I know you’ve already read mary Magpie’s post on the Young Veins show last night at the Webster Theater in Hartford, CT. Amd I know we
re using the same picture to illustrate both Mary and my review but it’s gonna be worth your time!!
Its weird to consider former Panic In The Disco rock stars Ryan Ross and Jon Walker playing a venue so small. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you its about the size of a 2 car garage and not quite as wide. A ceiling so low its claustrophobic. The floor literally bounces when you walk on it s if it is going to give way (which I presume some day it will, hope I’m not there)
I worried today about going to see the former Panic boys. I felt bad for them, like it could potentially be like watching a current Micky Rourke film.. he used to be so cool now….pathetic.
7:30 pm we walk in to the band first drum hit. Perfect timing I’d say (thank you to all that helped that happen) and there right before me was Ryan Ross, still the baby faced young man you could spot a mile away holding a giant guitar and smiling.
Smiling.
This I have to stop and point out to you. When last I saw PTD (2008) we were stunned at how timid scared and almost neurotic he appeared. Look at that old photo of him and the Magpie. He looks like an emaciated child wearing his grandmothers coat. At that meeting he was strained and really rather confused. John that day was more relaxed but aloof.
Flash forward 2 years and the boys are smiling they’re happy they don’t look overwhelmed at all. They banter (with each other, sorta made me feel bad for the other 3 in the band they didn’t get much chit chat) almost as if there were an inside joke going on. April Fools perhaps?
But the sound was terrible and I blame the venue but what remained true if you strained through the feedback is the simple text I sent to Iman from the show
Ross was the Talent
Urie was the Face.
So in this divorce, Ross may have the walk up apartment, but hes got the smile.
The music was light and fun with creative harmonies and interesting vocal shifts. At times a bit sticky sounding ala The Archies but that’s where the difference is. They seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Although John felt compelled to complain he felt as if he had just had a bath and that it was too hot (dudes you’re not at the stadium tonight, you pulled up in a camper for fucks sake lets reel that in) he has great singing voice. That was a nice surprise.
Jon- “Well our new album is coming out soon”
‘Ryan-‘You mean our only album”
I guess he really did forget he was in a new band
I didn’t.
Mid set they took the opportunity to do a nice arena style band introduction right down to the individual applause. That was sorta silly, but old habits die hard.
They didn’t really have room to move but they made due with what they had and they did so very well.
June 8th was the release date noted for the lp. I look forward to it now. I think it will have a summer feel to it just a light background cruise sound. I hope anyway.
So I gotta say I like them. Mary and I chose not to discuss this and went to our separate rooms to write. I’m interested to see her take on it.
Yes it was a divorce of two charismatic and talented performers. I’m stunned they don’t promote themselves as such (without exaggeration there were less than 100 people in that club when we finally got in).
I’m beginning to think its intentional.
I’m beginning to thing Ross and Walker are more content smaller. I’m speculating they could just be has beens and under 30 but I hope not.
I really liked them alot. I liked the sound I liked the simplicity and I liked the smiles. There’s no Panic at the Disco but theres new life in the Young Veins.