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Upcoming Shows JANUARY 5th
METRO
(more info soon)
DECEMBER 7TH
CHICAGO, IL
METRO
3730 N. Clark
all ages
6:00 doors featuring...
Red River -8
Meqqa-715
Ditchwater -630
print out FREE tickets for the show at http://www.blanktheory.com/tickets.htm
DECEMBER 28TH DETROIT, MI SHELTER
all ages with Forge and Arizing
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Please send me some reviews on any shows or meet-and-greets you may have had with BT. And i will post them on this page. Please include either your name, alias, or just sign it "Anonymous". Email them to me at theblanktheoryrules@hotmail.com THE BLANK THEORY w/ Ditchwater, Mecca, and Red River
Cabaret Metro December 7, 2001
Setting: Cabaret Metro, a venue every local band wants to pack. It is famous for catapulting Chicago area bands into popular mainstream music. This is where fans come to connect to their city. And December 7s show wasnt any different. No matter if its punk, rock, or even jazz, the aura is always similar. Typical Chicago crowd, excited, yet with arms crossed, a killer for bands new to the scene. On the contrary, everyone is willing to give whatever they see a chance. Slowly the crowd gets into the groove- arms uncross, movement closer to the stage, and maybe even a smile or a head bang. After several shows you will notice this, we want to be impressed.
Mecca appear on stage. Through the opening of the song people still are talking to their friends with their backs turned and havent even acknowledged the band has started. Suddenly the chorus kicks in, and everyone turns their heads to the stage. The first thing in everyones head? Incubus! The heavy guitars and heartfelt lyrics run through the same vein as that California art-metal band. The singer violently whips his body back and forth, who by now has shed his shirt, across the stage wearing himself out by the close of their set.
The crowd is now in a somewhat happier state. People are smiling and anticipating what the next band, Red River has in store for them. The second the houselights come on after Meccas set a clown appears between the stage and the crowd, making balloon animals for anyone who wanted one. The clown, Twister, made swords and puppy dogs, the swords inevitably provoking duels between fans. Everyone was having a fun time, and things would only get better. A list of the Christmas themed stage set: a 15 foot Frosty the Snowman with a gunshot wound to the gut, a 15 foot Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer with a twisted neck, a fireplace with stocking hung with cheer, Christmas lights, and costumes. Vocalist Spooky came out in character as a psycho serial killer Santa, while guitarist Mike Spatz played the part of a reindeer. Bassist Mike Tate was an elf, drummer Dave wore a karate type mask, and no one could figure out what the hell guitarist mike was. Lights dimmed, band poured from tiny backstage door, crowd screams. An eerie guitar comes in, and you catch Spatz the reindeer. Your eyes are moving from one end of the stage to the other, waiting for something else to happen. Then drum and bass kick in, and vocalist Spooky pops out. He carries a sack over his shoulder, filled with a decapitated Santa head and presents he throws out to the audience. My initial gut feeling? Corporate Avenger meets Alice in Wonderland on acid. Enough said.
Once again, the house lights turn on. Fans are impressed by Red Rivers set and cannot wait for headliner, The Blank Theory. This name is a concept of the bands' that serves as a blanket statement about the global naivety of ideals. The suffering that ensues because of the powers that be, spawning ignorance among his followers. Bassist Matthew Leone appears onstage. Band mates include Matthews twin brother vocalist Nathan Leone, guitarist Michael Foderaro, and drummer James Knight. Fans/friends of Matthews scream at him from the floor, and he modestly smiles then retreats backstage. Minutes later The Blank Theory screened by a projector onto the backdrop above the drummer. Lights go out, and the crowd roars. The bands songs are all very well known throughout the crowd. Singing along to every single word as if it were their own, the noise level almost equaled that of the sound system. Songs like Thicker, Fascist and Recluse were not only heard, but also felt by everyone there. For the next couple of songs Nathan picks up a guitar, and then puts it down. With one huge jump he leapt from the stage into the crowd. Everyone started screaming, Keep him up! Keep him up! before Metro security guards pulled him out and back onto the stage. Towards the end singer Nathan stops to thank everyone for their support- that of the fans, and of the street team promoting the band to anyone who will listen. The band disappears for a few moments and returns for a single encore after the crowd screams for one more song.
Yes, another satisfying Metro show. The band comes out to the lobby to converse with fans. This alone is what may keep people coming back, that connection. The band is very down to earth, and because of this are very inspiring.
"The Blank Theory reminds me why I got into this business. Killer songs, great band...they're one of a very short list of Chicago artists that truly deserves mega stardom."
-James VanOsdal, former Assistant Music Director/Local Music Director, WKQX-FM (Q101)
Review by "Anna Chigas"
Thanks Anna, I and BT would like to thankyou!!! |
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