Flyer

Issue date: 3/17/05 Section: Tempo

Media Credit: google.com Rise Against´s Rim Mcllarth [Click to enlarge]

On February 20th, Break the Silence, Alexisonfire, Tsunami Bomb, and Rise against played at the Metro. Chicago native melodic-hardcore band, Break the Silence opened followed by Alexisonfire. The Canadian quintet looks like boarding school escapees. Their sound is of the post-hardcore variety. George Pettit's vocal stylings are a cross between pre-pubescent screaming and a very angry kitten. The band took time out of playing to instruct the audience on how at concerts, the music should be more important than what you wear. (I am sure that the 15 year olds that comprised the bulk of the audience took the advice to heart). You can hear the band's youth in their sound and don't sound like a band so much a five people that happen to be playing the same song at the same time. Though the sound left something to be desired, the band played with boundless energy and a visible affinity for the audience.

Next came Tsunami Bomb, the Bay Area quartet brought the rock and didn't look back. Lead singer Agent M jumped and ran around the stage like she was in a decathlon and still sang flawlessly. She is fascinating to watch as a performer, because she is an adorable, petite, pixie of a woman that can belt out hard-hitting lyrics better than most men during live performances. Bassist Dominic Davi had been very ill the night before and still managed to slap out chord after chord of perfection. The energetic and rambunctious mood of their set was contagious and soon the whole audience was jumping. The band as a whole was the epitome of band that enjoys playing together and are old hands of how to play as a band. Most of the show, they were leaning on each other and having fun with each other, they looked like a band that was going to be together for a long time. The best thing about Tsunami Bomb's performance was that beside the fact that their live sound is immaculate, they play like the love it, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Chicagoans Rise Against are no strangers to playing the Windy City's concert scene, but the guys did seem very humbled that they got to play two consecutive nights at the Metro and treated it as an honor. Being that they had played the night before and a chunk of the audience had been there they tried to switch things up and play different songs, which was treat to not only those that were there the night before, but all of the rabid fans in the audience. Vocalist Tim Mcllrath continuously made it very clear throughout the show how much he appreciated the audience and their support. At one point during a song Mcllrath and Bassist Joe Principe, decided that they weren't playing good enough and that the audience deserved better and started over. Tim Mcllarth is a very diminutive man, but you would have no idea from listening to him. With their insightful, poignant, intelligent, political lyrics, they whipped the already rampaging audience into an even bigger frenzy. At some points, the band was barely audible because the crowd was singing along so loudly.

All in all, despite a disappointing start, the concert was incredible for band and audience member alike and no one left unsatisfied.

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