Show Update #9- NIK-FEST 2 at the Trinity Cathedral
The third show at the Trinity Cathedral, hopefully this keeps going for years to come. I think this show was hosted by Nikki from hoodwink, who paid to have her band and others play.
Band #1- Intake
When i arrived at 6:15 they were still setting up and they started at around half past 6, which is pretty early for a show to start after the doors open. Right off the bat they started with a cover of van halen, and continued with hard rhythms and drums. It was a little bit of a change from the usual show includes in bands. They had some good songs, though the PA system wasn't all that great and therefore i couldn't hear their lyrics to well.
Band #2- SGR
One question, what happened to Pete and the rest of the band? I didn't recognize anyone from the last time i had seen SGR. Also they didn't have every instrument they use to, trombone, trumpet, etc. They only had a frumpet (mellophone, hey i play that) and sax. Good ska band though. Good songs. I bought their cd, "The Tenby Chase", which happens to be from when they still had all their members. I even went to their website to see whats up, nothing on what happened to Pete and the rest of them. They had a pretty good set, a lot of audience interaction, including a pit forming. I just wish i knew what happened to my friends in SGR.
Band #3- Tonight We're Avena
Second time seeing them at a show. They gave a very good set. Some really good music and lyrics, just is the same to me as what my mood is. They guitarist must have been on stage and seriously wasted. He seemed to have no control over his guitar throwing ambitions. First he threw it straight up in the air in the middle of a song and everyone was like "Whoa did that guy really do that!?!". He caught it though and continued playing. Then at the end of the set he threw a different guitar into his amp. He wasn't upset, he was just burnt out. I mean after the whole show he asked me and a group of friends if we had a light. Anyway, overall the set was really good. I need to get a cd by twa. They weren't selling anything, but they play really good, addictive music.
Band #4- Hoodwink
I don't know, i think i saw them at a show before and completely forgot about writing a review for them, since i forgot they played. So this will be the first time i've seen them in memory. They turned out to be a ska band, and i met 3 of the members before or during the show through Nancy. They seemed like a pretty random yet modern day group of friends. They featured a girl on vocals, 2 saxaphones, a trombone, and guitar, bass, and drums. All they were missing was another horn and a better sound system that could equalize or set all the different instruments being used at a good level. They had some pretty good punk influenced sounding songs, mixed with ska. I always like the sound of a band with girl vocals. Especially one having an asian who has his saxaphone notes written all over his arm. If it wasn't for this band the show wouldn't have gone on.
Band #5- Gangus Kon
Like always, they are great. The bassist featured a new haircut, and looked completely different. They must have been practicing, because thats the best i've heard them play. They were a lot harder than i usually notice and caused a guy with a huge fro to wig out in the middle of the floor. As usual they were coaxed into playing one armed scissor and according to joe, their spoken hope of everyone moshing to it was not shared by its writers, At the drive-in. A mosh did break out though and i happened to be thrown into by someone unbeknownst to me. Though i rather like standing with my hands in my pockets watching and listening to the music being played. I like how gangus kon does their sets and how they are in the audience for the rest of the show. Its almost as if i know them, mean i do, but they don't know me, not that i introduce myself, even though the option is available. Their songs make me want to listen, not even sing along.
Band #6- the Sidewalk Heroes
I don't know. I was outside hanging with a group of friends of mine. At different times i called it that the drums were the same in each song, and when i listened they were, although i won no money or awards as i rightfully should have. Randomly the music stopped, and a minute later the lead singer stormed out of the doors to his car followed by the big guy who plays some instrument, who also was storming. Both looked extremely mad and the one drove away while the big guy stormed back in. Christy doesn't think that works, but i saw it with my own three eyes. Maybe this means they won't play at anymore shows. hmm.
Lets review:
Good idea in this show. I had fun, although i didn't like the set times. The show was over at about 10:30, which is very strange. All the sets seemed to be extremely short, even the good ones, that i listened too. I was a little upset when a good band after what seemed like only 6 songs packed up and was done before i could take it all in. Thats alright though, it was a good show, especially the ending with the Sidewalk Heroes, that brought good cheer to all.
