I have two firm beliefs when it comes to the whole concert going experience. First, the opening act is almost always worth seeing. Second, meeting musicians you like is a mixed bag. This show was a perfect example of both.

I must admit I went to this show with some big expectations. I saw The Long Winters last year at The Patio when they opened for Death Cab for Cutie. I think they put on a much better show than their headlining compatriots. I am also a big fan of the new Pernice Brothers disc "Yours, Mine and Ours" and have been told by pretty much everyone that I respect that they put on a great show. Keeping that in mind, this is what happened...

I was convinced that this show was going to sell out being as there were no presale tickets so Brie and I got there early. There were a good number of people, but not nearly what we expected. The first act, Pravada, I had never heard of before. They had no album at the merch table and I think they are local. Whoever they are, they put on a great high energy set. The vocals were mixed a little low, but the whole set was quality. The lead singer sported a look that was half British shoe-gazer and half Ben Folds, but it worked well. The rest of the band jumped around the stage and sang a lot of oohs, las, and ba-bas. I want to say they were Emo because of their look, but the style of play and lyric choice was a little too intelligent.

Next up was The Long Winters. This time they were missing Sean Nelson and were only a three piece. John Roderick put on his usual great performance with big glasses and was very personable after the set. The Long Winters made the Number Two spot on my Top Ten of 2003 list with their album When I Pretend to Fall. They did not disappoint. They played favorites like "Cinnamon", "Shapes", and "Scared Straight" as well as songs off the first album The Worst You Can Do Is Harm. These guys are always great and come highly recommended. If they come through your town make sure to check them out.

After that rockin' set The Pernice Brothers took the stage. Musically the set was awesome. They did not pay some songs I wanted to hear like "Baby in Two", but I was willing to forgive that. All the musicians are extremely talented and the fact that guitarist Peyton Pinkerton looks like Kevin Smith and is compulsively clad in suits is just funny. My only issue is that they were not the nicest folk. There was no encore after the crowd clapped for what seemed like ten minutes and Joe was not very nice to the crowd. The great show I was promised was compromised by this vibe. I was torn between the hostile vibe and the fact that they played great. I guess that is the one thing that a record has over a live act, you don't have to actually get to know the people behind it. Other than that, for a ten dollar admission you would be hard pressed to find a better show. All three bands are great, but I must warn about the venom in Joe Pernice. Let's hope this is a one time thing. Until next time, come visit me In The Congo. B.