Say Anything
The Showbox, Seattle, Wa
07.19.14
The backdrop came down with the pull of a cord, and even though nobody could read it, they could see the writing on the wall. Behind the instruments and peering lights, I can only discern through my non-Jewish background that the Hebrew letters on testament-style slab read something like, “Seattle, you’re the best (and you always know it), let’s have some fun tonight.” It could, theoretically, say anything, right?
Say Anything took the stage at 10:30 to a roaring crowd. Certainly, through some rough times, there were diehard fans that didn’t know if they’d see this band again. And yet here they were, fired up and ready to play an 18 song set, to one of the most invested audiences they’d seen thus far (we’ll have to simply take their word on that one). Their tour with the Front Bottoms, the So So Glos, and You Blew It! has trekked through 29 cities since mid-June, and with only six dates of the tour remaining, they gladly pulled out all of the stops for their Showbox set.
With all hands in place, singer Max Bemis only took to an instrument for the encore, beginning with an acoustic performance of Walk Through Hell, chosen by the audience. Bemis hinted that the next song would be a cover of a band they’ll soon be touring with. Tanner Jones, singer of You Blew It!, waltzed from the dark to assist on vocals for a cover of…. (drumroll, please)… Saves the Day’s Third Engine. With such a storied past, I can’t say I’m surprised, and the audience loved it! The encore rounded out with two more songs as the band members piled back on stage and some real moshing began.
Any chance to catch this band on tour is a good bet to take. Their live performance is energetic and fun, in addition to great complimentary touring bands. The Front Bottoms can speak for themselves, and be sure to check out the So So Glos from Brooklyn, who put on a great show with a catchy sound. You Blew It!, a five-some from Orlando, also played an ambitious set. Look for these guys to be coming up in the ranks.
Set List:
Six Six Six
Spidersong
Burn a Miracle
Baby Girl, I’m a Blur
Judas Decapitation
The Writhing South
Do Better
Surgically Removing the Tracking Device
A Boston Peace
Cemetery
Hebrews
This Is Fucking Ecstasy
Sheep
She Won’t Follow You
Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
(Encore):
Walk Through Hell
Third Engine
Boyd
Belt
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
Say Anything
The Front Bottoms
