Houston Calls

A 5 piece power-pop band hailing from New Jersey by the name of Houston Calls hit The Knitting Factory’s stage first. With their various equipment holders donning “Skid Row” logos and “New Jersey” stamps, a person without a previous lesson in Houston Calls might be expecting a different sound.

Every song the band performed was off their debut album “A Collection of Short Stories” out August 2nd from Rushmore Records. The crowd reacted in a funny way. For Houston Call’s first song, everyone had a camera out taking pictures. Flash-shutter click-flash-flash-flash-beep-shutter click. I was practically expecting everyone to just start rocking out, why would you take pictures of a band you did not know? Not the case. After everyone had their pictures of the band, the crowd just stood still. With each song the crowd would get a little movement going for about 15 seconds before going back to ‘stick in the mud’ status. I would say four people had any sort of care to what the band was doing on stage.

But they totally all should have cared. Jarrett was hopping around on stage with his bass as Kenny would hop onto the stage-level speaker between the crowd and the stage. Okie, on the keyboards, may not have been able to run across the stage while playing his instrument, but at any given moment, he was face to the crowd over his keyboard singing his heart out. Lead singer Tom (aka Chitty, apparently) kept his spot at center stage, belting out lyrics and playing his guitar.

Every song out of this band completely satisfied the upbeat tune-age I so needed from the long wait in line all day (I arrived at the venue at 3pm). I cannot wait to see them perform again. A New Jersey road trip might be in the works if they are unable to hit up the west coast again.

JamisonParker

I would just like to say that Jamison, lead singer of JamisonParker, is un-officially the bastard love child of Robert Smith and Rivers Cuomo. Or so he wishes with his black spike-fluff hair, glasses, button up sweater and tie. He changed guitars with every song, rotating between at least 3 guitars.

Playing about 6 songs, no doubt mostly from their debut full length “Sleepwalker,” they ended with “End Song.” Their set was not the only thing ending, though. The life of his poor guitar ended when he smashed that sucker into oblivion. Having a semi-front row view of the breakdown, I ducked behind the guy in front of me as to not get wood debris flying at my eyes. “No way am I going blind for this fucking band” ran through my head. Once the guitar was killed till death, Jamison bolted, with Parker on his tail. Then half the crowd lurched and went gaa-gaa to get some shred of the white wood pieces. Some even hopped on stage. Stage hands had to clean up the mess, but the big chunks were all gone.

The Rocket Summer

Now the pushing had really started. The crowd went bezerk over the band. I do not get it. In my mind, it was just noise and people pushing at that point.

Their set seemed to last f-o-r-e-v-e-r. For one of the last songs, 8-10 people were pulled on stage to sing along. To my surprise, it included 2 or 3 males.

If you love their music, you will absolutely love their live set. If you despise their music, you will absolutely despise their live set. I am the latter.

HelloGoodBye

How anyone can not smile while listening to this band, I do not know. Their music and stage presence are so uplifting, no matter where you stand in the crowd. The crowd pushing had got to a point I did not feel like putting up with anymore so I got out. Trying the upstairs balcony did not prove fruitful, as it was butt to gut up there. I stuck around for one and a half songs. There had to be some spot in the tiny club for me to see without getting mauled by girls with too many bracelets. While trying another spot back on the floor, I spotted Tom from Houston Calls singing along and drinking a beer. How awesome is that?!

I then realized I could watch from the side of the stage! Past the rope barrier and into my safe spot, under the air conditioner, next to a roadie, a few guests and security.

Along with the tracks off their EP, some new songs were in their set list, but if the titles were said, I did not hear them. One of the new ones I had previously seen performed back in February when they played with Hidden In Plain View, except this time it was not with a banjo and bongo drum. Mystery song that will be on the next album.

During the last song, the guys had some costumed gentlemen run around on stage, including a hot sauce bottle. There was silly string and party poppers and confetti EVERYWHERE. Fiesta time!

A female who was intent on getting past the rope and onto the stage with the band got a great HGB roadie to tell her off, “No you cannot go on stage with them. NO NO NO NO NO N-O! N-FUCKING-O NO! ” Just so you do not feel sorry for her, she was one of the 5-7 females that had been watching from near the side of the stage, screaming out crap like “Jesse! You’re fucking hot!”

And then, right when I did not think their show could get any sweeter, they played “JESSE BUY NOTHING” for an encore! My heart skipped a beat. The previously mentioned costumed gentlemen came back on stage in full force, Jesse took lead, and when Forrest wasn’t going crazy on the keyboard, he was pulling people on stage to join in the song. It was fantastic chaos. Towards the end I was pulled on stage as well, which was flippin’ awesome!!! I quickly felt like an ass and retreated but it was a great experience and completely made my night.

Review by: Candice