The Front Bottoms were playing Toad’s Place, opening up for Say Anything, and everyone knew that if you missed this show, you were a loser. TFB has a massive following, especially in CT, so it was no surprise that it sold out. I hadn’t been in the grungy venue in ages, but I was willing to journey down to New Haven for these guys- there was no way I was missing them.
Before the second band of the four band lineup went on, I ended up meeting both Mat and Brian, the duo that really opened my eyes in the indie music scene. I really just wanted to shake their hands and thank them, and ended up getting silly selfies with them as well. They were kind and quiet, Brian obviously being the more social of the two.
They came on at around 9, opening up with their iconic “Flashlight”. I was smart enough to stay out of the main part of the crowd because as soon as they came on, the sea of people was moving nonstop til the end of their set. There was so much energy and they knew that opening with that song would evoke that kind of response.
The band’s changed their setlist every night of the tour, obviously going off the feel of the crowd and the area. Following up with “Skeleton”, quite a tune off their second album, even the casual fans there for SA knew the words- at least the “I got so stoned” part. Of course, TFB doesn’t smoke, nor have they ever, according to Brian.
They played two oldies but goodies, “Be Nice To Me” and “Fuck, Jobs” (sometimes appropriately titled “Be Mean To Me”. It was pretty incredible how many people knew the words to those, considering they’re on pretty hard to find albums.
When they played “The Beers”, there was just an intensity that filled the room and even I couldn’t help but move around. The song has this urge to make you just dance, and scream at the top of your lungs, and by “it’s an aerial view from your house to my room,” I could feel my vocal chords giving. Totally worth it.
The band had large inflatable letters spelling TFB, and broke out the wacky inflatable waving arm tube men as well. Their presence was great, and though Brian always says “uncomfortable”, they looked pretty comfortable to me.
Brian’s vocals were better than I could’ve asked for, Mat’s drumming was completely on point, and the musicians accompanying them were tight and the overall sound was phenomenal, even for Toad’s Place. There wasn’t a single flaw (other than Brian messing up the words a bit during “Jim Bogart”). It felt like a much smaller show than it was. It felt intimate and close, like it could’ve just been another house show. We sure as hell welcomed TFB in, and they gladly accepted the invitation.
Setlist:
Flashlight
Skeleton
Be Nice To Me
Fuck, Jobs
The Beers
Au Revoir (Adios)
Jim Bogart
Backflip
Maps
Twin Size Mattress
