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....