Bayside & Say Anything w/ Reggie & The Full Effect
Showbox, Seattle, WA
04.29.17

What happens when two bands that are fans of each other book a tour together? You get Bayside and Say Anything co-headlining one of the most incredible tours of 2017. Not to mention Reggie & The Full Effect as an opener, which added another element to the incredibly nostalgic event featuring over 45 years of collective touring experience.

James Dweed’s solo project, Reggie & The Full Effect, got the night started with his catchy emo-pop songs. While manning the electric keyboard, Dweed’s managed to capture the audience’s attention with each track, intermixing a bit of self-deprecating humor between tracks. During one break between songs, he cracked jokes about weed, being a douche bag, and getting back tattoos in Austin, Texas. All of which are what his songs are about. RATFE’s random song themes and catchy hooks did not disappoint.

Say Anything took command of the stage next and from the very first note the fans were singing at the top of their lungs. The intensity skyrocketed during the opening song, “Do Better.” Young fans started flying over the crowd and across the barricade as everyone else jumped up and down, shaking the floor of the Showbox. Lead singer, Max Bemis, noticed early on how just how spirited the crowd was reacting.

Listening to any of Say Anything’s records, fans would never expect the reality of the mosh pits, jumping, and crowd surfing that happen at their live show. Bemis’s stage presence encouraged the crowd and their energy. He plunged down into the crowd and threw the mic into the face of the fans. Their singing along upped the lively movement on stage as if supporting each band member.

With an extra long set, they were able to play a variety of songs from each of their six albums, including “I Hate Everyone,” “Peace Out,” and “Give a Damn.” The night ended with Bemis sharing with the crowd, that the album, …Is  A Real Boy, is a very special record to many fans so they intentionally saved the last few songs as a treat. They ended the set with three fan favorites including “I Want to Know Your Plans,” “Spidersong,” and finally “Every Man Has a Molly.” The whole experience of Say Anything’s set was unlike anything else. It left Bayside with big shoes to fill and pressure to end the show on a high note.

The Showbox lights went dark except for one spot light in the very front as Bayside’s lead singer, Anthony Ranieri, walked out in front of the fans. He jumped up on the barricade to become one with the crowd as they opened the night with “They Looked Like Strong Hands.” Despite an intimate start to the set, Ranieri’s vocals were soon overpowered by the crowd. He offered the mic to them, allowing them to build up the song as the rest of the band joined him on stage to pick up speed.

The rest of the night was high octane, and they moved right into “Already Gone.” With each song, the pace increased, only slowing down for 10 seconds during the intro of “The Walking Wounded.” Bayside shared, “We don’t stop much so we can fit as many songs as possible into each set.” They played each song back-to-back-to-back in what sounded like just a few 9-minute, epic tracks.

The best part about Bayside is lead guitarist Jake O’Shea’s endless variety of guitar solos. Every song featured some type of monumental guitar solo by O’Shea. This established Bayside as more than just a bunch of fast power chords, showcasing complexity that elevated each song to a new level.

The whole night was a hit ’til the end when Ranieri was equipped with his acoustic guitar and slowed down with “Don’t Call Me Peanut.” He justified the change of pace, “We can’t dance all night, we’ll break a hip, we’re getting old.” Then the night ended with a slew of Bayside’s heaviest and fastest songs, the crowd giving it their all as they closed the set with “Devotion and Desire.”

Bayside and their fast moving pop-punk songs complimented their co-headlining partners Say Anything’s indie pop songs. In all, they offered the emo scene one of the best tours this spring.

Review and Photos by Logan Westom

Bayside

Say Anything

Reggie & The Full Effect