Do I trust my heart or just my mind...

What better way to welcome myself home than going to a show?  Unfortunately I missed seeing the 'Where's the Band?' tour at my favorite venue, The Troubadour.  For good reason though, I was still in London.  I bought tickets for the Anaheim date at the House of Blues Rules instead.  Despite hating the entire chain of House of Blues, the show was amazing.  The tour featured Anthony Raneri of Bayside, Chris Conley of Saves the Day, Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids, and last but not least, Dustin Kensrue of Thrice.  I invited Brandi to come down with me.  Nothing better than seeing a show with someone you know will enjoy it as much as you.

Anthony's set was great.  He played Alkaline Trio (Good Fucking Bye) and Death Cab For Cutie (I Will Follow You into the Dark) covers.  If I had any complaints about his set, I would have to say I was a bit disappointed that he didn't play more Bayside songs.

Saves the Day songs are always fun to sing along to.  Luckily a majority of the crowd knows the words to out sing Chris Conley.  I have always, and will always love Saves the Day, but christ what happened to his voice in the last few years?  Is it possible for him to become anymore nasally?  Regardless, his selection of songs played were all good choices.

The night before the show my friend Katy and I were talking about Matt Pryor.  She was telling me that she will love every music project he does because he's got that voice you just fall in love with.  I couldn't agree with her more.  I can remember playing 'Something To Write Home About' over and over in my room when I was 14.  Hearing him play gave me the best nostalgia of all of those times.  So much in fact, my eyes watered at one point.  Such a sap!

 

Dustin Kensrue seems to have the same effect on me.  I've listened to Thrice since I was 14/15 and I love the solo record he put out a couple years ago.  I always love when bands stick to their roots and thank their family or supporters who have been there for them all along.  He dedicated the song he wrote for his wife who happened to be in the crowd.  Pretty sure I saw her wipe a tear or two from her eyes.  I don't think there is anything cuter than the fact that there were a couple hundred other people in that room, yet there was still a very intimate moment between the two of them.  He did a few covers, a few Thrice songs, and a lot of solo stuff.  Definitely a performance to satisfy the entire crowd.

During the last couple of songs the rest of the guys came back on stage to join Dustin.  Despite Matt's continuous attempts to cover Miley Cyrus' Party in the U.S.A. they covered NOFX's Linoleum and Jawbreaker's Boxcar.  Such an amazing show to start off the year!