A sold out Sunday night at the Fireside. I just love when kids come out of the woodwork, the suburbs, the alleys, the trains, the Volvos, whateva. And they are crazy for that one show they get to. Work, school, family commitments; this sucks! ‘All I know is I am going to see Hopesfall Sunday and I am going to go fucking off!’ The kids showed up Sunday night and there was real passion for music.

And to all the people at the Fireside, Cheers! Always a pleasure! Sold out, a couple hundred kids, and never a problem. Not to mention quick, efficient set changes between bands, that always impresses me, and keeps it moving. And then there is the bar, which offers a little separation, and $2.50 Rolling Rocks for us who need a break once in awhile.

Codeseven, who I must thank for saving me a space in an otherwise sold out situation, know how to play, although I found the first few songs I heard painfully slow and they never seemed to go anywhere. They have some cool influences and styles from jazz to some real atmospheric and textural things going on, but in their effort to prove that they have skills and to write some deep, challenging, different music, they leave the song behind. The song should not suffer and the continued writing should not be at the expense of the song. Do not challenge yourself to such an extent, that you strain what may naturally. Musically. That's the feel I got anyway. Then the last 2 songs I heard this wasn't the case at all. They went on to areas I was expecting the painful songs to go to. I thought they were fantastic. Kids seemed on the fence about Codeseven. Although I think as they continue to grow into the band they envision, they are on deck to be felt.

Hopesfall hit the stage next, after, what I always feel, is a most efficient breakdown and set up of the stage at the Fireside. Hopesfall came out strong, as did the kids, for a band that seems to have power, lyric, and music that kids want more of. The kids seem like they know what Hopesfall does and is about. I noticed a few interesting things during Hopesfall’s set that excited me; a clap along, hands above heads, at the beginning of like their second song, which I will get to the bottom of, and that kids were dancing. Not circling up and looking to _ _ _ _(the m word), but dancing. I even saw, the emergence of a few styles kids were rocking that I liked. Remember all the old styles? ---note to self find that SOIA video with all those dudes we knew from a 1000 shows dancing the different styles (Step Down)-----sorry----So kids were singing, rocking, dancing. Jay was out in the crowd a lot and really involved with the kids he cherishes. If this was indeed everyone’s one show this week, or the only few hours they would enjoy and blow off some steam this week, then they were at the right show and the highlight was the Hopesfall set!

One Line Drawing I always forget is Jonah from Far. God, by the way kids sing Mother Mary, you would think Far was still around or bigger when they were, but Jonah has reinvented that song for a new audience, no doubt, I do not want to take away from that. I loved Water and Solutions, I really liked Far and I think Jonah does what he does really well. The song he started with about a friend tagging his girlfriend is awesome. Then he busts into something and declares,’ I’ll stay with hate songs for $500.’ He’s confident, kids feel him, and his time on stage has taught him how to be a great performer, not hiding behind anything. And most importantly his songs are good and translated yesterday at a sold out Fireside, which may have been a perfect forum for Jonah, I mean one Line Drawing.

Coheed & Cambria Headlined. And I must admit. I could not. And did not. Stay.