Review: Across Five Aprils 01/05/05

Across Five Aprils
The Mojo, Baltimore
January 5th, 2005

So I've only got one band to review here since I was lost for two hours because I didn't carefully review my printed directions ['Turn *blankspace* onto Gay Street' is not helpful] and I apparently have no sense of direction either. It might be time to invest in one of those GPS or DVD navagation systems...then I would be able to figure out just how lost I can get.

*anyway*

Across Five Aprils is a 5-piece screamo/hardcore outfit straight outta East Tennesee. There are tons of comparable bands out there, many with better singers/screamers and better lyrics, but I really like these guys. The drummer is awesome and the heavy, single-peddle double kicks are what really made me a fan of their album 'A Tradgedy in Progress.' They've got a new EP out which I picked up last night which I think shows a strong evolution both musically and lyrically.
[I saw these guys at some random place over the summer, where so many crappy local bands were added to the line-up the headliner (Still Remains) and Across Five Aprils only played four songs each. At the time AFA frontman Steve was out of the lineup and another friend of theirs filled in to scream out the lyrics. Actually now that I think about it, that was probably the most lost I've ever been (coincidence?) and I ended up making the 6 hour drive from Pittsburgh home overnight because I gave up trying to find my brother's house again after the show.]
It was a really fun show with a very energetic small crowd, most of whom screamed along with Steve, and it was nice to see so many girls who aren't afraid to get in the pit and throw it down. I was glad I didn't give up on finding the place, though I wasn't too impressed with the venue (who puts a 3' wide sprial staircase as the only apparently connection between the upper and lower spaces in a bar? where was the bartender the whole time?), not that I could find my way back there if I wanted to (Gay Street, you devious bastard!)
Across Five Aprils - 10 thumbs up (5/5 + they're cute!)
crowd of drunk frat-boy types/Ottobar regulars/Christian hardcore fans - 10 thumbs up
The Mojo - my lowest rating ever 9 thumbs up (3/5)