Bayside / The Matches / Valencia / The Status

Recher Theater / Towson, Maryland

11-09-08

Sunday was a busy day for me, but I managed to slip (some) of this show in for good measure. Sunday evening was reserved for me to assemble my entry into the 2008 Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar's annual conference so it was rather hectic. Thanks to Gary and Rey over at Reybee Productions I was added to the list for Bayside's show in nearby Towson...or was I?

When I request and that request is honored by way of work on behalf of the band/label contact I rarely do not attend the show/event, but I was buried in my contest entry so a part of me wanted to skip the show and work on what was pressing, but I'm glad I fought that urge and headed out for a bit of a break.

The show apparently started early and I found myself at the door about 10 minutes before Bayside took the stage. I have not seen, nor heard Valencia or The Status before so I will check them out as should you. Ive seen The Matches live and they are pretty awesome, so needless to say I'm a bit disappointed to have missed them this time around.

Upon my arrival the door man informed me that my name was not on the list (insert funny joke about the blog here) I had to do a significant amount of calling and talking, an amount of which I've grown accustomed to, before i was finally let in by Steven, Bayside's manager. I do advocate the playing of Deftones - Around the Fur between sets though. Good stuff!

The place was packed. Maybe because it was an early show on the weekend, but I did not think Bayside would draw such a crowd. I guess I was wrong. 

I photographed the first (quick) three songs and then posted up in the middle of the crowd to observe. Bayside released a new album last month that Ive been listening to lately. It doesn't have the same appeal just yet, but i imagine it will grow on me like their earlier releases. They played 5 new songs (from Shudder) but mixed in 2 songs from their first release, Sirens and Condolences, which they never do. 

Bayside is a consistently good band, but I will acknowledge the fact that a lot of their songs sound very similar. A few times throughout the night I asked myself, "didn't they just play that one?" 

If a band is going to have a lot of similar material, let it be Bayside.

My other gripe is not with the band, but with the audience. There was obviously a lot more than a few kids that were into Bayside, but they were just standing there and quietly singing along. Apparently I wasn't the only one that recognized this as the band told the crowd that they were very "quiet" multiple times throughout their set. Its Bayside not Pantera, but that doesn't mean you have to sit on your hands the whole night. Don't be scared of the legions of Recher Theater "security" (read idiotic frat boys) watching the crowd, get rowdy people!