IBC show review 2.20.09

It has been a while since I have done a show review, not because of the lack of shows, though that is somewhat of a contribution, it's that no shows have really stood out to make me want to review them. Plus I have been really lazy.

The show was at IBC in Bloomington Illinois 2.21.09, and in my opinion, not the best place to see a band. There are stages that are set up for everyone to see the band without distraction and then there is, what IBC has, a mezzanine in which people have to look up at the bands. Also the sound there really sucks! I think they have the vocals coming out of the monitors so that the band can hear, but as far as utilizing the PA so people can hear the vocals, close to nil. My advice to IBC, get a new sound person and put the bands down where people aren't looking up at them like they are dictators giving speeches.

The first band on the bill, from the South Side of Chicago, the band Number nine (www.myspace.com/number9rocks). I really liked them. Its been a while since I heard a band that made me homesick for a time frame of my life. When they first started I was taken with the old Nard Core sound (80's hardcore out of Southern California/Oxnard, Ca. area , old bands like Agression, Stalag 13, Ill Repute, etc.). And in talking to them, have been around just as long as in the Chicago area (I probably should emphasize again, the South Side of Chicago or they would kick my ass). And they actually were a nice bunch of guys with a history and a story or two to tell. If you like old school punk, you will really like Number 9. I know I did. But I am an old man and it's that the nostalgic sound made me a happy kid again.

The second band from Michigan or somewhere in the Northern Midwest, I forgot the name. They tried to capture that feel of the Irish American street punk band, but failed. Honestly, was not to impressed. The music was alright but from what I could hear of the vocalist, he was battling to obtain a sound he could not grasp. Maybe he had an off night or had pneumonia.

The third band, I didn't get the name of and I missed their entire set. I am sure they were great (look at me kiss ass).

The final band, and in my opinion, the most uncomfortable show I have seen, Bloody Mess and the New Disease (www.myspace.com/bloodymessandthenewdisease ). Bloody started off the set by jumping up on the guard rail, and by just holding onto the sprinkler system over head, he proceed to spin, jump around, and hang out over the floor 15+ feet below with the grace of a drunken gymnast. Though drunken, Bloody is NOT a gymnast, so I had that sinking feeling of “this is NOT gonna end well”. I had similar bouts all through their set as he kept jumping on the monitors and hanging out over the guard rail. Awaiting Bloody's impending doom aside, the band played really well (even with the minimal glitches like the bass guitar chord coming unplugged and the overall shitty work of the IBC sound person).

So, for the nostalgic sound, I really dug Number 9 and out of fear of watching someone about to die, I enjoyed, albeit uncomfortably, Bloody Mess and the New Disease. I am thankful, this is only a review and not the description of Bloody's last minutes on this plane of existence. And finally, let me take a moment to address the powers that be at IBC; get a new fucking sound person and put the bands down on the floor!