The Swellers, Diamond Youth, Pentimento, Go Long Kid @ TT The Bear's 11-4-12

Sorry this is late! I'm really busy with school and stuffs and when I'm not busy I am sleeping. ALSO, TODAY IS THE DAY. If you live in 'Murica and you are 18, please go exercise your civic duty and VOTE. Also, don't instagram your ballot because that is illegal. Guys. 

Ok, so I made the last minute decision to go to this show since TT The Bear's is right down the street from me. All of their shows are 18+ and relatively cheap, so it seemed like a good deal. I am actually working on a project right now where I'm photographing rock clubs all over the city, and when I went to photograph TT's I was like "I should go to this tonight!" because I saw all of the bands on the whiteboard and it seemed too good to be true that all of those bands were playing in Cambridge for literally only $12. 

I'v never been to TT's, but it is right next to this other night club that also has good concerts come through. For a while when I got there I accidentally stood in line for some other thing. People asked me if I had presale tickets and it was weird and had no idea, then I walked down the street. Literally, I opened the door and walked into this bar, handed the guy my ID and some cash, got my hands X'ed, and immediately got so excited. I'm sort of on this hunt for the smallest show I can go to (with the exception of a basement/house show) and this club is probably in second place. First place is Vibe Lounge on Long Island. 

There were maybe like, 30 people there when I walked in, all scattered about the room and such. There was one open spot along the stage, so I kind of awkwardly inched my way up to it and stood there for the rest of the night. Of course, it's always weird during the opening band because no one's really heard of them except for a few of their friends who went to high school with them and are right in the front row, so the crowd isn't condensed or anything. But anyways, I know that if I stand right in the front when I can in the beginning, it will be worth it in the end. Going to these kind of shows, it's not like a thing to fight your way to the front beacause it's not a big enough crowd. I also think I was one of less than ten girls there that night, and most of the girls were some dude's boyfriend. OH WELL. Enough about the venue and stuff. 

I only got to hear a few of Go Long Kid's songs, since I came after the concert started. They all looked really young? But they're good. Pop punk. I looked them up later and they're from Weymouth and had all the standard influences. The drummer looked like he was someone's little brother. 

Next was Pentimento. I've never heard of them before, but Rich told me that they're good. They are really good. 

I loved the singer's little schpeel that he made at some point in their set. He sounded so polite and formal and just genuinely thanked everyone for being there, and that he loved being on this tour and that all of the bands playing were really good. It kind of sounded like the way someone announces acts a a high school talent show. That kind of polite and formal. But I loved it. 

Next was Diamond Youth. They used to be called just "Diamond" but recently changed their name. They include members of hardcore bands Trapped Under Ice and Down To Nothing, which is one of the reasons why I love them SO much. I like some hardcore but hardcore dudes in an alt/rock/pop band? Yes please. Listen to their music and get into it. In fact, if you're lazy, just listen to them RIGHT HERE. I am not even kidding. They're my new favorite and seeing them play live beyond convinced me of that. 

Oh, and their newest EP is available for FREE here and their first is available here for $7. 

I also have a new problem and it is that standing right in front of Sam Trapkin made me realize I totally have a crush on him. OOPS. 

I mean do you understand or do you understand. I hope he never googles himself or else he will see this and wow good BYE. 

ANYWAYS. 

The Swellers were last to play, and probably for the whole set I was just like "is this really happening? am I at a show right now?" 

I first got into the Swellers when they signed to Fueled by Ramen and went on a tour with Paramore. This was around 2009 when I was in the 11th grade, and I mostly listened to FBR bands and the like, and was also a big Paramore fan. When I found out I was going to the Paramore fall tour in 2009 (that was already so long ago!) I decided to study and get into The Swellers' older material that they released before they signed to FBR. I remember loving their little half hour set, even though they played at a House of Blues to a bunch of bored 14-16 year old girls who only decided they had to like them because Hayley Williams also liked them. After that show, the bands all had to leave because the venue had an early curfew, but I recall buying Ups and Downsizing from them on the street outside the venue and getting it signed. I've been listening to them ever since. 

Around last spring, I think, they parted ways with FBR and they are currently independent. It rules. To think that 3 years ago I saw them in this giant House of Blues in Chicago and now I was seeing them like one foot away from my face at TT's..... gjdfjsdfagehgehbasgjerhoiuwbs. They opened with '2009' (listen below) and it was amazing. They played a good mix everything old and new, only stopped to talk once, then played pretty much their entire set non stop. They played The Best I Ever Had (also below) 'last', but then played a few more and actually ended with 'Do You Feel Better Yet?'. Perfect band is perfect. 

So yeah, that sums up my awesome two show weekend (Collide With The Sky Tour and this). Two COMPLETELY different kinds of shows that were both amazing experiences. If you can afford it and have transportation, go to shows often. It's seriously one of the best things. Even if you only kind of know one band on the tour, go anyways. I mean, I only knew a little bit about Diamond Youth and now I can't stop listening to them. 

An updated version of my "show wall", which includes approximately six shows over the last 4 months.

Welp anyways, I'm going to go eat tacos and nervously sit in front of my TV all night. Go to shows. Vote. Do stuff. And put up with me not knowing how to properly end my blogs.