Guin's Concert Reviews

Guin's Concert Reviews

(All opinions are those of the reviewer & do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NYSP or its editor. )

Reel Big Fish, the Pilfers, Mr. T Experience - Wednesday, March 4, 1998 - Irving Plaza

I anticipated this show with mixed feelings. As a long time fan of RBF, I was real excited bout seeing this silly, poppy, upbeat band again. After getting Turn the Radio Off soon after its release I immediately fell in love with their catchy lyrics and danceable horns. Sometime last year when they last played the NY area with Save Ferris, I couldn't wait for the show. To my dismay, that show sold out and I who usually don't get tickets till at least 2 weeks before, got really pissed.

I am usually pretty accepting when my bands get played on t he radio. Alright fine, so they're getting some recognition. However, when there are these kids who had no clue what ska was suddenly are like "I am a rudy," I fume a little. I mean I've been in the scene for awhile now and have been pretty sharing and open-minded bout it. Suddenly there are these girls walking around with checkered bookbag straps and they look at you with a face when you have all these ska pins of bands they have never even heard of. That's a bit nauseating. That's the case when RBF started getting radio play. Old fans start to dis them. New trendy fans worship them. And then there's me. Old fan who can't give up on them but is getting quite pissed at the new cheesy fans. Gee the idendity crisis.

Anyways, I did decide it was worth it to see RBF again and I was right. It totally was. Well, mainly the thing that made me decide to go was the Pilfers, whom I love and adore so much. I had the Pilfers cd for about 2 months before that RBF show was by then, I was pretty familiar with them. So, me, and my friends Cindy, Diane, and Adrienne went. This was my first show at Irving Plaza and it did make a good impression on me. I decided that Irving is my favorite venue now. After waiting outside for about 30 or so minutes, they finally let us in and I made use of Irving's ever so accommodating bathroom. One thing I was a bit disappointed bout was that they took your ticket stubs. I'm someone who likes to collect stubs and take it away from me, I frown. I asked the guy if I could keep it and he grunted and was like no. I'm like dick...and walked away. We walked around a little and then sat against the wall waiting for the first band to come on, the Pilfers.

It took them like 5 hours to get ready. Seems it always take bands long to come on at Irving. How annoying. But when the Pilfers took over the stage, Cindy and I jumped onto the floor and hollered as loud as we could. Coolie did his lil intro and went right into Dr. Kervorkian. I skanked so hard my side began to hurt. Coolie introduced himself and other members of the band. They mix of reggae, dancehall, hardcore, and ska could initiate even the most critical music fan, and it seemed to be the case at this show. The crowd was ignited in harmony as we all danced along to the harmonizing melodies of Coolie Ranx and Vinnie. The Pilfers must be one of the best live acts around. Not only do they entertain with their great music, Coolie also makes up these fun games to involve the crowd in. We were soon as elevated as anyone could be (in more ways than one with all that second hand goin' round). They played for about 45 minutes I think and the best was when they did that Rude Boy song where the whole crowd chanted "Pom pom." Coolie replies The sound of a gun shot. Another rude boy get shot down! After their set Cindy and I walked downstairs where we spoke to Coolie for a bit. He was real nice to us and we returned late for MTX.

I don't really fall partial to poppy punk as I do for skapunk and ska so I will try to be as fair as possible. I thought they were a real cute band. They seemed to have many fans at the show, my friend Diane being one of them. Those guys seemed to be real nice guys who you just wanna run up to and hug. It sounds a lot like Green Day, Squirtgun, and other Lookout! bands so it you like that stuff, then MTX is the band for you.

Some time after the conclusion of MTX's set, Reel Big Fish entered the stage, one by one. They did this little line up thing that reminded me of a basketball game. Yep that's Reel Big Fish alright. I don't remember the order in which they played the songs being that I was too caught up in trying to skank in a spaceless pit full of those annoying kids you don't wanna be with (the worst kind, those that stood there and made faces at you when you dance.) I was like, No I love this band, and I am going to have a good time no matter what and just ignored the cheesy people in the pit.

RBF played an awesome show (could you doubt that?). They just kept you thinking "Oh those wacky guys." They also played a few new songs off of a new record soon to be released. One is "Scott's a Dork." I LOVE SCOTT!!! They sounded pretty good, and I can't wait till the new one gets released. Seemed everyone in the place got into the show and they really had the crowd's attention. I think they played almost every song off of Turn the Radio Off and they also played a few tracks I didn't think they would, such as their awesome cover of A-Ha's Take on Me, and ____'s Hungry Like a Wolf. They closed their show with their hit single, Sellout, and that was the cue for my friends and I to start out to make our ride. That's about it. Great show! If you're an RBF fan and miss that one, sorry man. This is Guin signing off. Over and out!

-Guin

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This page was last updated on 06/21/98