Ghastly Menace

I can't believe this band doesn't have any reviews on ticketmaster, so I feel compelled to give my two cents. I saw them last night in Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda's... and as the review title states, Holy Sh*t. We paid $10 to see them... I would pay $100. In fact, I feel like I owe them money for how sick their live show is. I feel embarrassed that I paid so little for what was truly one of the best shows I've ever heard. It was a small venue, and on a Sunday, so it was a little low key and not as crowded as it could have been, but holy hell they shook the rafters and gave us one hell of a show. I've been a fan for probably around a year or so, and was just looking forward to seeing them live and hopefully picking up their full length album before it hits itunes in a week. I went with a few girlfriends for a night out, we sat up on the balcony tucked into a corner with some beers and we left stunned. I did not expect to walk away feeling like God punched me in the gut. I enjoyed them before last night. I LOVE them now. These guys have to get bigger. I will be shocked if they don't become one of the biggest bands to come out of the states in the next couple of years playing huge venues. They have ruined their own CD for me. I listen to it, and now I'm frustrated, because I know what it sounds like live, and I want that every time I listen to it. The did a cover of the Cranberrie's song "Zombie" and ruined that for me too. I love it more than the original. What the hell guys! Dear Mona - you have made me a loyal fan forever. Where you go, I will follow. I cannot wait until you come back to Philly again! Dear Nick Brown - sorry about the cougar in the pit, she was kinda feisty lol. You have one of best voices... thank you SO much for giving us more than 100% despite the smallish crowd. Also - the opening acts were ridiculous good too! I picked up their music as well. An all around knockout night. I'm an almost 30 yr old female who goes to about 10-15 shows a year, so when I say it was unbelievable, I say it because I truly mean it since I spend a lot of money to hear music live.

It was without a doubt the most amazing, intimate show I've ever been to. We (the fans) surrounded the band and was very interactive. The group I was in was actually sitting on the stage while Paradise Fears was situated in the pit. Sam literally looked everyone in the eye at least once - me quite a few times :) Both bands joked around with the crowd and gave the impression that this wasn't a concert but just a whole lot of people getting together to sing songs and laugh. I truly hope that PF does more of these shows.

We so loved this concert. Jay Siegel from the Tokens talked to the audience in addition to giving us so much wonderful music and Jimmy Clanton came out in the audience and sang to my friend. Charlie Thomas's Drifters were in top form also and once again he and the other groups talked to the audience which just doesn't happen in the larger venues in Pittsburgh. Just a fantastic experience!

Having seen the JaneDear Girls on CMA Awards, as well as a NBC special, I was expecting the group to be more Country/Western in their style. However, they proved to be equally influenced by 1980s poprock radio as well. This Rock n' Roll influence was evident early on and was later reinforced with a medley of popular rock tunes featuring Queen and others. Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with your Best Shot" was played in its entirety. The two young ladies fronting JaneDear proved to be talented multi-instrumentalists as well as vocalists. Their supporting band was equally talented and possessed a natural good-times flair onstage. Afterward, the young ladies autographed merchandise for the fans, and did so in a manner that seemed relaxed and genuine in their appreciation for those who ventured out to this concert.

My five year old granddaughter and I had front row seats at the Saturday matinee. Best seats in the house for one of the finest shows ever for children! Front row is best, whether for a five or 66-year old!

Ignorant had a chick filling in for the Eve Libertine role, and she was really good: she had a lot of lyrics to spit out, and she did it with conviction. The crowd seemed to accept her very well. Ignorant himself did very well of course, and the band was good--they played all the songs you'd want them to play, including my Ignorant favorites like "Do They Owe Us A Living," "So What," and "Big A Little A." The opening band was Goldblade, a Manchester street punk band fronted by a wanna-be rock star. "Do you believe in rock 'n roll?" over and over and over again! The high point was when they did "Oh Bondage, Up Yours" in honor of the recently passed Poly Styrene. The venue is nice. I would've given the show five stars, except the opening band was mediocre at best.

The golf tournament was fun to watch up close. These guys are good!! Saw two holes in one in a 1/2 hour on the 4th hole. They make it look easy!! Doral is a beautiful resort and the Blue Monster course is tough! Water every place! If u are not a big hitter 280 yards or more it's going to b a long day!! Santana concert at night was amazing as always!! He is one of the ultimate guitar players along with Hendrix and Slash and Eddie Van Halen!! He can make that guitar talk!! Second time I've seen him in concert!! Excellent as usual!! Nice bonus was that my Saturday golf ticket and concert ticket was upgraded for Sunday's final round for free!! I received an email at 4:15 saying to just bring my ticket from Saturday to the front gate Sunday and they will give u a general grounds ticket to Sunday's final round free!!

Our home town theater seats about 1300 but there was so much energy that it felt like a large arena. From the opening song, Hamilton was clearly enjoying the evening and it was infectious. And Hamilton has put together a band that's second to none. There's a whole lot more than just notes flowing from Fabian Hernandez' sax when blows. If you don't get goosebumps, you ain't listenin'. Armando and Dante command a constant toe tap that moves up the legs and then throughout. And they surprise during their encore by doing something no one would think possible.

Totally old school. It took me ten minutes to get an autograph from Denise LaSalle (me standing awkwardly in her face until she finished doing what she was doing). I waited four years to finally see her in concert and meet her and the whole experience was not what I expected. I thought she'd be happy to see fans still coming out. I felt cheated as a fan. Her performance was good, but it was totally unorganized once she got off the stage.

The combination of both American Authors and Royal Teeth is what I always envisioned a perfect summer show for me to be. A lot of energy, great songs and an amazing sound throughout. The show wasn't a sellout, but the both bands played their sets like they were playing to a sold out larger venue. First up was American Authors. They started out their with the goal of setting the audience rocking and never one in their 6-song set did they let up the pace. They kept the small, but very lively crowd going and enjoying themselves. They played their two most known songs, the songs with singles out currently, "Believer" and "Best Day of My Life" and all their upcoming songs to be on their EP/LP releases later this year were great as well. Unfortunately, I don't know them well enough to give you a set list, I can only tell you I can't wait to hear those songs again. Royal Teeth didn't let up the pace of energy and excitement. How do you not achieve that when confetti is blasted into the crowd right away? I loved their entire set and it's a really solid set list at this point for a Headliner. It builds and comes back down and definitely crescendos into an amazing finale. I loved how well the setlist was mixed with songs from their current EP and their upcoming LP. Royal Teeth has definitely worked out their set list to really incorporate the crowd into it and make them clap, toss around balloons and just easily have an incredible amount of fun at their show. Happily enough, the crowd was very much into it for an encore. Everything I could have wanted from this show, I got that night at Stage AE. For Pittsburgh being a new market, they played the hell out of the show and if you weren't there the first time to see this show, I cannot implore you enough to come around and see this show again when Royal Teeth comes back to Pittsburgh. Especially if you're a fan, you NEED to see them live. It's so amazing and they're all so warm and personable after the show when you meet them by the Merch table. This applies to American Authors, too. Both bands absolutely want to meet you whether you're a new fan or old. So an already great night is capped off with a moment after the show with the bands. All in all, this is not just fan hyperbole, both bands are fantastic if you love anything on AltNation, or just really fun great music. The bands themselves are amazing and great people, the show they put on is top notch and they are absolutely great to meet and talk to after the show. How can you go wrong? You just can't. So wherever you are, if they play near you, GO! You won't regret it and you can thank me later.