Face To Face
November 11, 2010
House of Blues Anaheim
Emerging from a hiatus in 2008, Face To Face are back in action boasting a new album Laugh Now..Laugh Later to be released in 2011 coinciding with their 20-year anniversary as a band. A packed House of Blues Anaheim roared immediately as the opening chords of “Resignation” blared. Face to Face have long perfected their melodic uptempo punk rock sound and continue to stimulate mosh pits wherever they play.
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A two minute blast of “You've Done Nothing” had me ducking as
someone from backstage dove straight off the stage into the pit. A
barrage of power chords in the form of “Struggle” continued keep the
crowd moving as frontman Trevor Keith rapidly strummed his Gibson Les
Paul. Scott Shiflett is a vital component to Face To Face's sound with
his acrobatic and inventive bass playing that provide a strong melodic
backbone to their songs.
someone from backstage dove straight off the stage into the pit. A
barrage of power chords in the form of “Struggle” continued keep the
crowd moving as frontman Trevor Keith rapidly strummed his Gibson Les
Paul. Scott Shiflett is a vital component to Face To Face's sound with
his acrobatic and inventive bass playing that provide a strong melodic
backbone to their songs.
Keith was in good spirits throughout the evening occasionally
taking a few sips of wine. It didn't take long for the whole house to
nearly explode when Face To Face started in on their massive KROQ hit
“Disconnected.” The song is still played just as frequently as when it
was released nearly 17 years ago. Keith would rhetorically ask
the crowd if they were playing too fast.
taking a few sips of wine. It didn't take long for the whole house to
nearly explode when Face To Face started in on their massive KROQ hit
“Disconnected.” The song is still played just as frequently as when it
was released nearly 17 years ago. Keith would rhetorically ask
the crowd if they were playing too fast.
After thanking the crowd, Keith explained they had recently come
off playing the Warped tour and that it “sucked dick” due to the awful
bands and young kids. Face To Face kept the energy level high and stuck
primarily to their hits by expertly dispensing “Ordinary,” “You Lied”
and Velocity.” Their drummer Danny Thompson kept the beat fast and
steady.
off playing the Warped tour and that it “sucked dick” due to the awful
bands and young kids. Face To Face kept the energy level high and stuck
primarily to their hits by expertly dispensing “Ordinary,” “You Lied”
and Velocity.” Their drummer Danny Thompson kept the beat fast and
steady.
Once the crowd was appropriately warmed up, a new song “Should
Anything Go Wrong” blended in well to their set and doesn't stray that
far from their melodic punk rock template. Shiflett shined again for the
hook laden bass notes of “Walk The Walk.” The audience sang along every
word for most of the evening but got a chance for a real sing along
during “Pastel” as Keith had everyone screaming “Just go away!”
Anything Go Wrong” blended in well to their set and doesn't stray that
far from their melodic punk rock template. Shiflett shined again for the
hook laden bass notes of “Walk The Walk.” The audience sang along every
word for most of the evening but got a chance for a real sing along
during “Pastel” as Keith had everyone screaming “Just go away!”
Another new song “It's All About You” and a fiery version of “A-Ok”
closed out their main set. Chants of “Face To Face” welcomed the band
back onstage for an encore of their cover of the Descendents “Bikeage”
and the lyrically ironic closer “It's Not Over.” Judging from the
reaction of the crowd, Face To Face could be around for another 20
years.
Opening the evening was The Sparring who had their lead singer jump
down onto the floor to start a circle pit by himself. The Darlings
fared very well with the crowd with their Social Distortion influenced
punk rock. They also got bonus points for rocking a bullet microphone
for some distorted vocals during some of their songs.
down onto the floor to start a circle pit by himself. The Darlings
fared very well with the crowd with their Social Distortion influenced
punk rock. They also got bonus points for rocking a bullet microphone
for some distorted vocals during some of their songs.
Personal Bias: Face To Face are one my favorite punk bands from the college days.
Crowd: Most of the crowd was over thirty due to
the informal poll conducted by Keith in the middle of the show. Tattoos
and tall cans of beer were in abundance.
the informal poll conducted by Keith in the middle of the show. Tattoos
and tall cans of beer were in abundance.
Overheard in the Crowd: “Going to work is going to suck tomorrow.” Even punks work, apparently.
Random Notebook Dump: I cringed in disgust upon
observing a dad in the balcony who had his baby strapped to his chest
without any observable hearing protection.
observing a dad in the balcony who had his baby strapped to his chest
without any observable hearing protection.
Setlist:
“Resignation”
“You've Done Nothing”
“Struggle”
“What's In A Name?”
“Disconnected”
“Bill of Goods”
“I Won't Lie Down”
“Ordinary”
“You Lied”
“Velocity”
“Should Anything Go Wrong”
“Walk The Walk”
“Pastel”
“Blind”
“Big Choice”
“I'm Trying”
“It's All About You”
“A-Ok”
Encore:
“Bikeage”
“It's Not Over”
