Yellowcard, The Starting Line, The Matches, Hey Mike!

November 13, 2004

Tabernacle -- Atlanta, GA

The members of Yellowcard must feel like they are living a dream right now. It’s doubtful that, back in the day, when Yellowcard was playing to handfuls of people at local clubs like Jack Rabbit’s and Riptides the guys ever imagined that just a few years later that this would be their life. Boasting a platinum major-label debut, an MTV Video Music Award and most recently a headlining tour with sold out shows across the country, Yellowcard has finally achieved what the guys have always wanted. And when you see Yellowcard play live, you’ll understand exactly why this band deserves every bit of success and recognition that has come its way over the last year and a half.

As a result of (probably) part nepotism and part musical talent, Hey Mike! landed the opening slot for the tour. A Takeover Records band, Hey Mike! specializes in the type of pop-punk that typically comes to mind when you hear that description. Resembling the earlier records of bands like The Starting Line, New Found Glory and Don’t Look Down, Hey Mike!’s music wasn’t innovative but the band certainly pulls off pop-punk very well. And lucky for them, the Tabernacle was jam-packed when they took the stage, so the kids were amped to see their set and totally ate it up. If Hey Mike! would only work on having a little less stage banter, these guys could definitely secure a solid spot in the pop-punk scene.

As soon as The Matches took the stage following Hey Mike! and started up with “Borderline Creep,” it became obvious why these guys don’t deserve the “pop-punk” label. Though their songs are catchy, the music is way more rock than pop and the trademark nasal/whiny vocals are nowhere to be found. As the band I was looking most forward to seeing, The Matches definitely didn’t disappoint. With a style all their own, the Matches rocked through a good portion of their debut record “E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals.” The band’s unique stage presence and attitude made album highlights like “Chain Me Free,” “The Jack Slap Cheer” and “Audioblood” even that much better. And the crowd was treated to a new song “Shoot Me and Smile,” which if that’s an accurate representation of more songs to come, then The Matches have an incredibly bright future ahead. Putting on yet another great show, The Matches closed out with “Sick Little Suicide” and then proceeded to make everyone in the audience a little giddy by going out in the crowd and selling CDs, taking pictures and signing autographs. Definitely a smart marketing tool that hyped up the band’s buzz just that much more. You just can’t deny the all-around talent and smarts of this Cali quartet with the coolest hair around.

Next, The Starting Line arrived to make sure that everyone was warmed up for the headliners. It had been a while since I last saw The Starting Line, so I was anxious to see how the guys had changed since then. Picking the perfect opening song with “The Best of Me,” The Starting Line got the crowd singing along the minute Kenny let out the first few lines. The band continued its trend of energetic pop-punk shows that night, hitting some deeper tracks from “Say It Like You Mean It” like “Given the Chance,” “Cheek to Cheek” and “Up & Go.” In addition, the crowd got to preview some new material from the band’s upcoming album “Based on a True Story”–which Matt mentioned might be out in April–that included a slower number “Ready” and the controversial-on-message-boards song “Bedroom Talk.” Ending with the crowd pleaser “Leaving,” The Starting Line fulfilled expectations for a fun set and left many eager for the new album.

So, what can I say about Yellowcard that I haven’t already said many, many times in my reviews on this site? Probably not much. Though there is one thing that I know I haven’t said before....hands down, Yellowcard’s show this night was THE best I have EVER seen them play. And that says a lot because I have been watching these guys for many years now. I honestly think playing everyday on the Warped Tour for three months straight helped the band smooth out any rough spots, refine its strengths and tighten up the whole crew. Yellowcard was incredible. And listening to the voices of the capacity crowd fill the entire Tabernacle when Ryan would let the audience do the singing was definitely memorable.

Possibly taking a cue from Something Corporate, a piano with “Your vote is meaningless” scrawled across the front waited on stage to greet the band. Two-fifths of Yellowcard took the stage initially, with Pete on piano and Sean accompanying him with the violin. After the brief instrumental intro, the remainder of the band came out to piercing screams from the countless teenage girls in attendance. Kind of an interesting choice for the opening song, “Inside Out” was quickly followed by “October Nights,” much to everyone’s delight. The extended set allowed the band to roll through almost all of “Ocean Avenue,” leaving out only “Miles Apart” and “Twenty Three.” From “The Underdog EP,” we got “Finish Line,” “Powder” and “Rocket.” I’m curious why the guys never play “Underdog,” which is by far the best song on that EP. And from the semi-old school “One for the Kids” days, the guys broke out “Trembling,” “For Pete’s Sake” and “A.W.O.L.” As a whole, the band was incredibly tight, super energetic and Sean’s voice has gotten a lot stronger since the band’s last club tour.

After finishing the main set with “Back Home” (I’m glad they finally played this one live), Yellowcard was beckoned to return by the shouts and claps of the thousands in attendance. With Sean on bass (a very weird sight) and Pete on piano, the guys returned with “Rocket.” Following the second encore song (which I think was “Gifts and Curses,” please correct me if I’m wrong), Yellowcard ended on the highest note possible with the band’s hit “Ocean Avenue.” Not a soul stood still for the duration of the song, and when it was all over, everyone wanted more.

The combination of the music, the lights, the emotion and the energy truly made that night at the Tabernacle a memorable one for everyone there. I’m sure the band felt it, too.

Leah Weinberg

The Matches Set List:
Borderline Creep
Dog-Eared Page
The Jack Slap Cheer
Chain Me Free
The Restless
Shoot Me and Smile
Audioblood
Sick Little Suicide

The Starting Line Set List:
Best of Me
Up & Go
?
Given the Chance
Left Coast Envy
A Goodnight’s Sleep
Ready
Bedroom Talk
Cheek to Cheek
Leaving

Yellowcard Set List:
Inside Out
October Nights
Breathing
Believe
Powder
Finish Line
One Year, Six Months
Rough Draft
Trembling
Empty Apartment
View from Heaven
Life of a Salesman
A.W.O.L.
Only One
For Pete’s Sake
Way Away
Back Home

Encore:
Rocket
Gifts and Curses???
Ocean Avenue

 

Related Links:
Yellowcard Photos
The Starting Line Photos
The Matches Photos