Collide With The Sky Tour // 11-09-2012 // Chicago, IL
Words and Photos by: Ashley Osborn
Let’s talk about the past six months for the Pierce The Veil. This four piece post-hardcore band from San Diego has in my opinion – done what many people thought was impossible. The band released their third full-length album, Collide With The Sky, and it debuted at #12 on the Billboard charts after selling over 27,000 copies in it’s first week. Now, that’s saying a lot for any band in this genre – especially one with such a unique sound. After such a successful run on Warped Tour this summer and an incredible album release we all knew a fall tour was going to follow. But, who would support the band on what I assumed would be a huge run? I was delighted to hear that Tonight Alive (Fearless Records), Hands Like Houses (Rise Records) and Sleeping With Sirens (Rise Records) would be out with the band this fall.
Australian six piece outlet Hands Like Houses opened the show on this terribly packed night at House of Blues. The second they stepped onstage they won me over solely because of the fact that all of them have the sickest mustaches – I’m not kidding (see photos below). Mustaches aside, the band’s sound is absolutely incredible. I had never listened to them myself however, in the strangest way they reminded me of some bizarre mesh between really old Panic! At The Disco with old Memphis May Fire. That probably makes no sense. You really just have to see them for yourselves. They are unlike anything else in the genre right now which is exactly why I appreciated that they were on this tour. Their debut album, Ground Dweller, is simply phenomenal and a great combination of several different genres. Go pick it up, give it a listen and be sure to check the band out. I promise they are worth it.
“Remember when they said that what we want can never be done?” Where the hell did Kellin Quinn come from? I have absolutely no idea. But Sleeping With Sirens is ridiculous in only the best of ways. It might be vocalist Kellin Quinn’s ability to deliver emotional vocal power or the band’s overall vibe – but they have a fan base as dedicated to those of the likes of All Time Low (in a good way of course). This genre is composed mainly of bands who split and come together to form new bands, but I’m pretty sure Sleeping With Sirens is just about the only band that’s doing this the right way. The band’s creativity shines through via their chemistry onstage, offstage and on a disc. Throughout the set, Sleeping With Sirens played a large mix of songs both new and old, hard and soft & relaxed and upbeat. It was a large mix that truly showcased the band’s potential. I see nothing but huge things for them in the future – especially since their most recent EP ‘If You Were a Movie, This Would Be Your Soundtrack’ sold over 17,000 copies in it’s first week! Congrats, guys!
As we previously mentioned, Pierce the Veil has already commenced their world takeover / domination. Fans gathered by the dozens are early as 7AM and at least 40 of them had an intimate meet and greet with the band pre-show. The second Sleeping With Sirens left the stage fans began chanting “PIERCE THE VEIL, PIERCE THE VEIL” along with several different tones of screeches and screams. This was Pierce the Veils night. A near chilling intro to their set was composed of dark lighting and the ever haunting “May These Noises Startle You in Your Sleep Tonight.” The second vocalist Vic Fuentes was heard coming from somewhere amongst the pitch black stage fans chimed in and the lyrics echoed throughout the room. When the music hit – the floor began bouncing, fans screaming and immediately the band bursted into playing “Hell Above.” The rest of the night we were graced with every level of Pierce the Veil’s career. We heard songs both new and from as far back as over five years ago when they released their first full-length ‘A Flair For The Dramatic’ on Equal Vision Records. The bands entire presence throughout the night seemed to feel thankful and the overall tone was somewhat of a celebration. But seeing all that Pierce the Veil has accomplished, can’t you understand why?
