So Friday night (11.08.2002 for posterity's sake) I ended up going to the New Found Glory, Finch, Something Corporate, Further Seems Forever show. Justin called me at the last minute and said that he had a couple extra tickets. My brother was dying to go, since NFG are his favorite band right now, and I figured, hey, I like FSF, so let's go.

Justin got stuck in traffic, though, and by the time we got to the The Boathouse, Further had already played. Crap. So we stood around waiting for the next band to go on.

It was a sold out show, and the place was packed out. I swear all the kids there had just come from the mall (half from Abercrombie, half from Hot Topic). I went to the same show last year (the New Found Glory show, I mean), and who knows what the difference was then. Maybe because H2O played and they're not a "radio band?" But I don't remember it being all little kids. But whatever. It's all good.

Finally, Something Corporate took the stage. Having never heard this band before, I decided to listen with an open mind, and not judge them on the fact that they're riding the new wave of emo-pop that's swarming the airwaves. After seeing them play, I think the name they chose suits them perfectly. There was nothing impressive about this band. I'd call it "emo piano pop." The tunes were perfectly suited for FM Radio, and riddled with major chord-laden hooks, and melodic, singable choruses.

Although half the room was singing along, I didn't find their music catchy or innovative in the least. I have to say that I was severely disappointed. Usually when I catch a major label act, I expect to at least see something flashy or gimmicky that I've never seen before, but this band was plain old boring. They finished out the set by the vocalist standing on top of his piano and banging the keys by stomping up and down. Woo. How daring.

Next up were Finch. Having heard most of What It Is To Burn, and loving the vocals, I was looking forward to seeing this band. I'm not a big fan of anything that Drive-Thru Records has put out, but I can acknowledge talent when I hear it, and Finch have some. The music was a little too poppy for my liking, and the guitars were unimaginative and a little canned, but other than that, it was a great performance. The singing was excellent throughout, and actually reminded me a lot of the vocals on the new Glassjaw record.