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Review

The Starting Line

Band Name: The Starting Line
Venue: The Mean Fiddler, London, England
Support Acts: The Reunion Show, Autumn To Ashes
Date: June 6th 2003

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2005
by Mike Brede (Mike).

The Reunion Show are fast becoming one of the most talked about bands in "emo" (if you'll forgive me for that) and tonight they proved to London why this is. Provoking a great reaction from the crowd with their synth driven pop punk melodies and generally winning over the audience within three songs. It's true enough to suggest that the pop punk scene is already somewhat saturated, and although a band which sounds like a hybrid of Alkaline Trio and Sugarcult may not sound like a particually promising hope for the future, they certainly seem to be somewhat of a guiding light as far as the scene is going. Synth inclusion is getting more popular by the day by young bands, and these seem to have got there first. Look out for 'em, they are good.

Next up the brutal From Autumn To Ashes graced the stage. Melodic yet heavy; they created a bitersweet contrast between the almost1 bubble gum pop punk innocense of The Reunion Show. The crowd weren't entirely sure what to make of it all. Fans of the Starting Line looked... well, intruiged, but at the same time confused, and fans of The Reunion Show looked disgusted. From Autumn To Ashes however cared little for the reactions of the crowd as they clearly had their own following within the depths of the pit. A band who might not be topping the charts anytime soon but certainly one who knows how to put on a good show. Yes, I was in the pit. Yes, it hurt.

The best of course, was still to come though. As expected tonight Kenny Vasoli and friends were here to blow us all away. It had only been two months since the band had played the bigger Astoria Theatre upstairs and this intimate show really allowed the guys to let their hair down and celebrate all that is The Starting Line.

A stunning set from the Pennsylvanian pop punk rockers showed London that they are here to stay. It would appear that The Starting Line are finally getting the recognition that they deserve and it's certainly well earnt.

Opening with Up and Go and playing some "classics" such as Gregs last day, Leaving and Best of me, they tonight wrote the rule book as to what makes a great punk pop show. They even threw in a new acoustic song called The Night Life.

Their set was electric from start to finish and they even let the crowd decide their closing song which went down a storm. Between the choices of Threes a Charm and Cheek to Cheek, the audience chose Cheek to Cheek... much to the delight of 99% of the fans who sang along word for word.

All in all, a great performance from all bands made this show something special. A prediction, of things to come from The Starting Line atleast; big things are going to happen to this band, that's for sure.... so come back soon. London loves you.

* Review by Gary Lancaster - glancaster at teenspot dot biz

Discuss This Review

HI! MY NAME IS JULIA AND I HAVE MY FRIEND HERE NAME PATRICIA AND WE THINK THAT YA'LL ARE VERY HOTT AND A GREAT... [more]
Posted Feb 2, 2005 by joeptx45.

I think you'd have better luck going to their official website (don't know it off hand, go to Google and look... [more]
Posted Feb 21, 2005 by Gary.

One of my most favorite bands. [more]
Posted Mar 13, 2005 by I-IStickyNotesI-I.

I LOVE THE STARTING LINE THEY R LIKE MY FAVORITE BAND I LOVED THEM BEFORE ANYONE KNEW WHO THEY WERE. !!!!!!! [more]
Posted Mar 22, 2005 by MotoGurlie412.

They are an osm band...My friend introduced me to them a year ago i think. I was singing there song before i... [more]
Posted Apr 5, 2005 by winterbum69.

[3 more comments]

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