The Get Up Kids with Hot Rod Circuit
Fu-Bar, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (September 25, 1999)
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The Get Up Kids
Fu-Bar, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
September 25, 1999 |
Even though the group had an entire LP of new material coming out in a few days, the members refused to play more than one or two songs from it. They didn't want to isolate any of their eager fans who had already memorized the entire catalogue.
Consequently, the band ran through almost everything it has released. An explosive rendition of "Don't Hate Me" from the group's first LP, Four Minute Mile, had the packed floor singing along with frontman Matt Pryor: "Oh Amy, don't hate me for running away from you," the crowd chanted in a melodic sing-a-long.
Most of South Florida's emo fans fit inside the 500-capacity club (and it was a tight 500). "Last Place You Look" rang from the sound system as the tight mass started to half-heartedly mosh during the fast, charging sections and then lethargically sway during the lulls.
Standing out from the material was one of the tracks from the Kids' latest record, Something To Write Home About. "Holiday" is actually the first track on the new disc and it instantaneously won over the crowd with its pop chorus.
"You think my life will stop when your away. Maybe I can see you on holidays, worlds away, " Pryor laments in the song, about a relationship destroyed by distance. A heartfelt declaration that resonates with a punk intensity and earnest delivery, "Holiday" exemplifies the growth of the group shown on the new record. But live, it still mixed seamlessly with their older material.
The crowd was so enthused that some couldn't contain themselves. A young woman named Amber got onstage and danced along to a number of songs. The band didn't seem to mind the good-natured fun and even kept her up there for a few more songs, but eventually she made her way back to the front of the crowd.
Hot Rod Circuit had the unfortunate duty of opening for a band that packed this club more than any act in recent years. Their record If I Knew Now What I Knew Then is in a similar vein as the Promise Ring, Get Up Kids, et al. But they do a terrific job of distinguishing themselves with lush melodies and mature vocals. "Irish Car Bomb's" fast-tempoed rock and the more traditional emo of "Weak Warm" converted some of the folded-arm crowd.
DAVID THOMAS |