Hot Rod Circuit

The (International) Noise Conspiracy
Midtown, Hot Rod Circuit, Thrice
@ Chain Reaction, Aniheim CA
Photos and Review By: Ashley

     I arrived at Chain Reaction at 6:00 for one of the most political
shows of the year.  Ticketmaster sold out presale tickets and by 6:30 the line for door tickets stretched around the corner and down Lincoln Ave.  From the line I could see that this was going to be a very diverse crowd.  There were Hardcore Punks for Thrice, Skater Punks for Midtown, Emo Heads for Hot Rod Circuit, and they all shared a common love for INC.
        
     Orange County’s own Thrice opened up the show, which I personally think was a crock.  This melodic hardcore band has got to be one of the best and groundbreaking bands out there.  They brought one of the biggest crowds and ended up getting jipped with a half hour set.  Yet they still rocked and did an awesome with what little time they had.  It seemed as if everyone came just to see them, and Chain Reaction went absolutely nuts.  For all of you that don’t have their new CD “Identity Crisis” recently re-released on Subcity I suggest you get your ass to the record store because this CD will
change your life and improve your vocabulary.

     Following Thrice was Hot Rod Circuit, I don’t really care for Emo and in my opinion they should have been the opening band seeing that no one really knew who they were.  But just the same they deserved to be there and gave everyone a nice break to relax after Thrice.

Click The Pic

     After Hot Rod Circuit was one of the more well know bands of the night, Drive-Thru Records own, Midtown.  Last time I was suppose to see Midtown at Chain their van got into a car wreck and they didn’t end up playing so I was excited to get another chance to see them play.  Midtown seemed to pull a big crowd together with there catchy skater punk/indie rock tunes and the recent release of their first CD “Save the World, Lose the Girl.” Although lagging slightly in meaningful lyrics they pulled off an awesome set.  I was suppose
to get an interview with them after their set but the security guards gave me a hard time and wouldn’t let me leave for the interview.

     Last was INC, which might be the best band I have ever seen live in my life (no joke).  I spent a good portion of my night fascinated with their merch booth and ended up with a book, Days of War Nights of Love, a poster that said, “The man doesn’t love you he only wants to eat you,” and a pencil that said Eracism on it.  After lots of waiting and anticipation INC took the stage in white jump suits. Those Swedish people really know how to put on a show.  The highlight was when Dennis, lead singer and ex-Refused member,
started spinning around the Chain posts like stripper poles and when he stuck the microphone down his pants.  Also they never stopped playing for the duration of the set.  In between songs they shouted out propaganda and improvised chords.  Before that night I never really listened to their CD but since then it have been cemented in my car stereo. If you ever get lucky enough to see INC live considering the fact they only come around 2 times a year I suggest you don’t pass it up trust me you won’t regret it.


- Ashley

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