The Sainte Catherines / No Trigger

live in New York (2006)

GreatStoryOfApathy

Why do people care so much when a band signs to a major label? As more and more bands make the jump, more and more people are offended. Well, at this show, I think I found the answer. Not only for that question, but also why some people don't care at all. For once it felt like the bands needed me, more than I needed them.

This is my first review, so give me a break. You'll get your band descriptions and your set lists; they weren't hard to get from the bands at all, but that's not why I'm writing this. The show was great, but I'm writing about this show, instead of all the other ones I have been to, because I have never felt so bad after a concert than after this one.

The night started off with me going down to the Tap Bar. The Tap Bar is an area of the Knitting Factory I have never been to, but is obviously for smaller bands. I wasn't expecting much of a crowd since only 4 percent of tickets had been sold.

The first two bands were, more or less, the same band: All-Time Low and Transition. If you like these bands, then good for you, but they aren't for me. Worst of all were the fans. Teenage girls, jumping up and down, asking for autographs, taking myspace pictures, and acting like they were at a Backstreet Boys concert.

While those bands were on, my friends and me talked to the guitarist of No Trigger. He was a really nice guy and seemed to really enjoy just talking to some fans. The drummer of the band even recognized one of my friends from a previous show.

Finally, No Trigger took the stage. I looked around and realized something. Almost everyone in the room had left with the first two bands. It was me, my friends, and a group of other people I can count on one hand. I couldn't believe it.

The band played their hearts out and it seemed like me and one of my friends were the only people who knew the words or even liked the band. We tried to sing along as best we could and give the band some audience to play for. The singer took note and while walking around the small crowd got up in our faces, in a good way, for most of the set. He got so close that I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He was a great performer and I could tell he was giving his all. I couldn't help but wonder, why? Why give so much for so little?

The set was really enjoyable and although I had wanted a pit, nothing happened. The most reaction the band got from anyone other than me and my friend were some head nods. I had envisioned before the show that for the closer, "Tundra Kids," when the line "let's start a circle pit" was said, a huge circle pit would break out. Unfortunately, no pit was ever started.

The poor crowd certainly didn't take anything away from the great performance of the band. At the end of the set I went up and got a set list. My friend and I apologized for the crowd and a few members of the band said, "it's okay, but thanks a lot you guys. If it weren't for you guys there would have been nothing." This was the first of many times they said this to us and they seemed really appreciative. For them to not only not be mad about the poor crowd, but be thankful for us, amazed me.

Set list:

The next band was the Sainte Catherines. Once again, the exact same type of crowd. Once again, only my friend and me got into the set (not counting their merch guy). Also, once again, the band played amazingly well despite the poor crowd. The singer even made reference to the first two bands saying, "those boys were so cute, I wouldn't mind having sex with them. This next song is about having sex with little boys."

Their set ended and I got another set list and we apologized again. We got the same response.

Set list:

(I guess I don't know enough about their songs / song titles because some of the songs listed are unknown to me. However, I only didn't know one or two songs when they played.)

The show also had an extra band that was added the day of the show. I didn't know the band and had a train to catch, so I didn't stay. My night ended with me buying some merchandise from the two bands. If you need any more proof that there were not a lot of people there, then consider this: Both bands probably made a combined 22 dollars off of merchandise that night. If so, all 22 dollars came from me.

Basically, I wrote this review to talk about two great bands. But also to show that being in a band is rough at times. If No Trigger or the Sainte Catherines were to sign to a major label tomorrow I would have mixed emotions. I'd be happy because they will never have to face this type of thing again, but mad because the band that needed me will suddenly not. It's like having a best friend who suddenly becomes popular and makes lots of new friends. You consequently become disposable even though you were always there.

To close this review, I want to ask a favor. The last thing the guitarist of No Trigger said to me was "spread the word." So go out, buy No Trigger's Canyoneer, the Sainte Catherines' Dancing for Decadence, and when they come to your town, be ready.