photo credit: weworemasks

The last time Every Time I Die played at Warehouse Live, things didn’t go so well. They got into a very publicized brawl with our famed 5 Star Security and probably weren’t too keen on ever playing the venue again. But things change, and it’s now water under the bridge. The band booked a show at the Studio, a place that was soon to be a haven for mayhem, flailing bodies and heavy rock and roll. Buffalo’s own would bring along a slew of heavy bands to open in The Acacia Strain, Vanna, Hundreth and No Bragging Rights – all to ensure that security has their hands full.

Hit the jump for the recap.

-grizzly


photo credit: weworemasks

The Studio had been sold out prior to the show date, but that didn’t stop the band from releasing 100 more tickets – injecting more sardines into the box. Houston was more than welcoming of the newcomers, even though the spillover of folks from the Studio poured into the Ballroom and left little wiggle room for everyone else. But this was a shot of nostalgia. Much like the Converge show at Fitz a few months ago, this Every Time I Die tour stop was heavy in classic nostalgia, when concerts were a much bigger experience than just watching one of your favorite bands perform.

After an exciting 30 minutes from Vanna and an agonizing 45 from The Acacia Strain, Every Time I Die spared no riffs after opening their set with a song (“Bored Stiff”) that holds the line, “Hey there, girls, I’m a cunt!” This type of sassitude is commonplace for ETID, and the folks in the audience stomped, yelled and clapped along with every track while the band played on a simple stage, backed by a giant illuminated Olde English “I.” Everyone was into the moment – even a handicapped patron was carefully allowed to crowd surf, with plenty of “aww”-inducing assistance from the staff.

photo credit: weworemasks

The band’s currently on tour in support of their brilliant new record, Ex-Lives, which dropped last year. Keith Buckley’s lyrics took a more serious turn on some of the tracks compared to those from the past, which resonates well for jaded fellas like myself. Fans of old were treated to plenty with boisterous performances of “I’ve Been Gone a Long Time” and “Logic of Crocodiles.” The energy never died, because it’s never not going to be cool hearing 400 people sing “I want to be dead with my friends!” (“Underwater Bimbos from Outer Space”) The same goes for the Pantera medley that was seamlessly slipped into the set.

Every Time I Die is a band bred in a scene that has all but faded out. Many of their peers have since broken up or become increasingly irrelevant, but ETID remains a staple for many for a couple of reasons. For starters, their albums have continued to evolve. While the core is the same, minor tweaks to the sound have kept them fresh and exciting, and it shows when you hear 2001’s “Logic of Crocodiles” and 2012’s “Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow” with the same energy in the same set. But most importantly, the band still loves what they’re doing. There’s no cutting corners, because they’re playing their sets in the blistering heat at Warped Tour the same way they played their comfortable climate show at Warehouse Live Friday night.

[SETLIST]

last track: “Indian Giver”
photo credit: 2tiez

[ed. note: We ran into the Buckley brothers at neighboring Lucky’s Pub and had a grand ol’ time over some drinks, and Keith mentioned being a fan of this here website. I died. Worth sharing, sorry for the “shinfo.”]