Last night, So Cal’s own Say Anything played The Avalon with three guests on the bill: San Diego’s Weatherbox, Glasgow’s Biffy Clyro, and Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra.
Weatherbox opened to a half-full venue and by the end of their brief set the crowd was getting restless. Brian Warren’s nasal delivery didn’t translate live, and the first two songs’ wall-to-wall lyrics added a layer of monotony to some otherwise enjoyable hooks. Bassist Dave Silverman stole the energy, leaping around stage center and feeding off the percussion, as Warren and guitarist George Pritzker stood as still as pillars.
Scottish three-piece Biffy Clyro gets credit for waking up the house, dropping their first number on full-blast with a relentless, clear riff. Lead guitarist and singer Simon Neil looks like a son of Malibu money (no shirt, tight jeans, white shoes, scattered tats, and mucho hair) but he plays like a machine, ably supported by Ben and James Johnston on drums and bass.
Alternately explosive and astonishingly precise, Neil repeatedly ambushed the audience with trance-inducing string work and inverted melodies that flipped into a barrage of calculated noise. His lead vocals had a yelp that stayed reigned in, although the brogue could use subtitles, and the Johnstons were too stingy with their harmonies. Normally a mike near a drummer is cause for concern, but their blend of voices was a pleasant shock, prominently featured in their single “Who’s Got a Match?”
If the crowd was any indication of this bands fame to come, this will probably be the last tour the five-member Manchester Orchestra plays as an opener. The curtain rose to a chorus of cheers and shouts as they launched into the favorite “Wolves at Night,” a prelude of feedback and choked strumming that blooms into a wash of heavy chords and portentous organ.
Manchester Orchestra has steadily built a reputation as a must-see live act, fueled by their recent, chilling appearance on Letterman and a critically acclaimed LP. “You guys have been so incredibly awesome to us,” remarked lead singer Andy Hull before their final song, “especially the super fan guy over there who’s singing louder than me.” Everyone applauded. “Seriously, though… shut the fuck up.” Hull teased. Hull’s vocals have an unforgettable and winning signature, a childlike tone that clashes over the darkness and confrontation in his words, like he’s treading water and the music is constantly pulling him under. On the final lines of their epic closer he stood away from the mike, letting his voice dwindle in the rising chatter of the room.
Say Anything started loud and fast. The masses were swaying immediately, steadily climbing toward capacity. They went berzerk as Max Bemis called out to his hometown crowd.
“We’re Say Anything and we’re from Los Angeles, California….You guys are fucking awesome!!” he shouted, kicking off a high-energy set. Every number was greeted with screams, but the high-concentration of local devotees were already sold. Biffy Clyro and Manchester Orchestra practically walked away with the gig, putting on performances that were both nuanced and technically superior (In Biffy Clyro’s case, with half as many band members).
Credit is still due to Say Anything for giving the fans their money’s worth and bringing two acts that are extremely tough to follow.
Thanks again to the Avalon, Live Nation, and Big Hassle.
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