Restitution was the first band to play, but Mimmo's in Northampton makes an enourmous slice of pizza for 2.50 so I have no information regarding them.
Next up were Five Across the Eyes. I came in about halfway through their set and was pretty unhappy nearly immediately. They were nothing like the bands I had come to see; usually Pearl Street manages to book bands at least a little similar but this was not the case. They played pretty basic hardcore most similar to Comeback Kid, Have Heart and the like. I can imagine that in a different setting they may have been tolerable but they weren't doin' it for me. Apparently it was their first show in a while, but no one really seemed to care. The lead singer constantly shouted for circle pits but all he got were some pretty laughable ones. I haven't heard them on record but nothing at the show made me want too. They closed with a Kid Dynamite cover; I wasn't really listening but it sounded like "Shiner."
The thing about Catch 22 for me has always been that I like Streetlight Manifesto more. They are both great bands, but I have always found Streetlight a bit more consistent and endearing (though I do enjoy Catch 22's Dinosaur Sounds very much, so I was pretty excited). This show changed my mind. Catch 22 is a band that has to be seen live to be experienced. From the get-go they commanded great attention. The horns were right on, the sound was tight and the crowd was having a ball. They played a great selection from all their records. They had very little between-song banter which was acceptable because the music was flowing very well. No complaints here. I'm not one to list out tracks, but:
Sampling of set list by album:
Keasbey Nights:
- Keasbey Nights
- This One Goes Out To...
- Point the Blame
- Rocky (opener)
- Wine Stained Lips
- The Spark
- Opportunity
Partial set list (not in order):
- My Girlfriend's on Drugs
- Shining On
- Noise Complaint
- LAX
- Strictly Rude
- Bender
- How It Goes
- Hell on Earth
- Try Out Your Voice
- Take Another Look