Hot Dog Day Bamboozled
When it comes to concerts, my usual approach is to buy a ticket and learn between two and four of the songs (regardless of the number of bands playing). For the Bamboozle Roadshow concert on Hot Dog Day, April 25, I was saved the effort of learning songs on my own time by simply doing homework in Powell and absorbing all of three CDs that played on repeat over a period of several days. Armed with recognition of many songs and the lyrics to a few, I found myself well prepared as I made way to the McLane parking lot for the Bamboozle Roadshow performance.
I can’t personally comment on Mercy Mercedes or Never Shout Never because I arrived at the show at the exact moment the latter stopped playing. But after asking around, the general consensus was that I hadn’t missed much so far. I made my way to the front of the crowd, where I was soon squashed between our beloved Student Senate president and the bouncer who worked for the bands; a metal-studded giant who answered to “Beast.”
Shortly after my arrival The Cab came on and gave a decent, alternative-style performance highlighted by a heart-stopping mega-bass cover of Rihanna’s "Disturbia." Though I’d rate them lowest of the three bands I heard, The Cab definitively possessed more talent than I was accustomed to in relation to other emo/alternative bands, of which there are too many to shake a stick at.
Immediately following The Cab’s relatively short performance came my personal favorite, Forever the Sickest Kids. The name is misleadingly dark, as their music consists of both optimistic lyrics and lighthearted guitar riffs. Their music was hopelessly catchy, and much of it seemed to have been written with concerts and audience participation in mind. Try their songs “Believe me, I’m Lying” and “The Way She Moves.”
Playing Forever the Sickest Kids back-to-back with Fall Out Boy might cause déjà vu, but given FOB’s success this might not be a bad thing.
Following FTSK was the tour’s unofficial headliner We The Kings, whose song “Check Yes Juliet” probably has had the most radio airtime. We The Kings managed to impress with vocals that nearly matched those of the studio recordings, a feat not often accomplished in this decade’s highly synthesized music. We the King’s cover of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” demonstrated lead singer Travis Clark’s impressive vocal range.
I liked all three bands for their clever lyrics and catchy guitar melodies.
The Bamboozle Roadshow concert was the highpoint of Hot Dog Day for many students, and apparently the concert was the better part of the weekend for the quintet of bands as well. We the Kings tour manager Travis Fair and merchandise handler Chris V. were involved in an altercation with Philadelphia police after their concert on April 26 at the Living Arts Center in Philadelphia, according to Philly.com.
I commend the Student Activities Board for bringing the bands here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these groups continued the tradition of bands that visit Alfred hitting it big—especially with the press they're getting in the aftermath of the Philly concert.
We the King's Clark summed up comparatively quiet Alfred up most eloquently: "I love it here! You guys have stuff...and trees!" Yep, that pretty much covers it.
