I believe in Crystal Light!

[Jamison Kane]

If you would like to read my thoughts on Motion City Soundtrack's date in St. Louis, or contribute some thoughts of your own, please head to the replies. As per usual, I am awesome.

[Jamison Kane]

Seeing a show on Wednesday at the Fox Theatre and seeing a show on Sunday at the Creepy Crawl are two very different experiences. Why? The Fox is St. Louis’ answer to the seven kingdoms of Heaven, and I heard that the Creepy Crawl kicked out Lucifer himself because he wore a tie to show just to be cool. That is all I will say about that.

Anyway, I was totally in awe of the amount of kids that showed up. It sold out! I mean, I guess I understand that people like Motion City Soundtrack, and I imagine that their sound appeals to a relatively large demographic; I just don’t imagine that those people actually exist in greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Why? Because the Midwest is a wasteland, that’s why. But I guess their exposure on the FUSE network and at the recent Dashboard Confessional show is catching up with them. Good for MCS, they totally deserve it.

A band called the Hail Mary’s opened for Motion City Soundtrack. The following is a condensed list of why I don’t like them.

1.) I don’t like punk music.
2.) I don’t like female-fronted bands.
3.) I don’t like bad lead guitar played over the same 5th chords over and over.
4.) I don’t like it when bands delay Motion City Soundtrack’s set.
5.) I don’t like being annoyed at shit.

And annoyed I was, friends. The band played the same 6 power chords over and over, masquerading them as 10 different songs or so, and most people were polite. It was so boring, though. I don’t know. Punk just isn’t my thing, I guess. As Wark will happily tell you, I’m a wuss. What can you do?

I often find myself wondering how Motion City Soundtrack got to be such a cool band. Some speculate that it’s their unique blend of breathtaking vocals, remarkable synth melody, and carefree, lighthearted songwriting. I believe that it has a lot more to do with Justin’s hair than anything else, but that’s subject to interpretation. Regardless, Motion City Soundtrack is one of the best bands around right now—the kind of music you really wish you were cool enough to craft yourself. It’s just that fun. And I will begrudgingly admit that I have spent many-a-night dancing away in my basement with an unplugged electric guitar and A-OK blasting in the background while I lip synced to every word… Minus 100 scene points for Jamison. Dang. Anyway, the point is that they're good.

That being said, the set was phenomenal. If I’m not mistaken, they played every single song on I Am the Movie, including Modern Chemistry which is absolutely my favorite. In general, I don’t cuss too much. I find it kind of silly. However, there have been three instances recently in which I have felt that cussing was completely justified, appropriate, and downright necessary. They are below, with a brief (and certainly censored) transcription.

1.) Last week, when my friend Brian was robbed. “Eff, mother eff’ers, eff”
2.) Three days ago, when I stubbed my toe on a nail in my dad’s shop. “Gee dee, mother eff’er, gee dee.”
3.) Last night, in the intro to Modern Chemistry. “It’s so uplifting, eff yeah!”

We were also treated to a little robot dance during the “evil-doctor-rocket-science-monster” part of “Captial H” from Justin, which, I must say, rocked my vagina completely. Anyone want to back me up on this? Also, they did a Limbeck cover, which I didn’t catch the title to. I, however, never being one to let things go unnamed, will affectionately refer to this song as the “Pee Break Song,” because about 30 people made a run to the restroom throughout its course.

Oh, and there was this little girl in front of me who danced just about the entire time, without any sense of rhythm or timing whatsoever. Seriously. I don't think I've ever seen a person who could dance less well. It was hilarious. Except when he pony tail kept flopping me in the face. That was much less hilarious and much more annoying. In retrospect, though, I question why exactly I delegated a whole paragraph to this subject.

I’m sick of writing. Go see Motion City Soundtrack, because they will make you want to take your clothes off. Goodnight.

[Rizzle]

bravo i love mcs, they do rock so if you dont know them make it a point to

[popdisaster00]

We were also treated to a little robot dance during the “evil-doctor-rocket-science-monster” part of “Captial H” from Justin, which, I must say, rocked my vagina completely. Anyone want to back me up on this?

Haha, Justin is the best robot dancer I've ever seen. So skilled he is.

I love your concert reviews, Jamison. You are now the #1 ap staff member

[Jenn23]

It would take hours for 30 people to use the bathroom at Creepy Crawl! One room. Two toilets. No stalls. It's so scary. LOL.

I'll be there for the Believers Never Die tour on July 8!

[believer152]

ur review was very entertaining and enjoyable MCS is one of the best bands around i completely agree with ur opinion on them...but u said u dont listen to punk music so i was wondering what bands do u listen to?

[MyDaysOfDanger]

I went to that show last night too, and I must say, The Hail Marys is without a doubt the WORST band I have ever seen! I'll also be at the Fall Out Boy show the 8th!

[Jamison Kane]

ur review was very entertaining and enjoyable MCS is one of the best bands around i completely agree with ur opinion on them...but u said u dont listen to punk music so i was wondering what bands do u listen to?
My current list (as taken from MySpace):

Rocky Votolato, Gatsby's American Dream, Onelinedrawing, Modest Mouse, .thedecember drive, Ben Folds, Built to Spill, Coheed and Cambria, Coldplay, Damien Rice, Death Cab for Cutie, Denali, Desaparecidos, John Mayer, Kanye West, Mew, Motion City Soundtrack, Muse, Nightmare of You, Bear vs. Shark, Phantom Planet, Piebald, the Postal Service, the Shins, Slowlands, Sparta, Eric Clapton, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, the Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Straylight Run, Steel Train, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, etc. Stuff along those lines.

That's not all, but that's a lot of the more important stuff.

[mabeuf]

i got your back jamison, Justin's dance moves could serve me in a minute, when he is on stage i avoid making eye contact so he cant serve me.

[SomePerson22]

you don't like female fronted bands and yet you are currently listening to denali?

[Jamison Kane]

you don't like female fronted bands and yet you are currently listening to denali?
In my defence, the girl in Denali is good looking.

[byebyebeautiful]

ur review was very entertaining and enjoyable MCS is one of the best bands around i completely agree with ur opinion on them...but u said u dont listen to punk music so i was wondering what bands do u listen to?

haven't you heard of periods?

[Aileen]

I often find myself wondering how Motion City Soundtrack got to be such a cool band. Some speculate that it’s their unique blend of breathtaking vocals, remarkable synth melody, and carefree, lighthearted songwriting. I believe that it has a lot more to do with Justin’s hair than anything else, but that’s subject to interpretation. Regardless, Motion City Soundtrack is one of the best bands around right now—the kind of music you really wish you were cool enough to craft yourself. It’s just that fun. And I will begrudgingly admit that I have spent many-a-night dancing away in my basement with an unplugged electric guitar and A-OK blasting in the background while I lip synced to every word… Minus 100 scene points for Jamison. Dang. Anyway, the point is that they're good.
well it looks like i just lost a gadzillion scene points too. shamelessly. i "eff-ing" love motion city.

We were also treated to a little robot dance during the “evil-doctor-rocket-science-monster” part of “Captial H” from Justin, which, I must say, rocked my vagina completely. Anyone want to back me up on this? Also, they did a Limbeck cover, which I didn’t catch the title to. I, however, never being one to let things go unnamed, will affectionately refer to this song as the “Pee Break Song,” because about 30 people made a run to the restroom throughout its course.
i back you up 100% on this. along with justin and his hair and robot dance, i caught patrick fall out boy doing his own robot dance rendition on their believers never die tour earlier this month.... maybe justin gave some dance lessons? oh the limbeck cover is called "the sun woke the whole state". limbeck did a cover of mcs' "perfect teeth" and it's excellent - imagine motion city gone country...