Emery, NumberOneGun

Editor's Review:

Showing up early at shows is always kind of a weird thing. I’m always so excited to get there early, but after five minutes of pure boredom, I just want the show to start. Arriving at the Chain Reaction at 4:30 in the afternoon, I find that the members of Emery have taken over the parking lot and were sorting out all of their merchandise, with their shirts off, trying to “bag some rays,” as it were. I see the party van belonging to none other than Cabrini Green who, although not playing on this night, came down a day early to just hang out. Believe me, between the time I arrived and the time the show began, there was plenty of hang out time to be had.
Fast forward to eight o’clock...The Great Glass Elevator took the stage. Having heard a lot about this band without ever actually hearing their music, I already knew I would probably like them judging them by their name. They incorporated movie quotes into their show and did it perfect. The kids at the Chain Reaction all seemed to have seen them time and time again because they were shouting out the words to all the movie lines and songs. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of their new EP All in the Golden Afternoon, produced by the and only Bob Burch.
Bleed the Dream was on next. Belting out song after song with crowd interaction, Bleed the Dream created an energy lacking in most bands.. Not only were their songs played with a raw, genuine feeling, but words that were spoken in between songs were equally as convicting. Bleed the Dream can be seen on the rest of this tour, and this summer on the Warped Tour. If you have seen them already, I know you will go see them again. And if you have not seen them, I suggest you do.
Up next was Number One Gun. Fresh off recently recording their sophomore effort, Promises for the Imperfect, Number One Gun started things off with a brand new song. After that they continued to shower the audience with old songs like, “Last Time,” and “On and On.” In between the songs those assembled knew every word to, they showered us with a batch of new songs that I do not think could have been written any better. They ended with their set with the quintessential closer, “The Starting Line.”
The exit stage left of Number One Gun brought on the climax most anticipated and talked about show I have seen in a long time. Emery. These six lads from the Northwest are taking the country by storm, one show at a time. This Friday night in Anaheim was no different. Emery came out and played a phenomenal set. They had every one singing along with their old songs and standing in awe of their new songs. Inside the sauna that was the Chain Reaction that night, four hundred pairs of eyes watched as they belted out old songs from their debut album, The Weak’s End. They had the kids hanging on to every word and movement throughout “The Ponytail Parade,” “Under Serious Attack,” and their signature song, “Walls.” The new songs they slid in amazed the audience and their new album, The Question, will be released on Tooth and Nail records on August 2nd. The only bummer is me and every other kid in that venue realized that we will have to wait until then to hear the songs over and over and over and over.
As the night came to a close and all the kids were coming out of the venue, sweaty, smelly, and amazed. Everyone was blown away by the show. I was watching kids in different groups talking about the show and how they are coming back again tomorrow to see Emery and Bleed the Dream when I realized I was one of them, coming back for more the next night.

May 28th

The show was over-sold by about one hundred and fifty tickets. The same as the night before. I arrived at six o’clock and there were already kids in line. A lot of kids in line. From the parking lot I heard some sound checking going on inside, and I couldn’t excited again; it is not often that two consecutive nights in a row I get this giddy about seeing the same show.
Cabrini Green, a new band from Northern California was on first. The night before they were at the show hanging out and having fun. Tonight, they were hanging out, having fun and they got to play some rock. They played their set and I was excited as it was the first time in about a year I was able to witness Ben Tietz, Cabrini Green’s singer, rock. I had the pleasure of seeing him play in his previous bands, and now this one. Cabrini Green played an awesome set. Their songs were full of energy and polished. Most impressive were their vocal harmonies and melodies. Ben gets the award for best comment of the night by someone in a band. He was in between songs, talking about the band’s website and sort of blurted out to about four hundred people, ranging in age from about 14-28, “If you guys have a Myspace account…” If ? If ? Who doesn’t have a Myspace account these days? He realized what he said when everyone screamed, and had a good laugh about it.
Next up was Dead Letter Diaries. They play in Orange County often and their new CD, Since the Realist was released on May 24. Their songs were full of energy and they were fun to watch. By this time inside it was already as hot as it was the night before. It was so hot in there I was having trouble thinking. I have no idea how these guys continued to play they way they did. They mentioned they were going on tour soon with a band called Cavil at Rest. I couldn’t wait to get home, put in their CD, and then find out when they were playing again.
Bleed the Dream played after Dead Letter Diaries. Bleed the Dream again, just like the night before, was breathtaking. They were fun to watch and the kids at the Chain Reaction interacted with them a lot making the show fun for everyone. After seeing them two nights in a row they left me wanting more and more.
Emery. What can I say that has not already been said? The only thing I can think of, is this show was better than the first night. The only reason I said this, was the fact that I was a little more familiar with the new songs. I already felt like I had heard them a thousand times. Every kid in there was screaming every word to the old songs. For me the highlight of this show was watching Mike Janke, the bass player for Cabrini Green, get on stage and scream on “Walls,” to end the band’s set. A lot of kids jumped up on stage with them during this song and made it a community event. A lot of fun.
This time after the show was over everyone seemed a bit bummed out because there was not going to be a show tomorrow with these same bands. But I think the effect of these two shows will be able to hold these kids over until the next time they get to witness these bands. I know it will for me.



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