Friday, February 17, 2012 was the first time I had been to Jaxx now known as “Empire” in maybe four years.  The last time I was there was for Fairfax natives The Friday Night Boys album release party.  Jaxx had been known for having more “hardcore” types of shows and many less known bands.  I hated the venue but I had been hearing talk about the new look.  I would only go to Jaxx for a band I really liked, they were in luck because Every Avenue, We Are the in Crowd, and the Audition were performing along with other bands on the tour and local openers.  The venue didn’t look too different to me, but one thing Empire has that Jaxx didn’t was CENTRAL AIR.  If it was a summertime show a Jaxx, you should show up in a bathing suit because it’s hotter inside than it is outside, and when it’s winter, you better wear the biggest jacket you own.  But NOW I could take off my blazer and be comfortable in a dress WITH cut outs.

I arrived a bit late at 6 PM instead of 5 when the local bands were opening.  I caught the last few songs by Hit This City, a local band with former ABACCAB drummer Navid Naghdi (now in Bet On Black) playing their last show.  This night was completely drama filled, but let’s just focus on the music.  Set change music was filled with good ole’ rap and the first band on the tour, Simple as Surgery took the stage, energetic young boys, around 19 and 20, from Georgia on their first U.S. tour.   Fresh and cute faces making the entire little girls swoon (I felt like the oldest person there).   Look for these guys on their upcoming tour as supporting acts for Go Radio and There for Tomorrow, they won’t be stopping up in NOVA but they will be in Richmond and VA Beach.

With a new EP out and only on a few supporting dates, the Audition followed Simple as Surgery.  The Audition reigning from Chicago hasn’t been in this area in maybe 2-3 years.  Lead singer Danny Stevens has a huge set of pipes and he knows how to get the crowd going.  I had checked recent set lists to see if my favorite song by them, “Los Angelos” would be performed, I had little faith, until I heard him say the words, I screamed at the top of my lungs and sang my heart out.

Following The Audition was a more “indie” like band Plug in Stereo.  They had a much softer sound than the bands that went on before them.  We Are the in Crowd took the stage next, I was extremely grateful.  I had tweeted at the band to see if they would be at the show, they were not on the first few tour dates and singer Tay Jardine had been battling a sickness coming off her UK tour with All Time Low.  I had seen We Are the in Crowd a few times last year and looked up recent set lists to know what to expect.  More songs were played than on the set lists and Tay really got the crowd hyped by jumping into the audience multiple times.  Fans love things like that, it gives us an adrenaline rush, everyone just wants to rush to the front from wherever they are just to touch their favorite singer (actually any singer has this effect on the crowd).  The crowd was nuts regardless, the hard wood floor was shaking beneath me when I would go down to the pit and leave my spot on the “balcony.”  I’m getting old, front row is a place I rarely visit.

Of course I checked Every Avenue’s recent set list as well.  I spent the entire night before the show learning the new tracks on the band’s latest album “Bad Habits.”  This was a whole new sound for them, edgier and more rock n’ roll then melodic and punk pop, “Tie Me Down,” is my favorite off the album, which they played of course.  There was a good mixture of songs from the first album, Shh Just Go With It, their sophomore album, Picture Perfect, but with the majority of songs coming from Bad Habits.  I should stop looking at set lists because the bands end up playing more songs.  The boys from Michigan returned to the stage for a two song encore and because Empire is such a cozy venue everyone was out and about ready to sign and take pictures as soon as the live music stopped and Taking Back Sunday filled the speakers again.

Odile Durocher

I feel like the Patriot Center rarely actually has musical artists grace the venue.  I was aware that Rise Against would be playing February 7, 2012 but that wasn’t enough to get me to buy a ticket.  I am a fan of one song, and that is the legendary “Swing Life Away,” which I feel like nearly everyone knows, but I’m probably wrong.  I was sitting around one night over break and was looking at tweets from AP (Alternative Press), turns out A Day To Remember would be there.  Then I was sold.

I bought my tickets a week in advance and my seat was in row W.  Yeah, almost near Z.  That means I was all the way at the top.  It was scary being so close to the ceiling.  I arrived just in time after scoping out the ADTR fans (you can spot them a mile away: high school/middle school aged, plugs usually neon colored, skinnies, Nike Dunks or Vans on their feet, v necks and or colorful band tees.  This applies for both sexes) to see the opening band, The Menzingers.  They were an alright opening band that received a lot of praise and support from both A Day To Remember and Rise Against.

Before ADTR comes on stage I noticed the balloons over the floor seats (pit), it made me even more jealous to not be in the pit.  ADTR is not the kind of band you see live in seats, you need to be standing, throwing hands, two stepping, helicoptering your arms, and creating walls of death feet away from the stage.  The set change music was exquisite, I felt like I was at the club or in the car with my friends windows down music up.  Good ole’ gangsta rap.  They came on and I fell in love with lead singer, Jeremy McKinnon.  He had this charisma and that voice of his made me actually like him.  I have this love/hate relationship with ADTR, as people I hate them, but their songs I can listen to for days.  “Downfall of Us All” started off the set and as soon as I heard the “da da da da da da da da da da da da lets go” I was hating myself for not being in the pit.  They played all of their popular hits and at a point wanted the audience in the seats to get involved, by having all the males take their shirts off, stand up and swing it around their head.  The band did the whole this is our last song ordeal then came back with “Plot to Bomb the Panhandle” (one of my favorite angry songs.)  The balloons dropped and I was sad and jealous of everyone in the pit.

I saw some younger girls leave after ADTR but most of the crowd was still there.  I had no idea so many people liked Rise Against.  I just remember when I was in 7^th grade this one music video by them would come on FUSE all the time and I would turn it off every single time.  I was there just for, “Swing Life Away.”  I sat through most of their set just sitting and playing on my phone.  But the crowd was priceless, they made me happy.  Everyone was a super fan and they went nuts, everyone was fist pumping at the same time.  I like seeing things like that.  I realized I knew more Rise Against songs than I thought.  Things finally slow down and the acoustic guitar comes out, I was so excited thinking it’d be my song.  No it was another acoustic, slow song, it was beautiful.  Then FINALLY “Swing Life Away” was gracing my ears, I even recorded it on my camera.  I left afterwards and knew the next song that came on (seriously how do I know these songs).

I don’t think I’ll ever go see a “hardcore” band at the Patriot Center again.  ADTR and Rise Against will be on tour again together in April.

Odile Durocher