Against Me, The Riverboat Gamblers, and Fake Problems February 21, 2007 @ The State Theatre, St. Petersburg, FL

Pictures by: Cassie Dennis 

Much thanks for the help to: Peggy Farren

Editor’s note: More Riverboat pictures to come

To say that this show was highly anticipated by a great number of people (myself included) would be a huge understatement. Not being able to speak for everyone, I can tell you that when I heard about this show I was gleefully jumping for joy. Why? Look at the lineup. Three amazing bands: one being one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen (The Gamblers), one being an amazing band as well as some of the best people that I’ve been honored to have as friends (Against Me!), and one up and coming band that isn’t afraid to step out of the box and throw in a bunch of influences into their music making it their own (Fake Problems). So would the show live up to all of the pre-game hype?

Naples own Fake Problems were up first. Many people of late have been calling Fake Problems “Against Me! Jr.” and though there are similarities in that they are both in one way or another influenced by folk, or they both have the loud quiet loud dynamic in their songs, there are enough differences to set them apart. I was very eager to see them play because I have missed them about the last five times they’ve come around. Simply put, Fake Problems were great live. Any un-ease that they may have had about playing on a bigger stage with monitors (having played the State a few times myself, I know how daunting it can be) was not evident. Focusing on songs from their previous Sabot releases as well as a few new songs, they played a very spirited 30 minute set which found them bouncing about the stage and generally having a good time.These youngins have been getting a lot of attention of late and seeing them live is definitely an indication why. Next up was The Riverboat Gamblers.

Anyone that knows me also knows that I am obsessed with with the Gamblers. I hold them in the highest regards as being one of the best live bands that I’ve ever seen. Their shows have become infamous for Mike’s (their vocalist) acrobatics on stage, but don’t confuse them for a one trick pony. No, this bands represents the total package: an amazing front-man and a tight, solid rhythm section. Like the last two times I’ve seen them, the Gamblers focused mostly on songs from their last two albums, Something to Crow About and To the Confusion of Our Enemies, which is fine by me,those are my two favorite albums. And like the last two times I’ve seen them, they did not disappoint. Mike spazzed out (as usual) but not as much as the last two times I’ve seen him. He did however take on the 15-20 ft. high PA speakers, and like a true champion, kicked its ass. The only thing that bums me out about seeing the Gamblers as an opening band is that the time in between songs seems a bit rushed, and you don’t get an opportunity to hear the err…um…retarded in between song stage banter that is generally pretty damn funny and entertaining (common themes I’ve noticed before include aliens and dinosaurs), otherwise they had a solid 30 minute set which was just enough to satiate me until the next time they come through. On a side note, I had a surreal rock n’ roll dork out moment when I found out that their current drummer was an ex drummer from Gorilla Biscuits. After pumping the crowd up, it was time for Against Me! to hit the stage.

I’ve heard all the criticism’s of Against Me! and I will tell you flat out that I don’t care. I don’t care that people think they sold out the scene. I don’t care that people cannot get their heads out of their collective asses…you know who I’m talking about, the people that say Crime As Forgiven By and Reinventing Axl Rose are the only good albums. Say what you want about Against Me! but keep in mind, over the last 7-8 years they have busted their asses creating some amazing music and memories. They have earned everything that they have, and their hard work and diligence are definitely to be admired. Against Me! started the whole show off with Pints of Guinness Make You Strong and continued to blow the collective minds of everyone in the room. The selection of songs they played spanned all of their albums as well as included some of the newer songs from the forthcoming album New Wave, and they even played The Disco Before the Breakdown, a song I haven’t heard them play live in years. I can tell you this, this humble reviewer was privy to the sound-check before the show, and I was fortunate enough to hear a bunch of their new songs including ones they didn’t play during their set. From what I heard during sound-check and live, New Wave is going to be a beast. It is going to sound huge, and will easily be one of their best. Everything you would have expected during an Against Me! show came to fruition: the sold out room coming together as one collective voice, the rabid fan pandemonium of which I felt sorry for Jordan and John who constantly had to keep their eyes peeled for crowd surfers and stage divers, and a straight ahead charging band that (gladly) left little space in between songs for talking, focusing their set on playing music. Overall, this show was easily one of my top five favorite shows of all time.