved by a half-pipe that was being used by some of the older folks and two youngins, perhaps 10 of age or so. Besides them, we were the youngest ones there.

After we arrived, we got the disappointing news that Bishop Allen had car trouble, and they had to cancel. However, we had already driven all the way out there, and I wanted to see Jetpack, so we stuck around. We got a seat on a couch, and the first band, two members from the Futuretips, came on. One played guitar, the other on a synthesizer. Their songs were good, but I wish they had the other three members with them, as the songs seemed empty at times. They even commented on the fact themselves after one of their songs.

After Raisch/Hirsch of the Futuretips came Walker Lundee, who seemed the resident band of 3233 Amber Street. They were on all of the old posters that were up, and the stencil which they used to paint "Walker Lundee" on their bass drum was even taped to the wall. They were alright, although for the night, I think they were my least favorite. The lead played a tinny sounding baby blue Rickenbacker, and was joined by a bassist and a drummer who seemed not to fit well with the other two. Their songs were alright, but after a short while, began to sound somewhat similar.

Next was the Foxymorons, the wild card of the night. I knew they were a similar line up to Jetpack, but I hadn't done enough research. It turns out, the only difference is that there is a different lead singer/guitarist, and Sean plays bass instead of guitar and David vice versa. They were good, very pop oriented. They alternated vocals between David and Jerry the non-Jetpack guy. Personally, I found the songs sung by David a bit better than those by Jerry. The slightly nasally quality of Jerry's voice is a bit hard to get used to, but still good. They were pimping out their most recent album "Hesitation Eyes", but unfortunately I wasn't able to part with my limited funds to get one.

There was a short interlude filled by one Scott of Bikini Car Wash Company, but he doesn't deserve much of a note here. He wrote slightly comical tunes about his Dell computer breaking and whatnot. Jetpack, who shouldn't have had any trouble getting up and going in two minutes flat, took their time and came on some time after Scott was on. Jetpack, although a similar lineup to the Foxymorons, are quite a different band. Sean is such an excellent frontman, with an stellar voice and just a presence about himself. Jetpack's set was very impressive, covering mostly newer material from what it seemed, with songs such as "Hot Rod", "Destroy Your Hideout" and closing with "Mathematics". I was a little depressed they didn't play "Bianca" or "Matters of Science" though. Overall, it was a spectacular performance, and I really can't wait until they come anywhere close to the tri-state area to see them again.

Unfortunately, we didn't stay for the last band, Dragon City, but the logistics of getting back to Bethlehem, then driving to New Brunswick, and then back to Morris County and leaving really late didn't seem to work out. It was a very adventurous night, one which won't leave my mind for a good deal of time. Sorry for slacking in my duties.

Pics
The Foxymorons
Jetpack
Google search for "christian owens" and "tomorrow's friend" "

And sorry for the Rogue Wave play on words. I've been listening to them since their first album, and I couldn't help but use the title to their new single to celebrate the 10th show I went to in one month. It's a milestone I'll ne'er forget.