100 Resolutions

This time of year, The Lawrence Arms hit 100 Resolutions reemerges frequently among my friends as our perennial New Years anthem (Take that, Auld Lang Syne). Enjoy our favorite as we toast to 2009 being done and very much over with:

This year I'll try not to drink so much.
This year I'll try to stand up straight.
This year let's live liked we've never lived before,
this is our year for sure.

Holiday Havoc - Saturday Scrutiny

The much awaited Holiday Havoc IV show at Harro East came and went last Saturday with a lot of anticipation, and a fair return on investment. My partner-in-crime, a former ROC local drummer, and I arrived early, amped up to see the line-up that ranged from pop-rock to metal. Sets flew by (around 20 minutes apiece) and tunes were shredded. All in all, the show was worth the 10 bucks, but could have used a little diversity in the sounds, and a lot of help with the equipment and technical difficulties.

Rock quartet, Avenue You, is always a crowd-pleaser, and didn't let us down. However, the boys were suffering the wrath of a crapped-out amp. Technical difficulties aside, we love their genuine rock foundation and pop-punk roots

Drawing Infinity had a lot of flash, but need to work on the substance behind the scenes. Song Pirates on Parade was a whimsical rock-metal journey. But, their most innovative sound came from their cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, which either shows their ability to rock an iconic/ironic oldie, or reveals cracks in their own creativity.

Loved the brand new tune Upstate Confidential with its heavy bass sound. Storm the Bay, was this you? On a related note, bands, set lists change, always enunciate your band name in the mic, eh?

Finally caught up with A Scene Unseen, the veritable wet-dream of the local metal/rock/hardcore scene. We really wanted to love them too, but they came at the end of a block of acts with the same rock-metal sound. But, their potential- mainly in the guitar crescendos- makes us want another shot. Keeping an eye out for their next ROC show.

Just as band after band was lulling us to sleep with their cookie-cutter hardcore, Lights of Autumn blew up a pop bomb and rescued us from monotony. Playing such favorites such as Business Men, we were glad they closed with the most lyrically developed and mature song of their repertoire, Anything.

We tried to bear the rest of the night, catching ATSOC as our last act (Thumbs up, I-town represent with singer, Jake Gissen), but when our only main draw was so my concert companion could see Thom of Young Bloods play, we called it quits.

Cheers to the holidays, and a Happy New Year filled with shows....

Roc Local Holiday Show

Every season in the Roc welcomes concerts that mash the local bands we love into a venue for one night of our enjoyment. This Saturday the 26th brings Holiday Havoc 4 to do just that. The bill is filled with some we've seen before, and some we've been dying to see and slacking on (cough, A Scene Unseen, cough). Be sure to get front and center for these highlights:

-Storm the Bay's power guitars and pit-worthy tunes. Watch out for this girl throwing some 'bows.
-The never-ending girl power and newish lineup of Lights of Autumn (fingers crossed that they play Anything)
-A Thousand Shades of Cold's speed-metal guitars. Aggressive backing + powerful vocals = must see.
-The boys of Avenue You, playing their pop-rock complete with lyrics that will break your heart and make you fall in love in 3 minutes or less.

Presale tickets are suggested, and must be purchased through a band. But, if you need 'em, shoot me a DM @PunkROC on Twitter or an email at Punkrochester@yahoo.com.

Where: Harro East Ballroom, 16+
Time: Doors at 6

Christmas come early

As if preparing this girl's Christmas list early, Warped Tour pit reporter, Tiffany Mink, dropped a vlog post today that brings the official announcement of the Warped Tour acts for 2010. This year, the tour is coming to Darien Lake July 14th, and here's a breakdown of what and who we're looking forward to this summer:

The Casualties
Eyes Set to Kill
Polar Bear Club (Roc City WHAT?)
Sum 41
Set Your Goals
Reel Big Fish (Ska love)
Motion City Soundtrack
You Me at Six
Andrew W.K. (Classically trained)
Fight Fair
Bring Me the Horizon (UK amazing)
Call the Cops

King Me

Retro jams are reigning blows down on the ROC this weekend. The Chesterfield Kings, Rochester's own throwback rock band of crazies, is shredding the German House Saturday night. They are a misfit group of musicians that easily have one of the best stage shows this chick has seen. Come on out if you have a genuine appreciation of rock music's past taking shape today.

Location: The German house
Time: 8PM
Cash: $25 at the door or the Bop Shop

Full Metal Set List

Back in August we happened upon metal rockers Call Me The Patriot at Ragefest while dashing back and forth between the sides of Water Street. We were struck by their stage presence, enthusiasm, and powerful vocals. But, they admitted that they were pretty fresh out on the scene, and their set showed it: lots of heart, needed some elbow grease.

Now, after a couple months, a lineup change, and some time in the studio, they're back headlining a night of metal bands from the Rochester area. We're excited to see what CMTP has been up to since the summer, and also for some rock solid openers. Our pre-show favorites are looking like Sky Davis and Heavy Lies the Crown.

When: Friday the 11th
Time: Doors at 6
Damage: $10 presale, $12 at the door

#MusicMonday

I woke up today with this song in my head–don't you love when dreams have great soundtracks–and had to share it for Twitter's #MusicMonday.

Aside from being a big fan of this song, Finch is the textbook example I use of how a band that features screaming should also balance it with strong, melodic vocals. A band that only showcases screaming limits accessibility to audiences other than their core. I am a firm believer that the bands with the best innovation and musical foundation in the generes of screamo, metalcore, hardcore, and rock etc are the ones that blend different vocal stylizations into one bitchin' result.

More Finch: What it is to Burn
Bitemarks and Bloodstains
Stay with Me

Saturday Concert Series

This weekend's concert options offer two great choices. And, both shows are totally varied so you can pick your level of motivation and price, and still see a badass performer. Check it out:

Weezer in Toronto
Effort level- 8 out of 10
Cost-6

Our loves, Weezer, will be playing at Toronto's Air Canada Center tomorrow. Show starts at 8, so there's plenty of time to gas up your ride and cross the border. Best of all, they are headlining radio station The Edge's Jingle Bell Rock and the openers include Motion City Soundtrack and Jack's Mannequin. Though it takes a little cash and commitment, this show is sure to rock.

MC Lars at Water Street Music Hall
Effort Level- 2
Cost-2

So I'm a little biased in that I've seen Lars 2 or 3 times in the last year and a half. But, his brand of nerd-rock combined with the fact that he's playing at the Club at Water Street make this the ultimate Roc concert this weekend. He is headlining WBER's Holiday show, along with Lovedrug, K. Flay and Hyperbole Caboose. On the cheaper end of the spectrum, but Lars always puts on a performance when he comes to the Flower City.