Show Update #22 - Suzanne Patterson Community Center
I came for a band I had found on the internet a while ago and Cryptkeeper was going to show so that was a nice bonus.
Three doos at the door, it would soon show it was worth the trip and the getting lost in Princeton trying to find the place. The first band, Audiot came on and immediately I was drawn in. A four peice set they had 2 guitars, that both would play some pretty neat solos, a vocalist who also played the bass, and a pretty good drummer. The lead singer's voice was amazingly unique compared to the bands I've seen and listened to in recent times. He had a full out falsetto mixed with a blues or a grunge type of style. It was strong and unwavering, the guy just was gifted with a really good voice. It was so interesting to listen too and watch.
If you've read past reviews you would know I am a sucker for effects. The guitarists seemingly were masters of funk. Even though they cheated a little and played their guitars in drop D, they made up for it in quality. The rhythms they beat out of their instruments were all over the place yet enthralling all the same. The guitars became voices of their own as they often made replies to each others' chords. The lead got really into his music and was dancing or straining his face as he accentuated his technique.
The refrains were for the most part pretty upbeat and I found myself nodding my head as the drummer struck a cymbal or the guitarist wammied out some neat tune. Their set was over an hour and it all blew by pretty quick, even with their songs being at least 5 minutes each. They have a really awesome sound that is not only unique but comes from pure talent. I made sure I satiated my senses by picking up one of the free cds they were handing out in the back.

In between bands they had a fucking raffle. It was awesome. I didn't realize, but this was a benefit show or maybe it was. It was atleast run by some group of kids that wanted money for something. Anyway 3 dollars, cheap drinks and eats, and a fucking raffle, what is this?!? It's crazy I tell you. The stuff they were giving away I wouldn't have liked winning much (except for the CD player) but ah well, its the thought that counts.

I had found these guys on the internet, much in the same fashion I found out about [here] tomorrow. mp3.com was a wonderful thing back when it was still up and running. Well anyway it was time for Opposing Perfection to take the stage and flip some shit. I was extremely suprised when not only was the band just three people, but also they still had not yet aquired a bassist (I read on their website, two of them quit). The sound they had recorded and I was able to download just seemed like there was so much more involved. With one singer and one screamer, and both of them on guitar it was just fucking amazing what they could put together.
One salient characteristic about the band in the beginning of their performance was the singer was tone deaf at some points. When he hit the note the sound was so fucking perfect, but when he held his voice trying to find that spot it just clashed with the rest of the ensemble. Oh well, I think just that he was able to get up there, play and sing, all in front of a crowd of peers is quite admirable. Hell, I would be nervous too, i figure that is what was culpable in this situation. When he hit the note the sound was just so powerful and then the other vocalist came in with his incisive scream and it was over, one had to thrash. I haven't even mentioned how amazing the drummer was. With his sick motions he crashed out a beat that was quick, hard, and heavy. All of these qualities extenuated any foul-ups given by the other members. This kid has to have been one of the best drummers I've seen live. Most people can't pull off hardcore, considering it's usually not just a basic rock beat, but this kid toar that shit up between toms and crashes, all over, full circle. With some thought I have come to the conclusion that maybe the lead singer is tone deaf because of the bands' name, or visa versa. He is opposing perfection by not singing perfectly.
The band's perfomance was marked by some very unfortunate circumstances indeed. In the middle of the second song I noticed a broken string hanging from the singer's guitar and then within a minute or two the other vocalist screamed out "FUCK, I broke my string!" They tried again and another string was broken, followed by the crap guitar not even working. I said they would flip shit... The whole reason anything broke was because they were rocking out all over their space, the energy and the band's whole performance was marked by all the members jumping, thrashing about. Everything was flipped, all the shit, everything. The drum set clangored off its set up. Mic stands flew. The crowd went crazy. A bunch of pits broke out and basically kids went running in to each other (once again no dancing). I danced my soul out.
Opposing Perfection is so good. I am going to email them or contact them some how and get them to come to Trinity. I think they would have a sick time, I know I would. Go to their site, download their shit. I also have a free CD they were handing out, you want a copy, just ask.

Well the band I really wanted to see was done and I was quite impressed so why not finish off the show with some Cryptkeeper Five. I had not listened to Crypt and their goddamn rock n' roll for a while, I was excited. They started with some classics I sung along. Me and some friends started up a skank circle and danced around the room for each song. I like the Cryptkeeper Five sound, its just rock n' roll. It's like nothing else at local shows these days. I love how the lyrics are so strong when you listen and yet so catchy they make you have to sing along. Haha, most of the people there didn't seem to understand the scintillating quality of such a great band. They just stood and watched not even nodding their heads. A couple of the people looked at me strange when I was singing. Maybe they thought I was ugly, or maybe I was singing the wrong song, heh. Ah well, I guess its a priviledge that I've seen crypt so much, some people just aren't that lucky.
The last time I saw the Cryptkeeper Five, they played a song or two that I was unable to recognize, and I thought I was going crazy. At this show they only played about 3 or 4 classics and the rest were all new. I danced to the ones that were quick enough, but it seems Johnny has slowed things down a bit and turned to writing songs about a broken heart. Whatever the subject, I might've missed it, everything was slower and yet still good. I like the new style, the new CD will be a great buy. When asked when it would be coming out, the lady at the desk replied something that made no sense in reply to my question, so I figured it was just too loud for her to comprehend what I was trying to voice to her.
Johnny's voice is so clean while Jimmy and Scotty's guitar playing is so crisp. You really just have to go and be there. I'm shy so I did not go up front much to sing the songs I knew, ah well. I sang from where I was standing or dancing.