I am the Avalanche @ Mason Dixon 9.30.08

I am the Avalanche will be playing an acoustic set at Mason Dixon (NYC, Lower East Side) tomorrow night at 10:30pm. The bar is located on Essex St. between Stanton and Irvington. Free Show, 21+.

13 NYC Area Shows to see before 2009

1) 09.26.08 New Found Glory with Four Year Strong and A Day To Remember @ Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.

2) 10.13.08 Rise Against with Alkaline Trio and Thrice @ Roseland Ballroom (New York City)

3) 10.15.08 & 10.16.08 NOFX at Irving Plaza (NYC)

4) 10.26.08 Just Surrender @ School of Rock East in South Hackensack, NJ

5) 11.03.08 I Am The Avalanche with This Is Hell @ Knitting Factory (NYC)

6)11.06.08 Pierce the Veil, Breathe Carolina and Four Letter Lie @ Knitting Factory

7) 11.07.08 Chiodos with Silverstein @ Roseland Ballroom (New York City)

8) 11.08.08 Norma Jean @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)

9) 11.14.08 & 11.16.08 Bayside @ Irving Plaza (NYC) & Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ)

10) 11.15.08 The Academy Is... @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)

11) 11.21.08 & 11.22.08 Jack's Mannequin @ Blender Theater (NYC)

12) 11.22.08 Senses Fail @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)

13) 11.25.08 Hawthorne Heights @ Irving Plaza (NYC)

I am the Avalanche at Angels and Kings on 9.06.08

The hurricane weather didn't stop anyone from coming to see Avalanche and its supporting acts on Saturday night. In fact, Angels & Kings was pretty damn packed. Actually, "packed" might not be the best word. If the bar had an extra 10-15 people, it would have been packed...at least in the uhh....claustrophobic sense. This was packed as in....more of a flush sense.

Upon arrival, I quickly grabbed a beer in fear of what I would be subjected to for the next hour or two before Avalanche. Seating in the lounge area was limited so we quickly grabbed one of the last seats facing A&K's "stage." Yes, "stage" is in quotes because it really wasn't much of one. Which, by the way, was oh so conveniently right next to the entranceway (and I do say this with complete sarcasm).

Gregory James at Angels & Kings

By the time we sat down, Gregory James was in the midst of playing his acoustic set. He had no additional back-up acoustics. It was him and his guitar. I guess the only thing I really can recall from Gregory James' performance was the overall relaxed feeling that came upon me as he played. Or...maybe it was just that $5 bud light I bought 10 minutes earlier?

Can You Keep a Secret at Angels & Kings

Immediately following Gregory James, Can You Keep a Secret set up and took stage. As soon as it was apparent who the band members were, you would have thought "oh boy, it's another goddamn emo band." And, well, that's exactly what they were. In their credit, I'm sure Can You Keep A Secret's songs would have been a lot catchier with electric guitars. I only say that in sheer optimism since I really don't understand how they were booked otherwise. CYKAS followed their first song with an off beat, flat and poorly done acoustic cover of Saves the Day. It was one of those rare times you truly wish you could hear the emo kids emo-looking adults singing louder than the actual musician himself. Also amusing, was the fact grown men in their 20s stood alongside the front singing every word. Perhaps they were fan boys, or maybe even the rest of the band? I don't know, but I really thought singing on the side stage was a 15 year old groupie thing.

Hamilton at Angels & Kings

The final band to open was Hamilton (from Medford, MA). They seriously sounded so amazing they could have closed the night. Hamilton is still unsigned and JUST now added a Myspace account (yes, please add). I would be incredibly surprised if a label doesn't pick them up within the next 6-12 months. My only fear is that they sound a little too "Yellowcard"-esq and would get thrown into the diluted pop punk genre. Now, with that being said, Hamilton is an incredible live acoustic performer. As long as the band can distinguish themselves either through their Elvis microphones or some other musical way, they will be playing venues like Starland and Knitting Factory in no time. Well, that could have been the third beer talking, but they're a very promising band and I wish them the best of luck.

I am the Avalanche at Angels & Kings

Before Avalanche came on, I was able to enjoy all of the opening bands without having to stand. In fact, as soon as Hamilton finished, Avalanche fans poured in front and center blocking my rather premium seating view. IATA opened with an acoustic version and fan favorite of "Green Eyes." During the set, fans were graced with a new song entitled "Mrs. Green." Which, through my own interpretation, was a song about weed somehow appropriately mixed in with a dedication to Mr. John Beatz. "Mrs. Green" is well written and an incredibly catchy song. You could just tell fans were just itching to know the lyrics so they too could sing right along with Vinnie.

Vinnie's voiced his appreciation for the evening several times throughout the night to both fans and the promoter. Ironic, since he and the rest of IATA were the ones giving us this amazing acoustic show for the price of free. The band appropriately closed the evening with "Brooklyn Dodgers."

Time and time again, Avalanche has shown an unwavering ability to display the unique talent of being able to sound just as amazing acoustically as they do electrically. Hands down, last night was the best free show I've ever been to, and it's unfortunate every Avalanche fan wasn't there to see it.

I Am the Avalanche Playing Angels and Kings on Saturday Night

I am the Avalanche will be playing a free acoustic set at Angels and Kings on Saturday September 5th, 2008. Doors open at 8. It will be a free show; however, there will be an open bar special for $45, tip included.

Avalanche will be performing alongside Gregory James, Hamilton, Boy and His Machine and Can You Keep A Secret.

I plan on going to A&K tomorrow night so hopefully I'll have an update on the show by the end of the weekend.