Silverstein and Gob

Silverstein has their sound down to a formula. There is little fluctuation in their 10 + year spanning career, but that is okay. They know where their strong suits lie and have perfected it to the nth degree. That's not to say they have fallen into complacency. Rather they have developed a confidence and intimate understanding of the direction they want to take. Listening to their first album "When Broken Is Easily Fixed" to their latest "This is How the Wind Shifts" it is easy to detect that much of their ethos and style remains in tact; however a leap in production and overall "tightness" as a band can just as easily be detected.
They are group known for their work ethic and have frequented the touring circuit since their formation. This is apparent in the professionalism and precision of their live shows. It is amazing to see the band at work. Their coordination is unmatched as well as the amount of emotional output they invest in their performance.
Silverstein was one of the first bands I saw live and to tell the truth I was a bit nervous to go. I thought I would get mangled in one of the mosh pits that so frequently erupts at their shows. I wasn't too far from being wrong. As they opened with "Smashed In to Pieces" the crowd turned into a frenzy blur, which persisted through out the show and ended with my brother passing out after "My Heart Bleeds No More" probably due to over-exhaustion, but it could have also been because he got punched in the face.
Next time I saw them the show was just as frenetic if not more. It was almost impossible to keep track of all that was going on in the venue. I was absolutely mesmerized by the sheer dexterity of drummer Paul Koehler. It was as if he was programmed before each show never to miss a beat. But my concentration on one member soon shifted to the next as the show progressed. It was hard to ignore the bass player Billy especially when he was playing his instrument while crowding surfing among the hord of people and Shane is without a doubt one of the best frontmen in the post hardcore scene.
Though Silverstein stays true to their post-hardcore/emo roots their setlist is peppered with a few pop songs such as "Still Dreaming" and even unexpected covers like a screamo rendition of the Beatles' "Help". Maybe if you pay close enough attention you might even catch one of their 6 second covers from "Short Songs".

The Canadian punk band had be o their side from the first time I heard their hit record I Hear You Calling, which I heard through a friend who is a huge Sun 41 fan (and their singer/guitarist Tom Thacker is Sum 41’s lead guitarist). Whilst this is great, it unfortunately means that they have had to have a brief hiatus due to Sum 41 work, but their most recent show after this was absolutely epic.
They opened the show with I Hear You Calling, and did a great job at getting the audience involved just from the first track. They then introduced themselves, and launched straight into Apt.13. Although the line up has changed somewhat over the years, and many of the original members have left, but their performance was as tight, enthusiastic, and accurate as if it was the original members.
Watching a band who actually sound better live than they do on their recordings is very rare, and their incredible guitar and vocal solos and improvisations absolutely made the whole evening for me. The energy was incredible, and had everyone jumping up and down from start to finish. It was one of the best shows I’ve been to in a really long time.