London Astoria
Saturday 9th April 2005
reviewed by Cars
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Doors were supposed to open at 2 though even when we joined the queue at 3 it was still around the block. It seemed to be taking ages to search everyone. Judging by the amount of kids with parents I'd say all that picnic hamper searching was what delayed things.
Whilst waiting there was some commotion with a funeral procession that the band had arranged to parade in front of the Astoria. Well, it's different I suppose.
Open Hand were the support band - I didn't see or hear anything of their set so don't know what they were like. Judging by the screams of when the MCR backdrop came down onstage I'd say the crowd were pretty desperate to be entertained by that point though!
We decided to stay upstairs as to be frank the crowd downstairs were twats who were pushing & shoving way before even a mic appeared onstage.
Band came on at 3.30 to Give 'Em Hell Kid & stuck to the new album, playing only 1 track from their debut. Pretty odd as that meant (including encore) it was a 45 minute set. I've seen bands with songs that last longer than 45 minutes! I thought The Used were bad with only an hour but this? Disgraceful!
Gerard wasn't as lively as I expected & seemed to have picked up stuff from other frontman rather than being particularly original (I think I spotted "The Bert McCraken Book Of In Between Songs Speeches" by side of the stage. Also "Scream for me London" is copyright of Bruce Dickinson & should NEVER be used by anbody else!!)
However he was original in the fact he wore a bullet proof vest onstage (John Lennon=legend, Dimebag=legend, Gerard Whathisface=umm)
He asked us to guess what he was wearing, which the parents got right at least.
He also advised us that if a band ever asks you to show them your tits you're to spit in their face & say "No thank you". If only I'd known that before I'd have saved myself years of embarrassment!
I'm being a little harsh because, well they deserve it really! I have listened to Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge more times than is healthy & had high hopes for the show, but it was just okay (I Promise!!)
There were some highlights in the shape of The Ghost Of You, You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison & of course the 2 final songs I'm Not Okay(I Promise) & Helena. In fact they didn't massacre any of their songs & apart from his voice being strained they all sounded pretty good. It was just too short, too cheesy & nothing special. I could have just sat at home & listened to the album & it wouldn't have been much less exciting.
6 out of 10
Setlist
Give 'Em Hell Kid
Cemetry Drive
Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough For The Both Of Us
To The End
You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison
The Ghost Of You
Thank You For The Venom
I Never Told You What I Do For A Living
I'm Not Okay ( I Promise)
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Helena
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