Crash Boom Bang and the Scenic Concert Review

Although Coldplay played a larger stage than Crash Boom Bang on Thursday night, CBB performed with enough personality and energy to fill the bigger venue. Perhaps they honed their stage show while playing with the Plain White T's and Mayday Parade last year or by playing a string of sold out shows in Northern Virginia, either way the audience danced and sang along the entire evening. The family-friendly show, and audience made up of mostly tween girls, felt like a high school party at times, but the underage X's on hands served as a reminder that you were in fact at Jammin Java and across from the merch table Grey Goose and Crown Royal were available to the few Gen Xers in the audience. Calling Falls Church home, the band had plenty of audience interaction with their local followers as they wished a few fans happy birthday and took requests in the absence of a setlist. During their second to last song, Let It Out, the guys divided the audience in to two competing teams for a sing-off. Coached by two band members, Chaucer (on guitar) and Omar (on vocals and guitar), the audience was tasked to sing to  "Let It Out" over and over again. Chaucer's team lost and he won the honor of having Team Omar silly string him.

Warming up the stage for Crash Boom Bang were The Dance Party and The Scenic. Another band scheduled to play that evening, Pull the Pin, had to cancel.

The Scenic played a six song set that demonstrated why they earned a spot on the upcoming Van's Warped Tour. Their songs are polished and radio-ready, singer Jeremy Menard has the rock star strut down, and their t-shirt collection is delightful. Highlights of their set included a kiss off song to California called So Cal So What and a pirate inspired (though Arrrrgh less) dance anthem called Bon Voyage Mr. Bones. A highlight of the banter that evening included a PSA by Jeremy Menard who told the young crowd that he had a beer when he was 15 and almost died. The band wandered the crowd and sold bargain priced CD's after their set proving they are willing to put in the effort to make it big and hopefully they will.

Upcoming local dates:

Catch Crash Boom Bang and The Scenic at the Warrenton Community Center on May 30, 2009 in Warrenton, VA

Crash Boom Bang, June 20, Waterfront Festival, Oronoco Bay Park, Alexandria VA

The Scenic, July 14, Warped Tour, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD

For more info:

Crash Boom Bang, The Scenic, Jammin Java, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Warped Tour