Believers Never Die, and niether does tradition

May 12th, 2009 Fall Out Boy will have taken the stage in Cleveland Ohio, with opening acts Hey Monday, All Time Low, Metro Station, and Cobra Starship. Although Ohio is mostly known for bad unpredictable weather, Cleveland Ohio is known for it’s music tradition all around. Not far from the venue is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as many other music venues.

Nearing the end of the tour, Hey Monday, the newest edition to the record label, Decaydance, will be the first to perform. The five piece group of good old American kids from Florida come out with high energy and all smiles. Leaving a lasting impression on the crowd and definitely gaining some new fans along the way.

Following behind them will be one of the best exports from Maryland, the Four guys of All Time Low. As the guitar pics start flying, so do the crowd surfers. Behind the band we see a reminder in pink duct tape about their upcoming album ‘Nothing Personal.’ All Time Low was recognized by a number of fans as being their favorite opening act. Unfortunately, we didn’t see as much hooliganism from them, due to time constraints. Nevertheless, they will leave with the crowd being hyper as ever, and hanging on until the next band.

Metro Station will be next. They were recognized in Cleveland based magazine, Alternative Press in 2007 as being one of the Underground bands that would not stay underground for long. It is now 2009 and I can see that this simple band that formed on the set of Disney show ‘Hannah Montana’ can go places. However there did seem to be a disconnect to the audience. Once they fill that void, they will have a chance to make their mark on punk pop history.

Cobra Starship was another crowd favorite. Their high stage energy and snazzy light show mixed with their punk-pop with a swig of rap, in this case left with high energy fans. Upon asking fans who their favorite of the opening acts were, Cobra won majority of the fan favorite! “The way they interacted with the crowd was just awesome, and they generally have a great performance…” said fan Lauren. However, I wouldn’t recommend Cobra to Fall Out Boy’s younger fan base, as I never heard the phrase, “Put your mother f***ing fangs up!” said by Cobra front man, Gabe Saporta. Nor have I ever seen the same simultaneous hand gesture go up at once!

We came early for the opening bands, but we came for Fall Out Boy. The venue filled with loud screams and cat-calls the moment that they heard the organ opener in ‘Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes’ from Fall Out Boy’s latest album “Folie a Deux.” We then see our musical idols coming on stage. At first impression we are thinking “Oh no! Patrick isn’t wearing a hat?!” After a moment of realization we see that Patrick, Joe, Pete, and Andy are dressed as caricatures of political figures. A common theme strung throughout their latest album, Folie, and their show, is today‘s political endeavors. Being from a generation, mostly with parents from the 70s, our parents never thought that another one of ‘those bands’ would ever speak out against the problems of today’s government and economy. “If you’re not helping the situation, then you are hurting it.” Is what Pete Wentz said about this on behalf of Fall Out Boy. They then went into a montage of political figures and high society folk who are profiting from the latest economic downfall, and went into their hit single, ‘American’s Sweethearts.’ I was impressed at their fearlessness in speaking out, as are my peers. When asked what she felt about the political statements being made, FOB fan Lauren said, “I did feel that it was important for bands we admire to speak out. They are always known for starting trends. Maybe we will start to follow this one.”

So we’ve had our moments of seriousness. We then switch hand gestures from peace signs to the rock and roll hands. Fall Out Boy pleases fans of all types by playing the oldies from 2003’s “Take this to your Grave” and 2005’s ‘on the map’ album “From Under the Cork Tree.” No doubt that Cleveland’s musical vibes help to amp up the bands performance. Even Fall Out Boy concert veteran Holly, noticed that their energy was high, and out of the 9+ shows she’s been to Cleveland was #3 on her list (you can’t blame her. Spots 1 and 2 go to when she met the boys, and her first show). “…they had a lot of energy, and Pete was back to himself. At my last Fall Out Boy show before this one, he wasn’t himself, and he just seemed lost on stage…” As a personal observation, when Pete came on stage and said “Hello Cleveland!” and the crowd erupted in cheers, a near flawless show was in order. Fall Out Boy members are very in sync with one another, and their on stage chemistry. From Patrick’s piano-istic vocal range, to Andy Hurley’s drumming zen, Fall Out Boy will be this generation’s idol band. As the Beatles to the 60’s, Led Zeppelin to the 70’s, the 80’s hair bands, and the 90’s boy bands, Fall Out Boy is the band of the new millennium. Love them, hate them, or pretend to hate them and use them as your guilty pleasure, you still know them.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you think! I plan on sending this for feedback to some really rad people, and I don't wanna make a total fool of myself! also find this on my myspace!
I would like to thank Lauren and Holly for letting me interview them. Lindsey and Becca for putting up with me during this concert. And Ashley for promising to be critical on my critisim!