All throughout my teens, I wanted to live at shows, but due to strict parents, I didn’t get to see most of my favorite bands. Thankfully, many have either never really stopped touring or have broken up and gotten back together. Pop punk was my genre growing up so when Emery announced an updated line up featuring Scary Kids Scaring Kids, I think I actually jumped in the air. Listening to them now, it’s not so shocking I’m where I am today.
This show was different than most I’ve been to. The bands were to perform and then mc an emo night at the end. The doors were to open at 5:30 which is very early, but I always try and catch the openers because I’ve fallen in love with so many of those bands. The first band up, Bad Luck. Based out of NYC reminds me so much of bands I listened to growing up like All Time Low, We The Kings, and Mayday Parade. The lyrics are from the heart, the vocals are catchy as hell, and the music makes me feel like I’m 15 again. They had actually come off a UK tour with one of my favorite bands as a teen: Madina Lake.
BAD KIDS ONLINE: Instagram | TikTok | X
In the mid-2000’s (long before streaming), iTunes would release a free single weekly from lesser-known artists. Amazingly, “Snake Devil” by Scary Kids Scaring Kids has been on my playlist ever since. I lived under a rock for a while when it came to music and had no idea how much the band had been through. Line up changes were became common in 2009 beginning with the vocalist Tyson Stevens taking a break the last few performances of warped tour. The vocalists and other members that filled in are some of the best known names in rock and metal right now: Craig Mabbitt (Escape the Fate), Bandon Bolmer (replaced Craig Owens in Chiodos), Vic Fuentes (Peirce the Vie), and Cove Reber (Saosin) were all brought in to perform vocals. Stevens’ and the bands’ pain radiated through listeners’ ears, and just 5 years later Steven’s tragically passed away in 2014 of an overdose. The band had broken up on a 2010 farewell tour that followed Warped Tour 2009. Although the band has had numerous changes and only has 2 original members Chad Crawford, and Pouyan Afkary remaining, you wouldn’t know if you were blindfolded. This speaks to the hard work and dedication of the members and the music’s relatability. I also have to note that I attended the meet and greet and it was the best one I’ve ever had. I may have gotten lucky because the band was a last minute addition, but the 5 other fans and I spent like 45 minutes just chatting with the members. The show was a lot of fun and on the tamer side for me because I go to a lot of metal shows. All I have to say is don’t underestimate the power of a mid 2000s emo single because the second the familiar synths of “My Darkest Hour” came in, the crowd went nuts. If you were alive and listened to emo music, I’d be shocked if you didn’t recognize it.
SCARING KIDS SCARING KIDS ONLINE: Instagram | TikTok | X
If you google the band Emery, the caption under their website address is “Emery aka the Masters of Rock aka the Badass Dads Band”. I laugh a little at it but they definitely lived up to it. I didn’t listen to Emery as much growing up, but as the crowd was approaching what I call “Bad Omens fan-ness” level pushing (if you know you know) and I was holding on to my camera for dear life, the energy was infectious. I realize now, that may have had something to do with the band’s relocation from South Carolina to Seattle in September 11th, 2001 (yes, really). The band’s 8th album release “White Line Fever” was written about the bands’ experiences and the events of the time. The band did have the right idea, almost none of the bands I grew up listening to came out of the Pacific Northwest (I grew up in New Jersey). Over the years, the band has dealt with a stigma associated with bands labeled “Christian”. While the members are all Christian, I don’t hear it in their music much. At this point in my life, I’d call myself Agnostic, but bands like Emery, Skillet, and even Memphis May Fire that are labeled as Christian but are just as accessible and relatable as any other bands.
EMERY ONLINE: Instagram | TikTok | X
WHAT ARE THEY UP TO NOW?
Bad Luck
Appears to be taking some time after returning from the UK and immediately going on tour with Emery. Keep an eye on their socials because they’ll announce something soon
Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Have 2 more dates where they will perform their self-titled album in full length and will be performing at 2 major festivals Sonic Temple and Welcome to Rockville.
March 29 – The Glass House Concert Hall- Pamona, CA
March 30- Tremblor Brewing Company- Bakersfield, CA
May 10 – Sonic Temple Festival- Columbuis, OH
May 16- Welcome to Rockville- Daytona Beach, FL
Emery
Is embarking on an extensive Acoustic tour supported by artist Flake
April 2- City Winery Chicago - Chicago, IL
April 3- The Loving Touch- Ferndale, MI
April 4- City Winery Pittsburgh- Pittsburgh, PA
April 5- City Winery Philadelphia- Philadelphia, PA
April 6- City Winery New York City - New York, NY
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