The Review

In an over-crowded O2 Academy 3 it was hard to see why these two bands weren’t playing the larger room, however the packed room made for an incredible atmosphere.

The first band playing (who’s name I don’t know, I’m sorry) were a local pop punk band, they managed to get the crowd in the mood for the two main acts, but didn’t seem to be around long enough to really get into their set.

The second band ALLBRIGHT who are very popular in their hometown of Birmingham, the crowd responded very positively to them. They played an amazing set including crowd favourite ‘Phone Home’, for a band who haven’t played together in a long time they performed a faultless set. Frontman Liam Price really got the crowd singing and dancing along by joining the crowd whilst performing. From the reaction of the audience later it seems Allbright really enlisted some new fans this evening

The headline act ARMY OF FRESHMEN didn’t take long to get the already lively crowd really moving, including a request section of the show where they had audience members play rock, paper, scissors to choose a song and had a ten year old boy up on stage to request ‘At The End Of The Day’. Playing many songs from their earlier albums, like Spring Break from their self titled album and Paradise, Uniforms, Get Um Up and my personal favourite Last Dance from Beg, Borrow, Steal. Lead singer Chris Jay never fails to interact with any crowd and certainly delivered tonight with his witty banter and almost jumping onto the front row at every given oppurtunity. Army of Freshmen, completed by Bassist Kai Dodson, Guitarist and Vocalist Aaron Goldberg, Owen Bucey on Keyboards, Dan Clark on Moog and Drummer Mike Milligan who all pulled off an energetic, perfect set. This band are so committed they spent hours before and after their set chatting to as many fans as they could, signing tickets, shirts, shoes, body parts etc and posing for photos, proving as they do everytime I see them they really are the hardest working, nicest group of musicians in the world.

(pictures are coming soon once I get some uploaded)

This show was originally at the Basement in Rock City and was upgraded (as were many of the shows on this tour) soon after tickets went on sale and it’s easy to see why this was the case. The queue outside the Rescue Rooms began to form long before the show started, going to prove just how popular Zebrahead are becoming in the UK.

First up were Orange, who hadn’t toured the UK before and I’d only heard short clips of songs. They managed to get the crowd moving after just one catchy song. Songs from new album Phoenix seemed to go down very well, although only a few fans had heard the songs before, frontman Joe Dexter interacted effectively with the crowd and guitarist Alec Gomez celebrated his birthday with a less than successful stage dives.

Next up, post-punk laptop rapper MC Lars and his co-vocalist DJ. Usually MC Lars is backed by UK band Failsafe, however tonight he used just his laptop and his obvious talented. Playing a set made up mainly of his older songs such as UK Vice Versa, Straight Outta Stockholm and Download this Song. He got the crowd jumping and singing along for his entire half hour set which seemed to be over much too quickly.

Finally, the eagerly anticipated Zebrahead, the headliners seem to be building a big reputation for putting on quite a show here in the UK and they did not disappoint this evening. Playing songs from album Phoenix such as Hell Yeah, Mike Dexter, Just The Tip and my personal favourite live song The Juggernauts. As well as a cover of Britney Spears’ – Oops I Did It Again from covers album Panty Raid and numerous songs from their back catalogue. Front man Ali Tabatabaee kept the fans happy by regularly jumping into the front row to sing into the faces of many of  the fans. Guitarist Greg Bergdorf never fails to impress with his face melting solos that even the most accomplished guitarist wouldn’t be able to match. Matty Lewis kept the crowd entertained between songs by sharing jokes and showing his gratitude to the fans for being there. Bassist Ben Osmundson let his playing do the talking and did his part in keeping the fans cool by pouring water all over them. Not forgetting drummer Ed Udhus, who doesn’t disappoint with his note perfect drumming.

Finishing with an encore consisting of The Juggernauts, fan-favourite Anthem and The Setup from 2004’s MFZB proving that songs from 6 years ago still impress. After the show the band come into the crowd to thank them for coming and are immediately at the merch stand ready to meet, take photos and sign tickets, posters, shirts, body parts and anything else fans put in front of them.

Greg Berdorf - Zebrahead

Matty Lewis - Zebrahead