My friends and I were ready for a rock filled night in Downtown Cleveland where we could see our favorite band at the time, Hot Water Music. On the way, we would blast their music, getting psyched for the crowds who would let inhibitions go. Once at the Agora, we made the many excusable pushes through the crowd to get up front. There were three bands before Hot Water Music and the one that has stuck in my mind since has been GlassJaw.
Now, I thought Hot Water Music was the main act during this tour around the country, but I soon realized that the majority of the crowd was there for the wall of noise, spaztastic-singer that is GlassJaw. When my ears were barraged with conflicting chords and a singer’s whine that could only be heard in the lulls, I found myself trying to make sense of any harmonious pattern. I wanted so badly to know why kids were going crazy, but at last I finally gave into sitting stunned at the crowd’s action.
Later that night I quickly downloaded the GlassJaw’s “Worship and Tribute” and I immediately found out why I couldn’t make any musical sense at the concert. The first song on the CD is called “Tip your Bartender” which offered the chaos edge that you would expect from a post-hardcore genre but yet had to be carefully engineered in the studio to let all the pure technical mayhem shine through as a well thought-out concoction.
I believe this band has made it into my revolving musical phases due to their sense of dynamics that seem to perfectly balance the “Worship and Tribute” CD. A great example of their melo-ambient feel can be heard in the song “Ape Dos Mil”. The lyrics alone will make you want to sing along with the exaggerated style that fits so well with this band.
I remember this band not only for their unique style but for what they made me notice. If it wasn’t for a good producer and careful studio mastering, I would most likely not like this band. I was not impressed at the concert when I first saw them and I think that if I ever saw them again, I would have to sound the songs out in my head just to sing along. Don’t get me wrong, the energy they brought into that concert is very hard to surpass for any band out there, but I think that to truly love them in concert, you have to let yourself sink into the noise and love them for the dynamics they play on the crowd.
Great post, and some really great pics! That first pic is particularly cool. How was Hot Water Music?
Hot Water Music had a lot of respect that night. Sparta came out and sat on the sides of the stage to watch this band. I particularly love the bass lines that surprisingly seems to pop in a progressive-punk band. After this show, they disbanded in 2006 but got back together in 2007. I have yet to see them again, but when I do, you will definitely see a post on here!
I remember seeing diamonds, what ever happened to them? sounds like my song ehhe
I love seein’ diamonds and trusty chrords
is there any chance your site could allow bloggers to download musics? or maybe hear while they read your blog?
Yeah Click on the links in the text and that should take you to the pages where you can listen to the bands.