[Punk] Blink 182 - Review

[image=left]http://www.alternativenation.net/photos/data/739/5004en402013cbn_blink182_altnatweb-thumb.jpg[/image]With the release of their new album Blink 182 have certainly grown up, no jokes about sleeping with members of your family or embarrassing bodily functions have place here tonight, there here with an album that is slicker and darker than its predecessors and a stage show to match.

First up is The Nervous Return and I quickly become aware I’m stuck in the middle of the row with no possible means of escape. They remind me of a boring sub standard Jimmy Eat World and most of the crowd agree. I can only assume one of The Nervous Return are dating one of Blinks sisters as that seems the only plausible reason they would be allowed on this tour. A few hecklers managed to cause a few laughs but that was the only highlight of the set.

Next up is The Motion City Soundtrack and while they seemed to a better job of warming up the crowd there performance did little to impress. A lot of jumping around on stage seemed to mask the fact that they were middle of the road and the current trend for moog playing was just plain irritating. People were happier chatting in the foyer with their friends or scoping out talent than actually listening to any of the support bands which may seem harsh buts its true.

Fortunately when Blink eventually arrived they needed no warming up as the crowd had quickly whipped themselves up into a frenzy with the pit looking like a sweat fest of teenage hormones. The minute Mark started singing 30 second swear fest ‘Family Reunion’ every person in the venue was on their feet singing along and cheering wildly, they then launched into fans favourite ‘What’s my age again?’ and so the show began. The hits came thick and fast and the fans lapped every one of them up. New tracks such as ‘Violence’, Stockholm Syndrome’ and new single ‘I miss you’ were all in their and were received very well. Blink’s passion and energy was infectious and they had the crowd in the palm of their hand. The thing most noticeable about the show was the absence of a lot of talking and gags, with only a few crowd participation moments which I have to say I preferred. We were there to hear the music and they certainly delivered. Only one song pre Enema was played, the obligatory ‘Dammit’, which is a firm favourite amongst many Blink fans so they were happy to oblige.

The time flew past and Im sure by the end quite a few in the crowd throats would have been a little worse for all the singing, but Im quite sure they would have done it all again given half the chance. So all in all despite the support bands who could single handedly wipe out insomnia, it was a great gig,it been a long time coming but well worth the wait.

[Ghostsuit]

I kind of wish I'd went to this gig now. What did everyone else think of them that was at Braehead?

[Tomm]

It was good. It would have been immensely better if they were on for longer had maybe played a little less of the new stuff (obvioulsy they will play it becauseit is their new album but i mean they didnt need to put even the stupid piano track with the woman ready out letters or whatever!) and a little more of the "Dude Ranch" or earlier stuff. I understand that they've gained alot of fans through the newer stuff but what about the peopel that prefer older tracks? Only thing that really annoyed me was the fact they didnt play "carousel" ...all in all though it was a good laugh...Motion City Soundtrack were amazing aswell. I was talking to their synth player after the show and he said MCS would be playing here in june so that will be good...

[ian_rj]

I thought that MCS and Blink were aces

The Nervous Return...................uuuuuuuunnnnnnghhhhhhblll leeeeugggh

Thought Blink could've played some more older stuff but aye.......Travis

Braehead arena sucks baws though....too far away from anywhere for my liking

How cool were they teeny wee MCS demos?!!!!

[kev56]

I thought blink played well but their choice of set list wasn't great in my opinion but I prefer older stuff. Travis' drumming was the only thing that put a smile on my face.

[Rockchic123]

i bougt the new album even though i like punk.it was good. any one else got it

[Tomm]

Why should liking punk matter about buying a certain album? And yes I've heard it and its really quite poor to be honest. I would select a track i enjoy listening to an all that but to be honest its all quite rank . Dude Ranch is where its at hah...