In the second large rock and bowl extravaganza at Garden City Bowl, we were treated to an all-star line-up, capped off by a band that will no doubt take the mainstream music world by storm in the new future. If I could only tell everyone I know that AT THE DRIVE IN will be huge, just so I could scream “”I told you so,”" I would. Oh yeah…I so would. This is supposed to be a show review you say? Aha…

After arriving somewhat late and parking in the farthest spot possible, (somewhere in between two car-swallowing pot holes), I managed to catch the last two songs by a band that I didn’t recognize. It turned out to be NOW SHE’S GONE, who weren’t on the original billing, and subsequently, I missed out on most of what they had to offer. Arrrg…this was a band that I really really wanted to see. Regardless, from the two songs I heard, I was impressed, and I know that I must see these guys play around here again soon. TAKE BACK SUNDAY followed up and packed quite punch in true emo/core fashion. Their lead vocalist, Antonio has been in what seems like countless Long Island bands (either that, or there are just a lot of freaking people who look just like him), and to be honest, I’ve never dug his vocal stylings before – just not my thing ya know? Well, TAKE BACK SUNDAY was a new band to me, and surprise, surprise, I still don’t care for his singing. Which is a shame because their music was awesome. TAKE BACK SUNDAY was very tight and had a slick “”groove”" thing going on. Combined with a killer drummer who wasn’t afraid to let the double bass pedals fly, this band showed off some musical proficiency worthy of commendation. Initial comparisons reminded me of early MOCK ORANGE, or an up and coming band called FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER. Maybe the vocals will be better recorded than live.

By now, I knew the rest of this show was going to rock. THISYEARSMODEL are rapidly becoming one of my favorite bands. After seeing them for the first time live a few weeks ago, these guys left for tour and returned like a band who had their musical shit down pat. Solid would be a good term to describe this emo/post-hardcore band. THISYEARSMODEL played a lot of new material that will appear on a ep due out sometime this fall, and if you have the demo, the new stuff seems to be light years ahead in both song structure and overall style – it’s harder and more pissed off. I’m a sucker for the egotistic banter of vocalist Neil Rubenstein, who repeatedly clamoured to the crowd, “”I need more me, I need more me, I need more me.”" Surely not a band to missed.

ERROR TYPE 11 have been treated in my opinion as a “”controversial”" band in some other zines, due to their incredibly prevalent rock star attitude, but I’m not going to give them anymore press concerning their “”attitudes”" with the exception that each successful band needs some sort of schtick that will be able to catagorize them beyond “”rocking.”" ET11 do it their way, and that’s it. I tuned out the verbal garbage from these guys and focused on the music instead, because well, that is what intrigues me. I’m not really a fan of their new album, “”Amplified to Rock,”" due to its obvious arena friendly sound, but I still dig their first one, the self-titled, so I was in anticipation of hearing a few of the old classics. I think they played just one from that cd. Bummer. I don’t know – this band throws me for a loop. Although they seem to be extremely skilled songwriters and more than competent musicians, their poppier sounds get me harking for the post-hardcore bliss of yesteryear. I enjoyed their set, and was happy to see people getting into them, but it just didn’t play out the way I had in mind. Oh well.

Now here is where things get screwy. There was a lengthy delay in between ET11 and ATDI, due to some problems with the Police, the Fire Department, and stuff to that nature. Apparently it got resolved because ATDI did take the stage about an hour later, but by this time, I was exhausted and had decided that I would stick around for a few songs and then head on home. What can I say about ATDI that hasn’t been said already. These guys are AMAZING! live. They are on the step above the others, similar to the way that KID DYNAMITE (RIP) was, and comparable to the intensity that BANE brings to their shows, even with the musical differences. ATDI is afrocentric. With Cedric’s hair ever expanding, these guys are impossible to miss. With the crowd fully engaged, ATDI showed that whether they are out playing 16,000 seat arenas or a small corner in a bowling alley, they put on one of the best shows around. If you haven’t check these guys out yet, please do so. Their new full length, out on Grand Royal Records (Owned by the Beastie Boys) hits shelves sometime in mid September.