Been writing about The Gaslight Anthem a lot lately. Why? Well besides the fact I have had a severe concert drought this summer due to tour cancellations and a self-inflicted budget (thanks economy!), making them pretty much the only shows I went to see this summer as of this blog post, I have fallen in love with this band.
They first piqued my interest in 2008 when I heard "The '59 Sound." When that came on, I'd turn the radio up in my car, sing as loud as possible and try not to chair-dance my way into an accident. They were my reason for showing up early to the Rise Against tour that featured them in the opening slot (kudos to Rise Against for having great taste). I remember being impressed with their set and going to check out the CD.
At first it wasn't a CD that I played on a regular basis. It took awhile to grow on me. I don't think I was quite ready for them yet. Their style is a lot different than what I listen to day to day, barring two of their influences Bruce Springsteen and the Clash, so other than the single, it wasn't in regular rotation on my iPod. It actually wasn't til a year after the first time I saw them, when they played the Brooklyn Bowl, that I just flat out committed myself to this band.
By that time, I was more familiar with their music from "The '59 Sound" but not with their older stuff. At the Bowl show, I was paying even closer attention than I had when they opened for Rise Against. When I saw the crowd going nuts for the older songs I didn't know, I remember having this feeling of "What have I been missing out on?! I need to get ON this train!" After the Brooklyn date, I immediately obtained all the music by them I could and got to work schooling myself on their music. What I learned from my education was that there was a ton of stuff I could relate to. In a few cases, most notably "Boomboxes and Dictionaries", the lyrics helped (and still help) get me through some confusing times.
By the time the December show at the Wellmont came around, I was all in. I had the luck of being able to shoot them again for the first three songs. After I was done and we had to leave the pit, I took a chance and lingered in the area between the barricade and the stage, off to the side. Thankfully my good behavior helped me stay on the good side of the security guards, so they let me stay where I was, without a body in the way. With nothing and no one between me and the stage, it was like they were playing for me! Well, me and a house full of rabid Anthem fans who provided me with the great memory of an entire building singing along to "It's alright man...I'm only bleeding man...Stay hungry, stay free and do the best you can!"
Since then I've been to every show in the area, and have yet to be disappointed. They just come across incredibly sincere through the lyrics and Brian sings every word like he really means it. I even love his nervous stage banter. It's genuine and in the moment, not choreographed at all. I was actually mad when people were talking over him at his solo Bowery Ballroom show because I wanted to hear everything he had to say in between songs. Some people might not care to hear the backstory on all the music he puts out or what's on his iPod (Kelly Clarkson FTW), but I love to hear those kinds of details about my favorite artists. I couldn't understand why those people wouldn't shut up. Then I remembered they're probably drunk. Silly alchies.
Anyway, it's an extra special experience to really be a sincere fan of a band that's from your home territory too. Technically I wasn't raised in NJ/NY, but I visited this area enough growing up that I feel enough attachment to consider myself a product of an interstate upbringing. Thus I can relate to the Gaslight Anthem's music and get what they're about. Plus their personalities are so familiar you feel like they're just some guys from the next town over that know a friend of a friend, and when you go see them, you feel like you're watching a local band. Well in the Tri-State area's case, I guess we are.
Judging from their fast rise to fame, from playing a bowling alley last year to Radio City Music Hall this year, a lot of people besides myself and the state of New Jersey are hopping on the bandwagon as well. A lot of smart people who know a great band when they see and hear one.
