Hellogoodbye, Reggie & The Full Effect, Cute Is What We Aim For, & Dave Melillo
House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA
November 24, 2006

The House Of Blues, spanning the entire United States in the biggest and most famous cities, you can always count on HOB to put on a quality show. Extensive security and a very short list of items you can bring in (that doesn’t include bottled water or any form of camera) makes for a very different dynamic for a concert. Stage lighting equivalent to that of an arena or broadway performance, I’ll just stick to staying short and say you can definitely expect a “show.” Sorry, no photo pass for this one, you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Dave Melillo, one of Drive Thru Record’s youngest artists (signed at age 16), followed the typical DTR format and released an EP entitled “Talk Is Cheap” for free online earlier this year. I’m a big fan of the EP and have been excited to see him perform live ever since hearing it. With a band that couldn’t possibly be out of their teenage years, I was quite skeptical as he stepped on the stage. From the first note it was quite clear that with your eyes closed you’d believe you were listening to someone far beyond his 17 years. Playing his entire EP and the debut song, “Wait For It”- Dave is a true testament to the idea of talented people becoming younger and younger. If this is what he sounds like now, I can only imagine what he will create in the coming years.

I am guilty. 100% guilty. It took countless listens and this being my fourth time seeing the band in concert, but I’m getting past the denial. I am addicted to Cute Is What We Aim For. Now, lyrically they are not my favorite. Songs that speak the truths of popular TV shows like The OC or Laguna Beach, but even though their subject matter isn’t always applicable, I still can identify to nearly every song. If I’m not able to identify, I’m still singing along. This 4-piece from Buffalo, NY has slowly begun to take over the world that is currently run by Fall Out Boy and Panic! and I wouldn’t be surprised if they achieved a complete monopoly by this time next year. Their live show is solid, and Shaant sings quite well considering the energy he exudes on stage. If you’re a hater, you’ll come around. If you’re addicted already, I’m starting a support group soon, let me know if you’d like to join. All in all, I am really impressed with this band and can’t wait to see them again. They’re my pick as the next big thing in pop music.

I said it earlier to a friend of mine, and I’ll say it again. Reggie and the Full Effect was the absolute worst choice for this tour. Not only does their music not fit the pop outline set by the other three acts, but the on-stage comments made by the once admirable James Dewees may very well make it so that half of the 14-year-olds in attendance will never be able to convince their onlooking parents to take them to a concert again. I’m not saying I’m not a fan of them, I actually appreciate their honesty and intensity, but not in this setting. James’ additional performance under his side project “Fluxuation” was NOT funny to anyone in the audience, it caused most of us to turn away from the man only wearing a bra and shorts and his “turkey” dancers. Basically, whatever respect I had for him, I lost.

Finally, after the hour long experience I mentioned above, Hellogoodbye took the stage. A packed out venue filled with frantic teenage girls, family friends, label staff and veteran scenesters was definitely ready to be uplifted. The band took no time changing my mood and performed nearly all of their recorded songs. Bright lights, confetti, balloons that Forrest insisted on pausing from his vocal duties to stomp, people dressed as food, and incredible music were all present in their performance. An amazing encore included “Oh, It Is Love” dedicated by Forrest to his own girlfriend was then supplemented by the audience favorite “Touchdown Turnaround” and an all-crowd dance party ensued. The only thing I could’ve asked for beyond the incredible performance was my personal favorite track “Two Weeks In Hawaii” but I guess you can’t have it all. Hellogoodbye puts on one of the most memorable and fulfilling performances in music today. I would gladly see them play every single night, and I don’t think I’d ever go to bed sad again. I shouldn’t even have to sell this to you so do yourself a favor, GO SEE HELLOGOODBYE LIVE!