Review: Alexisonfire/Codeseven/Emmanuel 3/9/05

March 9, 2005
Alexisonfire
Codeseven
Emmanuel
The Ottobar, Baltimore MD

So I headed back to the Ottobar for the second night in a row. Tonight's crowd was pretty different than last night, although I wasn't the only one at both shows. I overheard some girl explaining the deal with dressing emo, which is obviously different than dressing hardcore (aah! I can't find that page again and it was so funny!). Anyway, I'm at little giddy right now and wouldn't mind if this was the day that doesn't end [you'd think I was going to meet with the "estimable Mayor McCheese" (which I guess I could have, McD's by my house is now open 24 hours and no, I can't stop laughing at that quote)]. So this mid-week trip begins like it always begins, that is to say that I missed the first band Emmanuel. Sorry. I also can't figure out what their web address might be (try Googling Emmanuel and music...not helpful).

Up next were one of my very favorite bands, the fine southern gentlemen of Codeseven. They're one of only 5 bands on my "Favorites" disc which occupies the first slot in the car's cd changer, but I need to see them live a few more times to even things out in that field (two down, 16 shows to go). They've got an interesting stage set-up: turning the house lights off as if the stars fell out of the sky and then they've got these lighted sandwich-board things on each side of the drum kit and a blue light on each side of the stage. It definitely suits their music though, which has been described (by Matt of FFAF) as having a 'soundscape' quality. They put on a great set, though I didn't think it was nearly long enough, but I must have bumped my head and missed something... They joked on stage about doing something by Slayer, which would be really cool and would probably sound like a more sophisticated version of something like this. I would also like more crazy dancing! [While I was standing by the bar, Jeff walked by and toasted me with his gin & tonic because he thought I had the same thing, but honestly I don't know what she put into my glass. I guess mid-week emo shows are worked by new and/or incompetent bartenders, though it shouldn't be that hard to make a vodka and ginger-ale, right? Vodka + Ginger-ale does not equal vanilla vodka, coke, and a lime wedge...]
5/5 for Codeseven
1.5/5 for the drink (would have been much better without the lime)

Now appearing on their first US headlining tour, Canada's own Alexisonfire. I guess they're proof that Equal Vision doesn't put subliminal messages into all their offerings, because Alexisonfire is one of the few EVR albums I don't own. They played both of the songs with which I was familiar - 'Accidents' and '.44 Caliber Love Letter' - the latter of which appeared on a Metal Hammer magazine comp I got over the summer. I could actually see them getting big in the UK, since I think they fit the kind of heavy emo-type of music the Brits like. [At this time I would like to offer up a new genre term: HEAVE-MO = Heavy + Emo. How many scene points do I get for coining that one?] Anyway, the singer is working the Clark Kent/Superman thing pretty hard with his giant emo glasses. That could be one of the reasons I could also see this band appearing in a modern-day John Hughes movie (that and the encouragement of slow dancing and the actual slow dancing that went on). I would also like to see the incorporation of a disco whistle (I need to get them a copy of Lyube - the Russians know how to work a disco whistle into a rock song). Overall, it was an enjoyable show and I would definitely go to another Alexisonfire show (but I don't think I'd buy their albums unless the EVR subliminal voices tell me to).
4.827/5

And now it's time for the second real installment of "Several Questions with the Bass Player." Tonight's bassist is the lovely Jon of Codeseven:

MoS: What is your favorite venue to play?
JoC: (consulting with James, who said the Troubadour in Los Angeles) the Troubadour

MoS: You've been all over the country on tour; would you say that North Carolina has the best barbeque?
JoC: I don't eat meat, but my friends would say so. NC has the best soul food around though. [MoS recommends Bojangles chicken and collard greens]

MoS: Who would you pit against Alexisonfire in a steel cage match?
JoC: Normally, I wouldn't pit 5 against one, but I would say Dave Mustaine. I think he could take them all on.
MoS: Oh yeah, he wouldn't even mess up his hair.

Special thanks to James of Codeseven, whom I initially approached until he got bogged down with nerdy technical questions that other people kept asking. Codeseven also receives this week's 'Don't Stop A-Rockin!' nod...