Concert Review
My Darkest Days
Town Ballroom
Buffalo, NY
Wednesday October 17, 2012
Review/Photos: Chelsea Bradley
The Sick And Twisted Affair tour closed up in Buffalo, New York Wednesday night at the Town Ballroom. My Darkest Days kicked off their shortened set (later claiming an issue with the promoter of the show) with “Sick And Twisted Affair” the song both the album and the tour was titled after. The men of My Darkest Days came on stage donning the same old school hockey masks previously spotted during Surrender The Fall’s set. They removed the masks before jumping into the second song of the evening, but it was the third song on their short set that really got the crowd going. “Move Your Body,” the second single off their debut album My Darkest Days.
The band, led by lead singer Matt Walst is backed by Sal Coz Costa on lead guitar and vocals, Brendan McMillan on bass guitar and backing vocals, Doug Oliver on drums and Reid Henry on keyboard, vocals and rhythm guitar. This was My Darkest Day’s first headlining tour and they didn’t disappoint. They played with an air of giddiness to them, catering to the needs of the crowd. I’ve never seen the Town Ballroom so uncrowded, but what the crowd lacked in number they made up for in energy and volume. They gave as good as they got, especially when Buffalo’s favorite sports team, the Sabres, were brought up. The band made sure we all knew one of their sound technician’s disliked the our hometown Sabres. They invited us all to flip off the technician. The crowd happily obliged, sending jeers his way.
“Come Undone” featured some great vocal harmonies. “Casual Sex”, the first single off their second album was a crowd pleaser. I didn’t notice anyone in the crowd not singing along. “Every Lie” also appealed to the rambunctious fans.
My Darkest Days came back for the encore with their only number one single (Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart), “Porn Star Dancing.” They invited everyone in the crowd to come as close to the stage as possible. Not even halfway through the song they were joined on stage by members of Otherwise and Surrender The Fall.
It was clear all night long that every band was determined to make this last show of the tour as memorable as possible, and they certainly accomplished their goal. It was refreshing to see these bands, who truly appreciate every thing they’ve been given, having a good laugh with their friends while performing some excellent music.
The night was opened by Melia, a local band from Rochester, New York featuring Melia Maccarone on guitar and vocals, kicked off the show with a rocking rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Melia was no nonsense on stage, making the best they could of their allotted time slot. The band only just returned to New York after spending some time in Los Angeles. Melia, 21, has only been playing guitar for five years now and has made quite the name for herself in the indie music scene.
Up next was Surrender The Fall, a band hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. There was some sound issues to start the set which made it difficult to understand Jared Cole, the lead singer. The issue was quickly resolved, and the band jumped right into the rest of their set.
Surrender The Fall not only entertained us with music, but with an all out war orchestrated by men in old school hockey masks (later revealed to be members of Otherwise and My Darkest Days.) This reviewer can honestly say she’s never been covered in silly string and cereal at a show before. The crowd enjoyed it, feeding off the energy they put out.
Next up was Otherwise, a band from Las Vegas. There was a bit of a sound issue in the start of their set but they powered on to deliver songs like “I Don’t Apologize (1000 Pictures)”, “Vegas Girl” and “Full Circle.” Their last song, “Soldiers” which they recently released the music video for, was introduced by a quick, inspiring speech by lead vocalist Adrian Patrick featuring the quote, “everyone in this room is fighting for something.” Halfway through “Soldiers” they were joined on stage by members of Surrender The Fall, and more chaos and mayhem followed. They definitely set the stage for My Darkest Days.
It was clear the whole night that every band was determined to make this last show of the tour as memorable as possible, and they certainly accomplished their goal. It was refreshing to see these bands, who truly appreciate every thing they’ve been given, having a good laugh with their friends while performing some excellent music.
Set List
Sick And Twisted Affair
Save Yourself
Move Your Body
Stutter
Every Lie
Nature Of The Beast
Drum Solo
Come Undone
Casual Sex
Porn Star Dancing
Special Thanks to Jazmine Valencia for assisting us in covering the show.
