So, I just got back from the "I Get the Neck of the Turkey" tour with Tyler Read, Sullivan, and (most importantly) Showbread. I've seen Showbread play nine times before, and they've always blown me away. I'm sure one of their sets here or there has been weaker than the others, but tonight was definitely one of the better sets.
To begin the show, Tyler Read came out. They play an interesting brand of southern rock and modern emo/punk. The way they began their set was incredible. Josh and Ivory from Showbread, and two guys from Sullivan came out on stage. Josh and Ivory wore parkas, while the guys from Tyler Read laid down the beats for....a gangsta rap song? Josh, Ivory, and the two guys from Sullivan would rap at a blistering pace, taking turns spitting rhymes, and then they would all come back to a chorus of "We gon' keep it raw, we gon' keep it raw, woo woo, woo woo." It was pretty much fantastic. It was hilarious. That pretty much set the vibe of the entire show...it had a real party atmosphere and was all about fun, as all of the members of all of the bands did guest bits in each others' sets.
After the rap song, Tyler Read kicked off their set. I honestly was not expecting much of anything, but Tyler Read came out swinging. Their set was incredibly fun, they were pretty tight musically, and they were chock full of the obnoxious, in-your-face attitude that is so missing from rock n' roll these days. With all of the pomp and attitude of Mick Jagger, their lead singer picked his entire microphone up, stand and all, and was throwing it around and going nuts. Good stuff. They were very good. I dug them.
Next up was Sullivan. I hate to admit this, but I really can't stand Sullivan. I want to like them. They are pretty talented musicians, I tend to enjoy high pitched vocals, and their drummer is Spencer from Underoath's brother, so by all accounts, I should like them. That should be all I need to know, but I really can't get into them. I guess if you enjoy them, they're good, but I can't take much of them.
So, after Sullivan was the main event. Showbread. I've seen them nine times, and they are always incredible. For those who don't know, they play a brand of punk rock (don't argue with me on this one...it is not "screamo") that is very brash and tends to lean closer to hardcore, but they do it with more theatricality and flair than hardcore. There are synthesizers, guitar solos, melody. They wear color coordinated outfits (green and black, in case you were wondering). However, perhaps the most impressive thing about Showbread is their conviction. With the intense energy of their onstage freak-outs, you can tell that they are passionate about what they do. The guys in Showbread put their heart and soul into what they do, and the reason they do what they do is to have a medium to tell kids about Jesus Christ (which they do, every night from the stage). Their set was amazing. Bookending the set with both of their long songs (Stabbing Art to Death and Age of Reptiles) and then playing a myriad of fan-favorites from their most recent two albums (Oh! Emetephobia, Mouth Like A Magazine, Dead By Dawn, Pachycephalosaurus), the energy started out on high and never let up, except for the occasional banter about why Josh's grandmother's poundcake probably had crack in it because it was so good and affirming the audience with a "fo'sho.'"
As always, Showbread did not disappoint, and I was terribly impressed with Tyler Read. They're going to be on this tour another week. Try and catch it if you get the chance. Showbread needs to blow up. Their music is so much more enjoyable than a lot of the generic emo that is running rampant these days. Their lyrics are spiritually relevant, as well as intellectually, and they play with a passion that a lot of rock bands lack these days. They genuinely believe in what they do, and I thank them for it. Raw rock still kills, fo' sho.
Showbread Set List:
Stabbing Art to Death
Pachycephalosaurus
Your Owls Are Hooting
Mouth Like a Magazine
Oh! Emetephobia
The Jesus Lizard
Dinosaur Bones
Age of Reptiles
Encore:
Dead By Dawn