 Photo by Neyda Carasa
 Photo by Neyda Carasa
 Photo by Neyda Carasa
 Photo by Neyda Carasa
 Photo by Leah Pritchett
 Photo by Neyda Carasa
Buzz Bake Sale 2006
Featuring 30 Seconds to Mars, Taking Back Sunday, Three Days Grace, My Chemical Romance, Hawthorne Heights, Reel Big Fish and more.
December 2nd
Sound Advice Amphitheatre
West Palm Beach, FL
By Leah Pritchett
Celebrating its 11th year, Buzz Bake Sale blew South Florida away like a hurricane without boundaries, bringing along stupefying bands such as 30 Second to Mars, Taking Back Sunday, Three Days Grace, Anberlin and My Chemical Romance, just to name a few.
Arriving at the venue at 9 a.m., I assumed that The Sound Advice Amphitheatre would be pretty dead, but to my surprise there was a trail of people, all wearing band t-shirts and accessories, waiting impatiently to enter. I couldn't help but giggle at the memories of when I used to sit outside early in the morning, covered up in my favorite band’s embellishment, seeking the chance to grab a glimpse of my favorite rock star.
The threshold gates of the event promptly opened at 10 a.m. and people ran back and forth to see each band play. On hand to kick off the event were the emo-hardcore rockers Kill Hannah, who performed on the outside stage. I didn’t really enjoy their lyrics, but I was extremely impressed with their sound and quality live. They also had a strong connection with the crowd. When they sang their hit song “Lips Like Morphine” from their album Until There's Nothing Left Of Us, they even had me singing along.
Cartel was the next act, but they didn’t look too content with their surroundings. The band seemed pretty upset during their sound check. Their amp had just broken, which frustrated lead singer Will Pugh. As soon as they were able to work out with their problem, they began to play and I must say that, even with their aggravation, they sounded pretty damn good.
Following Cartel on stage was Anberlin, ONE, Reel Big Fish, Sugarcult, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Hawthorne Heights. But it wasn’t until 30 Second to Mars came out on the Main Stage that the fans went totally ballistic. They sang their hit songs “ATTACK” and “The Kill” from their 2005 album A Beautiful Lie, which totally left the crowd in awe. Compared to pervious performances, like at last year’s Buzz Bake Sale, they seemed so much more professional and confident on stage.
As the end drew near, the crowd seemed even more pumped than they did when they had first arrived, but then again who wouldn’t be when Three Days Grace, Papa Roach, Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance were about to perform?
I must say the band that undoubtedly blew people away were the Jersey boys My Chemical Romance. As more than a thousand people squished in front of the stage, a sudden silence washed over the crowd when they heard a familiar voice chant an unknown tune in the background. As soon as the melody ended a black cloth that read “The Black Parade” was pulled down to reveal MCR's faces.
A very excited (and blonde) Gerard Way appeared, clapping his hands, moving up and down the stage singing and dancing to their new song “Dead!” from their smashing new album The Black Parade. Fans, including myself, couldn't help but dance along.
Some of the songs they performed reached back into their previous album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge including; “Thank You For The Venom,” “I'm Not Okay” and their renowned song “Helena.”
Gerard’s confidence on stage was crazy! I had never seen the guys look so comfortable and perform so flawlessly. Every tune was correctly played and sung, and they seemed to have enjoyed themselves.
This year’s Buzz Bake Sale was by far the best, even with people’s pushing and pulling and the nasty blisters on my feet. It was filled with outrageous music, unique people and style. It’s not everyday that you have so many bands from across the states and overseas come all together to entertain a little part of South Florida. Hopefully we will have many more to come!
Email Leah your thoughts: outloud@outloud.com
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